Selling & Buying a House

It is interesting the way you look at everyday things, when you actually look at the things that are going on everyday. The wife and I are in the process of selling our house, maybe not the best time to do so, but it could be. There are variety of reasons behind the move, none of which I feel like going in to - lucky you. Look at the chart below (past post) on ARMs resetting in the coming years. Home values/ prices will drop so whatever I buy now will lose value. But if I wait, I'll inevitably lose out on the great interest rates. Easy to see that a 5% mortgage rate is much better than 15% - and I'm no math major.

I don't like the idea of random folks walking through my house and critiquing it. But I guess enough folks need to like it in order to generate an acceptable offer. I guess we did a good enough job since we have a contract pending after almost no time on the market.

Another reason I don't like folks walking through my house, is simply because I don't trust people in general. "People" tend to have sticky fingers and wandering eyes. I don't like having to hide things I don't want them to see/take (now or later) in my own house.

I also don't care too much for the games of "negotiating" the purchase price - list, offer, counter, counter w/ conditions, counter the counter w/ new conditions and concessions, etc. etc.

It is pretty overwhelming at times to think that this decision on where to live will impact so many (all?) facets of your life. It is fair to say that it is something you shouldn't screw up.

Looking at a new house you obviously look at the age of the house, commute to/from work, the square footage, the school district (if applicable) foundation, number of rooms, lot drainage, morning/evening sun, yadda yadda yadda. But you may also look at storage, spare room for long term guests, extra storage space, access to grocery stores, gas stations, banks, major roads, back roads, hunting / gardening spots, access routes to friends and family, access to alternate water source, home entry/exit points, trees/shrubs near doors and windows, choke/bottleneck points in the house like long hallways, etc. etc.

As with all things in life, it is best to have a plan in place before you need to have and execute that plan. Even a quick trip to Kroger for some Early Times can turn into a life changer. So can a short ride in an antique Rolls limo across a bridge into a bassackwards state. So pay attention and have a plan. Be prepared mentally even if you aren't physically. I'm still formulating a plan on this little endevour; should have already been done, but I'm working from behind the curve a bit.

Serious, if rambling, post - but hey, no Glenn Beck clips today.

WORLDWIDE HISTORY OF GUN CONFISCATION

Found this today. Something to think about. You may not want a gun in your house, but you might be glad you neighbor has one in his.

In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
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In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
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Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total of 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated.
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China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
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Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to 1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
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Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
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Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million educated people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Clever

Honest Questions for Scary Times

Part I


Part II