Is that a railroad track on the other side of the river?

Great looking house!!!

Now, 2 things to consider! How close is that river and is it subject to floods? Also the front yard looks like it has quite a slope. Slopes can be miserable to deal with when it comes to mowing and maintaining. Speaking with personal experience since my entire yard is a slope.

I would have a concern about the railroad tracks. After Katrina, we rented a townhouse that had the railroad track literally in the backyard. OMG. Pictures rattled on the walls, it ran night and day - it was a terrible nuisance.

Also would check out the river and possibility of flooding.

That being said, it is a lovely house!

It is in a flood zone but the houses in this area are high enought that it's never been any damage to the properties.

Yes, that is a RR trac. It's still in use and might get 6 to 8 passing trains a day. I use to live about 2 miles from this house (but just a close to the trac) and after a week the train noise didn't bother me. It might turn some people off but the price of this house is so low that I can over look the drawbacks.

The yard is not a great yard. The back is almost a cliff and the only flat is in the back and on the sides. We were considering a house that had 18 acres and an older brick ranch with less the half the space and the inside would need to be totaly redone. It was more then double the price. It's about an hour from my husbands job and with gas prices as they are it nixed that house for us. Plus it was in a differnt school zone.

The price of the house is keeping me looking at the bright side. The inside is wonderful. Dark hardwood floors and trim.

The houses that are in this price range are small updated brick ranches that are bookended so close that there is no privacy.

If the house was on a bigger lot and not a foreclosure it would be 3 X the price.

Next year we would replace the roof and siding and go with Hardie siding and a wood (concrete type) shaker roof. I'll post pics of the inside tonight. I'm going back with my RA and I'll take some pics then.

Thanks for your input. I know being in love with a house can put blinders on a person.

Jennifer

The yard is not a great yard. The back is almost a cliff and the only flat is in the back and on the sides.

Yes, that is a RR track . . .It might turn some people off but the price of this house is so low that I can over look the drawbacks.

Next year we would replace the roof and siding

Maybe this is a good investment, even with the money you have to put into it. But be careful: when it comes time to sell, the drawbacks will limit your pool of buyers. And if you have to move quickly, it could be financially disasterous.

Remember the three most important things to look for in a house: LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION.

It is a gorgeous home, but I agree with the other posters. Since we have kids, we wouldn't buy that home because of both the river and the railroad tracks. I'd only buy it if it has the potential to be your "forever home" and even then, you never know what can happen that would force you to have to move. Then you might be stuck because of the bad location.

I can tell you you are so excited about it, and it is lovely, but I hope that you understand the drawbacks that await if you ever need to sell. Good luck with your decision!

Good points made by others, but the house...........it's beautiful!

Red

It would be the perfect house for a retired couple. I'm in love with the house and my husband is looking at it as investment. The house is less then $110.000 the last time is was sold it was valued at almost twice that ammount.

Jennifer, it's a beautiful house. Welcome to my world. Note the tracks behind the house.

The lot our house sits on was less than half price because it was ill shaped (it's not a square or rectangle) and it's next to a ditch and the tracks. We had over 68 pilings put into the ground so when you're in the house and the train passes you can't hear or feel a thing.

{{!gwi}}

The house is beautiful, but as another poster said, "location, location, location"...it is in a flood plain and eventhough it "hasn't flooded" certainly doesn't mean that it might sometime...and a railroad would be a real drawback for me and I am sure would be more when you are considering reselling it, because you are considering it to be an "investment".....don't want to burst your bubble, but things for you to consider before putting your name on the dotted line~~

I don't know if it would be a good fit for most retired couples either. Most retirees I know downsize, so they wouldn't want that large of a home. I'm not trying to talk you out of it -- it might be the perfect home for you. But it wouldn't be a good choice for many people, so resale might be tough. If it's perfect for you and your situation, and you don't need to worry about resale, go for it, and I hope you love it for many years to come!

By the way, we are a retired couple and the next move will be to the nursing home or the grave yard. The ones who inherit can figure out what to do with it.

We of course would not have picked this location if we had more money, but in this neighborhood this is all we could afford. Neighbors are so impressed that we took this lot that no one ever thought a house could be built on and put a house that is artchitectually suitable for the neighborhood. If we haven't received at least 50 compliments by people passing on the street, we haven't received one. It will be comfortable and it's in a great neighborhood so I guess it was location, location, location in one respect. We do have a nice side and back yard which I'll take photo's of one day and post them.

So Jennifer, if you're getting the house for a steal, I say it's worth the rr tracks being there. Have you actually been in the house when a train is passing to see how much vibration, if any you can feel? Like me, you have a piece of land and body of water that seperates you from the tracks and that makes a difference. Are there any noticeable cracks in the walls, interior or exteriod? If not, I say go for it.

I can't wait to see pictures of the inside. The outside is gorgeous!

Laurie

Brut

Beautiful home. I love that style, simple and clean.

