|
Thread Number: 76315
/ Tag: Air Conditioners
Owning a Home is SO NOT WORTH IT! |
[Down to Last] |  |
| Post# 1001476 7/26/2018 at 07:35 (2,094 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY) | ||
Last week, we had a major thunderstorm that knocked down trees all over the city, including the tree I planted in 2004 when I moved here. It had grown so big which completely blocked the neighbor's house. It also fell onto my backyard privacy fence damaging it. My Fridge died only a few months ago and had to replace that. And now, my central AC is out and someone is coming out tomorrow morning at 9 am. I'm so hoping it can be fixed and the whole thing doesn't have to be replaced.
For me, it just seems more trouble than it's worth to own a home. I keep waiting for the next thing to fall apart. I guess it would be worth it if you lived with a handyman who knew how to fix all the stuff that breaks. I've been trying to decide in my mind if there are more pros to owning a home than cons. | ||
|
| Post# 1001490 , Reply# 3 7/26/2018 at 10:15 (2,094 days old) by IowaBear (Cedar Rapids, IA) | ||
 I'm sorry about your tree. It's a shame to lose a good one, especially one you planted yourself.
There are definitely stressful periods in owning a house, particularly if you're single and have to figure it all out on your own.
In time (16 years) I have come to love my small and modest home. I'm not sure I'm going to live in Iowa forever though and I dread the day I have to give it up and move back into an apartment. I value peace and quiet more than anything so until I'm old enough to get into the 55+ units it's a big risk.
I hope you get good news on the AC. Hang in there! | ||
Post# 1001493 , Reply# 4 7/26/2018 at 10:36 (2,094 days old) by ea56  (Cotati, Calif.) |
||
I know that it can be hard at times to be a homeowner Mark. But trust me, you are still young, in 20 years you will be thanking your lucky star that you choose to be a homeowner, if you still are a homeowner, and especially if you have managed to pay off your mortgage.
Yes, there will always be expenses in homeownership. But, think about this. We bought our present townhouse almost 24 years ago for $120,000, were fortunate to have been able to pay it off and now only pay approx. $600.00 per mo. to live here, between the HOA dues and the property tax. Right now, a unit in our 20 unit complex just rented for $2500.00 per mo.! We would certainly not be able to afford this much rent, it would take the majority of our income. And as I write this, there is another unit, 7 doors down from us that is listed for $420,000.00, and they are going to get this or more for it! Thats quit a handsome return on our investment! And even though we have stairs, if I could walk up and down them right after each of my two hip replacements, I have no doubt that I and my husband won’t continue to be able to do so. And if worse comes to worse, we’ll just have one of those stair lifts installed, it’ll be a darn sight cheaper and less disruptive than moving. When we moved here in Sept. 94’, I said when I finally left here for good, it would be feet first in a pine box. Eddie This post was last edited 07/26/2018 at 12:12 | ||
|
Post# 1001513 , Reply# 7 7/26/2018 at 14:41 (2,094 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay) |
||
Stick With It! You won't regret being a homeowner in the long run.
Ours is an extreme case in an exceptional bubble, but in 1990 we paid $245K for a 1300 sf 3/2 tract home from 1957 that had never been loved. We were stretched thin financially. No travel, no big spending. Money was tight. The market was flat for a few years, but finally we started to build equity. We remodeled the kitchen but only updated one bathroom, and did cosmetic work inside and out, along with putting on a new roof. We sold in 2008 for $729K and had nearly 500K to work with, some of which had to go towards paying off my mom's HELOC and Medi-Cal balance for her skilled nursing expenses.
We were able to buy out my sister's half of my family home which is on a desirable street in a nicer part of town but it needed a ton of work. Our mortgage balance was only slightly higher than we had at our previous place. A little over a year later, Dave had his big stroke, so our plans for that house were placed on what turned out to be permanent hold. Last fall I decided that we needed to bail out and find something smaller and all on one level for Dave.
We sold this past April for $1.425M and bought a new place that needs next to no work at all for that same amount. Our mortgage balance is a little over $300K, and the monthly payment is only about $100/mo more than we were paying before (we were over-paying each month, which added to our equity). Needless to say, we wouldn't have a seven figure cushion now if we hadn't jumped in feet first back in 1990.
