House Hunting Woes...

I have electric. I had it in my last house too. Our monthly PECO bill is about $300.
When we went to buy our dream home about 8 months ago, the reason we couldn't buy it was because they had a huge oil tank that had a big leak and it contaminated the ground and foundation. Not saying that would ever happen to you (purely bad luck on our part), but that's what kept us from looking at any other houses with gas heat!

That's good to know! We're seeing 3 places on Sunday, all of which are electric. All I hear is my mom in my head telling me to never buy a house with electric (I don't know why, because her house is gas!?!?)

Heidi, have you considered buying a dump and fixing it up? Say for instance you find a home for 150k and put the extra 50k into fixing it up before you move in. I think that is the way you will get the most bang for your buck. I know Cain and I talked about our next home, we want to be in the country with allot of land or on the lake. So I'm sure we'll be looking at homes that need allot of work.

 

GL on Sunday

I can totally relate. J and I spent 8 insane months looking for a house and it got to the point where I felt we would never ever ever find one! And you wouldnt believe it but one day I went on CRAIGSLIST and did a search for houses and drove by this one from a listing and voila...that was it. It wasn't even one our realtor had even thought to show us or even a neighborhood she'd even drive us by. LOVE it! DO NOT give up. It is a long, frustrating process but totally worth it in the end. Also, do not settle! Find the one you love!

It seems gas, electric and oil are all going up. My whole house has is electric, its actually kinda nice because each room has its own baseboard heater wth thermostat and for rooms that i am not in that much, i turn it off or way down.

My basement has electric as well but when i gut it all and refinish it i am going to put in a pellet stove, these are efficient and safe, tons of heat. Theres all sorts of new solar powered heating options too. I wouldnt rule out a house just because it has electric heat.

Heidi, when gas was cheap everyone said dont' get electric because it WAS more expensive than gas.

 

But now with the escalating price of gas and oil, they are all pretty much the same.

 

Look for an electric house (!) with a fireplace maybe

OK I have a question for all of you homeowners... we found a house we LOVE! We are pre-qualified for a mortgage. So....what's next! Do we put in an offer or do we first secure the mortgage?

 

GRACIAS!!!

put in the offer first while you are securing the loan

Thanks! I feel like a real dummy through this whole experience!!!

Its definitely overwhelming at first since its all new to you. I know when i first bought a house it was a long process and it took me awhile to understand how it all worked. Luckily i had a realtor that was extremely helpful and understanding. He walked me through everything. There was a lot to read though. I feel a lot people dont understand the terms and end up paying more than they should have. There are so many people involved and everyone wants their piece of the pie.. Good luck and hang in there.

 

Links to info:

How to Buy a House -- A guide for first-time home buyers

How to Buy a House - wikiHow