House Hunters: Buying in the USA

[Ohwell]

I thought I heard Corpus Christi woman saying they might have more kids, in which case they'll need a bigger house in the future.  I got the impression they were Mormons.

[mojito]

Quote

Yes,  they can run around outside,  but they aren't going to be out there playing when it's dark out. 

Then they can come inside and sit their asses down and read or watch TV or play table games or even learn something.

[chocolatine]

12 hours ago, Ohwell said:

 I got the impression they were Mormons.

She said she and hubby met at college in Utah, and she's not even 30 and already has four children, so that was my impression as well. Not to be offensive - I know very little about Mormonism - but is it part of the culture to be so permissive with boy children? It seemed like both parents thought it was completely normal for the boys to destroy the screens.

[KLovestoShop]

On December 11, 2016 at 6:18 AM, chocolatine said:

She said she and hubby met at college in Utah, and she's not even 30 and already has four children, so that was my impression as well. Not to be offensive - I know very little about Mormonism - but is it part of the culture to be so permissive with boy children? It seemed like both parents thought it was completely normal for the boys to destroy the screens.

No, it's not normal.  I know many LDS families and they discipline their kids more than most other families, so I can't figure out why these kids were do out of control.

The Chicago to So Cal couple were way out of their league in terms of their budget and their want list.  Didn't they check out how much real estate is in the San Diego area?   Three hundred thousand isn't going to go very far in that area.  And her comments comparing what they had in their Chicago house and the homes in So Cal were silly.  And for $300K you're not going to get a grand dining room.  But they did do a nice reno job while spending way over the budget. 

Edited December 13, 2016 by KLovestoShop

[mojito]

Chicago to Temecula area

I was stunned at their budget, but even more stunned that they could find any detached home at all for $300K. 

Wasn't it nice that someone moving to southern California would think that a 45-minute drive to the beach or snow-capped mountains/hills was acceptable? Although they didn't get a home in the desired city of Temecula, the area looks really pretty.

[laredhead]

I was surprised that neither of the Chicago to Temecula couple turned their noses up at laminate flooring.  I think all of the houses had laminate in some part of the house, although they mistook it for hardwood in one of the houses, but the realtor corrected them.  No mention of anything needing to be gutted or removed because they couldn't live in the house w/o that happening.  Of course, we don't know what the house they bought looked like before the kitchen and small bath was demolished.  I wonder if they had already done that when the tour was given, or if they really bought that house when it was in the process of being remodeled.  I guess we'll never know.

[Angeltoes]

The Temecula wife needs to put down the bleach bottle.  Also, this time it was easy to figure out which house they bought.  "Wow, they're selling the house in the middle of renovations?"  Oh, please.

[Ohwell]

Temecula wife had lovely eyes, but I agree she was overbleached.

[Bastet]

3 hours ago, mojito said:

Chicago to Temecula area

I was stunned at their budget, but even more stunned that they could find any detached home at all for $300K. 

Well, it's Temecula.  It's an affluent community for the area, and it's nowhere near as "in the middle of nowhere" as it used to be, but there's still the "Oh, yeah - that wine place near the big casino" sense in both L.A. and San Diego. 

[juliet73]

I agree about the bleach bottle and she also needed to tone down the makeup.  She was pretty, but she would probably be gorgeous if she let her natural beauty come though.  I love Temecula!  It's always been on my list of places to live.  I'm surprised one of the house options wasn't in Murrieta.  I wonder if the house they chose in Menifee was a previous foreclosure.  The house looked "newer" so I'm surprised the kitchen and all the bathrooms would have been gutted unless they were damaged by the former disgruntled owners.  With all the work that had to be done to the Menifee house, I would have picked the Temecula house instead.  It didn't need as much reno so they probably would have spent the same amount of money at the end of day and would have lived in a nicer area. 

[Pickles]

The Tulsa couple tonight was really young, but seemed very mature. The house they chose needed so much work! It looked like they had a strong work ethic. They were stripping the wallpaper and had painted the interior themselves. That was a big house for the price they paid.

[pep4]

Turned Tulsa off after 2 minutes, his horrid mustache kept making me cringe.

