Here's our story....
We lived in a 3600 sq ft, 2 story, 4 bed with finished basement, pool in the backyard and 1/3 acre lot. Newly installed appliances, new entry doors front and back and new hardwood on the main floor. Everything you could ask for.
So why move? Well, the kids were gone and it was too much for just we two. Especially since my wife needed foot surgery and couldn't get up and down the stairs. So we put it up and it sold in 3 days at $10k over asking price.
Now, our agent asked what we were looking for? Simple, a ranch about 2300 sq ft with all the emanates we had. Sure she said, no problem. There are tons out there. You should have something in a couple weeks.......
Within a month we had looked at 72 houses, put 9 full asking offers on the table and were beaten out on every one by $15k-$25k. The last one we looked at was asking $225k. We offered $235k with up to a $15k contingency. It sold before hitting the market for $275k.
We tried to find an apartment while continuing to look. Most were available for around $1200-$1500 a month....until we told them we had a pet. Then the price jumped $800-$1000.....for a Weiner Dog!
So we thought about building. But we still had to find a place to live while being built. Same story as the apartment. We looked at Extended Stay, Marriott homes and a couple others. All willing to take US, but not a pet!
We were 1 week from closing and no place to go. But an opportunity arose. 1 of the previous houses we looked at came back to us. The original buyer couldn't get financing, the second buyer got relocated. We had to go somewhere, so we took it.
1400 sq ft in a subdivision where you reach out your window and shake your neighbors hand.
2 days after moving in, a water line broke and flooded the basement. Insurance deemed it pre-existing and wouldn't cover it. Then, when I went to upgrade the electrical service, we found severe termite damage. Went after the inspector and previous owner....no luck with either.
I ended up stripping the entire basement to the bare concrete and retreated everything. When I finished the basement, everything was done with metal stud.
So here's what I'm saying...
Chasing a couple dollars may seem quite tempting, but be very careful. The market has put alot of lipstick on pigs. Don't get stuck with a sow.