Although this extreme example occurred in a crazed-market vacuum, real estate will always be the best investment you can make in pretty much any part of the country. Don't get discouraged. In spite of the current expenses you're facing, home ownership will reward you nicely. And you can take that to the bank!
| ||
| Post# 1001538 , Reply# 8 7/26/2018 at 19:37 (2,094 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan) | ||
|
Also if the storm damaged your a/c, claim that as well. Life happens. If they hike your insurance, wait a year then dump them. | ||
|
Post# 1001549 , Reply# 10 7/26/2018 at 20:47 (2,094 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.) |
||
|
“Since I have lived here my mechanical skill has skyrocketed. I can use the internet and youtube videos to help fix nearly anything.”
This has absolutely been my experience too. And You Tube is the best! I can learn to do just about anything around the house by watching a few videos on whatever I need to do. Since we’ve lived here I’ve learned how to do the basic plumbing work and basic electircal work. I know my limitations, but I sure know more about DYI than I ever thought I would. And I’ve really enjoyed doing these repair/projects too. And its so true, every month that you make a mortgage payment instead of a rent payment, you are paying yourself. If you think of it that way it helps to offset the sting of those emergency replacements for water heaters, furnaces/AC, refrigerators and the like. Even though its some times a hardship when these things come up unexpectedly, but in the end they are yours and add value to your investment by keeping it in proper repair. When we were still renting we had one landlord who refused to repair the roof/gutters and as a result we eventually had to move, because the lath and plaster walls were growing mold. If it had been our home we would have repaired the problem just as soon as it became apparent. That move was an expense that we didn’t count on either, and we got zip back for the expense, except a bedroom without moldy walls. Eddie | ||
|
Post# 1001551 , Reply# 11 7/26/2018 at 21:36 (2,094 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine) |
||
Oh ya, my mechanical skills could write a Popular Science book now after nearly 50 years of keeping up with properties and tenants. Finally, I sold off all my rentals at a nice profit and live right where I love and own free and clear now. And I could sell this view for a real big pretty penny now. Home ownership will pay off in the long run
View Full Size
| ||
|
Post# 1001577 , Reply# 14 7/27/2018 at 06:54 (2,093 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie) |
||
Mark, all the reasons you mentioned--and several more--are why I decided to sell my house and downsize to an apartment. Like you, I am not a handyman (nor do I have any interest in becoming one), so I enjoy not having to worry about repairs/upkeep, anymore.
The biggest mistake homebuyers make is thinking "Oh, my mortgage is only $1,000 a month!" A person has to put several hundred dollars away in saving every single month to stay ahead of the expenses involved in owning a home. My house was fairly small, but having it reshingled cost over $6,000. Replacing the back yard privacy fence cost $2,800. Unless you are a do-it-yourselfer, you have to sock away thousands of dollars to handle upkeep. The city put in new sewer lines and a concrete street on my block and it raised my mortgage by $115 a month for 10 years. Things like that happen. Having said that, I am older than you and part of the rationale for downsizing was to prepare for retirement. If you have the money to maintain the house, I agree with the others who encourage you to stick with it--at least until it is paid for (or nearly paid for). You'll get the most out of it when you sell it. In the meantime, best of luck; and here's hoping you have a year of low-cost maintenance ahead of you. | ||
| Post# 1001589 , Reply# 15 7/27/2018 at 09:07 (2,093 days old) by Helicaldrive (St. Louis) | ||
|
Yes that is very true You do need to set aside a few hundred dollars every month for repairs and maintenance, or else credit card debt can mount fast. It is a shame that people buying for the first time tend not to be advised well about how to figure out if they can truly afford a home. | ||
| Post# 1001591 , Reply# 17 7/27/2018 at 10:17 (2,093 days old) by IowaBear (Cedar Rapids, IA) | ||
|
Wants vs Needs Home ownership is like anything else, it pays to distinguish between wants and needs.
Furnace/AC replacement = Need. Roof leaking = Need. Exterior paint = Need. Window rotting out of frame = Need. Tiles behind shower leaking = Need.
But so many expenses new homeowners take on are cosmetic Wants.
One woman told me she didn't save "all that money for a house so she could live in dump" as she was telling me about her improvements (paid for with loans.) And her house was anything but a dump. But it didn't look like the ones she watched on HGTV.
