catch 22 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There is no ocean, no mountains, hardly any
> culture. The only reason to live here is the jobs
> pay well. If you don't have one of those, there
> is no reason to stay. Unless you really can't
> find work in another area. Many people in this
> area in that position. Working on my escape plan.


No ocean or mountains? Realy? Have you looked at a map? Dumbfuck, move back to Kentucky.

Worse than I thought Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> yes.......... Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Trying to make a killing on a house is a losing
> proposition. It
> > requires too much maintenance and other costs.
> You might get lucky.
> > You probably won't.
>
> Trying to "make a killing" on any investment is a
> fool's errand. Only novices think in such terms.
>
>
> The purpose of buying a house meanwhile is to own
> your own source of residential services. You
> could of course rent to obtain those services as
> well, but you would still pay as part of your rent
> for all the maintenance, insurance, and taxes that
> the landlord has to cover. He's not going
> out-of-pocket for any of that, and he's keeping
> all the tax deductions for himself as well.


He may be going out of pocket for a lot of it. Rent prices are market-based not cost-based. Lots of people don't cover the costs of property that they rent out. How that works out in any given case can be all over the map. But the discussion wasn't really about rental investments.

T4Kwt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> He's not going
> > out-of-pocket for any of that, and he's keeping
> > all the tax deductions for himself as well.

An expense is an expense - if it's tax deductible that's nice, but better not to have the expense at all. Not sure if most folks understand that - the only way you get a deduction is by spending money.

Just keep voting for the same people if you like high prices.

asdfgoiuyf Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why are you spending $1200 a month on food for
> four people?
> I fed a family of four on half that. Do you shop
> at Whole Paycheck?
> Go to Aldi.

Thats $10.00 per person per day $3.33 per meal per person. Two teens and two adults can eat for less but this is not an outrageously high number. By the way this includes maybe 4 bottles of wine as total alcohol consumption for the household per month. We eat out rarely and prepare almost all our meals at home. Maybe one or two cups of coffee out per week per adult.

Oh and we only consume 1-3 pounds of animal protein per week total (we eat mostly veggies and plant derived protein.

Living the life down here in Fredericksburg. Ha Ha. Retired after 35 years wit the Gubment in Nova. In the spring Social Security comes to my plate and a extra 1500 CASH a month to "Simply Squander" at the Chantilly Gun Show! Many of those in my hood are FEDs making the big bucks too and living much higher on the Hog then Suckers in NOVA. So What, they pay the van pool guy 250 a month.. Its a smooth ride up and down the EZ lanes to the Gong for them,Did I mention the brand NEW VRE station just built and opened down here?? And with LOW 1400 dollar and LESS house payments on their big 4 Br homes with big 24X24 2 car real garages, They have loads of Extra investment cash..New Cars.. And their young ones go to great schools here too. I was in NOVA 41 years and come up to relax and see friends and family anytime I want. You FX Suckers are Tools all right.. 500 dollars a month real estate taxes.. And you think that I95 is the only place with traffic.. You Troll Clowns. With Your "Redneck" bullshit.. Folk here with 180 K and more live on the 5-10 acre estates. And Still have lower monthly payments then you FOOLS.. As many have said a house is not the only and Best investment ! You Like "Diversity".. Then Diversify your investments.. LOL..

DAJAX.. Laughing My Ass Off at the NOVA Town Clowns..In Panicsville..Divorceville, High Dramaville..TaxVille. BankruptsVille..LOL

Draft a reasonable budget and live on it. Max out your TSP, or IRA if you're not a Fed. Pay off credit cards every month. Join a credit union and use it for car loans, and home improvements. Comparison shop for interest rates. Maintain a reasonable amount of life insurance for yourself and spouse so that, in a worst case scenario, a surviving spouse can stay in the family home, contract for additional household help, adapt to loss of income, etc. Build up a savings account until you have six months' salary saved. When you are ready to move, remember the three rules of real estate--location, location, location. School quality is important to you, and will be important to buyers when you're ready to sell again. Try to buy in the path of progress. Think about neighborhoods that are not yet redeveloping, but are close to areas that are, to increase your probability of substantial increase in the value of your real estate.

Living "Large" In The Berg! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> DAJAX.. Laughing My Ass Off at the NOVA Town
> Clowns..In Panicsville..Divorceville, High
> Dramaville..TaxVille. BankruptsVille..LOL

Let's all vote:

[ ] Troll
[ ] Stupid

You sure got us good. I hope all the time you spent browsing, reading, and posting here makes you feel better about yourself. You must need it since you're not getting enough enjoyment out all that makes you so superior.

Or you're just a troll who lives here among us anyway.

Either way - eat a dick.

Those in some of the Biggest houses are there cause some ones daddy wrote a big check..All your advise is just making peoples Heads Spin.. Lord.. School Quality.. Are You Joking??

