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View Full Version : What would you do in this case? House wise?


Jenny
03-18-2007, 07:42 PM
Okay for those that know me, you are going to LAUGH at me .... but this isn't something set in stone, its just a thought.

We bought this house last July (offer was accepted easter last year) and its a late 70's split level home (aka...money pit). We are in the middle of reno's to update the whole downstairs. When that is done, we will have a huge family room (multi purpose room, also to be my studio), our son's room will be done, our daughters room (converted small den, but she loves it), laundry room will be updated and the bathroom (shower/sink/toilet). The bathroom downstairs is NOT used these days, as its in desperate need of updating. We have been stalled for 2mo now with dh finishing school and being so busy. As of next week, we are going to crack the whip and hopefully get the drywall up.

Anyway, upstairs needs to have the kitchen redone and we want to update the rest to our liking. We are refanancing our home and paying off our LOC, but are thinking of using that to update our kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, new floors. We have laminate in here right now, but if we are doing the kitchen, its a TOTAL overhaul for the kitchen (reconfigure, etc) and would have to rip out the kitchens floors anyway.

NOW..here is what I am thinking.... finish the downstairs updating, selling the house for a sweet profit and buying a brand new house up the road with a basement suite. Its in a slightly busier area (a street down from the hospital), still walking distance to the kids elem. school and highschool. Right now we are just off the road of the elem. school. The rental income would be $1200/mo, which would bring our mortgage payment down to LESS than what we are paying now (about $500 less) a month. We would still be able to pay off our credit card, LOC, and the Jetta lease.

Here is a LINK (http://www.mls.ca/PropertyDetails.aspx?vd=&SearchURL=%3fPage%3d3%26Mode%3d0%26vs%3d1%26rlt%3d %26cp%3d%26pt%3d20%26mp%3d500000-800000-0%26mrt%3d-1-0-0%26Beds%3d3-0%26Baths%3d0-0%26f%3d%26ft%3dall%26o%3dA%26of%3d1%26ps%3d10%26p tgid%3d1%26aid%3d324%26MapURL%3d&Mode=0&PropertyID=5461943) to one of the homes that is similar to the ones that are being built right now. The new ones are less money, as they are not done yet, and will have a finished basement suite in them.

What do you think? Stay put on this desirable street, with a house that we are updating to our liking? Sell it and buy the house with a suite and rent it out???

Please ignore the fact that we have moved three times in the last three years LOL I am happy here, but I don't know if I can take all the reno's we are doing and have to do.

Jenny
03-18-2007, 07:44 PM
Oh the downsides to the new homes is that they are right on top of eachother. You basically live in a free standing townhome without the strata and attached walls. Our home right now is also very close to our neighbours, but it has trees, growth and surprisingly private. In the summer, we do have converstaions with our neighbours when we are on our decks, because we are so close.

Brooke
03-18-2007, 08:26 PM
I'll be honest - I'd stay put. Moving that much in 3 years takes a lot out of you. And while the renovations seem to be a lot, can you take it in a slower amount of time? With Josh finishing school, will that give you all more time to do things around the house?

What is it like in Canada with credit and getting new mortgages for houses? I think it's a negative thing here in the States, but I honestly don't know for sure. I would think about that effect also.

Shana
03-18-2007, 09:37 PM
Oh the downsides to the new homes is that they are right on top of eachother. Jenny.... love -- correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you guys move into your present home FROM a townhome? (btw... I thought that townhome was GORGEOUS)

I agree with Brooke :smooches

Jenny
03-18-2007, 09:53 PM
yeah, I am leaning towards staying put too.... but the thought of a new house just gets me all giddy...plus its spring time and it gets my moving bug going again LOL We talk about this from time to time and are probably going to stay put.

No, it does not reflect badly on the credit when we change mortgages, etc. We also work for the financial institution that we have our mortgage through, which helps in a lot of ways. We don't pay penalties, we pay less in appraisals and inspections, the fees are all waives that are invovled. People do this all the time, with the housing market the way it is around here (flipping homes)

Shana, we did move from a townhome which were attached to eachother and about 15minutes from here. These new homes are not attached, but only have like 3 ft in between the homes.

Christine
03-18-2007, 10:25 PM
I'd go for staying put. It sounds like when you have the renovations done, you'll have your dream home!

MathSpeak
03-18-2007, 10:38 PM
I'd stay put too, but that new home is GORGEOUS :D

Jo
03-19-2007, 09:35 AM
I would stay put. Let the kids have some time to put down roots and feel a part of the neighborhood. That was the one thing I loved about growing up in one place. We had a little neighborhood 'gang'.

The other issue for me would be if I really wanted to 'live' with my tenant in the same building. My parents did it and they found they were constantly harassed by some tenants. I have tenants and they call me plenty. I am glad they live in another state.:giggle

Kristen
03-19-2007, 09:40 AM
I'd not be inclined to move, myself. You're going to have to finish up quite a bit of the renovations in order to sell your current house anyways, yk?

The new house is BEAUTIFUL, though!!!

Desirae
03-19-2007, 10:22 PM
I agree with the ladies, stay put for now. ;) I DO understand the "itch" though... My mom gets it a lot after buying and selling so much.:giggle They look at houses every time they're down here in FL!

Beka
03-20-2007, 04:05 AM
Well you told me to beat you around the head if you ever thought about moving again this side of the kids going to college so :gangup :beat <~~~ consider that part of my deal lived up to LOL

I all honesty, i don't know :dunno I know how positive you feel often feeds off your surroundings and if you're not happy there then it's probably having an adverse effect on your emotions right now- however i also think once the house is completed for you then you will feel fabulous about it and happy to stay where you are, i think what you need to consider is how long you could stick out living with it whilst it gets completed. I know the place you are now worked out really well for schools didn't it?

One thing i would throw in here is i honestly think in the future when you are debt free i would seriously think about property renovation as a business because you do have a great eye for homes and improving them. It's something i'd keep in mind for the long term.