The Home Front Asks: What's Your Story?
Learning from the experiences of others.
When I’m looking to waste some time online, I usually turn to real estate or home blogs that detail stories of home purchases gone awry, describe awful buyers, sellers and agents or showcase terrible listing photos. It’s a version of Internet rubbernecking.
Entertainment value aside, such websites can be educational—providing tips on what to look for in a realtor or proving that a little pre-sale deep cleaning goes a long way. The fact is, everyone has a story to tell about how they came to live where they do. Some of those stories are good and some are downright awful.
In our case, buying during the frenzied real estate days of 2004, our home purchase could not have gone smoother. My best friend happened to live in Del Ray and discovered the owner of our home wanted to sell. It was sold to us as-is and we agreed to purchase it after walking through once. We closed a short time later at the office of a local attorney. There were no multiple bids or bypassing contingencies—all hallmarks of those days.
Drew Hansen
8:54 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
I am an apartment renter in Del Ray. When I started searching, I found a lot of nice options around. The apartments across from Del Ray Artisans I found particularly nice. I ended up finding a bigger place with older fixtures at the other end of the neighborhood. The rental company offered a good deal on rent with utilities included. It's also nice to be a short walk from Braddock Metro.
davidsteger389
3:37 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
When you're shopping quotes from lenders, beware of points that they'll try to impose on your refi. Each point is a fee of 1% on the amount you borrow. I worked with "123 Refinance" search online for them. I would strongly recommend them since they got me 3.24% rate on my mortgage refinance.
Drew Hansen
1:16 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
A comment was deleted for violating our Terms of Use.
Jon Doe42
1:47 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Why was it deleted? sorry. those are the ones I like to read.
Jon Doe42
1:49 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Im thinking it must of been true. O well. I will write up my stories tonight and post later.
thanks
DIY Del Ray
3:52 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
I moved to Del Ray from Arlington in 2004. Although I grew up in Northern VA I had never heard of Del Ray. I knew some friends who had moved to Del Ray because houses were cheaper than in other parts of the area, so I followed. I fell in love with Del Ray the first time I drove down Commonwealth Ave. -- all the old houses and mature trees. My husband and I bought our rowhouse right before the market got crazy. I never want to leave. -- Katie
Drew Hansen
6:45 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Another comment was deleted for violating our Terms of Use. I am closing comments on this article.