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Saturday, 27 January 2007
House-shopping, episode 1 ::
Despite inoculation with a large dose of pessimism/realism (to counterbalance the housing market’s recent euphoria), after New Year’s I started a more careful search for a house. Just before Christmas, a realtor came to my door and we had a spirited discussion about the state of the market. I admired her hard work in going door-to-door at apartment buildings, and so after New Year’s I made an appointment to see her.
We talked for quite awhile. I mentioned liking my friends’ house in Sky Londa (around Skyline, above Woodside). She took me to see two houses nearby. The second was very attractive; a modestly-sized house on a large, gorgeous, lot with giant redwoods. (4 Fremont Way, Woodside).
I spent five or six days contemplating the house’s problems noted in the inspections, its location, and whether it was big enough.
I needed some more points of reference. I drove past a number of houses in Sunnyvale, a couple miles from work. They provoked a sick feeling of claustrophobia and suburban sameness. Emerald Hills (west of Redwood City) had a little more open space and natural beauty, but still felt too suburban.
The realtor and I went back to Sky Londa. We looked at another house that was the complete opposite of the one I’d liked: a large (4 BR) ranch on a small lot. We went back to the one I’d liked and was pleased to notice that it had shrunken a bit in my memory after the first visit; there was clearly space to put my studio in the great room. It felt so nice there.
Something in the inspection report had bugged me, however, something like: “The foundation is a combination of old and new technologies. It should be evaluated by a licensed foundation contractor.” I’d also seen some unevenness in the floor/ceiling. So I made an offer contingent on such an inspection.
To make a long story short, two structural engineers looked at it, and I backed out of the deal.
References:
House shopping, episode 2 (28 January 2007)
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3 comments
doug I am a contractor in CA and would take a look at it for you as well. I am a part-time audio engineer and would love to chat with you about a concept that I plan to develop.
we can probably jack up that house and repour its base using a new technology developed in washington, which would make the deal better for you.
– nick dellos, Saturday, 27 January 2007, 13:28 PST
Hi Doug,
I also looked at and considered this home. It’s back on the market now. You made the right decision!!!!!! The foundation is totally messed up! Can’t believe this buyer wants almost a million!
– Lucy, Saturday, 14 July 2007, 21:55 PDT
Hi Doug:
I was planning to go see this house in the next couple days - it sounded too good to be true! A home in Woodside for <$1million. I’m canceling my plans now..Thanks for this service. I found your link when I used a very popular search engine for the house’s address, btw.
– Karen, Thursday, 26 July 2007, 16:48 PDT
This discussion has been closed. Thanks to those who participated.