Fredericksburg.. AHHHH!

DAJAX.. OK I will Now.. STFU.

$3.33 per meal per person Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> asdfgoiuyf Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Why are you spending $1200 a month on food for
> > four people?
> > I fed a family of four on half that. Do you
> shop
> > at Whole Paycheck?
> > Go to Aldi.
>
> Thats $10.00 per person per day $3.33 per meal per
> person. Two teens and two adults can eat for less
> but this is not an outrageously high number. By
> the way this includes maybe 4 bottles of wine as
> total alcohol consumption for the household per
> month. We eat out rarely and prepare almost all
> our meals at home. Maybe one or two cups of
> coffee out per week per adult.
>
> Oh and we only consume 1-3 pounds of animal
> protein per week total (we eat mostly veggies and
> plant derived protein.

You can save about $100 a month by skipping coffee at the coffee shop.
I think $3.33 a meal is high. You can have cereal or oatmeal, juice, and milk for under a dollar. A sandwich, a piece of fruit, and a portion of chips is not $3.33. Simple dinners. If you have two boys on the football team, that is a different story.

Try Aldi. Their produce is fine. They sell beans by the bag and the can if you like plant protein. They probably have whatever other plant proteins you like. In general, their prices are about half what you pay in the regular stores. Sometimes better. Sometimes not half, but on average I would say 40-50%. It is astounding to compare the prices. If you are addicted to Whole Foods I can't help you.

What is the interest rate on your mortgage?

>Or you're just a troll who lives here among us anyway.

As I said lived in FX 41 years young one. Now tell yourself Fredericksburg is For Rednecks.. Over and Over till you go to sleep..Sorry to make that sound Shitty..

FX / NOVA Today is a difficult place to live in for many and yes Divorceville is Not Bullshit at all. How many Ive seen at FX Courthouse holding their heads in the hands....You mean she gets all that !

Pressure cooker making all the $$ it takes, And keeping up with the _________ You fill in the blank. I know how it is Pal..Not trying at all to be Smug..Divorce is not funny at all. Living on a shoe strings making good money is not either. Its a "Mean Machine" NOVA that only THE VIENNA GUY can Handle. as He's So Dammed Smart and Smug..and...and..

Slower pace .. Fredericksburg. Oh well I have tried.. I mean I have to get this house I bought DIRT CHEAP up in Price to Move Back To PressureCookerVille..You all Just listen to THE VIENNA GUY.. LOL..

Now Im Done..Take Care all.. DAJAX

It would appear from your bloviations that I am hitting too close to home for you. If I have made you or a friend of yours in the situation I describe feel bad, then I apologize.

Feel free my friend to investigate the finances of all those owning $1M plus homes in this area. If you find no people like those I have described, then I will extend my apology. Based on anecdotal stories I have heard, both from those in those straightened circumstances and from those who deal with people in that situation, I feel comfortable that you will find a number who are in the straightened circumstances I have described. Enough said on that subject.

As for how to afford to live here, I think Dr. Memory offers some good tips. Draft a reasonable budget and live on it. Max out your TSP, or IRA if you're not a Fed. Pay off credit cards every month. Comparison shop for interest rates. Build up a savings account until you have six months' salary saved. To that I would add (1) Try to live on less than your take home pay. 90% is good. 80% is better; (2) Look at "found money" as a way to increase savings and not as an opportunity to spend more; (3) Finance your current needs (house and car purchases are exceptions) from current earnings. Chances are if you cannot afford to pay for it out of current earnings, you also can afford to live without it; (4) If you are thinking of having kids, adjust your standard of living before having them; and (5) A bad divorce can ruin the best financial planning. In the end though luck plays a role as well.

Bill.N.

I hate this place. If you aren't working for the Federal Govt, or a lawyer, or a doctor, you barely squeak by in this rat race. I work hard and so does my woman and its barely enough.

Any suggestions?

$3.33 per meal per person Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> asdfgoiuyf Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Why are you spending $1200 a month on food for
> > four people?
> > I fed a family of four on half that. Do you
> shop
> > at Whole Paycheck?
> > Go to Aldi.
>
> Thats $10.00 per person per day $3.33 per meal per
> person. Two teens and two adults can eat for less
> but this is not an outrageously high number. By
> the way this includes maybe 4 bottles of wine as
> total alcohol consumption for the household per
> month. We eat out rarely and prepare almost all
> our meals at home. Maybe one or two cups of
> coffee out per week per adult.
>
> Oh and we only consume 1-3 pounds of animal
> protein per week total (we eat mostly veggies and
> plant derived protein.

KILl YOURSLEf , I would if I was you.

