Thread Number: 69024  /  Tag: Other Home Products or Autos
Coming up on 2 years as a homeowner, some thoughts
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Post# 918120   1/29/2017 at 15:55 (2,614 days old) by washman (o)        

Well I'm just shy of 28 years in paying off the mortgage, should I live that long!

 

And it's been both an interesting and traumatic 2 years let me tell you.

 

Traumatic because I lost my dad my last remaining family member in October. My beloved uncle, my mother's brother, died some 2 weeks before.  Needless to say, October simply just sucked as a month. I'll probably hate it more than I will hate January.

 

Interesting because well, I have a home and all the little things that go with being a homeowner.  Like lawn care. Like fighting onerous property tax increases.  Keeping up with homeowners policy and coverage. Planning for a concrete driveway.  Fussing over the performance of the lawn tractor.  Cleaning the outside windows with a squeegie.  Making sure the mailbox does not get blindsided from the street department blasting snow on it.  trying to rid my yard of interloper moles around my catch basin on the property. Et cetera. 

 

So far as the appliances go, Speed Queen pair excluded because I had them when I moved in, thus far (as should be expected) all the contractor supplied appliances are performing well.

 

The Goodman HVAC setup works very well and I am a convert to high tech sophisticated Hi-eff furnaces. Especially when they are made in a union factory someplace in the US of A.  Ditto for the AC.  I cleaned it once last fall and it really wasn't too grody but I figured what the hell, might as well get some practice. I know where I can source USA made capacitors for when, not if, the china sourced one bites the dust.

 

The Whirlpool made smoothtop electric range is working ok as well. I had to adjust the temp setting as it was about 10 degrees below what the digital readout said on the panel.  One annoying quirk, it beeps when it "thinks" the set temp is reached but my trusty USA made Springfield thermometer is about 15 degrees off although the temp will "catch up" in about 8-10 minutes if I leave it set. Perhaps Whirlpool had issues with the temp overshooting in past models?  After Super bowl Sunday, when I plan to bake some chicken wings and get the oven all crudded up, I will try the clean cycle and see how it does.

 

The Frigidaire ice box is a mook. Noisy, virtually impossible to get the 37/0 setting, freezer warms up far too much in the defrost mode, wire shelves, and an impossible to clean condenser coil is a complete fiasco. Does it work? Sure it does. Does it work in a matter that I find acceptable? Not even close. When it craps out, I will replace it for sure. Not sure which brand, but I doubt seriously I will go with Frigidaire except...........see below..........

 

 

The basic, contractor grade dishwasher is a pleasant surprise.  Noisy, unless it is jammed full, it nevertheless cleans very well. It is an "exclusive" Lowes unit and I have a vid of it running on my youtube channel.  No fussy food filter to clean, dries a 100 times better than the GE I had at the condo, and it likes the Cascade platinum 10x "pacs".  It does not like powder detergent nor does it like the Finish tabs with the red ball (in spite of mfg recommendation). It likes Jet Dry and cleans all but the most horrid baked on burnt on gunk.  Would I replace it with a like unit when it craps? Certainly.  Not keen is the made in Vietnam motor and the cycle is longer than what needs be to accomplish a normal load, but thanks to it I don't have dishpan hands.

 

The Bradford-White union made WH is working very well.  With 2 4500W elements, it does not take long at all to reheat should I use a hot wash in the SQ for my cleaning rags.  I drained it last Sept and the water came out clean.  Other than daily bathing, I really don't put too much stress on it and 50 gal is a bit much for one single person living here. I guess because of 2 full bathrooms perhaps that was code requirement I don't know for sure.  Other than me having a slightly higher electric bill because of it, I have loads of nice hot water.

 

Things that I don't like are pretty minimal.  The Project Source crap from Lowes for the shower stuff is a joke. I had to replace both handles in my bathroom because they simply crumbled away. Don't ask me how that happened, it just did after less than 2 years. NOt even living in a mobile home did I experience h/c handles breaking apart!  Seriously folks. I guess Chinese made plastic just ain't what it used to be. Et Cetera.

 

The project source crappers work........sort of.  If you do #1, no problem. Do a #2 and use Cottenelle aloe duke paper, you better plan ahead on the flushing sequence lest Korky the plunger is recalled from semi-retirement.  The guts are holding up well, no leaks but I don't know if I will be able to use the traditional Korky flapper as a replacement when the time comes. The rest of the faucets are Peerless, Delta and Fister and appear to be genuinely good quality units.

 

No drainage problems with the gutters.  All the utility connections are brand new including the sewer so I would like to think I have a great many years of trouble free service.  A PA required digital electric meter was installed when the home was built so that is all up to snuff.


The Simonton windows are without question contractor grade yet they have not leaked or caused me any issues.  If I was involved with the construction (which I wasn't, I bought this after it was built) I would have gone up one level to the ones that have covered channels which are much easier to clean.

