Buying a House

[KLS52]

I appreciate your input silva...thanks!

I did feel like my current house called me and I’ve loved living here. Wish I could go back in time and be smarter so we could stay. The taxes are what’s killing us. And now the people two doors down just listed their house! We came home from house hunting yesterday to a for sale sign in their yard!

Their house is so perfect. The guy is a contractor/builder by trade and the house looks it. It is $120,000 more than mine so hopefully it won’t hurt my chances. It’s a great house with a front porch. So much curb appeal. And inside is all updated. Their attic was converted to living space. Maybe it will sell quick lol.

There are so many houses for sale in the neighborhood. It’s sad. Taxes are killing everyone. I did have fun yesterday looking at places. I’ll update in a bit.

 

[KLS52]

I have to stop looking at my neighbors listing… It’s making me sick, LOL. The backyard is gorgeous and has a pool. Attic room has sliders that go out to a small balcony. Every single piece is in place. But good for him, seriously. When you are willing and able to put that much work into something you deserve to get something back. I can’t wait to see what it sells for. That will be valuable information for me. He has twice the square footage of living space that I have.

 

[Moll Flanders]

I can't remember if I said this on here ( I know I told Shyvas) but we are thinking about staying in London permanently now and not moving to the coast. There are just too many advantages to living here to leave.

Kind of boring, I know.

I am going to see what situation we are in when we retire in 5 years time regards the animals we have left. I would consider moving closer to central London and buying a flat instead of a house if we didn't need a garden.

My other dilemma is, what is son going do. I know he wants to be on his own. I love that he is pursuing the option of getting something for himself. But I definitely don’t want a house if he’s not coming with. He sways from wanting to stay with us because we are aging and he said if we get a house he wants to contribute and do the “maintenance” part of it and also be there for us as we get older. But he was only on his own for a short time when he had the one good job where they downsized and let him go. Finding something decent after that has been difficult as he doesn’t have college under his belt.

I really want him to come with us but that’s just because I’m his mom and I got used to having him here. And I worry about him. But deep down I know it would be awesome and I will worry less knowing he is making it out there on his own. I don’t want him to be forced into it when the day comes that hubby and I are no longer around. I’m going to fee so much better if I can see that he is doing it now.

I was thinking the other day that it seems like it is more often that sons stay at home longer than daughters. My brother still lives at home, so does his best friend and his brother and so does my husband's nephew. They are all about the same age 35-37 years old.

I left home at 27 and I felt really old! I wish I had bought my own place straight after leaving university.

 

[silva]

@KLS52 - that higher priced property could lead people to yours! No one with smarts wants the highest priced property in the neighborhood!
Sounds like you're in a very high cost of living area. I've never understood how that works, as when I've looked at employment sites in those places they don't pay all that much more! So many ins and outs with tax differences amenities and all...
I hate how housing is in this country, so wrong! I firmly believe the basics of living should be a right.
ETA- saw I forgotten to post, not sure when written!

 

[KLS52]

@KLS52
Sounds like you're in a very high cost of living area.

Yes, it’s why we’re leaving or rather, being forced out. Taxes are really high. The places we’ve been looking at out of county and in Connecticut are half what we’re paying and even less than half. We may take a long weekend and check out South Carolina, too. It’s the most affordable out of our choice of options. I just don’t think I have the right personality to make such a big change and start over somewhere so far away.

 

[KLS52]

There are seven houses for sale in my immediate area, including mine...The one that’s two houses down from me, two on the next street, two on the street after that, and one more on the street after that. They are all within a half mile of me. Everyone is jumping ship!

 

[silva]

Why S. Carolina? Seems so volatile weather wise.

Hey, isn't anyone here from PA? @KLS52 aren't you in upper NY now?

 

[KLS52]

Why S. Carolina? Seems so volatile weather wise.

Hey, isn't anyone here from PA? @KLS52 aren't you in upper NY now?

Not very upper...about 80 miles from NYC

 

[PTree15]

@silva I used to live in PA, but now I'm in CT. I rented, though, the whole time I was there.

@KLS52 I love your neighbor's house, especially that pretty porch. I can see why people are bailing, though, with the taxes, especially since the recent tax changes that cap deductions for state and local taxes.

