Dear all,

Please keep Monique and I in your prayers over the next few days. We are considering purchasing our first home and it's a very stressful and nerveracking decision to make. Please pray that we do the right thing and that God will guide our decisions and the price...

God bless, Paul McLachlan

-- Anonymous, July 09, 1998

Answers

You'll certainly be in my prayers. But if you don't mind a little secular advice, you might want to keep the following in mind:

First, make a list of everything you are looking for in a house BEFORE you visit any possibilities. Divide the list into three parts - must-have, could-have, and would-be-nice. Second, make a list of questions you should ask any agent about every house so that you can compare apples to apples. Third, make sure there are no leins(sp??) on the house. Lastly, check city records to see if that area has been flooded before (Alternatively, buy a house on high ground, away from the river).

Hopefully, you'll luck out like us and also find one within walking distance to two churches!

-- Anonymous, July 09, 1998

Buying a house...all shall be well

Paul, I agree with all of Esther's good advice, but if I may add one more (and you have to let me, because I am so much older than you!:-)) FOLLOW YOUR GUT. God gave us instinct for a reason and too often we ignore it or doubt it. My hubby and I knew after seeing just two rooms that we were meant to be in our house, and the vibe here is always good! :-) I'll be praying for you all....a house with a LOT of bedrooms! :-) Dana

-- Anonymous, July 09, 1998

Thanks Esther and Dana,

We're in no rush to buy, but Monique's mother found a house near her that seemed to be very nice but priced relatively low (in our price range).

We did all the things you mentioned (we're seasoned renters, and we know what annoys us and what doesn't and what makes a place liveable and what makes it unbearable after a while). We really like the house, but this is a big decision and we're understandably very nervous. We're also wondering what's wrong with it and whether you can believe the realtor's explanation of why they the price is low.

God has been so incredible to us. Even without having to ask, we always "land on our feet". He's always giving us exactly what we need when we need it and looking after us. So we shouldn't be so nervous and worried and we should go with our first impressions that we really like the house (and the pool!).

Just pray we keep clear heads about it and that we become aware of any problems while we still have a chance to back away (if we decide to make an offer on the house)...

God bless, Paul

-- Anonymous, July 09, 1998

Paul, I don't know what state you live in, but in VA the owners are required by law to file a full-disclosure or disclaimer statement. If the owners go the route of the disclaimer, I would want to know more. Also, every house we have ever put a contract on (we move alot!!!) we always make our offer contigent upon the house passing a home inspection to our approval. That way if any problems should show up, we can break the contract and not lose our earnest money. Hope this helps.

-- Anonymous, July 09, 1998