Lovvey

Tasha,
The current market favors the buyers, I would absolutely offer less than what you can afford. Sellers are unable to load off their properties and are doing whatever they can and practically accepting anything they can get. However, buying a house can come with a lot of hassles, I absolutely do not recommed pursuing a home without a home and termite inspection contingency. Offering a quick settlement will be benificial for both you and the seller. However, you would not want to purchase a home with a pretty exterior and within a couple of months have it fall apart. You would spend more money trying to repair it and that can potentially lead you into a nasty situation. A significant deposit amount is not nessarily required when offering a quick settlement. The seller cannot spend that money and he/she would be getting it relatived soon with a quick settlement.
However, when looking at a house you would always like to check it out at night. All can be picture perfect in daylight, but the freaks can come out at night. Possibly placing you as well as your children in harms way. I also recommend speaking to neighbors, asking them how the neighborhood is etc. $220,000 , though you may think it not, is a lot of money and you would like to have a safe and comfortable enviorment for your family. - Fri Mar 14 2008, 13:48