One of my friends gave me an excellent piece of advice when I bought my home. He said, "You are buying an older home and it will not be perfect. But live there a few months before you spend any real money because the things that you think will bother you now may not bother you in time and you may find other things that need attention more." | ||
|
Post# 1001603 , Reply# 18 7/27/2018 at 10:54 (2,093 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.) |
||
|
Re: Reply #17
“You are buying an older home and it will not be perfect. But live there a few months before you spend any real money because the things that you think will bother you now may not bother you in time and you may find other things that need attention more."
This is some of the best advice any potential home buyer can get! When we bought our home almost 24 years ago, all the flooring was OK, but not what we really wanted. However, we were unable to afford the expense of replacing all of it, unless we put it on credit, which we both refused to do. Instead, we waited until the mortgage was paid off, and saved the money to pay for the replacement in cash. So, we had to live with badly worn kitchen floor and carpet in the downstairs that was clean, but way beyond its useful life. And I would do the same thing all over again. When we watch these House Hunter shows on HGTV, almost without exception, the potential buyers want to completly redo everything, even the stuff that has been recently updated for preparation to sell, because “its not our style”. This is why many people today are house poor, without two nickles to rub together, mortgaged to the hilt. In our area, even 30 years ago, a single family dwelling was out of the reach for anyone in our income bracket, unless you want to be perpetually in debt. So, our first home was a one bedroom condo, 630 sq. ft. We lived there for 7 years to build the equiity to move to the larger 1260 sq. ft. townhouse we’ve owned for 24 years. Part af the reason that condos are more affordable for people in our strata, is because the exterior maintenance is covered by the HOA dues, so the homeowner doesn’t have to come up with large sums for needed repairs. But condo living isn’t for everyone. Fortunately, our assc. has only 20 units, on parklike grounds with lots of beautiful trees. And everyone gets along. The downside for me personally, is that I’ve been on the HOA board for 23 of those 24 years, Pres. for about 18 of those years. Its a lot of responsibilty. I’ve overseen the residing of all the buildings, re roofing twice, at least 5 different fencing projects, untold numbers of emergency plumbling repairs,(we only have one water meter for the whole complex) so when there is a domestic water leak, we have to turn off the water for everyone until its fixed, and I go door to door to let everyone know. I’ve overseen the trimming of the 41 trees annually, the list goes on and on. I’m lucky to have a great relationship with our property management company, who we’ve used since 96’, and I’m on a first name basis with everyone there. I’ve taken pride in doing this volunteer job all these years, but I sure wish that someone else would step up to the plate. At least everyone hass been happy with my decisions over the years, and I always get reelected unanimously, a dubious honor, LOL. Eddie | ||
| Post# 1001629 , Reply# 19 7/27/2018 at 13:54 (2,093 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY) | ||
|
Wow
I was expecting the worst and it was nothing major. Just a capacitor. He said the coils weren't even dirty which amazes me because they haven't been cleaned in a while. He added 2 lbs of coolant but he said there was no leak. Total charge $228. The city picked up the tree debris so that's gone. So I am nowhere near as bummed out as I was. I'm just happy to have cold AC blowing on me. I'm miserable without AC. In the winter, my t stat stays on 64. Summer t stat is 71. I think I'm going to plant a green giant. They seem to grow fast... One thing is for sure, I'm going to buy a portable AC for emergencies like this. I'm in an HOA and can't have window ACs. But portable ones will work. Over the years I've lived in duplexes, apartments, etc... People above me or below me. And it really IS so much better living in your own home......it's just that when things like this happen, you wish you rented where the landlord could take care of it.
| ||
|
Post# 1001630 , Reply# 20 7/27/2018 at 14:00 (2,093 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.) |
||
|
See Mark, all’s well that ends well! I’m glad this turned out better than you expected.
Whatever you do, don’t plant a Sycamore or Liquid Amber tree. They grow like weeds and are beautiful, but their root systems are very destructive. I have first hand knowledge about these trees, as we have several of them at our complex, and they have been the cause of many broken pipes at our HOA. Eddie | ||
|
Post# 1001642 , Reply# 22 7/27/2018 at 15:45 (2,093 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay) |
||
|
Fruitless/flowering pears are IMO one of the ugliest trees out there. They look like shrubs stuck on trunks with complete lack of any pleasing structure, and they are often permanently tilted by the prevailing northwest winds. They've been widely planted around here, likely because they provide reliable fall color in areas with relatively mild winters, but they are short lived and disease-prone. One of the nicest urban parks in town had these planted all around its large square block perimeter about 30 years ago and now they're all nearly dead due to what appears to be fireblight. Maybe this will prompt them to be removed from the city's list of approved trees for streetscape plantings.
