wow.. they are going through and/or done with divorce and still keep their house that beautiful? dang.. i get stressed from work and don't cut grass for two weeks in a row.

There's a bit of deferred maintenance that doesn't really show in the pics - but it shows in the price we offered. I think the divorce is why this is dragging out so long though. I'm fully prepared to walk. We have a number in our head and if it's beyond that, we're done. If it's meant to be, it'll be.

JoAnn it's 1.6 acres. About half of that is wooded, maybe a smidge less. I'd want to clear the remaining wooded area for an orchard.

hope it becomes your future fig farm

It wasn't meant to be. They countered - at full asking price. So we're walking. Hope they get what they want out of it and I wish them the best of luck.

A better place will show up Nichole.  Way to stay positive.

Hey Nichole, I am sorry to hear that, my wife and I are trying to buy a house right now as well and we have had that happen to us too- it's such a weird market these days, I hope you guys find something that is better than you could imagine

Nichole,

Keep your head up and look to the stars. Something better will come along.

Sorry that deal fell through Nichole. Hope something much better comes along !!

Sorry Nichole:(  Maybe if the house sits they will change their minds and if not you will find a better one.  

That thought has entered my brain. I have it saved as one of my favorites, so I will get updates on any changes that happen. I'm not holding out any hope though as I don't want to get emotionally invested. Bidding with your heart is never a good idea.

What's meant to be, will be.

If it does not happen, then it was not meant to be.  Stick to your guns and don't get caught up in "auction fever".  Something better will come along....Good things happen to those who wait"......

You said it right in your first post...."I'm a nervous wreck".....it is ok to have jitters but remember, it is a business transaction....no emotion is attached until you have some "sweat equity" in it.

Wow.  That looks amazing.

I know the feeling, Nichole. We are looking to the next better one, after our recent disappointment. I wish you luck in your search. Eventually, we'll all have our farms.

Nichole, it's hard to predict what may happen in this market as things seem to be strengthening, though usually for properties in great shape (first time buyers can't get FHA financing on a home that needs repairs) or ones on the other end that are prime for a bit of fixing and flipping.  My wife and I bought a second home in 2010 and then another last year.  Both required a huge amount of patience.  The 2010 purchase was one that we had an accepted short sale on but the lender required some conditions of the sellers (probably because they had stripped appliances, etc.) that they were not willing to meet so they walked.  I went to the courthouse to bid on the subsequent foreclosure a few times with postponements each time until the lender ended up finally going to sale but bidding nearly their full loan amount (250% of home value).  After a few more months they listed the home for sale but at too high of a price and we offered the maximum we were willing to pay.  They countered at full asking price (sound familiar?).  We waited another month and offered the same amount as a month earlier and they accepted.  May happen to you also!  Home #2 bought last year was a short sale transaction and we bid slightly over asking price.  Before lender could process the short sale the lender filed bankruptcy!  It took five more months before the lender who bought those loans finally approved the short sale.  We kept getting told that we could walk but prices were going up in the meantime which worried us a little since the lender might reject the transaction in hopes of a higher price.  We finally closed 8 months after our offer had been accepted by the seller.  Both have worked out to be good deals for us...we didn't really want two homes but ended up having great tenants in home #1 before we needed it (thus the reason for buying home #2) and now we are tentatively selling it to our tenants for a decent profit.  Hopefully, patience will reward you as it has us!

Put in a bid on another house today but I'm not holding my breath. We're the 4th bid and they're going to look at them tomorrow. Hotly desired location, apparently. We're not willing to go over asking so I'm pretty confident that'll knock us out of the running.

Best of luck finding the perfect place.

Thank you. Our perfect house is out there somewhere.

Lost another house today to someone who waved inspection and was willing to throw down 40% downpayment. We're sane and want an inspection and offered a "measly" 20%....and we offered a LARGE SUM over asking. Seriously. I cannot believe we didn't get it. Our offer was very rock solid.
*shakes head*

Condolences on missing this one.  But congrats on staying sane.  I encourage you to stay sane in how you go about this, and not get too caught in any frenzy.  (But that's me too I guess).  You'll find something you love with a sane seller, congrats on staying that way yourself.  Sorry to hear this one didn't work out.

Mike

A most frustrating process.

I'm sorry Nicole, it is a very emotional and trying thing to find the right home. I admire you sticking to your sane guns! The market there is a sellers market for sure, it bounced back fast. Don't give up!

Nicole, don't give up.  I'm also a real estate investor.  The ball is in your court!  FInd out how long the property has been on the market.  Three days before the listing is about to close resubmit your offer.  Since this property has emotions involved with the divorce pending, 9 times out of 10 the sellers will give in just to get rid of the headache.  My uncle bought one with the similar scenario.  He and his agent had a hard time reaching the sellers.  Both moved from the area.  On the last week of the listing, my uncle submitted a bid of $80,000 dollar home that had over 4000 sq feet and was sitting on 2.5 acres.  The property never got the attention needed because the entire property was at the end of a huge 90 degree turn on a secondary road.  The property was completely wooded and you could not see it from the street.  The house closed in 30 days and both agents could not belive the house sold for that price.   So, try again, it's a lovely piece of property.

Keep plugging Nicole and good for you - keep sane in the process. You'll find and get THE one !

Just wait on the sidelines don't chase up prices in this real estate market. The rates are rising, so if your cash rich there should be plenty of good deals to be had in about 6 months to a year. Real Estate market is looking bubbly again in the PNW and SW.