I dont mean ourselves. we're looking a a prefab that we really like, but we've never even bought a house before. How difficult is it to have a septic dug, a well put in, utilities put on the land, have a foundation built and the new house attached?\n\ncould the average couple do it?
215961
My husband and I were faced with the question to build our first home, or just buy.  After talking with plenty of friends who have or are building their home, and doing some research on it - we decided to buy a brand new home instead.  \n\nThe biggest complaints I heard was getting all those permits... water,  sewer, utilities, building... the list goes on.  (Where I live - which is cheap compared to most places, each permit is no less than 500$)\n\nI don't want to discourage you though... perhaps you have a bit more patience than us!  I would just do all the research you can do for the area you live in.  Ask around.
182428
Try contacting the DR Horton Homes, and Centex or any large developer that builds homes and has a design studio.  It s a cool job and its indoors, (limits outside noises).
74778
My husband went through Fort Benning.  It depends where on post you live rather or not the houses are nice.  Last I heard the were remodeling the houses so they will be nice soon. Plus if your house isn't gorges the community area will be.  Fort Begging is a really clean post.
30650
There is so much to do.  We just went through it for the 3rd time.  buying a house isn't a fun thing.  it is stressful but rewarding in the long run if you do your homework.  \n\nYou don't need to have a realestate agent.  We bought all three homes without using our own personal agent and we also sold both of our homes without any agent.  What you DO need to have, is a good lawyer to handle all the paperwork and contracts.  ( ours cost about $800) small investment but very worth it!!\n\nI would start looking for a home AT LEAST 3 to 4 months in advance of when you actually want to be moved in.  The hunting part can take 2 to 3 months even longer if your picky/ or there isn't much to choose from.  Then comes the closing process.  This is the time you get the mortgage loan, the title, the home inspection, and all other legal stuff out of the way.  Finally you will be ready to close on the home.  This is the day that was set by the bank, you and the seller for the ownership to change hands.  \n\nYou will need to have enough money in your bank to cover the down payment you will be putting - along with closing costs.  the average closing costs are about $5,000 to $8,000.  So you need to be ready for that.  \n\nI would suggest not to get in too deep. don't go for interest only loans, they are a bad idea.  If you can't afford a house with a regular fixed rate mortgage you should probably hold off until you are finacially ready.  \n\nThere is just so much more than what I posted above.  If you are serious about buying a home - you should start researching it many months in advance so that you will not be in over your head and get taken advantage of. \n\nGood luck
384439
you need to have the land\nfinanciers will take a mortgage on the land - this includes anything "attached" now or in the future to the land\nwhen they pay out the loan - it is done in stages according to how far the building has been completed.\nfirst step - assuming you own the land (with or without borrowing)\ntalk to a financier and to a builder to see if you can borrow enough to build what you want
136114
Ours has been discharged now for about a year and a half and we are in the process of purchasing a 4 bdr, 2bth home. So far we have the home but are now looking for a piece of land to put it on. All we had to do was show proof of discharge and what all was paid off in it. Since you have no money to put down I would check around and find out what ya had to have down. If you had to have a down payment I would try to get a co-signer, or look into FHA, HUD or Section 8 or any Government loan programs to see if I could get help from any of them. Good luck and wish ya the best..... :0)
320054
Everybody looks.\nFind a distressed property that can be fixed up.\nLook for a location that will improve in the future. Something inside a city that cannot expand outward. I just tripled my money in 5 years. Florida is hot now.
323661
You would need to contact local government. It isn't easy to get property rezoned. It has to be publicly announced, like in the newspaper, and if anyone objects it can be a huge legal hassle. If I were you I would make friends with the people who will make the decision, like the city council. Make some phone calls to them and shmooze them a bunch. You need to get a good idea of what you'll be up against. There may be other developers who have interest in the property who can try to block your efforts, and if they have more money to invest in the community than you do . . . see what I mean? You want to know that before you spend any money at all.\n\nI know all of that sounds like overkill, but I've seen it happen. Even in a small town things like this can be really complicated. It may well be that you'll have no problem at all, but if I were you, I would talk to all the council members personally before they put it to a vote.\n\nOh, and I can't see why there would be any fees associated with this, other than that you'll have to pay to have an engineer design everything and draw it all up, prior to presenting it to the city council. That could potentially cost you thousands of dollars, because it is a hefty job. It will have to include detailed plans for your proposed structure, and they'll need to know details on what you'll need as far as utilities, anything you can think of.\n\nThe first thing I would do is call and charm the right secretary. Then you'll have a friend in the right place to explain the entire process to you.\n\nThis is a tricky venture, because you don't want to buy a property that can't be rezoned the way you want. You need to know all about the scenario before you pay someone to engineer it, which you have to have done before you can get it rezoned, but you can't have it rezoned until it belongs to you.\n\nRezoning can be very, very tricky. Get the picture? Unless you really know what you're doing, I would proceed with caution. BUT, everyone starts somewhere . . .
