Pisser of a day...

[WillParkinson]

We're looking for a new house. We got pre-approved at the bank today (only good thing was when he told me I had near perfect credit). Saw a house on a website and went and looked at it. Nice house. Roomy. About 2.5 times the size of what we live in now. Took Mom to see it. All seemed to be going perfectly.

A bit too perfect.

Called the realtor so we could see the inside. They called back and informed us that the house was already sold and was in closing, even though it was still listed on the site.

Feeling a bit bummed about it all.

[frogmarch]

1. I have a very strong hunch

it has a leaky basement, old wiring, lots of mice and several nasty ghosts. You were lucky someone else beat you to it.

Take heart, Will. Just the right house is waiting for you.

[trof]

2. Realtor 'tricks'.

I used to be one.
Leave a 'for sale' sign up long after the house has sold.
You may still get calls.
"Oh, I'm sorry. That one JUST sold, but what are you looking for?
Same with leaving 'sold' houses up on a website.
If you call, you're a new 'client'.
"We have several listing in that area. Tell me more about what you're looking for."
Kinda sux.

[siligut]

3. You must have a good eye

You found a good deal, as evidenced by someone buying it out from under you. Take heart, you still have the pre-approval and your eye for a good deal, there are more houses to be had out there. Sorry though, that must have been a big let-down.

[surrealAmerican]

4. You'll find something you like just as much.

It's a buyer's market. There are a lot of good houses for sale.

[rurallib]

5. My kids found a fantastic house AFTER

their 'dream' house slipped from them. Much better deal, much better house, much nicer location.
Hang in there.

[seabeyond]

6. ya... but another, better will come your way.

i have been there. it has always worked out.

[Shagbark Hickory]

7. Don't feel bummed. Feel relieved.

Chances are, it wasn't the house for you anyway.

Had a similar thing happen to me last time I was in the market for a house. Brand new listing. I went to look at it immediately. The house had an offer the same day it went on the market. It was in a sought after neighborhood during the height of the bubble. I was about to overpay for it big time but didn't want to get in a bidding war over it. I would've been totally SOL after the collapse of the market. Chances are I would have been quite miserable there.

I've learned that when stuff like that happens it's more than likely because of a good reason. Try to keep from falling in love with properties and look very carefully at them.

Thinking back, I am relieved about missing out on every property that I missed. The ones I fell in love with all turned out to be losers, including one then ended up being in the epicenter of a "cancer cluster" of unknown cause.