OTOH, I like arborvitae/thuja for their well behaved and low maintenance growth habit. I planted two of the slim variety flanking the front bay window at our previous house and they required little care or water once established. Another home a few blocks away has a hedge planting of about ten of these along the driveway. They have topped out at about 15 - 20' and need no trimming. | ||
|
Post# 1001654 , Reply# 23 7/27/2018 at 18:22 (2,093 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI) |
||
|
Plant a tree with character, not some quick growing weed that will topple over in a few years when the next big storm comes through. There are some faster growing oaks and maples, but not the awful silver maples that snap in a strong wind. | ||
|
Post# 1001657 , Reply# 24 7/27/2018 at 18:40 (2,093 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.) |
||
 | ||
|
Post# 1001673 , Reply# 25 7/27/2018 at 23:16 (2,092 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN) |
||
 My house is 62 years old. It is framed out of real OAK 2x4's, 2x6's, and 2x10's, not the 1.5x3.5 crap you buy today. When I redid my kitchen I had to pre-drill everything because the oak is so hard I was twisting the heads off the screws! I'm in the process of having a new roof installed, just redid the roof over the deck (needed some rafters replaced and new decking), need new windows, a new front door, floors refinished, remodel the bathroom, vinyl siding, a new concrete driveway, and new carpet on the front porch....I've been here 20 years so it's time and it is a very overwhelming but I'm so glad it's MINE. No mortgage, no rent, and best of all, NO HOA. It just takes time to get everything done, especially since I'm the only one who can do this stuff now since Tony's accident. | ||
| Post# 1001677 , Reply# 26 7/27/2018 at 23:35 (2,092 days old) by IowaBear (Cedar Rapids, IA) | ||
|
Glad to hear it was fixed at a reasonable cost!
The hot surface ignitor failed in my furnace last winter and it took several calls before I found a place that would just sell me the part. They all wanted to do a service call and diagnostic fee.
The $25 part literally snaps in without any tools at all. Finally one guy relented and sold me the part for the "bargain" price of $50. Still a fraction of what the other places wanted to install it for me. | ||
|
Post# 1001678 , Reply# 27 7/27/2018 at 23:44 (2,092 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN) |
||
|
Two years ago my furnace failed. Noticed it was cold in the house, looked at the Tstat and it said "on" but it wasn't on. Went outside, removed service panel and turned stat to kick the heat on. Saw an arc between an ignition wire and the cabinet insulation foil. Wrapped the failed wire insulation with black electrical tape and pulled wire back from cabinet a little. Reset Tstat and went back outside....igniter sparked and burners lit successfully. No service call, no money other than the black tape which i already had in a drawer. It pays to be functional if you own a home or a car (especially a German car). | ||
| Post# 1001705 , Reply# 30 7/28/2018 at 07:38 (2,092 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan) | ||
|
Mark, if your A/C was working before, and all of a sudden quit, often, it is the start relay, or internal fuse. This can happen during hot weather under heavy use. Less than a $100 service repair. | ||
| Post# 1001715 , Reply# 31 7/28/2018 at 08:11 (2,092 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY) | ||
|
History of my Trane Heat Pump
Brand new in Sept 2004.