I hear you about South Carolina. That would be a pretty big change. I have a friend who lived there for a bit, but she couldn't take the really hot summers. Total New Englander, hehe.

 

[shyvas]

I appreciate your input silva...thanks!

I did feel like my current house called me and I’ve loved living here. Wish I could go back in time and be smarter so we could stay. The taxes are what’s killing us. And now the people two doors down just listed their house! We came home from house hunting yesterday to a for sale sign in their yard!

Their house is so perfect. The guy is a contractor/builder by trade and the house looks it. It is $120,000 more than mine so hopefully it won’t hurt my chances. It’s a great house with a front porch. So much curb appeal. And inside is all updated. Their attic was converted to living space. Maybe it will sell quick lol.

There are so many houses for sale in the neighborhood. It’s sad. Taxes are killing everyone. I did have fun yesterday looking at places. I’ll update in a bit.

We also pay very high rates/taxes for property over here.

 

[Moll Flanders]

I was reading an article about what you could buy around the world for the price of an average London flat, which is now just under £400,000.

I could get a one-bed apartment in a building on Park Avenue in New York with a concierge for that price. Made me want to cry!

 

[KLS52]

What does an average London flat look like/consist of?

 

[KLS52]

I was reading an article about what you could buy around the world for the price of an average London flat, which is now just under £400,000.

I could get a one-bed apartment in a building on Park Avenue in New York with a concierge for that price. Made me want to cry!

I’m kind of surprised by that. I thought it would cost more.

 

[Moll Flanders]

What does an average London flat look like/consist of?

It depends on what part of London, in east London (near me) that would buy you a very nice 2 bed apartment. In wealthier parts it would probably just buy you a studio, like a one room place. I don't know what you call that over there.

This is the article. What you can buy around the world for £399,011 – the average cost of London flat - Mirror Online

 

[silva]

Wow. Only NYC represented though....
Heres a suburb of Cleveland-https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/6620-S-Franklin-St-Solon-OH-44139/2085053024_zpid/
and in the city itself- a highly gentrified area- 1828 W 48th St, Cleveland, OH 44102 | MLS #4116396 | Zillow

 

[Chryssie]

OMG! The price of houses is scary! Here is DeLand. There is a big spread in prices!

Real Estate & Homes For Sale - 100,087 Homes For Sale | Zillow{%22pagination%22:{},%22mapBounds%22:{%22west%22:-81.50013780620287,%22east%22:-81.09845018413256,%22south%22:28.939360915619222,%22north%22:29.181542183914434},%22regionSelection%22:[{%22regionId%22:11076,%22regionType%22:6}],%22isMapVisible%22:true,%22filterState%22:{%22isMakeMeMove%22:{%22value%22:false}},%22isListVisible%22:true,%22mapZoom%22:12}

 

[Chryssie]

Look at this y'all!

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1031-Camphor-Ln-Deland-FL-32720/47942463_zpid/

 

[Chryssie]

That the Stetson Mansion is for sale is really surprising! This place is famous! They have paid tours there for the public and at Christmas time it is a huge tourist attraction!

 

[KLS52]

Before and after of my kitchen. I’m pleased, aside from the fact that the walls came out way too light. The color is actually a light gray but it comes off as almost a cream/white which is bizarre. But it’s so much better than it was and I love the handles I picked out. Once I get something to hang on the wall and maybe valances for the window, it will pull some color in. Would be nice with a better table, too but I don’t think I want to spend the money right now. And if we do get to move eventually I’d rather wait to buy a kitchen set or island.

Before


After

 

[silva]

Before and after of my kitchen. I’m pleased, aside from the fact that the walls came out way too light. The color is actually a light gray but it comes off as almost a cream/white which is bizarre. But it’s so much better than it was and I love the handles I picked out. Once I get something to hang on the wall and maybe valances for the window, it will pull some color in. Would be nice with a better table, too but I don’t think I want to spend the money right now. And if we do get to move eventually I’d rather wait to buy a kitchen set or island.

Before
View attachment 18664

After
View attachment 18665

I love it
Why didn't keep the tin backsplash though? It would have gone so much better with the greys.