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[SahmIam]

@Quse  Yes, we decided against it for that and other reasons.  

What I wanted to say was the comps for this house are NOT in the million dollar range; they run from the high $500,000 to high $600,000. The million dollar homes I was referring to is what this house would cost IF it was located in the county I NOW live in. The difference in price is dramatic once you leave my county.

Then again, this is the same issue those in SF, Seattle, and many other parts of the US when it comes to housing. It's all about location and what people will pay to live there. For us, we are looking to leave the area and go where development is happening very slowly, if at all.

[patofl]

I don't know where you live but anywhere I've ever lived a million dollar house would not just be turnkey but would actually be very high end and very up to date decor.

[ScrapHappy]

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@SahmIam wrote:

We've started house hunting. We have requirements and "what would be nice" regarding our purchase. Saw a house today. The bathrooms (except for one) are the original and are no different then the house we own now which was built in 1978. Considering the house we looked at was up there in price, we were quite surprised. They did redo the hall bath (a Jack and Jill bath) but none of the others. The house we looked at was built in 2003, btw.

We get it. To redo a small bathroom in our area runs, on average, $15,000 and up. They didn't want to spend the $50,000  plus on doing the bathrooms. The master bath, however, was dull, old looking, worn out. You can see that it (and the others) are made with builder grade (and cheap at that) material. Surprised and disappointed.

We don't want to have to re-do anything, especially when purchasing a home that in our county would be well over a million dollars. Now we know why the only picture of a bathroom was the hall one. The house is a pass for many reasons, however, it did make me think on the way back:

Would this be a negative for you? Do you have expectations of a house based on its price? Do you go in to purchasing a home that is not a fixer-upper expecting to have to do just that?

Just wondering. : )

Edited to add the year the house we looked at was built.

If 

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We moved into the house we're in now 2 1/2 years ago.  We went from living in a 1500 square foot ranch in Califoria to a 7500 square foot 3 level home in the Southeast.  When looking at where to live, it was all about the schools.  So, we were in a higher price range for the specific area we wanted to live.  For me, location is key.  You can change a bathroom, paint a wall, etc...but you can't change location.  I knew going into this house we'd want to eventually change things and make it our own.  Doing a little here and there over time.  But due to circumstances, we ended up doing a lot right out the gate.  We've already remodeled (down to the studs) three bathrooms with 3 bedrooms and put new carpet where the bedrooms are.  We have A LOT more that we want to do (new driveways, another bedroom/bathroom, powder room, paint interior of house, new chandelier...the list goes on and on) but now maybe one project a year.  I do have expectations of a house when it comes to price but price AND location goes hand in hand.  I don't mind putting work into a home, but our own stamp on it, but I've come to the realization after all the work we've put into this house already what things really cost.  It always cost more than you think.

[SahmIam]

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@patofl wrote:

I don't know where you live but anywhere I've ever lived a million dollar house would not just be turnkey but would actually be very high end and very up to date decor.

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@patofl  I agree, which is one of the reasons we walked away. 

[wagirl]

Yes, that is a huge no-no for me---ANY need to remodel is a big turn off . I am looking to downsize to a nice, new-ish, efficient, one floor place that has the modern conviences and that doesn;t require a ton of reno-----my house now, is a money pit that needs many thousands of $ to update. 

[ECBG]

Having taught Interior Design, I would prefer to upgrade to my style and taste.

[blackhole99]

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@qualitygal wrote:

Before I got a fixer-upper, I'd redo my own place.  Otherwise, I think building is nice for a new start in a new home.  

In my world, I'd love to be able to build a log cabin.  Maybe in another life (in my dreams).

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@qualitygalwe live in a log home we built in 1980, we loved it until it started to age. The logs are yellow pine and have always been a ton of work to keep looking decent. If you have your heart set on a log home, make sure the logs are cedar, they hold up alot better.

[OnlyShopsOnline]

Our current house was a fixer-upper.....at least for us.  But the location was perfect and it kept our daughter in her school district.

We gutted the kitchen before we moved in.  We've just updated the bathrooms over the years....no gutting involved.  They are fine.  

We've been here for 21 years and just added a room.  And, we're working on the finished basement.

At this point in my life, if we moved, I would want a house that needed nothing more than maybe a fresh coat of paint and some decor touches.  Turnkey would be ideal!

[Financialgrl]

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@SahmIam wrote:

@Quse  Yes, we decided against it for that and other reasons.  

 What I wanted to say was the comps for this house are NOT in the million dollar range; they run from the high $500,000 to high $600,000. The million dollar homes I was referring to is what this house would cost IF it was located in the county I NOW live in. The difference in price is dramatic once you leave my county.

Then again, this is the same issue those in SF, Seattle, and many other parts of the US when it comes to housing. It's all about location and what people will pay to live there. For us, we are looking to leave the area and go where development is happening very slowly, if at all.

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@SahmIam- Not sure where you live but I totally understand.  I grew up in the N. VA area.  I've experienced all of what you describe but each apt/home served a specific purpose at that time.  I've lived in Arlington County, Falls Church, and Fairfax County but had to move to Prince WIlliam County to afford to buy a house.  I bought a fixer upper and yeah, they are absolutely a pain but the homes were cheaper and the commute was manageable.  I don't have kids so I never had school systems to worry about.

I retired and left when the county exploded with development (yep, all homes in the $500K - $1M range).  I left and moved very rural to Culpeper County - I loved it here the best.  When I hit 62, I did something I swore I'd never do - (right out of your post).  I had a one level, no steps, single family home built (Toll Brothers) on tiny plot of land with homes on top of each other (it's in an over 55 community and I got it bc I like to travel) and don't have to worrry about the house while gone - - they shovel our snow (including sidewalks and driveways, and do all the yardwork/landscaping) or if you choose, to do all the yardwork yourself you can forgo the extra charge for this). 

I've seen ppl on here say they wouldn't want to be around old ppl all the time but the demographics change all the time depending upon what cycle you are in - - the old die and often if one spouse dies, their kids make the other move closer to them and most resales have been couples 55-60 so the demographics are younger again.  Most of my neighbors are here bc they moved to be closer to their kids/grandkids and on weekends and summers there's a lot of kids around.  Right now with the cold - it's very quiet - also nice! 

Stick with what you want and you'll eventually get most of what you are looking for or you'll revise your list and something will become available!  Good luck.

[Mominohio]

Oh there are always the expectations based on price when I look at homes. 

But I'm just not that particular about the updated bath and kitchen that HGTV has convinced the world is essential for life survival. 

Most current remodels are not of my liking, too modern, stark and unattractive to me. I'd much rather have something in decent and working condition, and re do it myself, in a manner I would like. I don't want to pay for other people's taste in upgrades. 

I'm more concerned with structural integrity, and if they did things that are more important like roof, windows, doors, heating and plumbing and electrical upgrades/maintenance etc. 

Location, style of home and a good sound structure are important to me. I don't care if you paint, do the latest floor choices, upgrade the kitchen/bath. For the right price, I prefer to choose those things for myself.