Friday, January 21, 2011

House Hunters

It didn't take long for Damon and I to realize that we love Baton Rouge. We're also SICK of being renters, so it's time for the house hunting to begin!
Damon and I are trying to ensure that we don't make the same mistake twice, so we're doing our research, working with an agent we have a personal relationship with, and taking advantage of all the programs we qualify for.
That's where the Rural Development Loan comes in.
The United States Department of Agriculture provides 100%, low interest, fixed rate mortgage loans for buyers looking for build or buy in a rural area. Well, if you are looking outside East Baton Rouge Parish, you're looking in a rural area!

When we purchased our first home all we knew is that we wanted 3 bedrooms...But this time, we're a little bit older, a little bit wiser, and definitely know what works for our family.

Here's our wishlist

4 bedrooms

Master bedroom with attached bath

All bedrooms on the same floor

Large, fenced backyard

Hardwood floors

2,000(+) Square Feet

In a quality school district

Here are a few front runners with their positives and negatives

1

+ Perfect size (2,600 sq.ft.), fenced in yard, and a HUGE master suite, near a cul-de-sac, two living areas
- Carpet throughout, three bedrooms on second floor, one bedroom of the first floor


2

+ BIG (2,900 sq. ft.), Huge Master Suite, tile in living area, Brand New, comes with Builders Warranty, Builder Pays $4,000 of closing costs, Large loft style study area with built-in desk and shelving, large bedrooms, front porch, gorgeous wraparound, covered back porch

- Master suite on first floor, 3 bedrooms on second floor, hardwood flooring only in hallway, smallish backyard, no fence




3

+ Good size (2,100 sq. ft.), hardwood floors, all rooms on the same floor, covered back porch with ceiling fan, fenced in yard, within walking distance to our High School of choice for the kids (yes, we're thinking that far ahead, LOL!)




We would love a bonus room for out of town guests, but it doesn't look like it's in the budget :(
Hopefully these homes will still be on the market when we begin to SERIOUSLY look in March. Our timing has to be right. We have to complete our rental agreement, so we're hoping to have be house by June!

Here's to hoping we find (nearly) everything we want!

4 comments:

Trying to be a better person today than I was yesterday. said...

# 1 looks good. Is #3 a reverse ranch? We keep going back and forth! But anything we get from here has got to be on the same wave length or better cuz I've gotten used to my attached master bath/walk in closets lol!

Damon + Maryam said...

#3 is what's fallen Acadian style. It's all open in the middle with arches and the bedrooms are off the living area.

The Madd Scrapper said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Lils said...

House hunting! So fun I love it have fun looking and even more fun actually buying.