Living "Large" In The Berg! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Living the life down here in Fredericksburg. Ha
> Ha. Retired after 35 years wit the Gubment in
> Nova. In the spring Social Security comes to my
> plate and a extra 1500 CASH a month to "Simply
> Squander" at the Chantilly Gun Show! Many of those
> in my hood are FEDs making the big bucks too and
> living much higher on the Hog then Suckers in
> NOVA. So What, they pay the van pool guy 250 a
> month.. Its a smooth ride up and down the EZ lanes
> to the Gong for them,Did I mention the brand NEW
> VRE station just built and opened down here?? And
> with LOW 1400 dollar and LESS house payments on
> their big 4 Br homes with big 24X24 2 car real
> garages, They have loads of Extra investment
> cash..New Cars.. And their young ones go to great
> schools here too. I was in NOVA 41 years and come
> up to relax and see friends and family anytime I
> want. You FX Suckers are Tools all right.. 500
> dollars a month real estate taxes.. And you think
> that I95 is the only place with traffic.. You
> Troll Clowns. With Your "Redneck" bullshit.. Folk
> here with 180 K and more live on the 5-10 acre
> estates. And Still have lower monthly payments
> then you FOOLS.. As many have said a house is not
> the only and Best investment ! You Like
> "Diversity".. Then Diversify your investments..
> LOL..
>
> DAJAX.. Laughing My Ass Off at the NOVA Town
> Clowns..In Panicsville..Divorceville, High
> Dramaville..TaxVille. BankruptsVille..LOL

Not sure what the point of all this is. You apparently were stupid enough by your own standards to endure 41 years of the hellhole that is Fairfax. But I suppose it was different when you lived here... either way, I just have never understood why people have to bash another region in order to make themselves feel good about where they live. Have had family in many different states from MA to CA. Urban and Rural. There are pluses and minuses about pretty much anywhere. I like living here but I don't feel the need to denigrate where other folks live.

To the original question, how do people do it....

They throw most of what they have as disposable income at the mortgage and pay it off in 10-12 years instead of 30 - it's easy sailing from there on. That may mean not eating out every night, cleaning your house yourself, using a smart phone instead of an $800 iPhone and ridiculous cable/cell plan, forgoing the toll road if it's $6 each way and making your own coffee instead of starbucks everyday. Most of what I've seen holding people back is on the spending side, not the income side.

Its Going To Get Much Worse Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >Heck, a household with 2 GS 15 federal employees
> is making $250K...and that is government workers.
>
> And that should be outlawed to one federal gravy
> job per marriage. 250 K a year and don't do Jack
> Shit. Don't tell me about Federal "Service" Its
> really "Self Service" for ass kissers and "Yes"
> Men and Women. I've been there.
>
> And Now that Obama declares war on Climate
> Change.. forget terrorists. To Pander to the
> Greens in the party of Freaks
> Bill Gates is now his sidekick, Bill of course can
> afford any type of windmill solar and the biggest
> gas or electric bills would not get on his radar.
>
> The rest of you suckers watch it.. You voted for
> Obummer. Dig deep as you pay the bills for his
> Climate Crap.. India, China, The Middle East,
> South America Everyone is laughing at your asses.
>
> Now in your future, forget that big house, Too
> much energy too wasteful for you. Better used as
> group homes for mucho illegals. You'll do as UN
> Chief Obama wants, live in a Planned Model Project
> to please his Green limo Liberals who will be
> jetting off to Aruba as you watch out to keep your
> throat from being cut in the Bicycle parking
> garage of the "Gun Free" Crime Ridden Project
> infested with trash, rotten diapers, roaches, bed
> bugs and lice.


You nailed it, brother

>You apparently were stupid enough by your own standards to endure 41 years of the hellhole that is Fairfax

I loved FX and still come up every few days to see friends as said, and enjoy many things FXCO has to offer.. moving to Fredericksburg was a money saving retirement decision. I sound ugly because I have said on this and other threads that's there's life outside of NOVA and it can be a good life. There's an "asshole" in me .. and others here that has to show itself time to time.. Sorry.

And I have been "blasted" as a Toothless Hick Redneck and Fredericksburg too by the Smug as their asshole speaks out..

Your right people will live where they want. And yes FXCO /Nova is a pressure cooker for many. If people feel Trapped.. Up against the wall in FXCO They need to explore other options. It is amazing that with 150k a year so many are scraping by.. So many across America would be shocked, they get by on 50k and less..Its Life in The Big City here .Oh Well..And FX/Nova/DC is where the money is..

