Offer Number 2

Just an update for anyone interested--we have an offer in on another house right now. We really like this house...A LOT. Possibly more than the first house. It's an estate sale so the property is vacant right now. The inside has been updated, and we would be so so happy if we got this house.
The "executor" of the house is being completely unreasonable however. We have offered asking price for the house as well as agreed to pay for the survey. This surveys the land area to determine property lines I guess. That's an extra $800 out of our pocket. In return we've asked that he pay closing costs. This is a totally reasonable offer, very fair considering the market here, and considering that we are willing to pay asking price for the home. He has played hardball and doesn't want to cover all of the closing costs, PLUS he has now said this is basically an "as-is" property. So if the inspector gets in there (something else we will pay for) and finds a major problem, we would 1)be 100% responsible for fixing the problem OR 2)if there is a problem that is so major we don't feel we can take the house--we loose all the money we paid for the inspection PLUS our earnest money. Um--anybody in our position (just out of grad school with student loans to pay, first time home buyers with 2 kids etc) should know we don't have $1500-$2000 to just throw around willy nilly. This is a 50 year old home. Who knows if there is an underlying problem.
The house has been on the market for over 6 months now, and we are the FIRST offer this house has had. So, either this guy gets with the program and starts being fair (since we have been more than fair on our end) or he's going to be stuck paying taxes and insurance on a vacant house for quite a while longer.
We're so frustrated. Our realtor is so frustrated. Not with us, but the listing agent for this house is the same as the first house we were suppose to be buying up until last week. As far as Dixie (our realtor) is concerned, this agent has been dishonest and completely violated her oath of ethics. She's going to have words with her once this is all said and done.
So anyone wanting to buy a house in Beaumont--BEWARE OF HESTER BELL!
In all of this I can say, I am so so grateful our agent is such an honest, caring, fair person. She has been wonderful. I trust her completely and I know eventually she will find us a great house and she'll make sure we get a great deal! So, if you're interested in buying a house in Beaumont--let me know I'll hook you up with Dixie Brown, possibly the best realtor in SE Texas.