[laredhead]

I liked the Tulsa couple, and agree they seemed more mature and pragmatic about house buying than many others we have seen on this show.  If the house is in a good location, then all of their sweat equity is going to pay off if they ever sell that house.  This would be a great one to revisit in a year or so to see how it looks.  I think the combo of a decorator with some imagination and a mechanical engineer with some DYI skills is a good one.    

[Angeltoes]

I googled Tulsa couple's realtor and one of the results was Tulsa wife's website.  http://www.ashleylaurendesignstudio.com/

[Ohwell]

11 hours ago, pep4 said:

Turned Tulsa off after 2 minutes, his horrid mustache kept making me cringe.

He looked like John Waters.  Or a porn producer.  

I couldn't believe at the end they painted the whole interior white.  I thought it looked blindingly awful.

[KLovestoShop]

The first thing I thought of when I saw the Tulsa husband was porn guy.  But in reading her website, they sound like a very religious couple.  A lot of her business is very God-based.  

[mojito]

Liked the Tulsa couple a lot. I thought for sure that the third home was going to be some brand new "cookie cutter" home for $300K (which they were approved for but wanted to spend only $200K) that they would purchase, but nope. All the homes they looked at were old, and they all needed some work. Considering their wants, their comments, and even his mustache and very neat hair, you could change their clothes a bit and this episode could almost pass for an early 1960s house hunt.

[chessiegal]

Young couple in St. Louis tonight seemed nice enough, but Holy up speak, Batman. Not just her, but him too. Is that the way 20 somethings talk now? And if she wasn't doing up speak she was ending her sentences with vocal fry. And I could have done a drinking game of "that's what she said" for every time I heard "it's tiny" or "it's small".

[illini1959]

Maybe it's just me, but I've noticed lately a lot of horrible clashing between countertops and backsplash. Not the least of which was in the house the St. Louis couple chose :/ Separately they were ok, but together.....?

In one of the other houses they looked at there was a terrible green strip going through a backsplash and I don't even like to think about the tile in the bathroom of one of those houses (might have been the same house as this one).

Is this a thing now or do people just think "I like this backsplash and this countertop and don't care if they don't go well together"?

[Empress1]

The kitchen in the last house the St. Louis couple looked at was awful. That backsplash was way too busy and it did clash with the counters. 

I preferred the first house but it was 500 square feet smaller than the second, so maybe they wanted something they could grow into. The second house was cute too; the third one was the only one I didn't like.

[chocolatine]

I can't decide what was worse, Tulsa husband's porn-stache or St. Louis husband's Hitler Youth hair.

Edited December 16, 2016 by chocolatine

[Ohwell]

Hitler Youth hair guy was in a band so that explains the hair. but it still looked off-putting though.  I would cross the street if I saw him. Plus, he needed some Proactiv.

[chocolatine]

22 minutes ago, Ohwell said:

Hitler Youth hair guy was in a band so that explains the hair. 

Does it though? Is a hideous haircut a requirement for being in a band?

[Ohwell]

18 minutes ago, chocolatine said:

Does it though? Is a hideous haircut a requirement for being in a band?

In some bands, yes.  Unfortunately.

[roseslg]

On 12/9/2016 at 7:20 PM, izabella said:

I missed the start of that one.  Was the friend moving in?  It didn't sound like it because it seemed like the space for her was optional, not required or specifically planned.   Is she just planning to visit a lot?  Is she a nanny? I was so confused because I just assumed they were a couple when I first saw them, and then realized they weren't but there was all this talk of a space for her.

Well, I think they were more than friends and the friends bit was just for the camera.  Even my husband thought they were a couple.  They were both wearing rings on their ring finger...just saying...

[Pickles]

Tonight's episode with the couple moving from Rochester to Rotterdam. Omg, her voice! Like baby talk. Awful. They both really annoyed me. He said they were happiest when they traveled, so they quit their jobs and moved to Europe to live off their savings. Will they be happy when the money runs out?? Both complained about the small fridge, small kitchens, small rooms, no garden, no oven, etc and, of course, they wanted all of their "needs" met with a small budget. At the end, he says how they like to sit outside at a cafe and they never did that in the U.S. Umm, I am pretty sure there are plenty of places to have coffee outside in the states. 

Sorry, I just posted in the wrong spot.

[MsProudSooner]

I might have to start watching HH with the sound muted.  The people become more annoying all the time - especially the ones that are Christmas obsessed.  