Sadly my RA couldn't get ahold of the listing agent and has pushed back the 2nd viewing of the home until in the morning. I'll post pics of the inside then.

Thanks for the encouragement,
Jennifer

I think it's great. I live right next to the train yard in downtown LA, and I love to hear the trains.

And I can just see this place at Christmas with candles in every window and a big wreath on the front door.

My only concern would be mosquitos hatching on the river, as it looks pretty calm to me.

Nice house, bad location.
If you love the house and you are thinking to put an offer say, 105,000 (or whatever amount you are thinking) offer 10,000 less. Do not be afraid. I am pretty sure they will take it. You can always raise the offer later and do now show to the realtor that you are eager to buy the house.
If it is meant to be....

Beautiful house. Siding looks to be in great shape, as far as I can see. And the roof doesn't look too bad, either. Probably would not be attractive to a downsizing retired couple. As for the RR tracks: 7-8 trains a day is not so bad. Check with the city: 1) are there plans to close the track at some point in the future, and 2) where does the water come from/feed into? Are there levees? The house looks like it's on high ground. If there were a worst-case flood scenario--depending on the source of the water--what are the chances that the river would get high enough to flood the house? If I were you, and I received satisfactory answers to those questions, I'd buy that beautiful house in a heartbeat!

Was it "Annie Hall" where Woodie Allen reflected on his childhood home as if it were literally built within the loop of a roller coaster?

I grew up next to a highway. I think that's far worse than train tracks because the vehicular roar is unceasing.

In my view, it could actually be kind of charming to have a train pass by a few times a day. In keeping with my movie theme, "The Station Agent" is just one brilliant film which (among other things) celebrates all-things-train.

I can tell from your post that you're exuberant about this house, and indeed, i think you have reason to be. Judging from the photograph, its virtues abound.

But the points folks have made here are keen. As you would with the purchase of any home, just weigh the decision carefully.

The river is pretty shallow at this area and if it ever got high enough to flood the house I would be looking for Noah's ark... :-)

There's no dam or levey that could break and cause a sudden on rush of water. I intend on knocking on the neighboor's door and asking how high the water has reached from someone that's lived on that street. This house is the highest on the street.

Thanks for the comments,

Jennifer

I do have two kids and I'm the type of parent if they are outside I'm outside. If the phone rings they go into the house with me to get it. I know some people are okay with having the kids outside on there own. I'm not, and my husband is even more over protective then I am.

I really do think it's a beautiful house. Asking the neighbors is a great idea. I can't wait to see the inside photos.

Question about the train...in your neck of the woods, do they blow the horn thru every intersection? In our town, they do, and honestly, even though I live 4 miles from the closest tracks, we can still hear the horn at night if the windows are open.

If it weren't for the blowing horn, I suppose the train would be ok.

About the river...check with the county (or local government) to see where the ordinary high water line is. Floodplain is a vague term, it can mean a lot of things. Find out where the 100 year flood line is...those are the big floods. However, it'd also be a good idea to find out the annual high flow line.

Is the property on city sewer or on a septic? The slope and floodplain could cause big problems if you're on a septic.

hummm, good point about the intersection. There is one a bit down stream. I guess I will have to wait and see how that goes. I have went by the house several times over the past few days and haven't seen any trains go by but I know that it's the same track that runs by my old house. My timing must be off.

It's in the floodplain I know some houses down stream have been flooded a few times in the last 30 years. They are alot lower in elevation and alot closer (10 feet way from the river in some cases) then this house is. It's hard to tell from the picture but the river is about 100ft or more from my house plus there's about a 15ft elevation difference.

The only concern I do have about the river is that it's pretty slow moving (at least in this area) and I'm wondering how the mosquitoes will be this summer/fall.

The water/sewer is with the city. There's no problems in that area.

Do you live in Oregon?

No I live in the south.

Just wondering if it rained a lot where you are. :)

Congratulations!!! It's a wonderful house and many happy times for you and your family. When you can get a deal like that and love the house too, go for it!! I have purchased 2 houses that were in foreclosure and never regretted it. Sold both of them years later at a huge profit. I love it.

Gorgeous house! I can't wait to see the inside!! I hope your viewing today is going well. Sounds like a very good deal and it also sounds like you have thought about the pros and cons. You have fallen in love with the house, you can work around the negatives.

Best of luck and let us know what happens. And - PICTURES!

tina

Yes it's been on and off rain here for about a week. I live in Va. I'm waiting on my RA to call she's in a closing right now and I'm chomping at the bits to make an offer before someone elese does!

The inside is a bit dated but has huge potential!

I will post pictures today of the inside. Here's a picture of the other side of the house.

I think the house is charming! It looks great as-is but I can also see the potential if you update the exterior. Is this more of a first house, move up house, or a forever house for you?

It would be my first home, I doubt that it will be something I will stay in for more then 5 years. I love it but my DH wants alot of land and land and a nice home is out of our budget right now.