330062
From my experience, absolutely from a home owner. My husband and I just bought our first house this week from an individual.  We had several bad experiences with our realtor. Just alot of underhanded bidding within his real estate firm.  Plus, they take that 7% commission rate.  So, when the real estate co prices houses, they usually up the price to account for this. \nIf I had it to do all over again, I would not get a realtor to help in my search.  Look in your local newspaper, homes for sale books, search the web. It took us almost two years to find a house, just keep looking. I would explore both options though. Just do the looking yourself and save yourself some hassle.
561927
Where are you and what are the other homes in your area doing on  there property.  You don't wanat to be the first to overdevelope the neighborhood.  Do you have a pool?  A guest/poolhouse might be a consideration.  Are you planning to live there for many years or flipping the property?\nSometimes you can answer the question by playing devil's advocate.\nDo you want your "guests" IN your house ALL day?
487140
i love your question.  your home sounds exactly like ours.\nwe also started out as a fsbo for 2 weeks-then listed with a realtor\nwe have been on the market for 15 months- all remodeled with corian kit counter top and cherry wood cabinets, loaded with ceramic tile, priced right for the neighborhood, level corner lot,\nexcellent curb appeal-we have reduced our home several times\nit is now priced less than we have in it.  just makes me sick, but i want to move and my patience is running out.  other homes in this area have sold for faster than others-but-here we sit........\ni don't know what the answer is - i even did away with all the cheap builder fixtures and plumbing and upgraded.  even put in a \nnew all leaded glass front door with side lights.  when you state the 4 buyers want to "steal it" , my question is are you moving to another home that will increase in value enough for you to take a \nloss here and make it back in another home.  that's what we have talked about.  if you have a serious qualified buyer, ready, willing and able try to get a meeting of the minds and move on.\ni truly understand your frustration and wish i had an answer, but\nyour not alone in this declining housing market we are in today.\nyou can also look at this as an opportunity to find yourself another\nhome where the seller is willing to take less than offered.  \nthis truly is a nightmare trying to sell a home in todays market.\nyou have my blessing and i wish you alot of luck in both selling and purchasing a new home.
6112
I was in the home renovation line and to do up a house in 7 days is possible.\n\nYou have to work day and night, with a lot of willing crew, a hell of a plan and no sulky workers  :oD\n\nNormally in will take about 2 to 3 weeks for such project.
113152
Building from scratch can be very rewarding but beware the trials and tribulations that come with it. Finding the architect (unless you're one yourself), managing the site, sourcing the raw material, late contractors etc. \n\nNevertheless, it's worth it in the end, especially when you see your dream house become a reality.\n\nFor more  info you can check \n\nhttp://www.getyourebook.com/selfbuild
463078
You can co-venture with a builder.    The owner contributes the land; the builder the improvements.  On sale you split the proceeds according to whatever formula you agree to.\n\nTravel around your area & look for houses under construction.  Get the name & ph. nos. of local builders who are building out the kind of homes you think are sutable for your properry & call them.
641131
You are going to be extrememly limited on the number of lenders willing to finance this for you. The enviromental's alone are going to cost you close to, if not more than 100k. The best optoin is to contact WaWa directly and seek private financing through them. The terms are usually such that the first few years of operation you are an employee of them working to pay off the loan they have provided to complete the construction.\n\nGood luck
546954
Get hooked up with a realtor you feel comfortable with.  Get pre-qualified for a loan, so you will know how much you can spend.  Make a list of the things you like in each house.  Actually 2 lists--1 list for the things you have to have (large kitchen, basement,etc.) and 1 list for the things you would like to have (3 bathrooms, a patio, etc).\nThen let the realtor know what you are looking for.\nKeep in mind, you can write anything in a purchase agreement.  So if you really like the sofa that is at the house, you can write the agreement that you will give them $XXXXXX for the house, contingent on the sofa being left there.\n\nAs for asking about the wiring, plumbing, ets. hire a home inspector.  For termites, your mortgage company will require that inspection.
267741
Try contacting your local Housing & Urban Development office or FHA office.  They've got some great programs for first time home buyers available IF you qualify.  When buying a house--look before you leap, measure twice and cut once, easy does it and save for a rainy day are all good rules to follow!  Why?  Just because a house has a great bathroom doesn't make it a great investment--look honestly at it.  Does it need a lot of fixing up?  Are there any hidden things wrong with it?  Get an inspection done by a qualified building inspector before you buy!  Make sure this house is going to fit your need for space for at least the next 10 years.  Most affordable loans are for 15 to 30 years--is there enough room for the family in that time?  Don't want to get stuck needing to add on in a year and not being able to afford to or not having the room to add on because your addition will exceed your property lines!  Don't go into massive debt for a house--yes it's a big investment and a big responsibility, but don't go buying a palace if all you can afford is a mobile home!  Save your money!  Every penny you can save will help you out and help lower your debt--if you apply it wisely!  That extra money from Aunt so & so--add half of it to the next monthly payment.  Put the other half away for home repairs--you never know when you'll need to call the plumber or the electrician or some other repairman!\nGood luck and happy home hunting!