ForumGarden

Have you ever tried buying property relying on the pictures provided by Zillow - Redfin ?

I did.

I've been looking to buy a house in Washington State for @ year. I'd look several times daily to see if a new property came on the market.

I finally found a house - called my agent in WA she said looks good & I'll go & make a video for you. I said let's put in a offer right now & then you can go make a video of the house. My agent made the video & it's nice-clean corky cute.

Then came a bidding war.

Then the seller decided to work with us..WooHoo

We closed Dec. 26th.

We're planning a road trip to WA soon - can't wait to see the house..

exciting

Patsy

Congratulations Patsy! Is this a second home or a permanent move? I wish you well!

Anne

It's a second home - near the Ocean & several rivers.

It's an investment - We bought the house for my Brother to live in - so this will be a permanent address for him. We'll visit WA.

I'm anxious to see the house - Have to admit I was nervous going through the process Long Distance.

Patsy

Congrats on the house Patsy.

I really like the pacific Northwest.

I have no experience with Zillow, but a friend was very happy with them.

Patsy Warnick;1522208 wrote: Have you ever tried buying property relying on the pictures provided by Zillow - Redfin ?

I did.


Once, Patsy. Not with Zillow, just an advertising handout from a local estate agent for a local holiday cottage, but I didn't visit the property until it was paid for and exchanged. No problem at all, it was exactly as described.

Congratulations on finding something you like - I hope it's ideal when you get there.

Real Estate is selling quickly in WA. I don't know about anywhere else but I found this house listed on redfin oh, @ 10:00 A.M.. It stated new on the market 3 hours - I put in a offer by noon - by the 5:00 P.M. there were 4 offers submitted which started the bidding war.

I'm very happy with the property & location - the inspection went well & the appraisal was $17, thousand over purchase price. I wish I had been there during all that - but our agent attended everything - she did a great job for us.

I'm packing & then we load a truck - a lot of work ahead of us before the road trip.

Patsy

The house we purchased had a renter - month to month renter. OK - we signed a form allowing the renter to stay through the Holidays - then out by the 1st.

January rolls around - we were trying to hook up utilities & we were told there's a current account open...

We contact this rental Mgt. Co. - rent was paid in Jan. & this rental Co. sent the check to the previous owner.

Our Agent ran out to the house to post a vacate notice - out by Feb. 5th 2019.

Now dealing with this rental Co. has been a disaster - they told us to contact previous owner for the rent - OMG..

The owner of this rental Co. calls (Dee) - called to reassure me there weren't any shananigans going on (her words). Dee stated she will issue us a check - contact the renter - do the last walk through & send us the keys to the house - that was on 1/24/19.

Check is still in the mail.?

Waiting waiting - we started calling Dee - no reply - left messages - e-mailed - no reply.

My hubby looks on Facebook and Dee is in Hawaii - I sent her a message on Facebook - no reply.

This morning we called - assistant answers - she has the keys to the house - she's not sure if a final walk through has been done? Rent Check - she told me to contact the previous owner...OMG around & around. I told her that was ridiculous.

I had the house keys sent to my nephew in WA - as I don't trust them to arrive before we leave. The assistant stated Dee was out of the office - I said ya she's in Hawaii - the assistant giggled.

I'm nervous enough just with our move to WA - WA is under a snow storm. We're too busy packing & our truck get delivered tomorrow to pack. Then we have to pack our vehicle to drive to WA.

We have a friend in WA who is a attorney - he's hired to deal with this rental office (Dee) - I'm done..

We hit the road Sunday 2/17 - hope to arrive @ 21st- 22nd. This truck delivers right to the house & we'll have 3 days to empty it - if the weather makes us late my Nephew will have the keys & start unloading.

It'll all work out

I'm done dealing with this Dee & her lies & B.S.

Patsy

I hope your local friend's headed stationery is enough to shake Dee loose, it sounds like she's squeezing all she can from leaving.

Remember to pack a sleeping bag, spare food and water in the truck before you set out! Gloves, thermals, compass. Rifle. Goodness knows what WA is like. Grenades.

Word has it she'll definitely need an umbrella. The rest? Perhaps!

Our truck just arrived.

I told Dee - your holding our house hostage - deal with our attorney.