DAJAX

Lol No You Dont Get It At All Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >You apparently were stupid enough by your own
> standards to endure 41 years of the hellhole that
> is Fairfax
>
> I loved FX and still come up every few days to see
> friends as said, and enjoy many things FXCO has to
> offer.. moving to Fredericksburg was a money
> saving retirement decision. I sound ugly because I
> have said on this and other threads that's there's
> life outside of NOVA and it can be a good life.
> There's an "asshole" in me .. and others here that
> has to show itself time to time.. Sorry.
>
> And I have been "blasted" as a Toothless Hick
> Redneck and Fredericksburg too by the Smug as
> their asshole speaks out..
>
> Your right people will live where they want. And
> yes FXCO /Nova is a pressure cooker for many. If
> people feel Trapped.. Up against the wall in FXCO
> They need to explore other options. It is amazing
> that with 150k a year so many are scraping by.. So
> many across America would be shocked, they get by
> on 50k and less..Its Life in The Big City here .Oh
> Well..And FX/Nova/DC is where the money is..
>
> DAJAX

Think you hit the OP's nail on the head - its about 150k yr for a household being not enough here. Crazy.

OP-Are you paying mortgage insurance on top of your PITI? What is your interest rate?

aseotiuh Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> OP-Are you paying mortgage insurance on top of
> your PITI? What is your interest rate?

PITI = principal, intrest, taxes and insurance. Not sure the rate. We cannot get it dropped as we bought at height of the market and the value of our house dropped quite a bit.

aseotiuh Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> OP-Are you paying mortgage insurance on top of
> your PITI? What is your interest rate?

PITI = principal, intrest, taxes and insurance. Not sure the rate. We cannot get it dropped as we bought at height of the market and the value of our house dropped quite a bit.

Moron says what Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> catch 22 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > There is no ocean, no mountains, hardly any
> > culture. The only reason to live here is the
> jobs
> > pay well. If you don't have one of those,
> there
> > is no reason to stay. Unless you really can't
> > find work in another area. Many people in this
> > area in that position. Working on my escape
> plan.
>
>
> No ocean or mountains? Realy? Have you looked at a
> map? Dumbfuck, move back to Kentucky.

Well we do have Mountains within an hour and a half. Ocean is 3 hrs away. Beautiful outdoors at great falls though. If you like to swim in open water DC blows. No lakes, ocean or swimable rivers close by. If you like to Mt. bike kayak and climb Dc is not bad for an urban area. The Jewel of the area is the Shennendoah but you have to like hiking and driving 1.25 hrs to get there.

Boston is much better with Cape Cod, Maine and the White mountains all within 2 hrs drive. Cold winters though.

Everyone I know (myself included) using Home Improvement companies have guys from fredricksburg. I asked them why they drive all the way up. They say this is where the money is.

There's no real economy in F'burg. just a place for retired GS employees. And the TRAFFIC sucks there and there is no way around it.

NoVA is also the reason almost every tree service drives from Culpepper or Woodstock. These guys want thier checks made out to them personally like the contractors.

The only thing about F'burg is they seems to have every fricken resturant to feed the country folk.

Its tough. You have to make a decision between ostentatious and being thrifty and looking long term.

We live in a standard split. Wife stays home; I work for one a major accounting firm. So, $200k in pay every year. I save the max for 401(k) which now has about $625k in it (age 40).

We pay $2200 in mortgage, own two cars (just bought a 18 month old MDX for a very good price), and we don't go overboard on expenses.

$100k in checking, $625k in 401(k), $100k in college 529s, $350k in home equity.

Simply put, we don't go overboard on extras. The MDX was the biggest "goodie" in a lot of years.

>you like to swim in open water DC blows

No not so bad. Sandy Point State Park in Maryland at the Chesapeake Bay bridge has a long beach area for open water swimming with guards in summer and you can swim there as long as you can stand it otherwise. 22 boat ramps the largest around even beats Va Beach, O.C. Cartop Kayak windsurf launch beach, picnic grounds baths showers. Its a great place. You canb swim all over the Potomac in Maryland from a boat if you have access to one, Theres one race across the Potomac every Memorial Weekend at Point Lookout, they swim across the Potomac from Virginia to Point Lookout escourted by Kayaks and power boats. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Swim is held at Sandy Point each June. 600 people cross the Chesapeake Bay with a large escort fleet including the US Coast Guard. This open water race is so popular they have to apply in a lottery to get into it, people come from all over and its one of the best open water races in the World.

The DC area has loads of things to do. Even in Stafford Co in Falmouth theres a very popular beach park along the Rappahannock River right across from Fredericksburg where hundreds go in summer to lay out and go into the River.

The whole Rappahannock in Fredericksburg is one big park, No swimming as such but people wade all the time when its warm, ride tubes, canoes, kayaks and other "rigs" down the river all the time. And its "only" 32 miles south of Fairfax Countys southern point, and Fairfax Itself is 35 miles across the long way so its no more then a ride from Great Falls To Gunston..LOL..