These are estimates of time-frames if I remember correctly year 2 or 3 (coolant leak) in outside unit due to vibration. I remember the tech saying that he could tell what caused the leak and wrapped something to prevent it from happening in the future after he repaired the leak. Year 4 - Capacitor went out and was repaired Year 5 - Compressor went out. But still under warranty for parts/ not labor Years 6 to 14 (almost a decade) not a single issue until last week when the capacitor went out. I'm wondering if it had something to do with the storm we had a few days earlier and the power was off then came back on. Although the unit did work for a few days after that, so I don't know. When the technician added a little coolant yesterday, I know they are sealed systems and should never have to have anything added. He said more than likely at some point it was never fully charged...he said it wasn't horribly below the threshold and since it had been almost 10 years if there were a leak, it should have been really low. Not only that, but the unit was performing fine just before the capacitor went out. Had there been a leak, it should freeze up or not cool properly at some point. He didn't see anything to indicate a leak. He seemed pretty confident. I don't know. I've read where leaks can bad if it's in the air handler...but most of the time it's somewhere in the outside part. One other thing to note: A few years ago, I was in my attic which you enter through the laundry room. I couldn't believe I had never noticed this but I saw a duct going to the ceiling of the laundry room from the attic, yet there was NO vent, it was just all ceiling. When they put the ceiling in, they completely covered up the vent! I immediately called the installers and told them and they sent someone out to put a vent in where that duct was being covered. I will admit, it made me wonder if all the problems I had the first 5 years was because of that vent being covered. | ||
| Post# 1001752 , Reply# 33 7/28/2018 at 15:59 (2,092 days old) by good-shepherd (New Jersey) | ||
|
framed out of real OAK Highly unlikely framed in Oak. Just very well aged and dry pine in real 2x4 dimensions, probably from harvested from dense old growth trees as well. However, it can seem like Oak when you drive nails in such wood. | ||
| Post# 1001785 , Reply# 35 7/29/2018 at 01:19 (2,091 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY) | ||
|
Are they really that much cheaper?
The most my summer electricity bill was $220 I think? And this was HOT month. Mid 90s and there were a few 100s. The AC ran almost constantly, especially because I keep it on 71. I was watching a bunch of youtube vids yesterday (I guess because this was just on my mind). I read so many comments on people who had new systems and it wasn't cooling their home properly....they had techs out and techs said nothing was wrong. They said they were tired of 500 monthly electric bills. Obviously, something is wrong somewhere but my old system has never generated a monthly bill that high. Most of the time a typical summer month my bill will be around $130 to 150. In contrast (in fall and spring) when HVAC doesn't have to run much, the electric bill is usually around $80 to 90.
I also watched videos of how some house designers think it's DUMB to put ducting in an attic. After watching his video, that did make sense to be because the attic gets HOT. I'd like to go to my attic to check the ducts for leaks while the AC is on, but you'd need to be an acrobat to make your way over to the farthest end of my attic. I'm thinking there are no leaks because when I check each vent, air seems to be coming out of each of them pretty good. But you still never know. Oh.. I also read someone's comment about being careful letting cable installers or anyone like that in your attic because (depending on their conscience) they will get so hot while they are up there doing work they will cut the ducts to get cold air on them. | ||
|
Post# 1001801 , Reply# 36 7/29/2018 at 06:34 (2,091 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc) |
||
|
for my HVAC system the return air ducts are in the attic.The supply ducts are in the crawel space. | ||
|
Post# 1001803 , Reply# 37 7/29/2018 at 06:37 (2,091 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc) |
||
|
In another house I lived in the HVAC died either in scorching hot or blustery cold.Was relays in the airhandler unit in the house.A trip to Grainger and replaced those myself and the HVA was OK.Cool air for my daytime sleep-yes worked mid shift in those days!!!Love it compared to dayshift. | ||
|
Post# 1001804 , Reply# 38 7/29/2018 at 06:48 (2,091 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN) |
||
|
GoodShepherd I can take pictures of the framing if you like! Believe it or don't. Oak has a particular smell when it's drilled or sawed as does pine...and after working with my dad in wood for 47 years, I can assure you that this ain't no pine. Solid oak in the roof rafters, the ceiling joists, under the floor, and in the walls. We have Amish nearby and their lumber is cheap, and I think that's where it came from. | ||
| Post# 1001838 , Reply# 40 7/29/2018 at 19:36 (2,091 days old) by good-shepherd (New Jersey) | ||
|
We have Amish nearby Okay, that would explain oak framing, the Amish have their own way of doing things. | ||
| Post# 1002401 , Reply# 41 8/3/2018 at 11:08 (2,086 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY) | ||
|
I know this post is old
by this point. I didn't want to create a new thread. Since my AC broke down I've been watching TONS of HVAC vids on youtube trying to learn a lot, which I have. I didn't know there were 2 coils.....the condenser coil (outside) and in the air handler, an evaporator coil, which is in the shape of an A. (this is what gets really dirty over time). Being the neat/clean freak that I am and always keeping my filters clean (even though I use those cheap see-through filters) not because I'm cheap, but because the first few years when I used those thicker filters I had the most problems. Anyway, after watching a LOT of these vides I was DYING to know after all these years what my A coil in the attic looked like. My brother told me that to also check to see if they left the filter in there because a lot of installers leave filters in the air handler even if there is no need for one and they never get changed because the owner doesn't know about them.