 

Oh, the only other carp are the bathroom exhaust fans. Talk about a effing joke!  They are 8663RP Nutone units, I think Agent Orange carries these and barely 5 months into living here, I had to replace the one in my bathroom. It simply came apart, the motor housing that is. I complained on Nutone site and they sent me, free of charge, a whole new power assembly.  The carp on this is they are beyond noisy.  Enough to wake a light sleeper.  And they don't ventilate worth a piss either.  Plus you have to drop the whole grill assembly just to change the light bulb.  And forget about using the old school incandescent. Too hot. I know. I had 2 burst so last time I replaced it with a CFL.   No more worries.

 

So year 3 I am sure will bring more lawn challenges, and the like but I do enjoy being a homeowner. Now I can legitimately bitch about property taxes and such and have a leg to stand on.  Will I hang my hat here? Well, I'd like to but we'll see what the future holds.





Post# 918121 , Reply# 1   1/29/2017 at 15:57 (2,614 days old) by moparwash (Pittsburgh,PA )        

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You have accomplished much in a short period of time..I found after 9.5 years of this you are almost never done, but at least its time and money well spent!

Post# 918123 , Reply# 2   1/29/2017 at 16:28 (2,614 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )        

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As the years pile on sometimes I yearn for the days of our apartment living.

Post# 918124 , Reply# 3   1/29/2017 at 16:30 (2,614 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

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Well, I'm about 20 years into a house built in '41. It's been an experience. Not only are there yardwork and appliance issues, but also ... foundation work ... refinishing all the hardwood flooring ... repainting the interior ... replacing the carport roof ... replacing huge (13'x 8"x8") carport roof beam that was riddled with termites ... restoring the fish pond ... installing drip irrigation everywhere ... sealing all the leaks to attic and outdoors ... adding about R30 worth of insulation to previously uninsulated attic floor... etc...

The biggest job was doing a seismic retrofit on the foundation, which involved adding more bolts, plywood cripple wall reinforcement panels, and steel clips to help tie everything together. That was a three week vacation one year...

The appliances I basically all replaced. Dishwasher, two fridges, replaced electric cooktop with gas, replaced washer and dryer, etc... The two things that I haven't had to replace is is the forced air gas central heating, even though it's from 1983, and the 50 gallon gas water heater, also about the same vintage. Both are doing well, and I've swapped out the anode rod in the water heater twice in the past 20 years.

Put it this way... count your blessings you didn't get a fixer-upper. Not that brand new houses don't have their share of issues, as you have discovered.

My word of advice is to accelerate principal payments on your mortgage as much as you can. The sooner the better, because it will cut down on the total cost of the loan, especially early on when the interest is a major portion of the monthly payment. I'm assuming you got a great interest rate to begin with, but you might look into a shorter term loan as well, like a 15 year. Usually these have lower interest rates. The downside is it locks you into a certain monthly minimum payment, which is probably higher than your 30 year. Take your pick...


Post# 918129 , Reply# 4   1/29/2017 at 17:16 (2,614 days old) by GusHerb (Chicago/NWI)        

You have done pretty well for 2 years into owning a house. Two of my pet peeves are cheap toilets and cheap exhaust fans. I'd replace those POS fans and toilets with Panasonic or upper end Nutone units, like 1 SONE or quieter, and the toilets with Toto Entrada's or American Standard Cadet Pro's. The Cadet Pro's come with Fluidmaster pro parts installed including the brass shanked fill valve. And they have all metal handles.

Post# 918134 , Reply# 5   1/29/2017 at 17:48 (2,614 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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24 accumulated years of ownership (2nd property).  There's always something new happening.

Just to say ... the two elements on an electric tank water heater typically don't operate simultaneously.




This post was last edited 01/29/2017 at 18:41
Post# 918137 , Reply# 6   1/29/2017 at 18:14 (2,614 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

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22 years in this home (5th property) and a homeowners work never ends. It is in your best interest to speed up the principal payments, as Rich said. And then you own it free and clear in a shorter time.

Post# 918146 , Reply# 7   1/29/2017 at 18:56 (2,614 days old) by washman (o)        
Way ahead of ya guys

I make an extra 1 grand payment towards the principle only every year. In fact getting ready to do an extra principle payment now.  Rate is 3.125 per cent, fixed for 30 years.

 

Actually I found out both elements energize on the BW when I do a heavy draw off, if I just run enough to trip the stat into calling for heat, the top one runs briefly.  At any rate, I'm not short of hot h2O when I need it.

 

If anything gets replaced before its time, it will be the commode. At least in my bathroom. So far as the fans go, I never run the one in the 2nd bathroom as I never use the shower in there.  Only person to use it was dad when he visited. That's why it has the cheap-0 waterpik or something like that showerhead whilst I put money into the US made Sloan in my shower.

 

hi Frig!


Post# 918149 , Reply# 8   1/29/2017 at 19:16 (2,614 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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Hi, Ben. You were smart to buy a new home. My 1963 is old enough to need a number of expensive updates: New concrete driveway, three doors (including a spendy irregular-sized garage door). New windows and siding also on the list. In light of all this, I'm pretty sure the house will go on the market this spring. Have my eye on a recently redone apartment in an 8-plex with garage. I am so over home ownership.

