If you didn’t like anything you could afford...

[Anonymous]

We bought our 1950s Arlington house in 2017 and it has appreciated almost 20% since then (just had an appraisal done). We compromised a lot -- got some of what we wanted, but with older bathrooms and kitchen, and not the best layout. But location was perfect.

[Anonymous]

We are in the same boat OP. Unfortunately, my DH and I dont agree on a lot

He doesnt care about commute, my hard line is commute under 45 minutes at rush hour including daycare pickup and dropoff
He cares about schools and I think things can swing either way in the 5years plus before he enters K
I want turn key he sees "potential" -but neither of us are handy and he cant do basic tasks at home regularly so I dont see big projects getting done DIY

My biggest complaint with the market right now is that people are trying to sell houses for 50-100K more with no updates or changes from when they bought in 2015. Find another sucker because I am not paying more for a house you have worn down without improving. If you put a new roof, new appliances, updated bathroom and kitchens, etc. - maybe 50K but not 100 or 125K increase. We are looking in PG, Howard, AA county areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in the same boat OP. Unfortunately, my DH and I dont agree on a lot

He doesnt care about commute, my hard line is commute under 45 minutes at rush hour including daycare pickup and dropoff
He cares about schools and I think things can swing either way in the 5years plus before he enters K
I want turn key he sees "potential" -but neither of us are handy and he cant do basic tasks at home regularly so I dont see big projects getting done DIY

My biggest complaint with the market right now is that people are trying to sell houses for 50-100K more with no updates or changes from when they bought in 2015. Find another sucker because I am not paying more for a house you have worn down without improving. If you put a new roof, new appliances, updated bathroom and kitchens, etc. - maybe 50K but not 100 or 125K increase. We are looking in PG, Howard, AA county areas.

That seems pretty optimistic, unless you live only a couple miles from where you work, almost anywhere around here... most people are happy with straight up max 45 mins without daycare. It gets a lot worse than that outside Arlington/MoCo.

I mean, I don't know how far out of the way your pickup/dropoff is, but assuming it's hardly at, that seems like it must add at least 10 minutes at each end? You have to park, get out, get in, wait for kid, sign in. My school dropoff couldn't be more convenient, it's right in my neighborhood, but it still adds 8 or 10 minutes.

So let's assume your dropoff isn't totally perfect, but not too bad, are we talking about a 20 minute commute max, not counting daycare? That's a pretty high bar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in the same boat OP. Unfortunately, my DH and I dont agree on a lot

He doesnt care about commute, my hard line is commute under 45 minutes at rush hour including daycare pickup and dropoff
He cares about schools and I think things can swing either way in the 5years plus before he enters K
I want turn key he sees "potential" -but neither of us are handy and he cant do basic tasks at home regularly so I dont see big projects getting done DIY

My biggest complaint with the market right now is that people are trying to sell houses for 50-100K more with no updates or changes from when they bought in 2015. Find another sucker because I am not paying more for a house you have worn down without improving. If you put a new roof, new appliances, updated bathroom and kitchens, etc. - maybe 50K but not 100 or 125K increase. We are looking in PG, Howard, AA county areas.

Precisely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are in the same boat OP. Unfortunately, my DH and I dont agree on a lot

He doesnt care about commute, my hard line is commute under 45 minutes at rush hour including daycare pickup and dropoff
He cares about schools and I think things can swing either way in the 5years plus before he enters K
I want turn key he sees "potential" -but neither of us are handy and he cant do basic tasks at home regularly so I dont see big projects getting done DIY

My biggest complaint with the market right now is that people are trying to sell houses for 50-100K more with no updates or changes from when they bought in 2015. Find another sucker because I am not paying more for a house you have worn down without improving. If you put a new roof, new appliances, updated bathroom and kitchens, etc. - maybe 50K but not 100 or 125K increase. We are looking in PG, Howard, AA county areas.

Precisely.

I find it funny that you don't want to accept a higher price PP but your demands list practically ensures you're going to have to cough up $100K over what your husband would be willing to settle for.

Turn-key and a commute under 45 mins at rush hour including daycare and pick-up is going to be tough find for under $700K anywhere in this area. Though you might have luck in the PG/Howard County areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in the same boat OP. Unfortunately, my DH and I dont agree on a lot

He doesnt care about commute, my hard line is commute under 45 minutes at rush hour including daycare pickup and dropoff
He cares about schools and I think things can swing either way in the 5years plus before he enters K
I want turn key he sees "potential" -but neither of us are handy and he cant do basic tasks at home regularly so I dont see big projects getting done DIY

My biggest complaint with the market right now is that people are trying to sell houses for 50-100K more with no updates or changes from when they bought in 2015. Find another sucker because I am not paying more for a house you have worn down without improving. If you put a new roof, new appliances, updated bathroom and kitchens, etc. - maybe 50K but not 100 or 125K increase. We are looking in PG, Howard, AA county areas.

