Unhappy realtor

[Idaho Jay]

Hi Everybody, I recently joined the forums and I'm so glad I did. My family and I are relocating to North Idaho and we started out as any traditional family - get prequaled w/ a bank, line up a realtor, and get overpriced listings sent to my email daily. I sent an email to this realtor sharing our intention to buy land and build our own log home. I received the email back this afternoon - ripping apart the mere idea. I won't share names or specific quotes but the gist of the message stated that; - log homes are WAY too expensive, even if I build one myself - they're WAY too complicated for non-contractor types - Banks won't finance, Insurance won't insure, bla bla bla - I should stick to the traditional plan and build my dreams from there In closing, the realtor stated that they are really looking forward to meeting my family and I... I never would've made it to where I am today had I listened to people like this...my determination to make this happen has just been galvanized. Idaho Jay and Family

[Timber]

I am sure the Wright Brothers heard that message! I look at steel ships that float & my mind says no way--I know displacement of water. The airplane looks like it should never get off the ground. I know the theory of the angel of the wings and air gives lift but still-that sucker should not get off the ground. I plan on getting permits paying for as much as I can-I owe nothing on my property-have water and power. I will buy the logs pay for a basement foundation and start building-without the whos who telling me I cant.
Here is a link I found yesterday-
http://www.log-home-plans.com/log_homes_links.htm#Gardens_Landscaping
http://www.greatdoorsandgates.com/
http://www.log-home-plans.com/log-home-loans-mortgages.htm

[kyle]

Hog wash!

Find another realtor who will support your dreams!!!

[rckclmbr428]

and send it to the realtor with a message that read "Enjoy going and flying your kite, and your 30 years of endentured servitude to the lending agency of your choice"

[Klapton]

Realtors make more money with less effort by selling you an overpriced, existing home. If you have 200k to buy/build a home, they'd rather have the commission on that 220k than commission on a 50k lot. Plus there is actually a LOT more homework involved with researching a homesite (i.e. determining whether you can build what you want there, etc.) than for an existing home.

Find another realtor. Do your own homework on what it takes to determine the buildability of a lot. Start first with your county planning / building office.

And one important lesson that you may already know -- but it is SO important, I feel the need to tell anyone and everyone who is looking for a home --

DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT THE BANK TELLS YOU THAT YOU CAN AFFORD!!!

The biggest mistake first-time homebuyers make is thinking that since the bank prequalified them for a certain amount, that they actually CAN afford a house that expensive. It's a big part of the whole "mortgage crisis" our country is experiencing right now. The bank is more than happy to take 2/3 or your paycheck and let you and your family starve.

[Timberwolf]

When you and your family get finished building your log home with your own hands, and owe nothing, have that same realtor come out to apraise it, as if you were going to get them to sell it for you.

Once they come up with some outrageous dollar value and they eyes start gleaming with the thought of $$$, tell them that your log home is waaaaay to expensive for them to sell and get a commission on.

Then kick him/her head first down the well.

Timberwolf.

[dankonefal]

Glad you've seen the light. Go get 'em.

[lbrowne]

She might have been going for the bigger commision, but the realtor may really believe what she's saying and is trying to look out for you. Considering common myths plus comments from a friend of mine who built their own log home and wouldn't do it again, it wouldn't be hard to have that viewpoint if one wasn't well informed.

[Klapton]

She might have been going for the bigger commision, but the realtor may really believe what she's saying and is trying to look out for you. Considering common myths plus comments from a friend of mine who built their own log home and wouldn't do it again, it wouldn't be hard to have that viewpoint if one wasn't well informed.
You are probably right. That realtor probably DOES believe all that stuff.

Ignorance or Greed?

Either one is a good reason to find a different realtor.

[steve747]

Hi Idaho jay there tons realtor in north Idaho fine one you be happy with. what area are you look at . We bought in Blanchard .Id last spring where we plan to retire to 2010 looking to build a log home starting next summer if all go well.

[Idaho Jay]

Not sure exactly where we'll locate the property - will try to get something in between CD'A and Spokane - on the Idaho side. Blanchard is looking like a good prospect. Congrats on the retirement - whenever you get into the area, we should stay in touch. I'll be more than glad to share what I've learned or takes notes from you - and I would be more than glad to help you with on-site free labor, not to mention show you around the area if you don't already know it...

Jay

[Yuhjn]

Speaking of north ID, what do you guys thinks of the Sandpoint area?

[steve747]

SOUND GOOD FROM ARE PLACE WE CAN SEE BOARDER OF WA. WE LOOK AT MT. SPOKANE SKI RUNS 1HR. TO DOWN TOWN SPOKANE 45MIN TO SANDPOINT 30 MIN. CD'A

STEVE

[steve747]

WE LOVE IT WE GO THERE EVERY TIME COME UP HAVE LUNCH WALK THUR STORE ALSO CD'A

STEV

[lisaandmark]

Banks are begging to give you money if you have good credit. We had no problem on our home. Not one. And we are about as handcrafted -- owner built as you can get. Insurance? Same deal. No problem. Not one. And I've switched companies too to get a lower rate. If you have good credit you can do anything. What better way to have good credit than to have no debt. Or, while you are building that home, put all your supplies on your credit card and then pay off the balance with your draws. That's what I did. Nice airmiles that way! And it keeps building up that credit score. Not that you'll need it once your log home is done :-)

[OTG PDR]

I'm an EX Realtor and sold well over 10 million of property / real estate in Spokane County. I would have told you the same thing.

Hence the reason I am an EX realtor - we make money by getting you to buy the most expensive, easiest to close property in the shortest amount of time.

