Now he wants to give us the house!!

Well it sounds good. Is it too good to be true? Given the things you've said about your in-laws in the past, could there also be some hidden strings in addition to the costs that you're aware of? I'd be worried about that in addition to the money.

From someone who had never owned a house or had to deal with fixing one up. I come from a different angle. I am so excited about having a home one day so I've been doing endless research about which is more economical: buying a move in ready house or getting a fixer upper. This is the question I pose to you: are the repairs more expensive than the house is worth and can you use that money towards a downpayment to a move in ready house?
My other question is: can you live in the house now or will you have to wait until the repairs are done? Also how much are the taxes going to cost you? You don't want this house to put you under! Can you stand living in the mobile home until you can save up enough money to pay the taxes/fix the house or are you about to burn the thing down? Answer these questions honestly and then you might be able to make your decision more comfortably.

I would first want to see your name on the title of the house, no strings attached. Would you be able to pay the taxes? Would the repairs be able to be done if you live in it? If you done the repairs, would it improve the value of the home and then get a loan or mortage to finish the repairs; that is if you can't get any help elsewhere--grants, family, friends, etc. If you liked it before, you could always improve it and make it better for you and your family. I know with not having credit and being broke is hard to find a home. I am in the same boat and I would probably jump on this just to say I have a home and don't have to pay rent. Just put the rent into the home.
Could call Extreme Make-over!!!:))
good luck to you and your family

Respectfully I must say, I wish someone would give me a*&^%^% house! I own my own and it's beautiful...but...cost of home...138,000 and that's not including water, sewer, garbage, electric, and oil. If you can live in it while the repairs get done, you're very fortunate...You should thank your in-laws, they really are doing you and your family a favor. Appreciate:-)
~G~

I am happy for you in this but do not pay taxes or do anything until the house is legally transferred into your names. I believe the taxes would be up to date before this transaction can go through. Do not go if he has just left it to you in hiss Will as people can change their minds and make another will! Just be cautious. should you accept it? Yes you should and repairs can be done on a long scale basis. I will pray so hard that this becomes a reality and it is not hot air that is blowing. Blessings

I do not mean to throw cokd water on this but am really saying - just be careful

Hi Katsmeow,

You are so lucky to have the same house from him and also
you are very happy too in order to go back there to live. This is
a part of life to do some repair work in the house in order to enjoy the
life, so don't worry to pay all the tax and also do the necessary work
to have the good and enjoyment life. I am wishing you best of luck to
have the good future there, including the happiness and joyful.

Have a nice day.

Hello Katsmeow....I would say in all honesty that this is probably a pretty decent deal as long as you can be promised in some written matter that you won't have to make any payments towards this house other than repairs and back taxes. I know right now it may seem like a lot to take on but I don't think you can get a better deal because you have to look at it like this as long as you can afford to pay off the back taxes and than make the yearly taxes thats all you would have to worry about not like now where you are probably paying monthly rent on another place and this is a house not a mobile home where the appreciation decrease through time...the repairs that you do to this house will only increase the value and possibly after the kids are all grown can be sold for profit, the mobile home you have no matter how much work is done doesn't seem to increase in value.
If you feel that you and your husband can afford this place I would say go for it especially if you say that this may be your only chance at owning your own house. repairs can be down over the years mean while you can enjoy the house. Are the taxes maybe in a range to where you could possible take an income tax or something and pay them off and then maybe every income tax take some money and do some repairs? Is the house liveable and just needs some TLC or is it ready to fall? These are all things you need to consider but only your family knows what you can afford and what you can't but from the information you have provided it sounds like a decent deal especially if like you said it is in a place you like. best of luck=)

I do hope you will be able to get the grants and help if you decide to take it. Just be sure that it isn't held over your head at a later date...that is what happened to my mom and she moved because of it..started telling her what to do and who she could have at her home and who she couldn't..what she could do and what she couldn't..If you are paying rent maybe take that money and put towards the taxes will they let you pay so much a month till it is paid in full? I know all about low credit..I don't have bad credit..I just don't have any..or any credit cards or anything that would count towards making it go up..we are basically a buy and pay with cash as we get it..I live in a trailer but with 5 kids gotta be a tight squeeze and not alot of playing room in there..which will suck in the colder weather. I am really rooting for you to be able to get it fixed up and livable so you and your family would be able to have a home of your own..Good luck with those grants if you decide to pursue it

Since it's a freebee I think I would take advantage of it...there are tons of programs right now that have lots of leftover money to help you fix it up)semcac)....you would be saving on renting a place so some of that money could also go towards the repairs....depending on how extensive they are.....also there a some carpenter right now that still haven't gotten back into the swing of things since the recession and might work at a discounted rate.....hopefully it all works out for you!

Hi, Katsmeow! I've just had an awesome idea for you to potentially get your repairs done for nothing or next to nothing, but you would have to be the first to do this, if you did it. Could I PM you with it??? If I put it on here, somebody else could take it and run with it.