Today, I got in my attic, right on the front of the air handler there was this thing that said "filter". I unscrewed the 2 tabs and there was no filter there, thank God. It was a narrow opening, I stuck my phone in there to snap a picture of the A coil. I honestly can't tell but it doesn't look nearly as bad as some of the filthy ones I've seen online. I'm not even sure how the hell you would get access to clean it. I know I'm definitely going to clean the coils on the outside even though he said they didn't need cleaning, how the hell could they not need cleaning out there after all these years? I just hope my system isn't leaking the AC has been working GREAT
View Full Size
| ||
| Post# 1002404 , Reply# 42 8/3/2018 at 11:20 (2,086 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY) | ||
|
here's a pic of the air handler while I was up there.
View Full Size
| ||
| Post# 1002408 , Reply# 43 8/3/2018 at 11:30 (2,086 days old) by IowaBear (Cedar Rapids, IA) | ||
|
I laughed reading your relief in not finding a "forgotten filter" because I'm OCD about filter changing too.
It's my understanding that as long as filters are changed the evaporator coils may never need cleaning. I've looked at mine after many years and they seem clean. They are self-cleaning in a way because water will drop off them when they are in operation.
So many people don't change filters when they should or will even run the equipment without filters (especially renters.) Or they will buy the wrong size filter and cut it down, and then it doesn't fit tightly and unfiltered air just goes around it.
I always suspected this is why the A/C didn't work well in my last apartment (bad behavior by prior tenants) but I couldn't get into the unit to see for myself. | ||
|
Post# 1002409 , Reply# 44 8/3/2018 at 11:30 (2,086 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.) |
||
|
Your evaporator coil looks OK, IMO. Air conditioners cool by moving heat, from inside the house to outside. The refrigerant (Freon, which technically is a registered brand name, not a general name for a substance) absorbs heat via the evaporator coil (low pressure) in the air handler and boils from a liquid to a gas. The compressor compresses the gas and pumps it through the condenser coil (high pressure) where it gives up the collected heat and condenses back to liquid state, and is sent back through the evaporator to repeat the cycle. Window units, central A/C, mini-splits, portables, automobile air conditioning, refrigerators, freezers, stand-alone ice makers ... they all have both evaporator and condenser coils. The lobby/restrooms/office/projection area at the theater has 12 tons of cooling (two stage). The evaporator coil is LARGE and very deep. Lower half is stage one, stop half is stage two. Popcorn oil wafts through the air and gets into *everything*. The evaporator got clogged soon enough. Performance and efficiency plummeted. Attempts to clean it, even by flushing water through it with a hose, only cleaned the surface and a few inches into the fins ... effectively pushing a layer of grunge toward the back and down and severely obstructing airflow through the lower part (1st stage), which frequently froze into a block of ice. It took several years for the HVAC service company to figure out the problem and bring in a pressure washer to clean it properly. | ||
| Post# 1002410 , Reply# 45 8/3/2018 at 11:40 (2,086 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY) | ||
|
My brother in NC
he does new installations. He said that he's seen systems that were put in and whoever installed it never took the filter out of the air handler (even though they are supposed to take those filters out if they have filtering in the house itself) When he told me that it was one of the reasons I really wanted to go check to see if there was a filter in there.
The videos I watched on youtube, there was this blanket of just dirt that could be peeled off the A coil...and one video there was like 2-inch thick hair and dust. This shows how much I know - I didn't even realize that coil got wet. Now that I think about it, I guess that's where the air drains out to remove humidity? I know I see a white pipe on the side of the house that drains water when the AC is on. My brother asked if I had ever poured bleach in there so it would clean the lines. I said no. He said often they will clog up with algae but I've never had that problem so far. Anyway, if the A coil does get wet, that would make sense if there is minimal dirt it would wash them off somewhat. But if it's really bad dirt, it just sticks to it like a magnet. | ||
| Post# 1002412 , Reply# 46 8/3/2018 at 11:45 (2,086 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY) | ||
|
DaDOES | ||
| Post# 1002414 , Reply# 47 8/3/2018 at 12:14 (2,086 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada) | ||
I rely on cheap appliances such as very old window a/c units and refrigerators that I usually get for $100 or less (often free!), I don't like when they fail and I tend to spend more on repairs to keep them working than what I originally paid for them but it doesn't happen frequently (I had my 1963 refrigerator for 9 years and I haven't fixed a single thing on it and none of my 40+ years old air conditioners quit since I got them).