DAJAX
Attachments:

>There's no real economy in F'burg. just a place for retired GS employees

Yes and No, Quantico Marine Base in not that far away and the Berg is full of Marines. ISIS would be crazy to come round here. Lots of DOD contractors and Gubment folk who carpool van pool and ride the VRE Rails.. Dahlgren is an other place with DOD work. As well as Ft AP Hill. Geico has a big place in Stafford on Rt 17, they are actually said to be a good place to work, And the traffic going to these places is not bad at all. The bad traffic consists of a 3 mile stretch of Rt 3 in AM and PM, but big deal its done in 15 minutes or less. The major Baddie is Yes I95, as said a curse or a blessing depending on how its running. Heading down Richmond and back always a breeze as theres 95 Rt 1 and Rt 2 south. Heading up to NOVA is not bad, It the south bound trip to F Burg that's the bad one ..at times

Fairfax Co has plenty of traffic hell holes. Rt 50 West where you hit every stop light there is it seems. Rt 7 in the even. Forget it! Rt 236 coming off the Beltway West 50 the same, Braddock Road. No shortage of traffic in Fairfax
And when there doing some construction and its overloading the traffic light , when a single cop could move that traffic and your stuck there 20 minutes. Where the hell are they..Thats Fairfax County all right.

DAJAX

T4Kwt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> He may be going out of pocket for a lot of it.

Not for long.

> Rent prices are market-based not cost-based.

All real estate markets are local, but as a rule of thumb in a reasonably competitive area, rents will be around one-half of one percent of what the property could be sold for. But NOBODY is eating the costs of maintenance, taxes, and insurance,. Those are ALL being passed on to tenants. If they weren't, EVERY landlord would be going out of business, and there would be no more rental market at all.

> Lots of people don't cover the costs of property that
> they rent out.

You mean morons who try to rent out a time-share or some beach house they foolishly bought somewhere? Those who don't want to sell at a loss and so decide to rent at a loss for a while instead?

> How that works out in any given case can be all over the
> map. But the discussion wasn't really about rental
> investments.

Pathetic. In the choice between renting and buying, the landlord contemplated is not some part-time mom-and-pop operator on Craigs List. Those of course do exist, but the market-makers here are the larger companies whose properties are indeed examples of "rental investments". Go learn how all this works.

Sorry Pal Way Wrong Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Now Im Done..Take Care all.. DAJAX

Your big mistake was coming to NoVa to begin with. You should have known you weren't going to be able to cut the mustard here. Now you've wasted 41 years doing what you didn't like and living in an area you couldn't afford. In the end, you have to limp away to "enjoy" what few golden years you may have left in what amounts to some sketchy outpost of actual civilization. Nobody envies you.

To my trolling friend Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It would appear from your bloviations that I am
> hitting too close to home for you.

No, you mindless dumbfuck. You are yet again pretending to have any sort of clue at all when YOU FUCKING DON'T. You don't know jack-squat about my financial situation or that of any of my friends, or about the situation of any of the 5,000 Great Falls households you have previously made a complete ass of yourself over by claiming to have insight into their financial particulars. You're a worthless dumbass over-extended troll-fraud, Bill.

> Feel free my friend to investigate the finances of
> all those owning $1M plus homes in this area.

How stupid are you? Even though I am no doubt much smarter and better-connected than you, I can't do that any more than you can.

> If you find no people like those I have described,
> then I will extend my apology.

You can go ahead and apologize right now. Both for your original stupid-ass posts, and for the even worse dumbass supposition that your bullshit would be upheld by the existence of a single household in Great Falls dealing with financial difficulties. Just go fuck yourself, Bill, and be done with it.

> As for how to afford to live here, I think Dr.
> Memory offers some good tips.

LOL! Tired old, worn-out, recycled Suzi Orman schlock. You are WAY too easily impressed. Or maybe everything better is simply beyond your grasp.

I work f/t, my wife works p/t, and we have two kids, not yet in school. Combined we make just south of $150k. Mortgage payment incl taxes etc is $2800/mo. We do 6%/mo in 401k savings, about $200/mo goes into a mutual fund, $75 per mo into each kid's 529. Keep $10k on hand for emergencies.

We pay off credit cards every mo and only "bad debt" is $430/mo for car, but at ridiculously low interest rate, better than paying in cash.

We certainly aren't wealthy, but we aren't carrying any debt and have a decent net-worth for being under 30.

The key is cutting down on ALL unnecessary expenses and sacrificing a bit. I slug nearly every day to work -- saving approx. $350-$400/mo between gas, parking garage in NW DC, repairs etc.

We don't have cable -- instead do amazon prime, netflix, and HD attena.

Mow our own lawn.

Buy as much NICE used stuff as possible. Basement couch set and our China cabinet are from Salvation Army. Entire set of baby furniture from Craigslist. Lawn mower off of Craigslist. I buy all my Brooks Brothers shirts on eBay at 75-90% off retail..

Buy as many groceries/non-parishables from Costco as possible. Membership pays for itself with just the cash back, not even factoring bulk savings.

The most we eat out is 2x per week and when we do, it's hard times, five guys, chipotle -- cheap stuff. Maybe do a really nice dinner quarterly, and even then, it's not like we get a bottle of wine or any expensive stuff.

