Tell me to stop, please!!

Jells2dot0

We're in the process of moving. My DH is already gone and just traveling back and forth. I'll be joining him when I can get well and get a new job. So, probably late this year/early next year. We haven't decided if we're going to sell our current home, sell our rental property, or both. Obviously, the more we sell, the more money we have to spend on a home. We may end up with our current home AND a new home in our new location. Who knows!!

I cannot stop looking at homes on realtor.com. We probably won't end up buying until mid next year, as I want time to move, look around the area, and be sure that I want to stay. It's super ridiculous to be looking at homes within such a wide budget range. I'll find something really neat, send it to DH, but then nothing can come of it. I need a new hobby!

CMGragain

No, keep going!  I looked at homes on line here in Grand Junction for about three years before we actually moved here.  I also read the local paper on line. 
When our house was finally sold (in the middle of the real estate crisis - 2007!), it took one day to find the perfect house.  I knew the neighborhoods, the schools, the crime rate (non-existant).  I had a copy of the listing in my hand, and I whispered to the agent that DH would buy this house, so save it for later in the day.
I'll never forget the stunned look on DH's face when he stood in the driveway and saw the views of the Colorado National Monument.  The agent was amazed at me.  I said, "You will be writing a contract in less than two hours."  I was correct.  DH still thinks it was his idea to buy this house.

mysticl

Consider it research. You'll know what the average prices are, what things are selling for, how long stuff stays on the market, etc. for when you are willing to start looking.  

DH's retirement is at least 2 years away, longer if he gets promoted and we periodically check out what's available in the area we want to move to when he's done.  And I lived there the first 18 years of my life and I'm still checking stuff out.  

Jells2dot0

So, I'm not nuts for looking? There are SO many decisions that need to be made before we can get serious about it!

CMGragain

AW!  Our view is a lot like this:

hellosweetie1015

LOOK ALL YOU WANT! It's definitely research.

mysticl

Jells2dot0 said:

So, I'm not nuts for looking? There are SO many decisions that need to be made before we can get serious about it!

Not even close.  Looking now will help with some of those decisions.  It will give you a better idea of what you want and don't want and streamline your search when the time comes. 

Jells2dot0

CMGragain said:

AW!  Our view is a lot like this:

I'm not going to be getting a view like that in Texas

holyguacamole79

Jells2dot0 said:

AW!  Our view is a lot like this:

I'm not going to be getting a view like that in Texas

What part of Texas? There are some pretty good vows down here!

Jells2dot0

DFW area!

holyguacamole79

Not many good views there. . My sister lives in Ft Worth and absolutely loves it!

Jells2dot0

@sarahbear31 - good to know! We'll be working in FTW, so that is most likely where we'll live. Just have to figure out a budget because there is such a wide range of options to choose from. 

mysticl

Now I'm stalking Zillow.  One for the listing we have on the market right now at our old duty station and for where we are thinking of going when DH retires.  

missdelilah

Don't worry.  I've been looking at houses to buy for the last year, and we won't be any position to start looking in earnest until at least September.  I consider it research.  Sure, I was bummed that a few houses I loved got sold, but it's good to know what's out there in our price range, and therefore whether what is available when we begin hunting is worthwhile, or whether I should hold out.  I can imagine it's much more difficult not having a price range.  But that also gives you some flexibility.  

If you fall in love with a more expensive house, you can sell both properties if need be (it sounds like you're open to that option) and if you find a less pricey option that you love, you get to keep one.  And there's no need to buy the most expensive house you can find.  

Good luck with the search!

OliveOilsMom

I've been looking at houses for around a year now.  We have our house on the market.  It took over 100 days before we got the first person through the door.  We finally got another person in today during our open house and they seemed interested!  I have everything crossed that they put a bid in, but I feel that since I've been looking at houses over the last year, I know the prices I can get for what house and the features, etc.  So its been very helpful to be looking!

sarahufl

H and I have been looking at apartments for, I kid you not, THREE YEARS. Mind you, in NYC, apartments cost more than probably all your houses combined (the real estate market here is insane). This winter, we decided to look at houses instead. I am ALWAYS looking at houses. We chose a suburb to focus on that we really like and is close to Manhattan, where we both work. That particular burb is very, very small so houses go quickly. We put in a bid on a place just before our wedding and, sadly, lost it. We haven't looked at all since early July but will get back to it as soon as we get settled again. We probably won't find anything till spring, when the market picks back up but we have to be prepared to act fast since houses here sell in a matter of days. The more we look, the more confident we are that when we see something we like, we can jump on it.

missdelilah

Oh no!  You have my and FI back to searching!

