The Off Topic Topic

[Caliga]

A buddy of mine got bored brewing beer and built his own still.  I guess homemade moonshine is the trendy thing now.

I hope his still isn't in his house.

[alfred russel]

$1200 for a new water heater...I'm getting ripped off. Two guys came out to do it for $950 but wouldn't work because my place apparently isn't up to code.

It is like $450 in the store...I'm almost inclined to try to do the install myself, but I forsee a mega disaster.

[DGuller]

$1200 for a new water heater...I'm getting ripped off. Two guys came out to do it for $950 but wouldn't work because my place apparently isn't up to code.

It is like $450 in the store...I'm almost inclined to try to do the install myself, but I forsee a mega disaster.

What could possibly go wrong?

[Capetan Mihali]

Aren't you glad you bought instead of renting, Dorsey?

[Malthus]

Aren't you glad you bought instead of renting, Dorsey?

Heh, if he was renting, he could just get used to not having hot water. 

[alfred russel]

There are several cons instead of renting:
1) My place has lost most of its value. On the plus side I bought a shithole for $98k (one of my friends calls it "the crackhouse"), but I think it is worth ~$40k now. Oops.
2) I bought a place based on it being nearby some of the clients I served at the time. Good God that was stupid. Now I work sort of far away. I really can't emphasize enough how stupid this was.
3) Random expenses. Not so bad actually. Shit like this only comes up once a year or so.
4) I've been here 6 years. There is something to be said about living in a place for a year or two, blasting the shit out of it, and moving on. I'm still seeing spills and stains from years ago.
5) If I want to relocate, I have to figure out to do with this shithole.

The pros:
1) My mortgage is like $330 a month. Even after HOA dues, I'm probably saving $500 a month from renting in a comparable type of place. Over 6 years that is about $36,000 in savings. The tax benefits kick that up a bit.
2) I don't have to argue with some rental company about them jacking up my rent every year.

[mongers]

There are several cons instead of renting:
1) My place has lost most of its value. On the plus side I bought a shithole for $98k (one of my friends calls it "the crackhouse"), but I think it is worth ~$40k now. Oops.
2) I bought a place based on it being nearby some of the clients I served at the time. Good God that was stupid. Now I work sort of far away. I really can't emphasize enough how stupid this was.
3) Random expenses. Not so bad actually. Shit like this only comes up once a year or so.
4) I've been here 6 years. There is something to be said about living in a place for a year or two, blasting the shit out of it, and moving on. I'm still seeing spills and stains from years ago.
5) If I want to relocate, I have to figure out to do with this shithole.

The pros:
1) My mortgage is like $330 a month. Even after HOA dues, I'm probably saving $500 a month from renting in a comparable type of place. Over 6 years that is about $36,000 in savings. The tax benefits kick that up a bit.
2) I don't have to argue with some rental company about them jacking up my rent every year.

I commend your honesty; sure as hell beats having to listen to some upper-middle class twit recounting how they've never put a foot wrong regarding property*/life*.



* this is surprisingly common here; we Brits tend towards complacency.     

[Capetan Mihali]

Out of curiosity, how much do HOA dues run you?

[alfred russel]

Out of curiosity, how much do HOA dues run you?

That is a good question. $270 technically, but we are trying to pay off a loan we took out to get some work done. I think $200 will be the normal HOA dues.

[Ideologue]

$270 a month?  They'd best fix my water heater, rake leaves, and mow my lawn for $270 a month.

Man, I'd love to have a $300 mortgage though, even in a crackhouse.

[Ed Anger]

$270 a month?  They'd best fix my water heater, rake leaves, and mow my lawn for $270 a month.

Man, I'd love to have a $300 mortgage though, even in a crackhouse.

My first house was 400/mo in the 90's. Nice neighborhood too. Lots of Olds not bothering anybody.

[alfred russel]

$270 a month?  They'd best fix my water heater, rake leaves, and mow my lawn for $270 a month.

Man, I'd love to have a $300 mortgage though, even in a crackhouse.

Well, part of it is a loan.

They do rake leaves and mow the lawn. They also maintain a pool and tennis court and cover homeowner's insurance.

[Ideologue]

$270 a month?  They'd best fix my water heater, rake leaves, and mow my lawn for $270 a month.

Man, I'd love to have a $300 mortgage though, even in a crackhouse.

Well, part of it is a loan.

They do rake leaves and mow the lawn. They also maintain a pool and tennis court.

Oh.  Well, that seems fair.

[Admiral Yi]

Crack houses have gone upmarket.

[mongers]

$270 a month?  They'd best fix my water heater, rake leaves, and mow my lawn for $270 a month.

Man, I'd love to have a $300 mortgage though, even in a crackhouse.

My first house was 400/mo in the 90's. Nice neighborhood too. Lots of Olds not bothering anybody.

Happiness.

God save me from turds who think they're 'property developers'