The savings pile up, all while building equity in house. JUst need to get through the early years and think long term.

IMHO it's not about how much $ you make, it's about how much you spend, and ultimately what your net worth is that matters in long run.

poopers Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Its tough. You have to make a decision between
> ostentatious and being thrifty and looking long
> term.
>
> We live in a standard split. Wife stays home; I
> work for one a major accounting firm. So, $200k
> in pay every year. I save the max for 401(k)
> which now has about $625k in it (age 40).
>
> We pay $2200 in mortgage, own two cars (just
> bought a 18 month old MDX for a very good price),
> and we don't go overboard on expenses.
>
> $100k in checking, $625k in 401(k), $100k in
> college 529s, $350k in home equity.
>
> Simply put, we don't go overboard on extras. The
> MDX was the biggest "goodie" in a lot of years.

Excellent work. Always nice to see people doing it right.

Everyone should remember though that the MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME in FXCO is about $110K. That means HALF of the households make LESS than $110K. So there are a lot of people getting by on much much lower salaries. Myself included.

How is anyone going to be able to pretend that there are all these desperate households in Great Falls if so many people are "doing it right"?

Worse than I thought Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> T4Kwt Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > He may be going out of pocket for a lot of it.
>
> Not for long.
>
> > Rent prices are market-based not cost-based.
>
> All real estate markets are local, but as a rule
> of thumb in a reasonably competitive area, rents
> will be around one-half of one percent of what the
> property could be sold for. But NOBODY is eating
> the costs of maintenance, taxes, and insurance,.
> Those are ALL being passed on to tenants. If they
> weren't, EVERY landlord would be going out of
> business, and there would be no more rental market
> at all.
>
> > Lots of people don't cover the costs of property
> that
> > they rent out.
>
> You mean morons who try to rent out a time-share
> or some beach house they foolishly bought
> somewhere? Those who don't want to sell at a loss
> and so decide to rent at a loss for a while
> instead?


No, I mean anyone who rents out property that they own. Your presumption that someone can pass on all of their costs simply because they have those costs is ridiculous. You sound like one of the idiots who took a "Get rich quick in real estate" seminar.


>
> > How that works out in any given case can be all
> over the
> > map. But the discussion wasn't really about
> rental
> > investments.
>
> Pathetic. In the choice between renting and
> buying, the landlord contemplated is not some
> part-time mom-and-pop operator on Craigs List.
> Those of course do exist, but the market-makers
> here are the larger companies whose properties are
> indeed examples of "rental investments". Go learn
> how all this works.


What the fuck are you babbling about? lmao

The discussion wasn't about REITs or other commercial interests. It was about the real return on owning a principal residence by an individual. But your assumption that all costs are covered simply because they exist and can be passed along is just as ridiculous.

Wife and I are just getting started and with combined income around $100K. Our biggest obstacles are student debt. To us it seems like such a mountain to put together enough cash for a down payment on a mortgage around here. We have friends back home making much less who own. Are the zero down mortgages a good idea?

youngcouple Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wife and I are just getting started and with
> combined income around $100K. Our biggest
> obstacles are student debt. To us it seems like
> such a mountain to put together enough cash for a
> down payment on a mortgage around here. We have
> friends back home making much less who own. Are
> the zero down mortgages a good idea?


Go negative equity.

You can't lose in this market!

GvW3N Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> No, I mean anyone who rents out property that they own.

There are classes of such people, dimbulb. The market however is made by the big boys. You are definitely not acquainted with any of those folks except for having been pressed by them for getting your rent check in late a few times too many.

> Your presumption that someone can pass on
> all of their costs simply because they have those
> costs is ridiculous.

No, it's what happens, bozo. Landlords are not in the business of doing you any favors. Their costs in bringing rental space to market are passed on to those who do the renting. I don't know how anyone can be dumb enough not to realize that.

> You sound like one of the idiots who took a "Get rich
> quick in real estate" seminar.

You should sign up for one of those. They cover the basics and you've so far missed out on ALL of those.

> What the fuck are you babbling about? lmao

I'm hardly surprised at your lack of understanding.

> The discussion wasn't about REITs or other
> commercial interests. It was about the real
> return on owning a principal residence by an
> individual.

LOL! Owner-occupants are not renters. They do of course pay owner-equivalent rent, but that's a notional accounting figure, not one you can take to the bank.

> But your assumption that all costs are covered simply
> because they exist and can be passed along is just as
> ridiculous.

You're devoid of any form of comprehension of the topic at all.

youngcouple Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wife and I are just getting started and with
> combined income around $100K. Our biggest
> obstacles are student debt. To us it seems like
> such a mountain to put together enough cash for a
> down payment on a mortgage around here. We have
> friends back home making much less who own. Are
> the zero down mortgages a good idea?