[Kohola3]

I always HGTV (all programs) with the sound muted because if I hear the word AMAAAAAAZING one more time I am going to put a fork in my ear.

[mojito]

Holly, MI

This couple was not working the HH script very well. No comment about the smallish master bathroom with only one sink and no tub other than saying that it was a nice bathroom. "Nice, clean carpet," he commented about another room. When they saw a kitchen with formica-type counter tops that were of a green pattern, he merely stated that he would've liked a different counter top while she said, "I'd wanted to change out the knobs" (on the cabinets). No demands for the farm sink, soaking tub, white cabinets, wood floors, double vanities, mantle for Christmas stockings. How did they make it on this show? They were far too pleasant.

[ByaNose]

The Sarasota couple seemed like nice people. They didn't buy the McMansion and stayed within budget. They made some changes to the house that worked for them but also lived with some of the stuff they didn't like. The big issue was having the washer/dryer in the garage. I would be too happy about that either. For now, they are living with it and making modest changes for their first home. It isn't their forever home but a house they can upgrade and hopefully sell in a few years. It was nice to see a HH episode without either couple being obnoxious.

[laredhead]

ByaNose, I totally agree with your comments.  In fact, the wife was prepared to dislike the 3rd house and kept going on and on about how much she actually liked it.  How on earth did they make the cut for the show?  I agree with her about the outside laundry.  Been there, had that and never want outside laundry again.  In the south we have all kinds of creepy crawlers, not to mention high humidity and heat which is the perfect environment for mold and icky odors in garages.

Having said that, the house was really small.  I wonder how long they will be able to stay there before upsizing? 

[snarts]

Quote

The Sarasota couple seemed like nice people. 

I believe they were in Daytona Beach.  I liked them too as I tend to appreciate those who realize their first house will likely not be their last.  With a budget less than $200k, they bought the best place for their current lifestyle.  I would love to live a block from the beach and, while small, the house was nicely updated.  

They mentioned that he was involved in minor league baseball, while she was working at Embry Riddle University while completing a masters program.  More than likely their careers (especially his) will force a move sooner rather than later.  A house close to the beach and one of the smaller houses on the block, both good for resale.

[vesperholly]

Is Mary and Vincent from Seattle a newer episode? He was a complete annoying germaphobe. I agree that a bathroom right off the kitchen is awkward, but he's worried about cross contamination?? I felt really bad for her having to deal with that all the time. Though, she saved a cool $30k with Daddy as her realtor.

[magemaud]

5 hours ago, vesperholly said:

Is Mary and Vincent from Seattle a newer episode? He was a complete annoying germaphobe.

Actually, the whiny guy's name was Victor, and there was quite a discussion of them when the episode first aired in May that begins on page 51 of this forum. 

[MaKaM]

There was a couple in Seattle yesterday--she had really long hair and he was originally from Singapore(?). I missed what house they picked. I am assuming not the dome house, right? The "fireman" pole and animal print carpet made me think it might need a serious fumigation before move-in day.

Edited December 31, 2016 by MaKaM

[laredhead]

Has anyone seen Big Sky which about buying huge, expensive houses in Montana?  There was a couple moving from Wisconsin to Montana and she designs ski mobile clothing.  What makes ski mobile clothing a speciality item?  Can't believe you can make a lot of $$ doing that.  Of course, this is from someone who lives in south Louisiana.  From what I've seen of the show, Montana has become a rich person's place to move to.      

[Pj3422]

Rerun last night of the couple moving to Padre Island -- they had two boys and "the love of my life" daughter,  Troylyn. Please tell me there's some discussion on them! Daughter had to have her own bathroom with a tub, even though she's only 4.

[CherryAmes]

I thought that sounded familiar and you're right discussion of that episode started around p. 35 of this thread.

[KLovestoShop]

Tonight's Portland couple---the wife was strange.  In the beginning she said what she did for a living, and I couldn't understand what she said.  She acted so immature and childlike at times, that I began to wonder about her.  I did like the house they chose.  

[Pickles]

The Portland couple. I missed the very beginning, but why did she hate fireplaces?! She even talked about taking them out! What?

[ByaNose]

Suffice to say they bought the house with 2 fireplaces. And, yes they (she) was weird.

[AuntiePam]

Maybe her dislike of fireplaces was producer-driven, but in a house that small, they didn't need two, so I can see her point -- she'd rather have had the wall space.  The rooms looked really small with all their furniture. 

