What Metalhead Ned Learned While Attending His First Open House

I live in a two-bedroom apartment in Grandville, with my wife and two cats.

She has a lot of stuff, and so do I. We have tons of video games, lots of books, a 7-foot Master Chief statue, etc.

In short, we are crammed into our tiny apartment and it's beginning to get stressful.

You ever have that feeling like you can never clean your living area because there is just so much stuff?

That is how I feel EVERY DAY! It doesn't help that my wife and I are barely home to maintain it, but it would help if we could spread things out and have more space.

How is this possible? Looking into a house for more space and happier living.

I know what your first thought is: "Well in an apartment, you don't have to pay for repairs and the majority of your bills!"

Why, yes, I do understand that statement. However, it still doesn't solve our space issue or the fact that my money is going into something that is not mine, bugs the living hell out of me.

On to the open house, though.

We have been driving past this house for about a few months now and it always looked awesome: fenced-in backyard, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two-stall garage and it looked big! H

ow could you go wrong right?

Well, here is what I learned from just walking into a house and walking out.

• 'Never judge a book by its cover'

This has to be my most valuable advice. You are looking at pictures of a house online or something and it looks great from the pictures. You have driven past a house hundreds of times and it looks amazing from the outside. 

Make sure you visit at least once!

Never just look at the pictures, because they truly can be worth a thousand words.

When we arrived to the house, the rooms were tiny, the ceilings were low, and guess what?

It was incredibly cramped. While there are more rooms than my apartment, it wouldn't do us a lot of good if there is no room in the rooms now would it?

• House was built in 1850

Here is a major reason why the house was so small inside. During the 1850s, people seemed a lot smaller.

For some reason, humanity got larger and so did the houses and this one did not. The house looked awesome to maybe visit your Grandparents at, but for someone who is more new generation, this house did not fit at all.

• Michigan Basement

Remember when I said the house was built in 1850?

That means that basement is tiny, low ceilings, and some dirt floor. My wife and I are kind of relying on having a decent size basement to do a lot of storing for all of our stuff. So, having a Michigan basement it the complete opposite of what we need.

Also, the ceiling in the basement were nowhere near complete. Partially drop ceiling and some just no ceiling at all!

That made me wonder: "Why is there no ceiling here?"

These are things your should consider when looking at a house. That ceiling may not be there because of a pipe leak, mold, etc.

• Can you picture yourself walking in the door every day?

I know this sounds crazy, but right when you walk in, ask yourself: "Do I feel good about this?"

That first impression will usually tell you how the rest of the open house is going to go. When I walked into the house, my face kind of sank and I felt off the entire open house, and it all started the moment I opened the door.

Obviously you are not going to 100 percent love the house. Howver, that first impression can either make or break it. Stay optimistic though, first impressions are not everything, but can have a big factor on your attitude.

• How much work needs to be done?

In a dream, you'll buy a house that needs absolutely no work at all. No new heater, roof, stove, washer, dryer, etc.

If you find a house that needs no work, you may be onto something.

Unless you have the cash to cover it, start rethinking that price. The house I went into was incredibly outdated. It needed new carpet, fresh paint, and all new stuff everywhere. Plus, the owners had a TON of stuff on the walls. That most likely would mean holes in the drywall everywhere. Remember the 'Judging the book by the cover' section?

• Think realistically!

Before you start signing papers, THINK! 

Is this actually going to fit your lifestyle? Will it sustain a growing family?

The biggest thing, though, can you actually afford it?

These are just some of the questions your should think about before you make the biggest purchase of your life. Apartments are widely considered temporary and you can always get out of them at any time with a fee. A house? You're stuck if it doesn't work out for you my friend.

• In closing ...

I can't believe all that I learned from just walking into one house. Some day my wife and I will own one, but until then, saving money and living in our cramped apartment will have to do for a bit.

I want to own the house; I don't want the house to own me!

So many people get caught into buying a home and basically are never able to do anything because their money is so tied up into a house.

Remember, I don't own a house. If you are a homeowner and have some advice, comment below! As a first-time home buyer, I am all about the good and the bad. I don't care to buy a home that I am unhappy with!

Happy house shopping and buying!