Post# 918152 , Reply# 9   1/29/2017 at 19:38 (2,614 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )        

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Our goal was to get rid of the mortgage asap so after a few years we switched to bi-weekly payments with the option to add extra against the principle with them.. It was tough though as it seemed my whole paycheck was gone as soon as it got deposited and we lived on his to pay the bills and everything else. I can't see how young people stand a hope in hell these days in some cities with their exorbitant house prices


Post# 918153 , Reply# 10   1/29/2017 at 19:41 (2,614 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

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Have my eye on a recently redone apartment in an 8-plex with garage. I am so over home ownership. 

 

But how will you be able to have the wash in of the century if you are living in an apartment? LOL


Post# 918156 , Reply# 11   1/29/2017 at 19:45 (2,614 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

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Thanks for the report, Washman. It's always interesting reading what you have to say about your home.

 

I note some comments about apartments above. I've never lived in one, but I've always rented. Ownership is not viable with the finances I've had to date. (Not that there aren't people who don't have the finances to own who still manage to buy something, as many foreclosures have shown...) I frankly have mixed feelings. Part of me would like having something where I make all the rules. Part of me would like something vintage, too. But I despise yard work, and really don't want to have to deal with house maintenance issues. The last factors make me think I'll probably just rent for the duration, and I'll likely eventually end up in an apartment.


Post# 918158 , Reply# 12   1/29/2017 at 20:25 (2,614 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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Frigilux's Wash-in Of The Century: "Remember to bring your quarters, everyone!"

Here's the seismic shift. The building has a back hallway with laundry hookups for each apartment, but I think a front-loader will have vibration problems on the wood floor. This means that for the first time since the mid-1980's my only washer will be a top-loader. Looks like an electronic-console SQ pair is in my future.


Post# 918159 , Reply# 13   1/29/2017 at 20:38 (2,614 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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Actually I found out both elements energize on the BW when I do a heavy draw off, if I just run enough to trip the stat into calling for heat, the top one runs briefly.
Interesting.  That's 9,000 watts, 37.5 amps @ 240v.  Is it on a 50-amp circuit?


Post# 918161 , Reply# 14   1/29/2017 at 20:40 (2,614 days old) by washman (o)        
Best of luck Frig

Save for when I bunked at home with the parentals, I too always rented. And I thought it would be ok for a long time. But I discovered the hard way that rent goes up and up and up and up and you get.................zilch for it.

 

Plus you cannot choose your neighbors. I was pretty lucky in the condo; due to the high rental amount, there was no way your typical snagger could rent there. That meant we only got shall we say , higher class people renting there.  Still one year I had a noisy couple that thankfully only rented a year.

 

It was sort of impersonal, I suppose it varies from unit to unit. Plus I had major sciatica issues in 2006-2007 and along with gimpy knees, going up and down stairs was quickly becoming a major deal breaker.  Plus I was stuck with the carpet and the appliances, be as it may, the landlord put in.  Sure, I could, at my own expense, change some things but what's the point when it ain't mine anyway?

 

Understandably, my abode is not for everyone. Empty nesters or a single man/woman is about the right fit. There;s no basement.  Due to township rule for road setback, there's no provision to add on even if I wanted to. Some would argue it is small for the price I paid, I could agree to a point on that one. But it is new as are all the utility hookups.  It is slab on grade so no basement or sump pump issues to deal with.  It is single level meaning no stairs so when my physical health really goes pear shaped, I can get one of those electric scooter things and zip about.

 

I sort of like fussing in the yard although I get darn frustrated at the apparent lack of progress in getting a decent looking patch of green to grow. Hell, there's even some wild mint growing out there,  I can smell it when I cut the grass.  that's another thing, I like riding around with a freshly lit marlboro in one hand and a cold Sam Adams in the other. Makes me feel like I've arrived or something.  Plus I can get a tan sort of.  And during Halloween, I get loads of kids that I can hand candy too.

 

And finally, I can go apeshit during Christmas and spit in the eye of DOE control and put up my energy guzzling C9 lights ( I could not do that at the condo) along with some blow molded yard displays (where I store them is another matter!)  I'm still looking for the santa, Kmart had them but I neglected to get one before they sold out.


Post# 918162 , Reply# 15   1/29/2017 at 20:40 (2,614 days old) by washman (o)        

Yes glenn, it is on a 50 amp circuit.


Post# 918170 , Reply# 16   1/29/2017 at 21:16 (2,614 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

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There is so much to be said for home ownership, regardless of what Suze Orman might say. It's the feeling of being king of the castle, I suppose, being able to make a lot of changes, have any legal pet you want, etc etc etc. But with a home comes more responsibility, and you do get to feel tied down to it. At least I do, by them I'm a bit of a pack rat.

3.125 on a 30 is a great rate. I'm currently paying the same on a 10 year, which I refinanced about four years ago (or more, I forget!). It was a no cost refi, so no points and no closing costs, which I figured is best in my situation where I refinanced regularly. I probably could have gotten it refinanced last year for 2.75 for another 10 year, but I did the math and figured while it might save me maybe $500 in interest, it wasn't worth the hassle, and the time lag between the cash out refi and putting all that cash back in can work to defeat the purpose of paying it off quicker. In your situation, I'm not sure you could get a lower rate with a 15 or a 10, even with points. So you have the luxury, so to speak, of making larger monthly payments at your discretion, and falling back to the lower minimum payment should your income situation change.