So you think the only way a house should appreciate by 50K is if someone actually spent 50K on it? Do you just not believe in inflation?

Housing around here in most desirable areas goes up 3-4% a year. On a 500K, house, with just a 3% annual rate of increase, it would be worth over 560K now vs. 2015.

Sorry if you won't "play" but that just means you won't get a house.

[Anonymous]

Some people just think that buyers will grab anything. People who updated or built their homes in 2000 or so think that their kitchens are hot their carpets are new and their wall color is amazing, the same about the hideous bathrooms with horrible tiles, corner jacuzzies, ugly framed walk in showers. Please, someone start remodeling before sell to ask the price you are asking so you will sell your homes.

Less and less people have time to move in with kids and live through the mess, the smell and the noise. Most single family homes are the name implies are bought by FAMILY, I think that the current buyer needs to realize it is not 1980 and people have some standards and they will wait.
It is so easy to remodel for those who are empty nesters not having kids at home, it is so difficult to do it with kids. Also so many people with allergies want their hard wood floors in place and house post remodel and free of dust so they can just move in and enjoy the house.

Please please please at the minimum do update your kitchen and bathrooms as the hardwood floors are not as difficult to put and only take couple days but the other stuff, just please.. you want to sell your home, there so many people who want to buy. All the sellers really need to go and look and see, all updated homes sell fast, all outdated sit, it is really a no brainer! It seems that for the most parts, it is the same deal..

The outdated home will sell after many months and with tons of price drops, the updated home will sell faster and for the asking price.

So? Let's start remodeling people!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are in the same boat OP. Unfortunately, my DH and I dont agree on a lot

He doesnt care about commute, my hard line is commute under 45 minutes at rush hour including daycare pickup and dropoff
He cares about schools and I think things can swing either way in the 5years plus before he enters K
I want turn key he sees "potential" -but neither of us are handy and he cant do basic tasks at home regularly so I dont see big projects getting done DIY

My biggest complaint with the market right now is that people are trying to sell houses for 50-100K more with no updates or changes from when they bought in 2015. Find another sucker because I am not paying more for a house you have worn down without improving. If you put a new roof, new appliances, updated bathroom and kitchens, etc. - maybe 50K but not 100 or 125K increase. We are looking in PG, Howard, AA county areas.

So you think the only way a house should appreciate by 50K is if someone actually spent 50K on it? Do you just not believe in inflation?

Housing around here in most desirable areas goes up 3-4% a year. On a 500K, house, with just a 3% annual rate of increase, it would be worth over 560K now vs. 2015.

Sorry if you won't "play" but that just means you won't get a house.

I personally won't play and I let you totally keep your house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some people just think that buyers will grab anything. People who updated or built their homes in 2000 or so think that their kitchens are hot their carpets are new and their wall color is amazing, the same about the hideous bathrooms with horrible tiles, corner jacuzzies, ugly framed walk in showers. Please, someone start remodeling before sell to ask the price you are asking so you will sell your homes.

Less and less people have time to move in with kids and live through the mess, the smell and the noise. Most single family homes are the name implies are bought by FAMILY, I think that the current buyer needs to realize it is not 1980 and people have some standards and they will wait.
It is so easy to remodel for those who are empty nesters not having kids at home, it is so difficult to do it with kids. Also so many people with allergies want their hard wood floors in place and house post remodel and free of dust so they can just move in and enjoy the house.

Please please please at the minimum do update your kitchen and bathrooms as the hardwood floors are not as difficult to put and only take couple days but the other stuff, just please.. you want to sell your home, there so many people who want to buy. All the sellers really need to go and look and see, all updated homes sell fast, all outdated sit, it is really a no brainer! It seems that for the most parts, it is the same deal..

The outdated home will sell after many months and with tons of price drops, the updated home will sell faster and for the asking price.

So? Let's start remodeling people!

I think you forgot to leave your business card... LOL

It's pretty much common knowledge that other than paint and fixing obviously broken things, you're lucky to get back half of what you spend updating a house when you sell it...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you think the only way a house should appreciate by 50K is if someone actually spent 50K on it? Do you just not believe in inflation?

Housing around here in most desirable areas goes up 3-4% a year. On a 500K, house, with just a 3% annual rate of increase, it would be worth over 560K now vs. 2015.

Sorry if you won't "play" but that just means you won't get a house.

I personally won't play and I let you totally keep your house.

No worries mate. Homeownership isn't for everyone, enjoy renting!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We kept renting and socking away money. It will either be a down payment on a place someday or somewhere else, or it will boost our retirement savings. In the meantime, we live in an area with a school that works for our kids and an easy commute. I'm willing to compromise, but only so much.

Part of the reason people settle is because the rentals are usually woefully outdated, poorly maintained and still very expensive. If you have been able to find a rental that you like more than what's for sale, with an affordable price, then hold on tight.

Yup. Around here it's extremely unlikely that the rent on a place is going to be a lot less than the mortgage would be for the same situation. So why not actually benefit from the remarkable appreciation homes around here typically enjoy while living in a shit shack, if you're going to be living in one either way?

