What are the advantages/disadvantages of owning/buying a heritage listed home??
552586
Real estate is never a bad investment. Remember you own the land as well as the house.
1117004
Since there are no comps (comparables) for such a purchase, the only way to arrive at a purchase price is to figure out what it would cost (roughly) to rebuild it.\nI would pay an appraisor and talk to some real estate agents. Preferably, agents dealing in commercial real estate.
954579
When I lived in Brancaster (a small village in Norfolk) the housing association built some "affordable" housing under the Shared Ownership scheme.  \n\nWhen I looked into it a bit further I wasn't impressed.  The idea was you bought a share of the house and rented the remainder from the Housing Association - not a bad idea really but then I found out that you are responsible 100% for any repairs that occur.  Not only that but the most you could own was 80% of the house and if you wanted to sell it on you had to find a buyer willing to take on the same committment.\n\nIn the end I decided to just rent.  There is always a risk that you could have your lease terminated but if there was a major repair to be done at least you are not responsible for it!!\n\nHope this helps!
1083558
The local property assessment office should have those records.\n\nYou should always consider Title Insurance before buying, however.
883375
affordability...sounds easy.  Don't get trapped into getting an adjustable rate and hope that the rate will stay the same or go down before it comes up for review.  Your house payment could take a dramatic increase and you might be forced to sell.\n\nnext location is never to be dismissed.  how far do you want to be from your work, friends, shopping etc.\n\nfinally, are you buying it as an investment?  if so, then be sure to buy in an area that is appreciating
1113294
It may or may not be worth it depending on the circumstances. You can usually obtain a list several days prior to the auction to see what houses are on the list. The best houses will go for the least amount of interest because they have a better chance of returning on the money invested (meaning when the house sells, etc.) The scruffier the house looks the more risk you are taking when paying the tax certificate and therefor you will get a higher interest rate. Interest rates are determined by bid process starting at the top and bidding down. These can be a good investment if you play your cards right but most of the time you are locking up your money for long periods of time unknowing when you can release it. You will get your money back when the house is sold, the owner pays up, or after usually 2 years you can file for a tax deed auction and you will get your money back then. I think there are much better investments out there.
948116
You might be able to find out some info on the computer, it's really going to depend on where you are and what exactly you want to find out. If you're looking for information about who owns the property, I'd suggest looking up your local tax assessor to see if they have a database. If they don't, you may be able to find out who they have listed as the owner by calling them. Yes, a title company search can tell you a lot about the property, but it may not be the information that you're looking for. Normally a title report (sometimes called a "commitment") will tell you about any open liens (mortgages, tax liens, unpaid contractors, etc.), easements, conditions and restrictions (for example, you can't have a fence more than 6' high in this neighborhood, that sort of thing). However, if you're looking for more of a history of the building (did any famous people live here, any exciting events, etc.), you'd probably want to check with the neighbors and/or the historical society. Hopefully this helps, Good luck!
138462
Lots to consider, what is the appreciation in the community that you are living? What does it look like for the next five years? With home ownership your interest is a deduction from your ordinary income? What is your present rent? Over 5 years.?\n\nWhat are present market value of the sold homes?\n\nGenerally home ownership is the way to go.\n\nGood Luck
650395
Check with City Hall, or The local appraisal district. they should be able to give you some information that may be helpful.
94347
check out homes and land magazine or on the web.\nThere you can find out the info you are looking for
324711
The biggest advantage that I've seen is low cost listing fees; I mean the fee's are a few pennies vs the typical cost per item without a store.\n\nAlso by doing a store you can list items for 30 days at no extra cost; and set the price rather then set up as an auction item.  This keeps your items in front of people doing searches on ebay....all like 50 million of them.
1153653
I would go with option 3.  The house is built. It is a very large house. It is all modern whereas option 1 is not. You may have to do maintenance on it.  Option 2 presents me with a problem. Are you going to tear down the existing house. It appears to me that you are not.  You may spend a great deal of money attempting to refurbish it, more than you have imagined.  I like simple easy solutions not complex convoluted ones.
223935
IF you have good furniture, and no pets, there's always Showhomes of America. \n\nI've done this, and I haven't paid rent in two and half years.  I live in a house on the market for over $600,000 in the DFW metroplex (it's a sweet house).\n\nThere are some downsides.  If a Realtor wants to show the house, you have to leave.  And you have to already have a house worth of very nice furniture.
475753
My husband and I were faced with the question to build our first home, or just buy.  After talking with plenty of friends who have or are building their home, and doing some research on it - we decided to buy a brand new home instead.  \n\nThe biggest complaints I heard was getting all those permits... water,  sewer, utilities, building... the list goes on.  (Where I live - which is cheap compared to most places, each permit is no less than 500$)\n\nI don't want to discourage you though... perhaps you have a bit more patience than us!  I would just do all the research you can do for the area you live in.  Ask around.
597092
thin walls, cheap stuff inside, no basement or crawl space underneath, does not gain value like a house does, so when u sell it you won't get what you would want,and it has wheels!  need I say more lol  but if it is a start or thats all you can afford then it ok.  just not good for a lifetime like a home.  hope i helped......
310276
I have owned both.\n\nMy first home was a condo in Ca.  It was less expensive then a single family residence and I was able to purchase it for less down and ability to qualify.  It gave me time to gain equity through appreciation, ultimately sell to purchase a single family residence.\n\nThe con side would be lack of control.  The homeowners dues increased.  A vote was taken on a special assessment I did not agree with but had to pay anyway.  Noisy neighbors & a legal battle with the developer which was very costly to every owner in the project.\n\nThe positive side as stated above was the ability to get a start.\n\nThe positive side of owning a single family residence is pretty obvious. Complete ownership of both land and home.(with a condo you own your unit and a % of the common areas)\nAbility to landscape using your own creativity.  Unless there are master CC&R's for the neighborhood you have control about exterior color. And typically a single family residence will appreciate at a faster pace than a condominium.  Plus more privacy from neighbors.\n\nThe con side would be constant yard maintance. Yes, that too can grow old.  Responsible for exterior dweling maintance(roof,paint,etc).  Basically responsible for everything having to do with homeownership.  No short cuts here.
159260
It really depends on the area. Usually it will cost less if you buy the land, but not always the case.\n\nFor instance, in Orland you could get about twice the size of house if you bought the land and built the house. The reason was they were not being built inside of a community and the builders were not adding to the cost of the land to make more money.\n\nJust be careful and make sure to get a really good contractor to take care of everything for you.