So I'm on schedule to pay it off by June 2019. Earlier if I start putting more $$$ into it. Which I may do when I retire, just to be free of the monthly mortgage. There is something to be said about hanging onto a loan with low interest, but on the other hand the peace of mind of being paid off is even better. Plus there are various legal financial reasons why having a home on lives in free and clear with correspondingly lower liquid assets may actually be advantageous in some situations ... (like bankruptcy, lawsuits, Medicaid, Medicare assistance, etc...).



Post# 918173 , Reply# 17   1/29/2017 at 21:40 (2,614 days old) by dartman (Portland Oregon)        

Been in my redone manufactured home almost 5 yeard now. The included stove and dishwasher were Sears Kenmore stuff, SS builder grade but same here. Dishwasher is loud but dishes get clean, the stove is actually pretty nice and everything works way better than the old Whirlpool worn out early 80s stuff that came in the rental. Water heater is a A O Sanford 50 gallon that was new too and works ok. The windows are Alpine builder grade that actually have a lifetime warranty, roof and siding were new too. So far one cracked pex pipe feeding the washer that was covered under a warranty they included for a year. I need to replace one of the entry doors, the incoming main water pipe froze this month during a bad snow and cold snap but I caught it early and got under the house and thawed it out in 5 minutes and fixed the heat tape that had lost connection.
My toilets are cheap builder grade Pro Flows and I have the same problem with mine but most time it eventually clears without plunging. Plan to replace them with better quality dual flushers eventually. Home Depot actually has a house brand that gets great reviews for money spent. I had to redo the guts in mine last summer too. I keep rebuild kits in stock here now just in case. I have Glacier Bay faucets here and the bathroom sinks and kitchen are ok, the bath tub ones are plastic but still work ok.
There's all kinds of things I want to upgrade or replace but it can all wait, important things are new or work, and the kitchen was redone so cabinets and all that are nice enough. I like paying myself finally and getting a decent refund every year because of the interest credit. Yep, I can do whatever I want, punch a hole, mow my weeds, park my cars in the back behind my fence, life is good.


Post# 918199 , Reply# 18   1/30/2017 at 00:49 (2,614 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

At times with home ownership-a neighbor said to me "Home Moanership" as he was working on his house problems fixing up the place to sell-he was moving to a retirement home.Becuase of the recession we are still in-I have lost ALL equity in my place.I have a second mortage so I could do some appliance replacement and fixup.Now my mortage is underwater.Looked in my area-for what I am paying on a 40 yr old place I could rent a NEW place for a fraction of the price.Really don't need to own the place.There are some advantages of a landlord-If some in the house they provided goes on the fritz-THEY have to fix or replace it.
For the lawn work-got rid of my troublesome JD tractor last year.Now use cordless push mowers for the mowing.Thinking of contacting the lawn work out-cheaper than payments on a new tractor!Some lawn work I HATE doing and would rather someone else do it-don't mind mowing so much.But face it-the guy I am looking at to do the mowing can do my yard in about half hour with his Bad Boy ZTR mower.He even let me drive it-FUN!!!But the thing cost 10 grand!So--to me house owning isn't what its really cracked up to be.Some chores just don't have the time to do.


Post# 918239 , Reply# 19   1/30/2017 at 09:18 (2,613 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

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Well, the last rental I had before I bought a home, I had to fix the appliances myself. When I told the landlady that the fridge was constantly breaking down and needed to be replaced, her response was that she was going to remove it and not provide a fridge for the rental, so I could buy my own. ! I learned also not to call her about any problems, because she'd hire some disreputable "handyman" who would wind up screwing things up more than they fixed.

I lived there 12 unpleasant years before I bought a house. In the new house, the two fridges worked OK (two kitchens) but I wound up replacing both to cut back electricity consumption to 1/3 of what the old ones cost.

Everyone's situation is different. Home ownership is a responsibility and not for everyone.


Post# 918271 , Reply# 20   1/30/2017 at 13:32 (2,613 days old) by firedome (Binghamton NY & Lake Champlain VT)        
home owner for 42 yrs now...

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in my 6th house, all paid for, and our summer home will be paid for in 2 yrs.
They will have to carry me feet first from my own abode, even if it's falling down around me, no apt or "home" for me!


Post# 918278 , Reply# 21   1/30/2017 at 14:10 (2,613 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

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Yes, home ownership is a full time job! There is always something to do, repair, replace, clean, fix or buy. But after almost 30 yrs of owning our own home we would never rent again. We knew that paying off our mortgage before I retired, or shortly thereafter was an important part of having a secure retirement. If we hadn't done so we wouldn't be able to continue to afford to live where we have both lived all our lives. The rent is out of sight here in Sonoma Co. Even the most ratty 1 bedroom apt commands at least $1500.00 per mo. rent. Since we have our home pd for we just have the property tax and HOA dues as a monthly expense, which is way less than the $2,000.00, or more that it would cost to rent a comparable home. Granted, we do have to pay for any interior maintanance, the exterior maintanance is covered by the HOA. And we have replaced our water heater, all the faucets, sinks, carpets and kitchen and bathroom flooring, windows, front door, all the interior door hardware(because we wanted a change), the stove and refrigerator. But these expenses have been spread out over 22 years of ownership, and haven't been crippling financially.