Hurry up and buy now, or else homes will become too expensive for you to ever afford one. It's a great time to buy.

Barber- Do i need a hair cut? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hurry up and buy now, or else homes will become
> too expensive for you to ever afford one. It's a
> great time to buy.

Average rates for a 30-year fixed are still under 4%. That may not last too much longer. It could indeed be the last great time to buy for a while.

Sandy Point State Park Has It Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >you like to swim in open water DC blows
>
> No not so bad. Sandy Point State Park in Maryland
> at the Chesapeake Bay bridge has a long beach area
> for open water swimming with guards in summer and
> you can swim there as long as you can stand it
> otherwise. 22 boat ramps the largest around even
> beats Va Beach, O.C. Cartop Kayak windsurf launch
> beach, picnic grounds baths showers. Its a great
> place. You canb swim all over the Potomac in
> Maryland from a boat if you have access to one,
> Theres one race across the Potomac every Memorial
> Weekend at Point Lookout, they swim across the
> Potomac from Virginia to Point Lookout escourted
> by Kayaks and power boats. The Chesapeake Bay
> Bridge Swim is held at Sandy Point each June. 600
> people cross the Chesapeake Bay with a large
> escort fleet including the US Coast Guard. This
> open water race is so popular they have to apply
> in a lottery to get into it, people come from all
> over and its one of the best open water races in
> the World.
>
> The DC area has loads of things to do. Even in
> Stafford Co in Falmouth theres a very popular
> beach park along the Rappahannock River right
> across from Fredericksburg where hundreds go in
> summer to lay out and go into the River.
>
> The whole Rappahannock in Fredericksburg is one
> big park, No swimming as such but people wade all
> the time when its warm, ride tubes, canoes,
> kayaks and other "rigs" down the river all the
> time. And its "only" 32 miles south of Fairfax
> Countys southern point, and Fairfax Itself is 35
> miles across the long way so its no more then a
> ride from Great Falls To Gunston..LOL..
>
> DAJAX

Wrong. I have swim in the potomac yearly in the DC Triathlon. Its not open to swimming any other time. The beach at the bay bridge is gross. Yes you 'can' swim there but its unpleasant. Wading isnt swimming especially when its because of water safety and/or quality - people that like to swim dont want a sewer for regular swims. Like I said if you like open water swimming this area blows.

youngcouple Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wife and I are just getting started and with
> combined income around $100K. Our biggest
> obstacles are student debt. To us it seems like
> such a mountain to put together enough cash for a
> down payment on a mortgage around here. We have
> friends back home making much less who own. Are
> the zero down mortgages a good idea?


Do yourself a favor and move NOW. You are young and 100k is good money most places in the US. Not major cities though. You move to Dayton OH and you can buy a nice place for 120k pay off your debt and raise a family. Here you will just struggle. Even as your pay goes up, if you have kids that cancels out 3/4 of one of your salaries in child care and costs- you will actually have much less net income after expenses. Be honest, unless you can earn 150k+ here you have no chance whatsoever.

And in 20 years that $120k home in Dayton, will be worth a whopping $150k. They are making $100k here, so in bumfuckville that is like $40k combined. In 10 years they could easily be making over $200k here depending on their field of work. In bumfuckville, you might be making $5k more in 10 years. You just don't have all the high paying employment options like you have around here.



Average Monthly Disposable Salary (After Tax) Dayton 1,876.82 $ Fairfax - 3,591.87 $ +91.38 %

>I have swim in the potomac yearly in the DC Triathlon

Ya But that's at Blue Plains.. Did you catch the turd and win the prize??

Sandy Point Is a Great Place Crybaby.. Cryathalon.. That's your speed now .. Blow somewhere else..Winer..Go back to Boston with all your lousy Liberal wining friends. Now Blow.. Lightweight Liberal Asshole..Troll. People just got shot In Ca. We have serious business here to talk about.

Worse than I thought Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> GvW3N Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > No, I mean anyone who rents out property that
> they own.
>
> There are classes of such people, dimbulb. The
> market however is made by the big boys. You are
> definitely not acquainted with any of those folks
> except for having been pressed by them for getting
> your rent check in late a few times too many.
>
> > Your presumption that someone can pass on
> > all of their costs simply because they have
> those
> > costs is ridiculous.
>
> No, it's what happens, bozo. Landlords are not in
> the business of doing you any favors. Their costs
> in bringing rental space to market are passed on
> to those who do the renting. I don't know how
> anyone can be dumb enough not to realize that.


No, it's not what happens. It doesn't happen at an individual level, It doesn't happen at the REIT or commercial real estate levels. It doesn't happen with virtually any other business. What your costs/expenses are and what you can rent a property for are almost wholly independent things. If you don't understand that much, then you really are lost.


