House Hunt 2017
So Mayoko and I are looking for a place. Going to document here a few of the milestones and places we're looking. Want to see why this is hard? Is because as of our search, San Jose was the country's most competitive housing market.
Our fantastic agent is Shanna Desai.
Move!
April 3, 2017 - Official start of looking. Found out the (very nice) landlords of 9 years are going to do some renovations to the place we're in now, and we've more than overstayed our original intention (and probably theirs) for the rental period. They've been fantastic and we appreciate both their friendliness and professionalism. Looking forward to staying friends.
Loan!
April 5, 2017 - So apparently I'm going to need to borrow some money. Loan process starts.
1303 Milton Way, San Jose, 95125
April 10, 2017 - An odd place in Willow Glen. Weird layout for both house and yard, but we like the chance to get into Willow Glen on a quiet street. Probably going to make an offer on this but not optimistic given the interest apparently shown in the place. Will need kitchen work, and eventually even some internal room reorg.
Listed at $895k (yeah, Bay Area real estate ain't fun). 3br/2ba, 1667sqft, 7656 sqft lot.
Triangle back yard, and the layout is just odd. Mismatched floors, isolated kitchen, weird bathroom layout and they're tiny without room to grow, small garage, but we'll see. Also great area, spacey enough, big back yard (even if in a triangle), and abuts a walking trail. My contractor, Joe, tells me that opening up the kitchen into the dining space, and further opening that room into the family room is doable and not that outrageous. This would completely change the feel of the house.
April 11, 2017 - Putting a bid in on the house. 1 of...wait... nevermind.
829 Seabury Dr, San Jose, 95136
April 11, 2017 - Change of gears! So we were waffling between location and size of house, and just saw a place that made the wife very happy on the house side. Milton would also be great, but I'm going to go with the place my wife got all giddy about this afternoon, and so suddenly a million bucks of bid swings another direction.
Listed at $900k. 4br/2.5ba, 2000sqft, 6011 sqft lot.
April 13, 2017 - And we got it! Will post more later, but there were competitive bids and we put something together that was strong at $970 based on recent comps. Tentative close date is May 5.