I'm usually more concerned with bigger expenses such as tree service and even roof maintenance! And finding the people to make it (the hardest part as I can't find a contractor to work on my roof and I can't replace tiles myself past the third row as I'm afraid to walk on the roof and break those that are OK!). My main concern is paying monthly for the electricity/gas bills, insurance and taxes which combined cost more than most 5 room apartments in my area... But since I wouldn't have enough storage space in a 5 room apartment, I guess it's fine! | ||
|
Post# 1194736 , Reply# 48 12/4/2023 at 20:27 by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI) |
||
 | ||
|
Post# 1194918 , Reply# 51 12/7/2023 at 14:01 by robbinsandmyers (Conn) |
||
Owning a home obviously is not for the faint of heart. You have to deal with the constant cost of it whether high taxes or maintenance, etc. The other huge issue is if you buy when the market is way over priced like it is now and the market crashes like its done before and you're paying on a mortgage worth more than the house and are underwater. Sis is forever underwater on hers she bought 15 years ago just before the market crashed. Ive also had friends that bought condos 30 years ago that lost their shirts when they sold them 20 years ago because they dropped so bad. Right now is a sellers market but its closing rapidly. With interest rates high plus a 40 year high recession and the cost of living way up across the board I wouldnt advise buying now but selling. Then rent until the bottom drops out and scoff up a deal in a few years. I've never owned a home and never will after a co worker telling me 40 years ago the interest on the 30 year mortgage on his $40,000.00 cape style home was $100,000.00. I just rent and am not worried about leaving property to anyone after Im gone.
| ||
|
Post# 1194924 , Reply# 52 12/7/2023 at 17:12 by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
||
Owning your own home and home warranties
Owning your own home is not for everyone, but it’s a great way to accumulate a lot of wealth and you’ll get a lot better care in the nursing home when you’re old if you have some money behind you, when the home is sold, he might also want to leave the wealth to relatives or to favorite charities.
Home warranties almost almost never pay off and if you’ve been lucky with them, you should quit now, you actually make out better playing the state lottery where you get about 50% of your money back. Your new furnace and new air conditioner are much less efficient than if you’ve gone out and bought top-of-the-line equipment so they might’ve replaced some expensive equipment. You’re now stuck with higher utility bills. But if you don’t want to be involved and have any control over your own home and comfort it’s a good way to spend your money. | ||
|
Post# 1194970 , Reply# 54 12/8/2023 at 09:23 by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.) |
||
|
Givemehotwater, it sounds to me like your home warranty paid off for you. It’s fine if a person has several thousands of dollars available for emergency home repairs or replacement of appliances that suddenly fail to foot the entire bill themselves, but many people aren’t that fortunate, and it could be a great hardship.
Only you can tell whats best for your situation. Good for you to have the forethought to protect yourself from what could have been a real financial hardship. I personally have only had a Home Warranty for one year that was given to us by our Realtor when we closed on buying our home in ‘94. We never had the need to use it and didn’t renew it. But far be it from me to criticize your decision to buy a Home Warranty, in the end it paid off for you. Eddie | ||
|
Post# 1194976 , Reply# 55 12/8/2023 at 11:36 by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.) |
||
|
One other thing that many people fail to take into consideration is that a PAID for home is one of the very best hedges against inflation in your old age, which anyone who is lucky will reach.
