MetaChat - I'm in a glass case of confusion! Which house should I buy?

MetaChat is an informal place for MeFites to touch base and post, discuss and chatter about topics that may not belong on MetaFilter. Questions? Check the FAQ. Please note: This is important.

14 April 2008

I'm in a glass case of confusion! Which house should I buy? →[More:]We are *this* close to signing a contract on a house (let's call it house #1) that we really like, but last week the house that we loved and lost (call it house #2) 2 months ago is back on the market. So we put our bid in for house #2, thinking we might be able to stall on house #1 until we hear back about house #2 (which is a foreclosure, so it's not like they can just accept or reject our offer right away).
But the lawyer representing house #1 called today and wants to know what our plan is, basically saying "sign the contract or the house goes back on the market". We like house #1 just fine, but our big fear is that we'll lose both houses while we wait to hear about house #2. What to do, what to do...

post by: Hellbient at: 15:56 | 11 comments

Can you put some pressure on the sellers of #2? In the same way that the sellers of #1 are doing to you? Be straight with them and say "we want to buy this house, you have our offer, but we need an answer by x or the offer is withdrawn".

Fate will decide the rest.

posted by dg 14 April | 16:29

Yeah, we're trying to. Only problem with that is it's the bank we're dealing with, and they seem far removed from the whole process, they're not really in the business of putting people in homes. It looks like we have a few days to iron things out with house #2, not sure it'll be enough time though.
I know this all sounds a little whiny, but I do realize it's not exactly the worst position to be in, cuz at least we have a choice.

posted by Hellbient 14 April | 16:46

If it was me, I'd have to try for house #2.

posted by BoringPostcards 14 April | 17:34

Man, I hate situations like this.

What I usually do is tell the universe to make it obvious what I'm supposed to be doing, and ask the powers that be to make everything go smoothly and in the best way for all concerned.

posted by Specklet 14 April | 17:34

Do you need to buy a house right away? If not, then I'd go for house #2. After all, if there's one house you like more than house #1, then there will probably be others, so losing it won't be the worst thing in the world...

posted by dersins 14 April | 17:39

House #2. You both loved it, and here's another chance. What the heck? Go for it!

posted by redvixen 14 April | 18:26

Putting House #1 back on the market just means that it's back on the market .. not that you've lost it. It's not like they're saying they have a backup offer. These days, as you might have heard, in many parts of the country, there's a glut of available homes. Buyers are in the driver's seat. There's no guarantee that they'll get an immediate offer on the house. They should be so lucky.

I say, go for #2 and if that falls through, go back to #1 with a lowball offer. Good luck and let us know what happens!

posted by Kangaroo 14 April | 19:16

I agree, door #2. If you don't love #1, nothing lost here. There will be other #1s but maybe not other #2s.

posted by Miko 14 April | 21:17

Go for #2 or you'll always regret not trying.

posted by deborah 14 April | 21:24

Thanks all. I'm leaning towards going for #2, but wifey's not so sure. Maybe the next couple of days will help provide us with an answer.

posted by Hellbient 14 April | 22:58

number 2 re-entering the market is some sort of sign man. Hang in there for house number 2!

but DO pressure the bank. Sure they're not in the business of putting people in homes but they want loans/debts cleared up fast yaknow. Call until you reach a human, and tell them what you are experiencing. "We prefer his house. We WANT This house. Now give us a yes or no or we'll have to settle for second choice and you might have that house on the market forever"

posted by dabitch 15 April | 01:17

← Teenage song || Another heart-wrenching moment in parenting. Long rambling inside. →

HOME || REGISTER || LOGIN