Helpful Real Estate hint

Thought I'd pass on my experience with a problem you all may encounter.

If I could pass one bit of advice along, if you are looking for a house, PLEASE remember, you can never start too early! We are looking for a house so we can be in for our May 20th wedding and we're really up against the wall.

You should also get pre-approved for a mortgage because the housing situation is so crazy on Long Island, it's on the market for an hour and already has 5 bids on it...no joke. You must remember, you and your fiancee are now one entity and no matter how you busted your butt to have a good credit rating, his/hers counts just as much and if it's not very good, you need time to work those things out. We're learning this first-hand.

Helpful Real Estate hint

I couldn't even imagine purchasing a house right now. Actually this is a sellers market so I'm waiting. But! Good Luck to you.

Its not neurotic - its good business sense. : )

You should also get pre-approved for a mortgage because the housing situation is so crazy on Long Island, it's on the market for an hour and already has 5 bids on it...no joke. You must remember, you and your fiancee are now one entity and no matter how you busted your butt to have a good credit rating, his/hers counts just as much and if it's not very good, you need time to work those things out. We're learning this first-hand.

YOU GO THAT RIGHT!

HI JEN, We have been looking for a home since march last year...in long beach...Westholme section. We saw one house at the end of August...first ones to see it, immediately put in a bid and binder- at the sellers asking price. Later that day, another buyer came to see it. We told our agent we will not be involved in a bidding war. In the end we lost it & feel that $$ went under the table. Since then, interest rates have gone from 7% to 8.25% so that means we can now afford a house that is $100,000 less! and all homes are going for over $325. So, we are still looking- but there is nothing out there under $300 for a simple 40X100 home.!!

We are keeping our fingers crossed. our date is 7/2/00. keep us in your prayers!

You should also get pre-approved for a mortgage because the housing situation is so crazy on Long Island, it's on the market for an hour and already has 5 bids on it...no joke. You must remember, you and your fiancee are now one entity and no matter how you busted your butt to have a good credit rating, his/hers counts just as much and if it's not very good, you need time to work those things out. We're learning this first-hand.

Helpful Real Estate hint

We are in no position to buy either (especially after all the expenses of a wedding) but it just didn't seem to make sense to rent an apartment or a house when you will be paying the same money in this market if you rent or buy....(try to find a 2-bedroom apartment in a halfway decent area for less than $1,100!!!). So we figured we may as well put that money into a house mortgage that we can hopefully get a return on later (unlike any rent money paid out) and build some equity! Then move on when we can afford the house we want.

We are keeping our fingers crossed. our date is 7/2/00. keep us in your prayers!

You should also get pre-approved for a mortgage because the housing situation is so crazy on Long Island, it's on the market for an hour and already has 5 bids on it...no joke. You must remember, you and your fiancee are now one entity and no matter how you busted your butt to have a good credit rating, his/hers counts just as much and if it's not very good, you need time to work those things out. We're learning this first-hand.

YOU GO THAT RIGHT!

The market is insane...I assume by your interest rates that you and your fiancee have excellent credit. My fiancee was not as lucky. Stuff that was on his credit record way back in college have posed a problem for us....that's why I say it'snever too early to get pre-aproved....because when you're ready to make the decision, you'll sail right through it....Good Luck!

We are keeping our fingers crossed. our date is 7/2/00. keep us in your prayers!

You should also get pre-approved for a mortgage because the housing situation is so crazy on Long Island, it's on the market for an hour and already has 5 bids on it...no joke. You must remember, you and your fiancee are now one entity and no matter how you busted your butt to have a good credit rating, his/hers counts just as much and if it's not very good, you need time to work those things out. We're learning this first-hand.

Helpful Real Estate hint

I agree that it's an incredibly difficult feat. My fiancee and I bought our house last Feb and are getting married in June. I really couldn't imagine doing it all at the same time. Both buying a house and planning a wedding are very stressful.

Good luck to all of you as I've been through the home buying experience and it's not easy. Keep looking and you'll know when you find the right one.

YOU GO THAT RIGHT!

Well speaking from experience, I can vouch for the fact that it is not an easy task to purchase a house while you plan a wedding!! But I also must say that it has kept me level headed about the amount of money we spend and also a good distraction from the wedding. When I get frustrated with the wedding I work on house stuff and visa versa I also agree with Jen we are moving to NJ and the rent there is ridiculous and it just does not make sense to give away money like that. So I also have the extra burden of relocating. We could not afford a house also, but we stumbled across a house in Mid January scrapped together the down payment, and are scheduled to close March 31, 3 weeks after the wedding. My advise is to also be careful with your credit and get pre-approved this way you know how much you can afford. Good luck to all of you, buying a house right away is not for everyone but I sure am glad that we are doing it!

Jamelle

YOU GO THAT RIGHT!

Congratulations, homeowner! You must be very excited!

Well speaking from experience, I can vouch for the fact that it is not an easy task to purchase a house while you plan a wedding!! But I also must say that it has kept me level headed about the amount of money we spend and also a good distraction from the wedding. When I get frustrated with the wedding I work on house stuff and visa versa I also agree with Jen we are moving to NJ and the rent there is ridiculous and it just does not make sense to give away money like that. So I also have the extra burden of relocating. We could not afford a house also, but we stumbled across a house in Mid January scrapped together the down payment, and are scheduled to close March 31, 3 weeks after the wedding. My advise is to also be careful with your credit and get pre-approved this way you know how much you can afford. Good luck to all of you, buying a house right away is not for everyone but I sure am glad that we are doing it!

Jamelle

Helpful Real Estate hint

Jenn, my friend and her husband have just put their Northport Village House in the market. If you're interested in that area, let me know and I'll put you in touch....

Check out their web page (www.mikasa.com) and then go to a few favor stores...they may be able to cut you a better deal & save you the hassle of wrapping all those gifts (I'm sure you have enough to do already!)

Jamelle

YOU GO THAT RIGHT!

Yes I am and very nervous as well, I hope that I did not bite off more than I can chew!!

Jamelle

Helpful Real Estate hint

Thank you for thinking of me...unfortunately, my fiancee works in East Hampton and that would be one heck of a commute...we're looking more towards the East End......

Yes I am and very nervous as well, I hope that I did not bite off more than I can chew!!

Jamelle

YOU GO THAT RIGHT!

Good luck with your house. We thought we started early and the closing was pushed back a few times. We ended up staying with my in-laws for 2 months until we closed and were able to move in. Furniture deliveries are not usually on time. And we needed our bed before we could move in. I love our house but it was totally crazy buying it while planning the wedding. I'm glad we did though. It sure beats paying rent. Anyway for anyone buying a house, build in extra time becasue it all took longer than we ever expected.

I had 20 tables with 10 people at each and we had plenty of room!! I can't imagine however, 500 people there. I think 250 will be fine and you will have enough room. Just a reminder to Cottage brides. The cocktail hour is considered a "standing room" cocktail hour. Which means many people stand- I wasn't crazy about it but it worked out fine.......

By the way it's nice to hear that you did care, if you were going to spend at least $1000 on something you did'nt care about that would be pretty foolish.