The most important thing any mortgage holder can do is PAY EXTRA towards the principal each and every mo.! This works out more effectively than one big extra payment per year because the interest charged is being correspondingly lowered every mo too this way. But if one can only manage the one big extra payment per mo. that is still better than paying only the reg paymt amt. We pd 1/12th extra pymt per mo., every mo. Also, when we got the PMI dropped, we added the that amt. extra to the paymt every mo. too. I also kept a running tally of what the principal bal was at all times and how much the monthly interest charge was. As soon as we reached the point where the mort interest and prop tax, combined with any other deductable exp weren't enough to be more than the IRS stand, deduct. amt. we paid that sucker off with funds we had been saving for just this purpose. And, yes this did require discipline and sacrifice, but there is no comparison for the peace of mind that a paid for home gives you.

And at the end of the mortgage, instead of a fist full of rent receipts we have a nest egg worth over $300,000.00. If we should ever reach the point where home ownership is too much for us, we can sell and the nest egg can easily pay for housing for the rest of our lives.

Eddie


Post# 918283 , Reply# 22   1/30/2017 at 14:46 (2,613 days old) by Michaelman2 (Lauderdale by the Sea, FL)        

Agreed on paying down the principal each month. Even one hundred or so dollars added to the payment and reducing the principal makes a large difference. Make sure you note on the check or electronic remittance, you want the additional funds to go against the principal and not towards the next payment. Very important

I have been in my home for 16 years now. I am not handy in the least so last week I spent one of my days off with a plumber replacing the 1968 toilets. I have the "gay decorating gene" and had a partner who had the handyman gene. When that dissolved eight years ago, I have a big house and a different job where I don't have to entertain.

The mantinance and utilities are at times crazy. Since the robbery, my heart changed for the home and I am seriously looking to sell and become a renter. I own the home outright but with several recent expenditures it feels like I have a mortgage again.

Was in a high rise before moving here and think since I no longer have a pet, a high rise will make me feel a bit more secure. Also no roof, HVAC, water heater maintenance.

I still think real estate is the best investment one can make especially if one can maintain it themselves.


Post# 918288 , Reply# 23   1/30/2017 at 15:19 (2,613 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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I accelerated pay-off on both mortgages.  First one 10.5 years, second 8.5 years.  It's quite a feeling of release.  Be nice if taxes and insurance would be "finished" at some point.  :-/

I do what repairs I can to avoid hiring-out.  Recent was replacing the lift belt on the garage door opener.


Post# 918289 , Reply# 24   1/30/2017 at 15:25 (2,613 days old) by gredmondson (San Francisco, California 94117 USA)        

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Home ownership was a great thing for me financially (I was just lucky because of geography and timing) and emotionally, and then, after the family was gone, the emotional payoff went to zero. There was a time when I LIKED mowing the lawn (and even buying a lawnmower), but that time has passed.

So now, I rent a room in a large house with two roommates who own the house. They take care of everything, of course, and there is also a cleaning lady once a week. So my home obligations are very low. (That reminds me that I have to flip my laundry).

Half of my children are buying homes. I think it is part of the American Dream, and I hope it works as well for them as it did for me.


Post# 918500 , Reply# 25   1/31/2017 at 19:04 (2,612 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

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Here's another home ownership joy: Landscaping.

At the back of my property is a chain link fence that's about 12 feet high. It's been overgrown with English ivy, which looks better than the chain link, I suppose, but it's a real PITA. I have to get on tall ladders to keep it trimmed. A few years back I got up there and removed the barbed wire at the top of the chain link - it was making trimming the ivy impossible, and sections at the top of the fence posts (columns, really) were supporting the growth of ivy trees.

Anyway, I have been putting off with the ivy trimming this past year, and yesterday I decided to deal with some of it (along the driveway, only 6' high there) and got our the trusty Echo 30" single sided hedge trimmer. Well, I remember it was acting up the last time I used it, and this time it refused to rev. It idled OK, but as soon as the throttle was opened, it would die, even after warming up. I wound up taking apart the carburetor, found some stuff I didn't like, soak it in cleaner for a few hours and got online and ordered a rebuild kit and a spare carb. Just in case. Only about $45 shipped.

Today at lunch I put the carb back together (now very clean) but it still wouldn't start. Wouldn't even idle. Took out the spark plug, and noticed it seems to be kind of resisting unscrewing. Plug was soaked with gas so blew it off. After a lot of fumbling around for the right plug wrench (it's a 19mm plug), couldn't get it back in. That's when I noticed IT.

IT as a crack in the motor case between the plug area and the fins. I couldn't get a good view of how extensive the crack was, but I'd seen enough. I remembered that in the past I'd at least once dropped the trimmer from atop the ladder. It landed in a pile of ivy trimmings so I didn't think too much about it. But it must have started cracking from that impact.

I still need to trim the ivy at the driveway so I'll get out my older electric trimmer and use that. Today is the last dry day for about six days, you see.

Then later on I'll be back at HD or elsewhere to replace the Echo. I like it a lot so I'll be looking for the same thing.