Jells2dot0

I planted the evil seed! Lol

I just spoke with DH and now I think I have him convinced to buy something smaller and keep our current homes and possibly our rental here in AZ. But, that is just because he was walking around downtown and was enjoying it (the smaller homes were very close to downtown). I'm sure he'll change his mind again!

NYCMercedes

Keep looking. I stalk realtor.com all the time and I'm never leaving this house where we've been for 27 years.

steph861

I was the exact same way just a few months ago before we actively started looking for a house. FI told me there was no point in looking so early. I know that, but I just like looking!

So yeah, I don't have any advice, but I totally know where you're coming from.

Jells2dot0

The thing that sucks is that I really don't want to move! Our company is forcing it. We just had our current home built last year and it's perfect for our long term needs. So, everything will probably pale in comparison!

mysticl

Jells2dot0 said:

The thing that sucks is that I really don't want to move! Our company is forcing it. We just had our current home built last year and it's perfect for our long term needs. So, everything will probably pale in comparison!

Is renting it out and moving back in some time in the future a possibility?  We just did that.  When DH and I got married I moved into his house.  Less than a year later the Navy decided it was time for us to move.  We were going to sell the house but there were a ton on the market in our neighborhood and several were foreclosures so they were bigger with a lower asking price than what we owed.  So we hired a property manager and rented the place out.  A couple of weeks ago the Navy sent us back.  About the same time the orders came in our renter asked if he could break his lease.  So we are right back in the same house.  

Jells2dot0

mysticl said:

Jells2dot0 said:

The thing that sucks is that I really don't want to move! Our company is forcing it. We just had our current home built last year and it's perfect for our long term needs. So, everything will probably pale in comparison!

Is renting it out and moving back in some time in the future a possibility?  We just did that.  When DH and I got married I moved into his house.  Less than a year later the Navy decided it was time for us to move.  We were going to sell the house but there were a ton on the market in our neighborhood and several were foreclosures so they were bigger with a lower asking price than what we owed.  So we hired a property manager and rented the place out.  A couple of weeks ago the Navy sent us back.  About the same time the orders came in our renter asked if he could break his lease.  So we are right back in the same house.  

We talked about renting it out, but if we're keeping it, it benefits us more from a tax perspective to have it as a second home rather than a rental. We can't currently use any deductions from our other rental because of income caps. We need all of the tax deductions we can get, plus we do see ourselves back here because DH's kids are here. They are adults, so it's not like we have visitation or anything, but he likes the idea of being able to come back they need him. DH is also within 5-10 years of retiring, so he'll have more flexibility to go back and forth soon.

mysticl

Jells2dot0 said:

mysticl said:

Jells2dot0 said:

The thing that sucks is that I really don't want to move! Our company is forcing it. We just had our current home built last year and it's perfect for our long term needs. So, everything will probably pale in comparison!

Is renting it out and moving back in some time in the future a possibility?  We just did that.  When DH and I got married I moved into his house.  Less than a year later the Navy decided it was time for us to move.  We were going to sell the house but there were a ton on the market in our neighborhood and several were foreclosures so they were bigger with a lower asking price than what we owed.  So we hired a property manager and rented the place out.  A couple of weeks ago the Navy sent us back.  About the same time the orders came in our renter asked if he could break his lease.  So we are right back in the same house.  

We talked about renting it out, but if we're keeping it, it benefits us more from a tax perspective to have it as a second home rather than a rental. We can't currently use any deductions from our other rental because of income caps. We need all of the tax deductions we can get, plus we do see ourselves back here because DH's kids are here. They are adults, so it's not like we have visitation or anything, but he likes the idea of being able to come back they need him. DH is also within 5-10 years of retiring, so he'll have more flexibility to go back and forth soon.

We rented at a small loss so we didn't have to claim income from the property.  

JoanE2012

Jells - I still look at houses online EVERY day. We bought our house last year and have no intention of moving until we're old and downsizing. I liken it to the bride who has her dress but can't stop looking at other dresses. I need to stop.

mysticl

I've been watching renovation shows on HGTV today and there have been so many stories of them finding horrible problems when they open up the walls that I really just want to build our own place when DH retires.

LadyMillil

Jells2dot0 said:

So, I'm not nuts for looking? There are SO many decisions that need to be made before we can get serious about it!

Definitely not! I look at houses online in our area and we aren't even considering buying because the housing market is insanely overpriced and we can't afford anything

Jells2dot0

I'm glad I'm not the only one! I hope I'm well soon so I can start putting my research to good use. We have some big decisions to make, but hopefully one of the options will just seem to stick out as the "right" choice.

RebeccaB88

Zillow is my crack.

CMGragain

I plan to die in this house.  Moving is pure hell!

Kauris

We looked for houses for a year before we bought. Keep looking!