House Purchased - Moving to Arnprior (pending inspection)

[yellow dog]

Well, it's nearly certain... Going to be moving to the dirty 'prior. This is our first owned home and it's a massive beast... But the price is pennies per dollar compared to Ottawa homes.

The move allows me to do better in regards to the Beekeeping, and with the hwy and OC Transpo improvements the work commute back to Ottawa for my bride is only 45 mins + 5 min walk. Currently she's on the bus & train for 40 mins.

A few more years and maybe we can manage the $600k mortgage for a farm property - that market isn't so affordable yet.

So, anyone in Arnprior got hot tips for hidden gem shops and eats in this small town of 8000? Lol

I was in a large field of clover this morning doing some dog training and couldn't believe how many bee's were buzzing around. I haven't seen that many bee's in a long time !

[Oddmott]

Thanks all! Inspection is tomorrow, renegotiating if issues are found to take place over Wed & Thurs.

Nice little hunting and fishing store called Al's Corner Store 5 minutes east of town on old hwy 17

I know Al's well and will become a weekly visitor and gabber.

Congrats on the new home! Any maple trees for tapping?

The lot is large for a city, but the current owners cleared every tree off of it about 8 years ago. All the neighbours have maples though. Not that it matters, this move brings us 45 mins closer to our family maple bush so enjoying that pastime each spring just got a whole lot easier!

Way to go Mott, it is still in town but a lot less insane of a town.

Amen!

I once took a Disaster Management Course at the old barracks in Arnprior. The one thing I remember about that place is the four feet of snow !!!! Nice country up that way though.

lol 4ft of snow?! I call that a perfect winter! Great for tiring out the new mutt pup AND the kids.

Been to Al's corner store many times over the years ! I really like the Prior and the people are wonderful. Good luck with your new venture !

Thanks! Our next door neighbour is a long serving, generally well-liked city Councillor and down the street we have a retired army Colonel as well as a retired LEO. They all seem like good folk when we knocked on doors to ask about the neighbourhood & city and the house we bid on.

Congratulations on getting out of South Keys! My daughter wishes she could make that move.

There's a great public beach just past the hospital. Where the Madawaska runs in to the Ottawa. I can't remember the name of the street but there's an old cannon on the corner.

I hope your daughter can get out soon. That whole part of Ottawa is heading for the crapper.
As for that beach, yeah we went to it 2 weeks ago when we first viewed the house. There was life music, a great park, a real deal cantina (can't remember the last time i saw one of those anywhere).

The bakery in the truck stop is always one of my stops in the prior. We had many breakfasts there before heading out to white lake.,I would defenitly recommend it. The chip truck in front of ctc is my favourite in the area.

Love Antrim breakfasts! And had some great fish & chips from that chip truck at the CTC. Good prices at both too.

I know the river there has some great fishing for Muskie and first and only place I've ever caught sauger

Never been one for fishing... but i've also never spent much time close to water, nor had a boat before. Now that I've got the sportspal maybe i'll give it more attention. Not muskie though... i doubt muskie and canoes mix well.

I was in a large field of clover this morning doing some dog training and couldn't believe how many bee's were buzzing around. I haven't seen that many bee's in a long time !

You were likely close to someone's beeyard then. That's the only way you'd be able to notice a population density like that.

[Hunter John]

Congrats Mott, Sounds like a good move for you and the family.

[Oddmott]

Well, the home inspection turned up a few issues - 2 could be deal breakers - that we didn't expect.
May have to walk away from this one, sellers are out to lunch with their asking price.

Anyone know a Renfrew County/Ottawa contractor willing to come in and quote on a roof issue (rolled roof possibly not graded enough, water pooling likely from snow load damage)

and

replacing main support beam in the basement.... Knowing we'd likely only end up hiring them to fix ONE issue, as I can tackle the other?

If so, kindly pm me their business name.

[intothedeep]

If you find their price too high and you aren't set on the house... Make them a really low ball offer, that will more than pay for the renos. If you don't really have to have that house, you're in the drivers seat. You never know they could need a quick close and take it or you've lost something you weren't that set on anyhow.

[Fox]

Well, the home inspection turned up a few issues - 2 could be deal breakers - that we didn't expect.
May have to walk away from this one, sellers are out to lunch with their asking price.

Anyone know a Renfrew County/Ottawa contractor willing to come in and quote on a roof issue (rolled roof possibly not graded enough, water pooling likely from snow load damage)

and

replacing main support beam in the basement.... Knowing we'd likely only end up hiring them to fix ONE issue, as I can tackle the other?

If so, kindly pm me their business name.

When you find your dream house you will know it.

We looked at one that had rain in the basement, it was a 2 story house.

Good luck in the search but don't settle, there are lots of places out there.

[Oddmott]

There are a lot of places on the market to be sure.

Unfortunately, none of them seem to be actually worth anything close to the ridiculous prices owners are asking.

The property we checked out was as close to move-in ready as you can get and still had issues.

The others are in worse shape all-round. Even the brand new homes we've looked at are garbage - poorly installed fixtures, doors, windows & cabinetry, badly insulated or insulation missing entirely, shoddy craftsmanship in general, and cheap building materials.

May have to keep saving and wait for the next market crash. Lol

[Fox]

If you can find something that has good bones you can always work on the rest, but a roof, foundation, electrical and structure problems are huge red flags on a property.

It will come.

[Rugger]

Sorry to hear it didn't work out for you but as mentioned it's nice to not be under pressure to buy, last thing you want is to be saddled with a money pit.

[Oddmott]

If you can find something that has good bones you can always work on the rest, but a roof, foundation, electrical and structure problems are huge red flags on a property.

It will come.

Well, that's the problem. I am generally informed & experienced enough to spot all such problems myself. Whenever I'm in doubt, i have my 35 yr construction vet father and my 10+ yr architectural technician brother to fall back on. So i've got a VERY good idea of the work and costs involved in dealing with any of the issues sellers are trying to hide, or hoping buyers will miss.

So far, every house we've looked at - even 2 built within the last 15 years - has had at least ONE major issue. Some of them have had several. And yet all the homes are being listed at easily 20%-30% above true market value.

Sorry to hear it didn't work out for you but as mentioned it's nice to not be under pressure to buy, last thing you want is to be saddled with a money pit.

Yeah, we've now walked away from 3. Although, technically, we haven't walked away from this last one... yet. Last night the selling agent contacted us directly to say that the owners wouldn't budge on price, despite our inspection proving there's a solid $20K in IMMEDIATE repairs needed.

This morning she went around our agent again and called us to encourage us to get a contractor in to work up some quotes on all the issues. Perhaps she can convince the owners to be sensible.