I would live with it the way it is now for about a year then put up Hardie siding and redo the roof. The windows are pretty new and the Siding is in okay condition (no holes, breaks etc) so I'd be happy to call it mine...for now.

I love that charming house,also. We live about 2 miles from the RR tracks and the distant sound is very comforting to me. Yet, I have read in our city newspaper that a lot of people are not happy with the loud horn sound. There are pros and cons to the city allowing the train horn to blow. I also have a very sad memory of a friend of my sons getting run over by a train. So there really is a lot to consider. LOL!

Ahhh.. the excitement of a first-time homeowner!
Since you are so happy, I hope it works out for you! It looks like a very nice house.

"It would be the perfect house for a retired couple. I'm in love with the house and my husband is looking at it as investment."
Three things wrong here:
1) Retirees (for the most part) do not want a huge house. They also do not need a difficult to maintain sloped yard, flood plain and trains.
2) Loving a house makes you blind to things you would ordinarily notice.
3) I am among those that consider a house their home NOT an investment.

Since you only want to be there five years, good luck! I think reselling your 'investment' for a nice profit will be difficult.

The house looks charmnig--esp. the backyard and I think others have already brought up some valid points to consider. I only wanted to add to be sure to check with a few home owner's insurance agents to make sure you can get a comprehensive and affordable policy that includes coverage for floods.

I think if it's priced as low (below market value) as you are suggesting, I would go for it. It's not the type of property that you could make a huge profit but I think for your first time home and the price...it's really nice! Personally, I would never buy a home next to tracks but obviously there is a market for it or you wouldn't be considering the purchase right now. Good Luck and can't wait to see the inside!

I love it and the river and tracks would be things I could live with. I'm anxious to see inside photos.

Well I went to make an offer. There was a report on file with the listing agent and it has major structual damage. The last owners didn't have an inspection and ended up doing alot updates to the house only to find out about the massive damage. I did snap a few photo's I was going to take more when I went back this evening with DH...

Oh well, win some lose some.

Atleast I didn't have to fork out the money for an inspection only to be hit the the $50,000 repair estimates.

Major structural damage!

That sent a shiver down my spine.

Thank goodness you found out before you invested your heart, soul, and money!

Hmm- now we know why it is priced like it is! It made me a little concerned aboout the house since it was priced so....low! Well, I know you are dissapointed , but atleast you found out, like you said, before you made a deposit.So sorry though!! LOL!

I'm finding nothing wrong with the house or location for the price you are talking about.
Home prices are going to skyrocket in about 3-5 years.
I lived in an estate on the Tenn river for 18 years with the river down the bank behind us (and it rose)with a private street and a railroad track in front of usprobably 70 yrds from our front door.

There were only 18 homes on our drive . The homes started at 400 thou and went to 1 mil.
When a house went on the market it was sold the next day.
We put ours up for sale to downsize and it sold before I could pack a dish.Railroad tracks and all.

Don't let anything deter you if you love that beautiful home.
In Ky the state sprays wet areas for misq and you don't even notice a train going by after about 3 weeks.
I love that house.
I wouldn't hesitate on this one .

I would hesitate... she said there is major structural damage to the tune of ~ $50,000!

Glad you found out!
Usually if a house price is too good to be true, there is a reason for it.

If the house is priced low enough, you might still come out ahead with the repairs, depending on what it is and what repairs entail.

I think there are probably MANY homes out there right priced *too good to be true* due to our economy. Or if not already, we're probably going to see that. The number of foreclosures in the newspapers lately is staggering.

I'm assuming since you and hubby are going back tonight, you might still be interested?

tina

I'm so glad you found out sooner than later, Jennifer! It is beautiful, though. I'm sure that the perfect home for you will come along, but I know how hard it is to be patient for it. Probably when you least expect it, it will come along!

No, the deal is dead. I have no desire to go through major repairs like this. I was only trying to explain why I had no more photo's of the inside. I viewed the house and went to the RA office to make an offer. I was going to wait to take more pictures when I returned with the DH (which I won't be returning).

I was looking for a house when I found this one...lol. Yeah, it was too good to be true. I just figured the low price was due to the foreclosure. I quess I can stop mentally decorating.

Thanks for the advice and input.

Jennifer

I'm sorry it didn't work out Jennifer! I'm sure you'll find the right match for you and your family. I love house hunting!! Good Luck!

Home prices are going to skyrocket in about 3-5 years

Really? Pretty strong statement considering the current real estate market! But I sure hope you're right that we'll dig out of this economic hole soon.

Be glad you found out about this now. You dodged a bullet.

Be VERY wary of any train tracks. Don't believe the only three trains a day, or only at night. That is BS. It can change FAST. In our area Canadian rail is trying to buy the local railine and plans 20-40 TEN MINUTE trains per DAY. The area is up in arms over it.

So sorry Jennifer, but remember, there's a better house waiting for you somewhere else. Everything happens for the best. You'll see.