Our news stated Seattle WA is having the worst snow storm in 75 years.

We'll buy snow chains before we leave - it'll be a slow road trip.

I have to go buy warmer clothes - layers are good.

Wish us luck

Patsy

I understand the weather is rather rough in Hawaii also.

LOL

Aloha - I hope it's raining..

I'm leaving beautiful Spring weather here - this snow scares me..

Patsy

191mph winds, 40' waves, and snow. That's what's happening in Hawaii.

OMG - I didn't know you were serious

I love it... LOL

weird weather everywhere.

Patsy

Patsy Warnick;1522381 wrote: Our truck just arrived.

I told Dee - your holding our house hostage - deal with our attorney.

Our news stated Seattle WA is having the worst snow storm in 75 years.

We'll buy snow chains before we leave - it'll be a slow road trip.

I have to go buy warmer clothes - layers are good.

Wish us luck

Patsy


If you are going up I-5, I wouldn't worry too much about chains. Just mind the weather and take your time.

Northern California around Mt Shasta region might present more of a show problem than Washington.

But, then again, better to have what you don't need than to need what you don't have.

Buy the chains, and maybe never use them.

Lars

I'd rather have chains than not.

Mt. Shasta is a worry - last year Feb. there was snow very little & at Mt. Shasta we were greeted with snow plows - the road was clear. all good

I'm worried about Grants Pass Oregon - had to stay a couple nights - received a early room call the pass is open - we ran.

Everything should be good up to Shasta - so it will be a slow & go road trip.

Loaded the truck today - just me & my Brother - we're wore out - sore - we're too old for this - that's what our body is telling us ..! what a job - just the ramp to the truck is hike...LOL I'm old...

all good - can't wait to get there - Nephew said it's raining today - that means ice..LOL

Patsy

Lars

I can't message you - I'm blocked?

are you aware there is a block from accepting private messages?

Patsy

Patsy Warnick;1522409 wrote: Lars

I can't message you - I'm blocked?

are you aware there is a block from accepting private messages?

Patsy


Try again

I'm heading to Arizona and New Mexico this summer looking for a home Patsy. Thought I'd best go in the summer so I get a real feel for living there.

Flop

Very cool - Summer experience - are looking to move in this area? or just a summer trip?

What are your plans?

We're planning to be in WA State in July - we're retired - our dates are adjustable.

Of course I have a extra / empty room - I just gave my brother the boot..! LOL

Let me know what your planning

Patsy

Patsy Warnick;1522936 wrote: Flop

Very cool - Summer experience - are looking to move in this area? or just a summer trip?

What are your plans?

We're planning to be in WA State in July - we're retired - our dates are adjustable.

Of course I have a extra / empty room - I just gave my brother the boot..! LOL

Let me know what your planning

Patsy


I'm looking for a retirement state that is warm and dry. Not even sure what part of the states are most attractive ... probably not the southern border, eh?

Flop

it's good to hear from you. I figured if your visiting during our Summer heat it's a test.

Maricopa County (Phoenix) is the #1 fastest growing city - everyone is moving here.

Real estate is cheaper - food is cheaper.

June -July is hot - we're 100 degrees today - but it's a gradual climb today.

June - July - you wake up to 90+ in the A.M. & will be 110 by 11:00 A.M.

August - September - hot & humid - monsoon storm season.

During these months of course the central air is running all day - ours is @ $300.00 month. Remember a 2 story house will have 2 or more air conditioners which equals to $600.00+ month. my Aunt bought a 2 story - had to move couldn't afford the air - the house was beautiful. LOL

Do you desire a pool in your back yard or are you looking into a age required community? Community pools will be over chlorinated.

I've put up with the 4 months of hell for over 30 yrs. I'm shoveling snow - mowing a lawn or grabbing a umbrella. The silver lining is after the 4 months of hell it's Spring.

Hope my B.S. helps..LOL

I have a one level home - with a pool - on the golf course in a age required community. (Sun City) AZ. 55 & over. Phoenix is growing at a fast pace - if your going to make the move do it now - you'll adjust.. LOL

Patsy

Flop - if your interested there is a nice house down the street from me that is "Air B&B" the rate is $75.00 a night. If that's what your looking for let me know & I'll get more info.

Patsy