Because the remarkable appreciation is over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We kept renting and socking away money. It will either be a down payment on a place someday or somewhere else, or it will boost our retirement savings. In the meantime, we live in an area with a school that works for our kids and an easy commute. I'm willing to compromise, but only so much.

Part of the reason people settle is because the rentals are usually woefully outdated, poorly maintained and still very expensive. If you have been able to find a rental that you like more than what's for sale, with an affordable price, then hold on tight.

Yup. Around here it's extremely unlikely that the rent on a place is going to be a lot less than the mortgage would be for the same situation. So why not actually benefit from the remarkable appreciation homes around here typically enjoy while living in a shit shack, if you're going to be living in one either way?

Not PP but we pay $2500 per month for a 1350 square foot apartment with two bedrooms, two baths, and a den (with a window and closet and door, so could be a third bedroom, but we mainly use it as a guestroom / den), zoned for Murch/Deal/Wilson. These places exist, they just aren't the fancy new buildings is the hot neighborhoods. We're holding on tight like PP.

https://www.apartments.com/washington-dc/2-bedrooms-2-bathrooms-under-2500/?bb=_n1si6gp1H0xxsvhC

There's exactly one listing under $2500 west of the park, and it's 750 SF. Not sure how they get 2BR and 2BA in that!

Maybe you've been there a long time or it's a total dump but that's not at all typical.

$2,500 WTOP in D/W? Guarantee the PP is living in a walk-up (or one with a single elevator from the 50s) with coin-operated laundry in the basement, parquet floors from the 70s, a kitchen that has linoleum, building controlled central A/C + heat, and a horrible facade.

Find cheap options, get cheap living.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We kept renting and socking away money. It will either be a down payment on a place someday or somewhere else, or it will boost our retirement savings. In the meantime, we live in an area with a school that works for our kids and an easy commute. I'm willing to compromise, but only so much.

Part of the reason people settle is because the rentals are usually woefully outdated, poorly maintained and still very expensive. If you have been able to find a rental that you like more than what's for sale, with an affordable price, then hold on tight.

Yup. Around here it's extremely unlikely that the rent on a place is going to be a lot less than the mortgage would be for the same situation. So why not actually benefit from the remarkable appreciation homes around here typically enjoy while living in a shit shack, if you're going to be living in one either way?

Because the remarkable appreciation is over.

Yeah, because it totally makes sense that houses would increase on average -- in the entire US - by 6.4% annually, for the last 36 years, but it will just stop now in the nation's capital.

http://www.realestateabc.com/graphs/natlmedian.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are in the same boat OP. Unfortunately, my DH and I dont agree on a lot

He doesnt care about commute, my hard line is commute under 45 minutes at rush hour including daycare pickup and dropoff
He cares about schools and I think things can swing either way in the 5years plus before he enters K
I want turn key he sees "potential" -but neither of us are handy and he cant do basic tasks at home regularly so I dont see big projects getting done DIY

My biggest complaint with the market right now is that people are trying to sell houses for 50-100K more with no updates or changes from when they bought in 2015. Find another sucker because I am not paying more for a house you have worn down without improving. If you put a new roof, new appliances, updated bathroom and kitchens, etc. - maybe 50K but not 100 or 125K increase. We are looking in PG, Howard, AA county areas.

So you think the only way a house should appreciate by 50K is if someone actually spent 50K on it? Do you just not believe in inflation?

Housing around here in most desirable areas goes up 3-4% a year. On a 500K, house, with just a 3% annual rate of increase, it would be worth over 560K now vs. 2015.

Sorry if you won't "play" but that just means you won't get a house.

I personally won't play and I let you totally keep your house.

I’m with you. Salaries aren’t going up to compensate for the housing and it can’t go up forever. Home ownership isn’t the investment it used to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We kept renting and socking away money. It will either be a down payment on a place someday or somewhere else, or it will boost our retirement savings. In the meantime, we live in an area with a school that works for our kids and an easy commute. I'm willing to compromise, but only so much.

Part of the reason people settle is because the rentals are usually woefully outdated, poorly maintained and still very expensive. If you have been able to find a rental that you like more than what's for sale, with an affordable price, then hold on tight.

Yup. Around here it's extremely unlikely that the rent on a place is going to be a lot less than the mortgage would be for the same situation. So why not actually benefit from the remarkable appreciation homes around here typically enjoy while living in a shit shack, if you're going to be living in one either way?

Because the remarkable appreciation is over.

Yeah, because it totally makes sense that houses would increase on average -- in the entire US - by 6.4% annually, for the last 36 years, but it will just stop now in the nation's capital.

http://www.realestateabc.com/graphs/natlmedian.html

Younger generations aren’t interested in owning much of anything. Not houses, not cars, not even clothes- clothing rental is a thing. I suspect you’re a realtor trying to protect your livelihood. I get it, but I’m not playing.