>
> > You sound like one of the idiots who took a "Get
> rich
> > quick in real estate" seminar.
>
> You should sign up for one of those. They cover
> the basics and you've so far missed out on ALL of
> those.


Well that explains it... You ARE one of those idiots. lmao

To answer the original question: Lived in the smallest fucking house in the nicest neighborhood I could afford. Stayed there until I could afford a single family home in a decent neighborhood. Took much longer than expected but thems the breaks. Also, it gave me a much greater appreciation for the house that I have now.

they don't. they are using borrowed money with partly your name to:

1) build shit only for them not you, ie housing

2) using your money to keep you from getting any money

3) game of thrones: it's musical chairs

they want you, NEED YOU, to get up and loose your seat so they
can sit in it, use your money to not let you sit back down
and they will ilkely do anything (poison, kill, ...) to do it
if (ie, illegal foreigner) desperate

which is especially bad when you consider many are from other countries that owe the money are have sent them here to avoid debt

but it's still a bitch if it's not a foreigner. exactly why Ronal Regan issued a freeze on, ie, air traffic control officers in DC. because when gov sets it's own pay and lies about competing pay: they just dont stop grabbing shit.

Well this area is unreasonably expensive. With little to no raises for the last several years. Good news is long term your home value may go up but that does not help with all the years before you sell your house. As part of a smart homeowner you may want to limit your mortgage interest. I used this guys formula to lower my monthly payment and decrease my interest. It is one way to keep some of your money when having a mortgage.
http://viennaonline.org/mortrefi/
Not everyone has a household making 250k. I wish as hell my house did.

Your source above is not actually very sophisticated. There are many factors that might go into the choice of what sort of mortgage instrument is best when purchasing a home. Once you have a mortgage however, you should plainly consider refinancing if the rate available in the market is at least 1% below the rate you are presently paying. The total amount of interest you are scheduled to pay over the life of a note is actually not a very meaningful number. Much of it is payable many years from now and hence has a much lower present value, and the average lifespan of a mortgage -- the time before an average homeowner moves or refinances -- has been running at about seven years. Most people are not average of course, and that number is likely to rise some as interest rates increase, but most people should really put very little stock in the notion that they are going to hold a mortgage to maturity. Very few of them actually make it anywhere near that far. More important than such theoretical long-term considerations are the practical short-term considerations of cash-flow. Homeowners will have many buckets to fill as they move into and through their peak earning years, and retaining the flexibility to pick and choose and tune their targets over time is a very serious matter.

I only bring home about $90K per year (on average). It's the only family income. My wife is a stay at home mom and we have three kids. It's getting harder and harder to survive! WTF does everyone around here do to make money?

I make 25k a year and live with my parents. Gonna get out of this hellhole as soon as I can save up 10k to fall back on.

$3.33 per meal per person Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> asdfgoiuyf Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Why are you spending $1200 a month on food for
> > four people?
> > I fed a family of four on half that. Do you
> shop
> > at Whole Paycheck?
> > Go to Aldi.
>
> Thats $10.00 per person per day $3.33 per meal per
> person. Two teens and two adults can eat for less
> but this is not an outrageously high number. By
> the way this includes maybe 4 bottles of wine as
> total alcohol consumption for the household per
> month. We eat out rarely and prepare almost all
> our meals at home. Maybe one or two cups of
> coffee out per week per adult.
>
> Oh and we only consume 1-3 pounds of animal
> protein per week total (we eat mostly veggies and
> plant derived protein.

I can eat for a lot less than $10 per day and I eat meat at every meal.

poor as fuck Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I only bring home about $90K per year (on
> average). It's the only family income. My wife is
> a stay at home mom and we have three kids. It's
> getting harder and harder to survive! WTF does
> everyone around here do to make money?


What does your wife look like? How are her oral skills? Consider putting her to work for 3 or 4 nights a week. You are sitting on a potential goldmine of all-cash income.

put her to work Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> poor as fuck Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I only bring home about $90K per year (on
> > average). It's the only family income. My wife
> is
> > a stay at home mom and we have three kids. It's
> > getting harder and harder to survive! WTF does
> > everyone around here do to make money?
>
>
> What does your wife look like? How are her oral
> skills? Consider putting her to work for 3 or 4
> nights a week. You are sitting on a potential
> goldmine of all-cash income.


Tax free too!

If you search for homes in Fairfax with the following criteria: 4 bedrooms, $750K or less, built within past 15 years, you get a few townhomes,no single families. All the single family homes that are less than 15-20 years old are close to $1M. Who buys these dumpy homes in Fairfax that were built in the 60s, 70s, 80s. God, there nubs. This area does suck. Do I buy a dumpy, outdated home in Fairfax that was built in 1976 or do I go way the hell out to Loudoun County and buy a modern looking home with 5-7 cookie cutter homes visible from my back porch.

Possible explanations:

1. Your search engine is screwed up.
2. Your expectations are screwed up.