The house they chose -- more than any other HH place I've seen in the Pacific Northwest -- reminded me of Lisa's house on Six Feet Under.  Lisa was Nate's wife, and the place she lived (before they married) was -- let's say "eclectic" -- it jangled my nerves, all the mismatched furniture, potted plants, etc.  I lived in the PNW for many years and was in a lot of houses that ended up looking just like that.  I could almost smell the herbal tea.

[laredhead]

After rerunning the clip about 5 times, I finally figured out the Portland woman said she is a nanny.  Such small houses for huge prices.  The first house had no place outdoors to store anything.  I guess that part of Portland is "the" place to live.  I was fascinated by all of the things they made themselves and that they even made their own toothpaste.  

[Thumper]

The couple in Chicago tonight were pleasant and cute.  I got a kick out of their mattress on the floor in their new place -- brought back memories of our first place.  I finally told husband we needed a bed frame when I was pregnant!

[Pickles]

I liked the Chicago couple too (and their cats). They were pleasant and must really get along, if they had been living in a 400 square foot apartment saving their money for a house.

[buttersister]

Yes, I guess seeing neighbors wasn't that big a deal because, NEIGHBORS! That place was great for them and they were so happy with it. Also, I wonder who remodeled it---everything suited them so well, you have to wonder if they'd bought a fixer and fixed it. (I see what you do there sometimes, HH.)

[WildPlum]

On 1/3/2017 at 6:35 AM, laredhead said:

After rerunning the clip about 5 times, I finally figured out the Portland woman said she is a nanny.  Such small houses for huge prices.  The first house had no place outdoors to store anything.  I guess that part of Portland is "the" place to live.  I was fascinated by all of the things they made themselves and that they even made their own toothpaste.  

Much of SE Portland is pretty much the opposite of "the" part of Portland to live in. I had a hard time believing that they found 3 houses pretty much on budget.  The median house price in Portland at the moment is north of $400,000 - so yes, they were looking at smaller, older, somewhat run-down houses in less desirable neighborhoods (from a commute and amenities standpoint). From his description, he likely works at Precision Castparts, there aren't many other companies that fit that bill (metal casting, large enough to have a swing shift) and that would roughly mean the Clackamas-Lents-Oregon City area, as far as a fairly short bike commute.

Looking at Zillow, most everything in that price range in the area is under 1,000 sf, 2 br, 1 ba and often on a small lot. Nicer houses are at least mid-300k.

The garden in their rental house was pretty nice, though, and there wasn't a lot of whining about granite and stainless and spa bathrooms, so, overall, I thought they came out of the episode well (which is something that doesn't happen very often).

[biakbiak]

I live in downtown SF so I understand neighbors but the place they went with had people's front doors super close and looking directly into their master basically meant you would have to always have your blinds/curtain closed. That actually wouldn't bother me because I like my bedroom to be a dark cave but I could see it being a deal breaker for people because it was crazy close.

Edited January 5, 2017 by biakbiak

[AlleC17]

I liked the Chicago couple too, and I loved the stand alone house that they didn't get.  I wouldn't really want the town home, but it seemed a good fit for them and I hope they enjoy it!  Really, anything was better then the 400 sf place they were renting!  The cats were cute too. 

[izabella]

43 minutes ago, AlleC17 said:

I liked the Chicago couple too, and I loved the stand alone house that they didn't get.

Washington Park, the area where that house is, is sketchy and dangerous.  It's becoming slightly less so, maybe, but I sure as hell would not live there if I could live somewhere else.  There's a reason that awesome house is so inexpensive.  The reason there were all those empty lots?  Those were all falling-down, dangerous houses, in a community filled with crime and drugs.  Also used to be near a massive housing project which has been demolished.  Grocery stores and amenities are almost non-existent, public transportation is nearby but it can be dangerous to go there.  Hyde Park and the University of Chicago is blocks away, but you won't find ANYONE from the university crossing the Park border except to drive through (as quickly as possible) to get to the Dan Ryan expressway.  Yeah, maybe they're trying to clean it up now since real estate in Hyde Park-Kenwood is so expensive, but "safe" is not a word I'd use for it.

http://crime.chicagotribune.com/chicago/community/washington-park

Edited January 5, 2017 by izabella