What I really need is a hedge trimming drone.

LOL.


Post# 918506 , Reply# 26   1/31/2017 at 19:22 (2,612 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

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Your problem seems to be the same I had with my Echo trimmer. Problem was the crap they put into gas now gums everything up within weeks and my neighbor said go to Lowes and fill it with the gas you get there without that ethanol crap. Dumped the old gas out, put the canned stuff from Lowes, (forgot what its called) and it started on the first and every pull since. A quart is like 5 bucks and it saves alot of frustration.

Post# 918514 , Reply# 27   1/31/2017 at 20:31 (2,612 days old) by Supersuds (Knoxville, Tenn.)        

supersuds's profile picture
Lowes tried to sell me some Husqvarna-branded gas in a quart can, though as I recall it was more like eight bucks a quart. No thanks. I know of a couple of stations that sell ethanol-free gas for a lot less than $32 a gallon! I've had no problems so far.

English ivy is the worst. I have a running battle to keep it in check. It's on a neighboring church property and has to be whacked back across the property line a couple of times a year. They are also letting it grow on some trees which will eventually be killed by it. I wouldn't care but it kind of worries me that they'll fall on my house one of these days...as ea56 says, it's always something.


Post# 918516 , Reply# 28   1/31/2017 at 20:36 (2,612 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)        
New versus old, newer better?

panthera's profile picture

Well, yes and no. 

The basics from the 1890-1920s in our house are repairable and enormously better quality than the stuff from the mid-50s. Everything from the mid-80s through the end of the 20th century was trash.

Recent electrical and plumbing is pretty decent. 

Windows, doors - you get what you pay for.

Paint? Glidden is now junk. Sherwin-Williams OK, but not worth the price.

 

Insulation? Way better.

Appliances? Worthless.

 

Generally speaking, the quality of construction materials (mainly due to quality control) is much higher than for many decades. Just, way too many companies are using that consistently high quality to cut corners, expecting the good materials to carry the extra load.

 

I'd say my parents' home from the late '30s was about the best level of quality I've ever seen.

 

Of course, I'm biased. My company gets called in when something goes wrong, not when something works right.


Post# 918519 , Reply# 29   1/31/2017 at 21:24 (2,612 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        
Echo gas

sudsmaster's profile picture
Nah, it's not the gas. It's the big crack in the motor block.

I'll be disassembling the shrouding around the motor to see just how bad it its, but even without that I can see the block is cracked inside the plug threads. And I was not able to screw the plug back in straight. Not good.

That'll teach me for subjecting it to 12 foot drops... LOL... Well, better to drop the hedge trimmer than myself. I did have a choice. Next time I might attach a cord to it, but I'd rather not have it swing back and bite me. It's got a pretty aggressive set of cutters on it.



UPDATE:


Good news! The motor block is not cracked. Just the one fin. I was eventually able to use a curved pick and restore the plug bore threads on the block and got a new spark plug to go in straight.

The best news is that after all that, the thing started up just fine and revved willingly. Well, as willingly as its low emissions carb would let it. So it's back in business.

Which is great. About 15 years ago I paid less than $250 at Home Depot for this 30" single sided Echo hedge trimmer. Just checked, the same size in an Echo or other brand now costs more than double that, $550. It looks like the carb rebuild kit and the spare carb won't go to waste, as they will fit the now working again HC-201.

Before I got the Echo running again, I wound up using the B&D "Hedgehog" to trim the ivy choking the runoff area on the courtyard. But it choked on the stuff growing on top of the 6' high chain link there. That's a job for the big Echo.

Tomorrow the rain is not supposed to start until late, say 9 pm, so I might be able to use the Echo to tame the ivy in that area after work before it gets dark. The 12' high fence in the back will have to wait for a longer dry spell... Oh, yes, the joys of home ownership.

I really detest English Ivy now. In fact I'm a bit allergic to it, and have to wear a full face respirator when I get into the heavy stuff. After all this rain the small amount I did today didn't bother me, but the little hairs on the leaves and stems have my eyes burning and my throat choking during dry weather. If I could I'd poison all the ivy on all the fences here, but the neighbors might revolt. The one in the condo in the back closest to 12' fence complained when I trimmed the ivy trees on top of it! I guess the ivy adds some privacy, but the same thing could be accomplished with slatting or other screening. Plus the birds eat the ivy berries and crap them all over the place, so I'm constantly weeding out rogue ivy in all sorts of inconvenient places. Sigh.





This post was last edited 01/31/2017 at 23:50
Post# 918534 , Reply# 30   2/1/2017 at 00:58 (2,612 days old) by abcomatic (Bradford, Illinois)        
1897 home ownership

I finished paying the house off in 2002. I paid 30k for it in 1982 and that was no down-payment and a contract for deed. My house payment was $289.51 per month. 10 rooms are nice to roam around in with 10 foot ceilings. I have done the following to it: 27 new windows, new furnace and central air, new kitchen right down to the studs, new wiring and plumbing, new front and side porches, new roof, which the insurance paid for due to a hail storm, insulation in the attic and the house repainted a couple of times using 20 gallons of paint each time.
Is it all worth it? Yes it is in my estimation. I intend to stay here as long as I can.


