Hi guys! I need help i am having major heart palpatations right now just thinking about it!

My husband two kids and myself have been given thirty days eviction notice as our rented house was sold. Instead of moving out and paying someone elses mortgage we decided to see if we could get our own. I am now looking at all the properties on the market and am sooooo torn as to what to do i could move into the same area i am in now for around $280,000 for a small fibro house or one suburb over for $280,000 i could get a nice brick house!!!! BUT i found a nice little house in a booming location right next to the school and shops for $280,000 but worth $320+ the catch................. It had termites!!! The termites have been sprayed and subsequently killed but they have left behind an amount of damage behind the walls. Now it is liveable and you probably wouldnt notice the rest of the house is in great condition but will they come back? wil the damage deteriate more from the weather now? anyone with any advice on home ownership i WOULD LOVE TO HEAR IT! I am completley freaking out as i am a girl who has blown all my money on unnecesary stuff and now i have to give it all up to pay off a house!! Thanks in advance

I wouldn't purchase any house that had termites, even if they are now gone, it can seriously undermine the structural integrity of the house and while it may not be a problem now it may become one in the future. We are also looking to buy at the moment so I know how you feel

It will cost extra but an engineer is your best bet... If they told me that it was safe and all was well then I'd be willing to get it... If the engineer couldn't help me then I would be going with the one near the schools...

I agree with Jimmybanks, we have bought and sold 3 houses and i would recommended getting a building inspection and pest inspection done on whatever house you look at, it is well worth the money.

termites are a nightmare - always get a building inspection before buying a house - there are so many things that can be lurking.

 

If you are going to get a home of your own, remember its not all about the cost as you need to make sure the house is something you'd be happy living in for a number of years (normally 5 years min for a good return on your purchase) and in an area that you feel safe in.

 

Good luck

Thanks for your opinions guys. I am going to look at it and see how much damage is done i have a few friends in the business wink wink neat that could help me fix it up if the price is right. Any other opinions or game plans when it comes to buying?

Always claim to only have about $20,000 less than the asking price, they will be more inclined to take a lower price if they don't feel they can push you any higher

 

So if the house is $280,000, tell them you only have 260,000 but you REALLY love the place If you are lucky they might come back with $265 or $270 then drop it by another $2000 (say to 268) and say you have managed to borrow $3000 off someone(your mum...) and that's your limit.

I don't know what the situation is here but the house buying is a buyers market, the selling market is high and no one is buying. So if it is like that over there if you look around and take your time you are better off then jumping in too quick. I know you have to be out but maybe it would be better to rent again until you find exactly what fits your price range, style etc... Good luck.

It's a buyers market here too Elly but nowhere near as bad as over there I don't think.

terrible over here, foreclosures on every street no matter where you live, it is such a buyers market, house on our street right next door to us sold for 150K it should have sold for at least 200K makes the market crappy for our values in our homes that are lived in, we have a house that foreclosed on our street too that finally has an owner and we live is a good neighborhood.