Doing market analysis then maybe an offer...

The house on 120 Saxon is not as much to my liking as the one across the street. It's got a slightly larger kitchen and dining room but the bedrooms are smaller, although still workable. The bathrooms are not nearly as nice, although I know they thought they updated them- it's a matter of taste. The floors are definitely nicer in the house at 120 but flooring is something easily fixed (relatively anyway). The back yard is much smaller but they have a fairly nicely landscaped front yard with a bench and stepping stones. The kicker is this: It's at the bend in a cul-de-sac so the house to the left and two houses to the right can see right into the back windows. There is no chance of that in the other house since it's up on a berm with the canal and high school yards behind it. It also seemed a lot darker- probably partially paint choices and partially design.

So...the realtor is doing some market research and will call me later today with his recommendation for a price point for the initial offer. Then *deep breath* I hope to make an offer. I know, I haven't looked very long or at a lot of house but the market is limited and I like this house. It's not a palace but it is adequate for my needs and it meets my must haves (which were, admittedly, rather simple after years of apartment living- decent kitchen, bathrooms, three rooms large enough for a queen size bed, a decent yard, a quiet neighborhood, a living room large enough for my bookshelves, piano, hutch and couch, laundry, and storage- either garage or shed).

There are still a couple of iffy things, we need to know if the house, being on a raised berm, has a certificate of exemption from flood insurance or if I'd have to have that ($$$) and he's not confident in Selco as a lender, although I had no trouble getting pre-qualified and mom and dad have their mortgage through them.

I'm seeing $$$$ because I know I want to put the maximum down but there are always these hidden upfront expenses that I don't know to expect; I don't know exactly what my monthly payment will be but it's significantly more than I pay now; and because I'll have to buy a washer, dryer, lawnmower, and kitchen table. I'm trying not to hyperventilate. It's not just scary, it's terrifying!