Post# 918538 , Reply# 31   2/1/2017 at 01:40 (2,612 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

The crappy gas today is what was killing my JD tractor.Just didn't want to deal with it anymore.NOW-if someone made and sold a rechargeable rider mower-Would be interested!Glad the motor in the Echo trimmer wasn't cracked.I have been eying a Greenworks or Kobalt rechargeable Hedge shears.These are will built and just as heavy duty as a gas one.And the Greenwork would use the same batteries my Greenwork mower uses.

Post# 918570 , Reply# 32   2/1/2017 at 08:42 (2,611 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)        
Oh, gods, don't get me started on fuel

panthera's profile picture

We're over 6,000FT (We're at exactly 1900M, down to the third decimal point, to be exact!). Have to be extremely careful to buy gasoline with NO alcohol and NO detergent, etc.

It's tough. Tougher, getting casual labor using the post-hole digger to follow that rule. I loath replacing fuel lines and carbs because some ding-dong can't read the labels on the tools and the fuel tanks.

Alcohol is OK in a motor vehicle with a smart computer which can compensate. It's death for power tools.


Post# 918573 , Reply# 33   2/1/2017 at 08:55 (2,611 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Been a home owner

since 1988. It does limit you if you decide to relocate to another state because you have the hassle of selling first, unless you were fortunate to work for a large company that used to buy them and sell them after you transferred. Not many do it anymore.
It does feel like an accomplishment to burn a mortgage, many today will never be able to, and many seniors have to reverse mortgage.
That can have it's advantage if one is elderly when the market was bad like last decade after 2006.
I hope that doesn't happen again. For those with ehrs, it's nice to leave them something.
Otherwise, look at it like you are the caretaker for the next owners. We'll be leaving ours better than when they were built. One of them anyway for sure.
A few are fortunate enough to own a place outright by or sooner than retiring and buy a second place in a more favorable winter climate. It also helps to have a young adult relative to live in and maintain the primary residence, and pay the utilities, and a little rent while they save to buy their first place.
Prosperity and good health to all!


Post# 918596 , Reply# 34   2/1/2017 at 10:47 (2,611 days old) by dermacie (my forever home (Glenshaw, PA))        

dermacie's profile picture
My home was in a neighborhood that became gentrified and it is how my first house became my second. I was nearly forced out by hipsters and thankfully was paid a handsome price for it.

So two years later a new to me volkswagen and a spacious 1960s split level with a two car garage is now my dream home. I put a new furnace and a/c by York. It needs other work but all in all not bad.

Paid off too.


Post# 918605 , Reply# 35   2/1/2017 at 12:44 (2,611 days old) by washman (o)        

No hipsters in my 'hood. I'm probably on the younger side of the age spectrum.

 

I'm confident I own more union made products than anyone in my 'hood.

 

 

Yo!


Post# 918620 , Reply# 36   2/1/2017 at 14:39 (2,611 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture
I can't imagine how hipsters could force a homeowner out of their abode, unless there were other issues (like behind in payments, etc.). Of course there's always lawsuits.

I'm probably the hippest dude on my block, which is not saying much. Mostly older retired or new Asian/Central American homeowners. The only problems seem to emanate from the renters, one house in particular. But even that has died down. I'll probably be here until I become too invalid. Hopefully that's a long way off. I might put in some ramps and widen the garden pathways in the meantime. You never know.


Post# 918623 , Reply# 37   2/1/2017 at 15:05 (2,611 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )        

petek's profile picture
I have some regrets now about buying this 4 level split,, it's gonna cost a fortune for 4 short Acorn stairlifts when the time comes.. LOL

Post# 918628 , Reply# 38   2/1/2017 at 15:23 (2,611 days old) by dermacie (my forever home (Glenshaw, PA))        

dermacie's profile picture
The hipster didnt force me out the tax man did assessments went sky high and I thought it might be time for an upgrade so i moved a few miles north and cashed out.

Post# 918637 , Reply# 39   2/1/2017 at 17:05 (2,611 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        
Tax man

sudsmaster's profile picture
Ah yes, good old property taxes.

Here in Cali we have Prop 13, which is supposed to limit property tax assessments to value at time of purchase or 1975 value, whichever is later, unless there's something like a 3/4 voter approval for increases. And subsequent tax assessment increases are limited to 2% per year. So you can wind up with a tax assessment that is a lot less than the market value. As long as the home isn't under water. But cities and counties have found an end run around that, by putting bond bills before the public, which get tacked onto the annual property tax bill as fees that can't be tax deducted. Kind of a rip, almost enough to make me go Republican. Not quite.

In any case, my prop tax bill, including everything (It has sewer charges on it) went from about $2500/yr in '97 to about $4200 this past year. I think. Still, it's not quite as bad as I read about in some other states. I am counting on some sort of property tax control for retirement. Also Cali just reinstated a prop tax deferral program, which is contingent on income and age but could help a lot of people stay in their homes as they age. The deferral comes due at death or sale of home. With interest, of course...


