start flower beds and the perfect spot for the future gazebo and water feature. The contractors left after handing Sasha the estimates. The girls followed them outside, said good bye, and noticed Josh was sound asleep in the driver’s seat of his car.
“Josh!” Sasha yelled, trying to startle him. He jumped, and they laughed. “I’ve got the estimates from the contractors, so we’re going to take off. I figured you would want to lock up before you left. Call me Thursday and tell me where to meet you. We still have a few houses to view this week, right?” she asked, while tucking the estimates safely in her purse.
“Yeah, we sure do,” he said, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. “I’ll call you Thursday morning. See ya.”
“Bye,” the girls said together, and left.
Mia drove to Hair Brained. They found Vic and Tina on the patio behind the salon taking a break. They huddled in a group to review the estimates.
“Hang on, I’ve got to tell Jennifer where we are in case anyone needs us,” Vic said. She left and returned a few minutes later carrying two small four packs of Merlot and plastic cups.
“Okay, the electricity update will run $27,478. That includes outdoor lighting and the garage too. The plumbing estimate is $44,916. What does that total, Mia?” Sasha asked, as Mia opened the calculator icon on her phone.
“Hold on, it’s um… $72,394 for everything.”
“Okay you guys, the house has been vacant for friggin ever and it stinks like hell. Sure, it’s on a double lot which is a bonus, but it isn’t like you’re going to sell that to someone to build on. You wouldn’t want another house up in your grill anyway. So, the fact that it’s on a large lot is nice, but not necessarily beneficial to you. They’re asking $907,000, right?”
“That’s right, Vic. What’s a fair price in your opinion? I’m going to run it past Aaron too, but give me your take,” Sasha said.
“I’d offer $775,000 and not a damn penny more. That price would take the total investment with repairs to around $850,000, give or take. Mia, run the exact numbers quick.”
“Okay… it’s $847,394 exactly. Close enough.”
“That’s a fair price, Sasha. Anyone else would offer $50,000 less right out of the gate, and don’t forget how long it’s been for sale. The owners must be desperate by now. Start out low with a crack head offer, and see how it goes. You can always negotiate,” Tina advised. “Shit… hold everything. We totally forgot about the roof and exterior paint,” she added.
Sasha pressed her temples. “I’m getting a friggin headache. How much would the outside repairs add to the cost?”
“Probably fifty grand. Here’s what I’d do. I’d offer $700,000 and see if they bite. Like Tina said, you can always negotiate. Remember, the owners live somewhere else, the house isn’t bringing in rental income, and they’re stuck paying the utilities and property tax. I bet they’d be stoked to get that monkey off their back. C’mon Sasha, let’s go over to the camera store and see what Aaron thinks. Later guys.”
“Adios, and good luck. Keep us posted.”
Aaron listened to Mia’s suggestion and agreed that $700,000 was a good starting point based on the appraisals and the work needed on the exterior. Several customers entered the shop, so Mia and Sasha left and walked to Bottoms Up to talk.
“Mia, do you really think I can get this house? I’ll admit it’s going to be a huge project, but I can’t stop daydreaming about it.”
“That’s a good sign, honey. Be realistic, but also be true to yourself. We know what the repairs will cost. Your apartment is going to close in a few weeks. It’s just about a wash when you consider the selling price of your apartment, and the price you’ll pay for the house. Believe it or not, your insurance and property tax will be much lower here. Can you imagine how beautiful the house will be when it’s fixed up?”
“That’s all I’ve been
“Josh!” Sasha yelled, trying to startle him. He jumped, and they laughed. “I’ve got the estimates from the contractors, so we’re going to take off. I figured you would want to lock up before you left. Call me Thursday and tell me where to meet you. We still have a few houses to view this week, right?” she asked, while tucking the estimates safely in her purse.
“Yeah, we sure do,” he said, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. “I’ll call you Thursday morning. See ya.”
“Bye,” the girls said together, and left.
Mia drove to Hair Brained. They found Vic and Tina on the patio behind the salon taking a break. They huddled in a group to review the estimates.
“Hang on, I’ve got to tell Jennifer where we are in case anyone needs us,” Vic said. She left and returned a few minutes later carrying two small four packs of Merlot and plastic cups.
“Okay, the electricity update will run $27,478. That includes outdoor lighting and the garage too. The plumbing estimate is $44,916. What does that total, Mia?” Sasha asked, as Mia opened the calculator icon on her phone.
“Hold on, it’s um… $72,394 for everything.”
“Okay you guys, the house has been vacant for friggin ever and it stinks like hell. Sure, it’s on a double lot which is a bonus, but it isn’t like you’re going to sell that to someone to build on. You wouldn’t want another house up in your grill anyway. So, the fact that it’s on a large lot is nice, but not necessarily beneficial to you. They’re asking $907,000, right?”
“That’s right, Vic. What’s a fair price in your opinion? I’m going to run it past Aaron too, but give me your take,” Sasha said.
“I’d offer $775,000 and not a damn penny more. That price would take the total investment with repairs to around $850,000, give or take. Mia, run the exact numbers quick.”
“Okay… it’s $847,394 exactly. Close enough.”
“That’s a fair price, Sasha. Anyone else would offer $50,000 less right out of the gate, and don’t forget how long it’s been for sale. The owners must be desperate by now. Start out low with a crack head offer, and see how it goes. You can always negotiate,” Tina advised. “Shit… hold everything. We totally forgot about the roof and exterior paint,” she added.
Sasha pressed her temples. “I’m getting a friggin headache. How much would the outside repairs add to the cost?”
“Probably fifty grand. Here’s what I’d do. I’d offer $700,000 and see if they bite. Like Tina said, you can always negotiate. Remember, the owners live somewhere else, the house isn’t bringing in rental income, and they’re stuck paying the utilities and property tax. I bet they’d be stoked to get that monkey off their back. C’mon Sasha, let’s go over to the camera store and see what Aaron thinks. Later guys.”
“Adios, and good luck. Keep us posted.”
Aaron listened to Mia’s suggestion and agreed that $700,000 was a good starting point based on the appraisals and the work needed on the exterior. Several customers entered the shop, so Mia and Sasha left and walked to Bottoms Up to talk.
“Mia, do you really think I can get this house? I’ll admit it’s going to be a huge project, but I can’t stop daydreaming about it.”
“That’s a good sign, honey. Be realistic, but also be true to yourself. We know what the repairs will cost. Your apartment is going to close in a few weeks. It’s just about a wash when you consider the selling price of your apartment, and the price you’ll pay for the house. Believe it or not, your insurance and property tax will be much lower here. Can you imagine how beautiful the house will be when it’s fixed up?”
“That’s all I’ve been
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