When you are no longer able to and or want to work any longer your income will most likely be reduced, for some dramatically. If you are diligent and pay extra towards the principle on your mortgage every month from the day you make your very first mortgage payment you can pay off you home early, hopefully before you retire. Once your home is paid for then the biggest monthly expense for most people is now no longer a burden. Your only housing expense will be property tax and maintenance. But if you retire as a renter you will be at the mercy of a landlord for the rest of your life. Your rent will continue to increase while most likely your income will remain fixed and static, with the exception of small COLA increases to your Social Security which will almost certainly not match the annual increases in your rent. When we bought our first home in ‘87 a wise, older co worker gave me some of the best advice I ever received. She told me that beginning with our very first mortgage payment to include an extra 1/12th of the principle and interest payment with EVERY monthly payment and indicate that this extra 1/12th is to go towards the principle only. We did this and continued to do so every month we made a mortgage payment both on the first home and then on our current home when we sold the first home and bought our current home. We refinanced the first home twice and this home three times and each time we paid for the closing costs upfront and DID NOT roll them over into the new loan and we DID NOT pull out any of the equity either. This was something that the lenders probably wished that we hadn’t done. But we kept our eye on the light at the end of the tunnel. The end result is that we have been mortgage free for over 13 years now. Our monthly housing expenses are just the property tax and HOA dues, approx. $720 per month. To rent a comparable home would now cost us well over $2600 per mo. to rent. If you don’t plan for the future it will one day arrive and slap you in the face and you won’t have any other choice but to pay the piper and the landlord, or couch surf or be homeless. Eddie This post was last edited 12/08/2023 at 13:07 | ||
|
Post# 1194979 , Reply# 56 12/8/2023 at 13:44 by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine) |
||
|
I bought my place in 1988 for $45K. Now its valued at over 3/4 million. Its all paid off and I hope to stay right here until I die, with this view it was worth every penny.
View Full Size
| ||
|
Post# 1194985 , Reply# 57 12/8/2023 at 15:36 by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.) |
||
|
Tim, I envy you for being able to purchase a home for $45,000 in ‘88 with such a beautiful view and to have its value appreciated to $775,000. That’s some return on your investment. We paid $56,000 for a 630 sq ft condo in ‘87, we sold it in ‘94 for $70,000, it just sold again a few months ago for $300,000. But I think that you’d agree with me that the real bonus is the financial security that your paid for home provides for you. You should be very proud of yourself for this achievement.
I know that a lot of young people will say, well it was easier to buy a home 30-40 years ago. Granted, real estate was less expensive then, but wages were also a lot less too. Plus when we bought our first home the interest on a 30 year FHA mortgage was 10.75%, and that was a good rate for ‘87. Neither my husband David or I were high wage earners, we both worked in service related jobs. I was earning $9.30 an hr and David was earning min wage of $3.25 per hr plus tips. To come up with the 2.5% down payment, plus the $2500.00 closing costs we sold just about everything that we owned of any value at work with posted lists of what we were selling and a series of garage sales. Because we didn’t have 20% down we paid PMI in addition to the principle and interest. We had NO help from family, no inheritance's, just the sheer will that we would make it happen. As the old saying goes, when there’s a will, there’s a way! To young folks today I’d say to their lament that it’s impossible to buy a home today, find a way, get a second job and save ALL your earnings from that job, if you have a big car payment, sell the car and buy a hooptie for cash, cut out extra’s and SAVE every dollar that you can and forget that it’s in the bank. It may take a couple of years to get the down payment, but keep your eye on the prize. And don’t expect your first home to be an HGTV show place. Things that you may not like to begin with can be changed in time. Look for a home with good bones in a location that you like. The window dressing can come later. But get your foot in the door. You’ll thank yourself in years to come. Eddie | ||
|
Post# 1194991 , Reply# 58 12/8/2023 at 16:35 by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine) |
||
|
Eddie, this was just my families summer camp. I have been here since I was 5 and always hated to leave. I sunk a ton of money to make it the year round home I wanted. I still swear the dead relatives souls are still here. Property values on this lake have skyrocket up. People with the big bucks build mansions. I'm sure after I am gone, it will be sold and be flattened
| ||
|
Post# 1195004 , Reply# 60 12/8/2023 at 18:36 by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.) |
||
|
Re:#59
Thanks for sharing your story of success in attaining the American Dream of homeownership. Yes, you are correct both of our journeys to homeownership have many similarities.
Your statement that you lived below your means is packed with wisdom! That is one of the most important secrets to financial security. That and the avoidance of CREDIT debt! Once you get yourself out of debt it’s the most wonderful, empowering feeling! Cash is king in our casa. We both use our credit cards, BUT we payoff the balance every month and NEVER pay interest! Eddie | ||
| Forum Index: |
| Other Forums: |
|
|
|
|
|
Comes to the Rescue!