Post# 918654 , Reply# 40   2/1/2017 at 18:25 (2,611 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

wayupnorth's profile picture
My property tax on this place was $450 when it was deeded to me in the 80's and now it is pushing putting another zero on the original amount. Original tax value was $45000, now its $300000+. But this is the view I get.

Post# 918670 , Reply# 41   2/1/2017 at 19:55 (2,611 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)        
Peter,

panthera's profile picture

We recently had to get bids on an in-home elevator. Wow - were down below $25,000, now, installed for some units. By the time you 'need' it, I suspect an elevator will be cheaper than four separate chair-lifts.


Post# 918672 , Reply# 42   2/1/2017 at 20:15 (2,611 days old) by washman (o)        

Just filled the homestead exemption papers......again, it's not really an exemption but rather a reduction on my school taxes (the biggest chunk).

 

Also I have the paperwork from the charity to which I donated my dad's boat to. They sold it for a nice sum; than can come off the taxes as the can the interest on the mortgage.

 

Electric bill is still $63 for the second consecutive month; must have been the C9 lights plus a3 days of running the electric heater in the garage when it got below 10

 

Nice view of lake there Tim.


Post# 918708 , Reply# 43   2/1/2017 at 23:03 (2,611 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

askolover's profile picture

One way to help make that extra payment per year is to divide that one extra payment by 12 and add that amount to your actual payment.  That's what I used to do.  Payment was $600 so I sent $50 extra - $650 each month.  Same difference but much easier than forking out an extra $600.  I'm down to $2300 balance on our house.  Had intended on paying it off this month but Tony got pneumonia and he fell a couple weeks ago and broke his collar bone...I had to take  FMLA for a week so that shortened my paycheck without shift diff added into it.  It will be paid off in 5 months anyway if I just ride it out.  Then the fun begins....a new roof, new floors, already replaced the bedroom doors, need new entry doors, new windows, vinyl siding, replace some of the rafters on the patio, more insulation, need a concrete driveway, taking down the pool.....this house is 61 years old.  I wish I had a new one but don't want a new mortgage.


Post# 918746 , Reply# 44   2/2/2017 at 08:37 (2,610 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
"The View"

is gorgeous and worth it!
Aging in place is becoming the new norm. Barrier free bath rooms, electric stair chairs, and elevators (with auxialiary power of course) if possible.
Our new master bath has a comfort height toilet, 35 inch high vanity and basins, and a cast iron shower receptor with non slip etching.


Post# 918785 , Reply# 45   2/2/2017 at 14:48 (2,610 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        
Caveat emptor

sudsmaster's profile picture
From wha I've read, a new home is no guarantee of a problem free existence. Bad sheetrock, aluminum wiring, substandard plumbing, fake stucco, flooded basements, etc. have made the news over the past few decades.

It may be like buying a car... get a house that's five to 10 years old, where all the warranty problems have been sorted out and disclosure laws let you know if there are any lingering issues... although homes don't generally tend to depreciate like cars...


Post# 918817 , Reply# 46   2/2/2017 at 20:19 (2,610 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        
Better than pain pills...

twintubdexter's profile picture

My current severe spine condition often finds me in front of the computer at 2 or 3 AM trying to find something to take my mind off of the pain. This thread is really very interesting. I can relate to many of the situations that face house and apartment dwellers. To add my 2 cents to the conversation...after having owned a relatively new home outright for over 16 years (by myself), I've discovered that even without a mortgage you never really "own" the house. It continues to own you. 

 

I do thank all the members who have posted comments here.


Post# 918819 , Reply# 47   2/2/2017 at 20:30 (2,610 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

wayupnorth's profile picture
Joe, you should have the same pain reliever as I do and if I was the Doctor Portrayal on tv, I would endorse medical pot. Legal here, legal there. It certainly works for my ankle mess. I refuse to take any more pills. This works for me. I am alive, doing fine no pain and not messed up. What more can you ask for.

Post# 918820 , Reply# 48   2/2/2017 at 21:01 (2,610 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

ea56's profile picture
I agree with Tim about pot for pain. I had my right hip replaced this past June. I have been using medical MJ for almost 2 years for the arthritis pain and it really helps. I can't stand the effects of opioids and I refused to take any during the recovery from my hip replacement. My Kaiser doctor was completely OK with this, but I guess Kaiser won't allow their doctors to prescribe medical MJ. No problem, I just went online and did an appt. with a doctor on Hello MD, the doctor does the interview and approval via an app like Skyp for $49.00!
The medical MJ dispensary is walking distance from my home, very convenient.

I had my left hip replaced in 2005 and believe me this time was so much easier. The medical MJ improves my frame of mind and really does help reduce the pain. I just took Tylenol for any residual pain during my recovery. The doctors were all impressed with how quickly I bounced back. I went home the day after the surgery and was able to go up and down our stairs as aften as I needed to. By the end of the 3rd week I was walking without even having to use a cane. I have been walking 1 hr. daily since the end of July, just like I have always done before the arthritis. Thanks to modern medicine and Mother Nature's medicine I'm better than ever.

Pot should be legal everywhere, it is very effective for many different aliments and much better for you than all those chemical pain meds or opioids. I have learned how to make my own edibles and it really is more effective when ingested.
Eddie



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