If we would like to have a house by the end of the summer when should we start looking?

hugs213 Posted: Oct 07, 2004 04:18 PM

If we would like to have a house by the end of the summer when should we start looking?

About how long does it take for everything to go through. Thanks!

Niecey Posted: Oct 07, 2004 04:25 PM

Re: If we would like to have a house by the end of the summer when should we start looking?

It really depends on a lot of stuff. Closing can be anywhere from 5-6 weeks to 3-6 months. Finding a house can be even longer. We had planned to buy by the end of the summer last year and started looking casually the January before and a little more than casual in the 2-3 months after that. We found our house quickly and had an extremely quick close and was in our house by mid-June (but closed in late May) - rather than the August/September which we preferred but we didn't want to lose the house.

hugs213 Posted: Oct 07, 2004 04:35 PM

Re: If we would like to have a house by the end of the summer when should we start looking?

I want to wait only because we put a lot of money and worked our butts off in this apartment that we have been in only 3 months. I don't want pass up a good opportunity because i am trying to get our 'money's worth'. It would be nice if we could save some more and have a house by August. My husband thinks that it's a quick process and wants to start looking in August. I think we should start looking now.

Niecey Posted: Oct 07, 2004 04:51 PM

Re: If we would like to have a house by the end of the summer when should we start looking?

Posted by hugs213

I want to wait only because we put a lot of money and worked our butts off in this apartment that we have been in only 3 months. I don't want pass up a good opportunity because i am trying to get our 'money's worth'. It would be nice if we could save some more and have a house by August. My husband thinks that it's a quick process and wants to start looking in August. I think we should start looking now.

I think it all depends - I know someone who looked for a house (had a nice budget though) and in two weeks found one and bid on it. he rwhole process from looking to close was about 2 months but that was the quickest I have seen in NY/NJ area. I had a good budget too but I had no clue what town I wanted to live in so it took me longer to look because I had to narrow down towns first. I would start looking after the holidays if you want to get something over the summer.

lullabella Posted: Oct 07, 2004 04:56 PM

Re: If we would like to have a house by the end of the summer when should we start looking?

I think the toughest part is finding something you like. We looked in one area, so it took us about 1 year to find the house. (we found 2 other along the way that didn't work out) Then about 10 weeks from contract to close.

Good Luck!

skew Posted: Oct 07, 2004 05:33 PM

Re: If we would like to have a house by the end of the summer when should we start looking?

my advice is to start looking now. become familar w/ what is currently available and stay abreast of the new listings. you never know when that 'perfect' home may come available.

don't lonk yourself into a specfic time frame. if you are able to buy now, then by all means start looking.