Selling you a lot for 40k might gross us 1k of commission after splits, etc - and ALOT of work goes into that 1k.

Selling you a house for 300k ,we make 6.3k and not much work at all.

It is in the realtors interest to do the worst thing for the client, and there is ALOT of shady stuff going on behind the doors, I worked for a major outfit (#1 in the pacific northwest) and can tell you today I would never use a realtor. If you need some advice, feel free to email me reillypd@gmail.com. I hope by helping / informing people, I can set right some of the wrongs I pushed when i was in the business.

Best Regards,

Paul

There are good realtors out there, but I've yet to find one, myself included.

[mistacandy]

Here in Michigan, it is not uncommon to come across a greedy Realtor! I am also currently looking for a lot to build a log home! I signed up for email updates on about 10 different Realtors. Each one of them sends me $280,000 pre-built log homes. I've emailed them back about, oh, ten times telling them I'm looking for only wooded acreage! Honestly, I recommend foreclosures, and for sale by owners. That way you either don't have to deal with a Realtor, or the realtor get a very low commission it doesnt matter! if you do come across an honest, nice, Realtor who only wants to sell SOMETHING then go ahead and get involved.

Our economy took a crapper, and these realtors are still greedy!

Your not the only one...

[StressMan79]

I found one! got a heads up from Rick B. as rick says "he's as honest as the day is long." Actually listened to what I wanted and took me to many properties that fit the bill. some were ~750/acre. Keep looking or move to NE washington, and I'll hook you up.

-Peter

[Curt Hicks]

hey what is land going for up there??
I am from Northern Cal. and everything around here is way expensive... any thing reasonable???

[Juanita]

Depends on where you look. There are lots of relatively inexpensive but remote areas around Lake Chelan for pretty decent price. Further north in the Tonasket, Oroville and Curlew areas okay also but some still pretty remote. Leavenworth, Lake wenatchee, Plain and such are very expensive.

[StressMan79]

my land was almost 2k/acre, but it has an awesome view, decent access, southern exposure, trees, and water. I am north of curlew (99118). There are lots of properties for sale up there for under 1k/acre. one in particular I saw was 20 ac for 16,500, beatiful view, great (if not long drive in) access, but no water (well) or trees. This area is very remote, mind you. The county has only 3people/sq mi. This area of the county is less. If you think you'll need a walmart, etc. you prolly don't want to live here. (there is a decent sized (~4k) town in Canada pretty close. I haven't been there yet, but it is called "grand forks, BC").

my land is 6.5 hrs from seattle and 3 hrs from spokane.

[ragdump]

Ragdump
You can find cheap land in Northern California,the area called Concow (North East of Oroville) was hit by a fire storm last summer and you can by land really cheap there now

[Riverrat]

I cannot comment on bank loans--although I will agree that if you have good credit, it's not hard to get a loan for anything. Otherwise banks would go broke.

However as far as insuring a log home, I talked to my sister who happens to run her own branch of Nationwide Insurance. I asked her a simple question: "How hard is it to insure a log home?" Her response was: "Not hard at all anymore."

If you build it right, it will all work out. At least that's what I've gathered from my research.

[Klapton]

my land was almost 2k/acre, but it has an awesome view, decent access, southern exposure, trees, and water. I am north of curlew (99118). There are lots of properties for sale up there for under 1k/acre. one in particular I saw was 20 ac for 16,500, beatiful view, great (if not long drive in) access, but no water (well) or trees. This area is very remote, mind you. The county has only 3people/sq mi. This area of the county is less. If you think you'll need a walmart, etc. you prolly don't want to live here. (there is a decent sized (~4k) town in Canada pretty close. I haven't been there yet, but it is called "grand forks, BC").

my land is 6.5 hrs from seattle and 3 hrs from spokane.



Is there broadband internet available anywhere in that neck of the woods? (I telecommute, and require decent internet for work). And how is the "Liberty factor" in your county? I grew up in western WA, where not only is land insanely expensive now, but the amount of regulation, taxation, and general collectivist mindset (I'm a crazy libertarian type) is more than I can stomach. I've been looking at some places in Western Montana for this reason. (In some counties, the only thing they even care about is that your septic is correct -- otherwise build whatever you want, raise whatever critters you want, etc.) What sort of hoops do they require in your county?

[Timber]

http://www.city-data.com/forum/#u-s-forums you can ask some questions on this forum too. Free to register-you might find someone on there asking the same info as you. Also check out WY.

[StressMan79]

sure.

I plan to use the unicel (bought by verizon), cell tower for wireless internet. It is within line of sight of my place.

Ron Paul won the county in the republican primary.

My Neighbor is a SUPER constitutionalist, and you could trust him with your life. Folks in that neck of the woods look out for one another. Anyway, I know he is trying to move to steven's county, to consolodate the land that he has spread over the area. I believe he has ~190 acres in various parcels (including 40 acres 1000 ft of with river frontage) they are trying to sell. Once they sell that, they'll prolly move. Sad for me, but having another LHBA member as a neighbor would be the next best thing!

Washington passed a law that makes all counties enforce code. I am building a vacation/retirement home, and don't care what the feds think. However, Ferry county doesn't offer an owner-builder permit, they require engineering on your plans (I may not have my PE, but am more than qualified to read span tables, thank you very much). My neighbor says there is one cardinal rule up there: "it is easiest to do what you want now and beg forgiveness later."

Anyway, there are lots of properties up there for sale. I can give the name/number of a realtor and/or my neighbor if you want.

[Klapton]

I'd be interested in checking out what your neighbor has available. I'll hold off on a realtor though. My email is MyUserName AT rcn.com.

[StressMan79]

you should have it now.

-Peter