There is a first time for everything. Why not give it a try? I’m sure Josh can come up with an angle. I guarantee if you are implying that I’m singing, that will run everybody off long before that ever happened. > On Mar 13, 2015, at 10:18 AM, BethAnn LaPresta (Redacted sender > "bela28_02@xxxxxxxxx" for DMARC) <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > > There is no singing at a boxing match... > > From: Thomas McMahan <thomas.mcmahan@xxxxxxx> > To: audio-pals@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > Sent: Friday, March 13, 2015 8:17 AM > Subject: [audio-pals] Re: Older Houses > > You’re going to be the one singing *lol*. You have experience already with > closet wrapping right? > > > >> On Mar 13, 2015, at 10:14 AM, BethAnn LaPresta (Redacted sender >> "bela28_02@xxxxxxxxx <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2>" >> for DMARC) <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2>> wrote: >> >> Cue Rocky music here folks...maybe I'll be the one selling the tickets this >> time there Joshie! >> >> From: Thomas McMahan <shadowmonstrosity@xxxxxxx >> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2>> >> To: audio-pals@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2> >> Sent: Friday, March 13, 2015 8:01 AM >> Subject: [audio-pals] Re: Older Houses >> >> Go for it. >> >> I still keep original copies, it will be interesting to see what she says. >> She actually may agree with it. Or maybe not. >> >> >> >>> On Mar 13, 2015, at 9:00 AM, Josh <lawdog911@xxxxxxxxxxx >>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2>> wrote: >>> >>> I’m going to have to tell Amanda you called her salty *LOL*. >>> >>> From: audio-pals-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2> >>> [mailto:audio-pals-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2>] On Behalf Of Thomas >>> McMahan >>> Sent: Friday, March 13, 2015 9:18 AM >>> To: audio-pals@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2> >>> Subject: [audio-pals] Re: Older Houses >>> >>> I think a garage is for storing your car away whether you get wet in the >>> process of getting inside or not. They are very handy up here whether >>> attached or detached. We have neither, it’s hard on a car sitting outside >>> all winter up here, shortens battery life at least, not good for the belts >>> either. >>> >>> Maybe Danny will let you park the car in his tree, but maybe then again you >>> won’t like to do that because he might drive it around and thats kind of >>> scary. >>> >>> At this point i would consider all options attached is best but if the >>> place is good enough a little rain once in a while on you won’t melt you. >>> Maybe Amanda but not you, salt just lumps up with a little water thats all >>> *lol*. >>> On Mar 13, 2015, at 7:40 AM, Josh <lawdog911@xxxxxxxxxxx >>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2>> wrote: >>>> >>>> Talking about a detached garage, Amanda had a couple of houses on her list >>>> that were detached garages, but I ruled them out before ever going to >>>> them. I think a detached garage is useless. The main reason I would want a >>>> garage in the first place is to stay out of the elements when they are bad >>>> and if I had a detached garage well then I am still going outside at some >>>> point in order to get in the house. Now, that the criteria has changed and >>>> shifted a bit so that we have more options though it may be that we >>>> reconsider detached garages at some point. After all we are now >>>> considering houses with carports whereas before we were not. >>>> >>>> From: audio-pals-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2> >>>> [mailto:audio-pals-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2>] On Behalf Of Thomas >>>> McMahan >>>> Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 2:37 PM >>>> To: audio-pals@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2> >>>> Subject: [audio-pals] Re: Older Houses >>>> >>>> No he couldn’t, we he won’t once the property tax comes around. Not in >>>> Chicago. Detroit maybe though. >>>> >>>>> On Mar 12, 2015, at 1:19 PM, BethAnn LaPresta (Redacted sender >>>>> "bela28_02@xxxxxxxxx >>>>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2>" for DMARC) >>>>> <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Actually for $120K, he could probably buy an entire block in Chicago... >>>>> >>>>> From: Thomas McMahan <thomas.mcmahan@xxxxxxx >>>>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2>> >>>>> To: audio-pals@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2> >>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 11:08 AM >>>>> Subject: [audio-pals] Re: Older Houses >>>>> >>>>> Why didn’t you tell us you lived in Chicago? Sounds very much the same >>>>> as it is up there. >>>>> >>>>> Hey Josh, I just thought of another option. There are lots of houses >>>>> available in Detroit. Heck you can probably buy yourself a school >>>>> building there. That would be a big house for you. Utilities might be a >>>>> little high though. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> On Mar 12, 2015, at 11:57 AM, BethAnn LaPresta (Redacted sender >>>>>> "bela28_02@xxxxxxxxx >>>>>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2>" for DMARC) >>>>>> <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> My house is in a neighborhood that is definitely considered "the hood". >>>>>> I refinanced in January at $130K and my payment is about $800/mo. My >>>>>> property taxes are spendy though, over $2K per year, so that adds almost >>>>>> $200/mo right there. They tossed 26 of my cottage style single detached >>>>>> homes on little 3900 sq ft. lots, so our cul-de-sac is very busy with >>>>>> all of us stacked up right against each other. But, living out west, >>>>>> things cost much more, it is shocking actually. >>>>>> >>>>>> I could've purchased a 100 yr. old home where Heather lives in Ohio with >>>>>> about the same size lot for $60K, just to give perspective. The guy who >>>>>> got himself into trouble with my house paid $263K for it in 2006 when >>>>>> real estate prices were obscene out here. Because he was short selling >>>>>> the home, I was able to get it for just $110K in 2011. A house on my >>>>>> street has just gone up for sale and they're asking $200K for 3 bedrooms >>>>>> (and they are tiny), 2 baths with one car detached garage. So, if I >>>>>> need to sell, I should still be able to make a little. >>>>>> >>>>>> Thought I should explain my monthly payment since I was saying I didn't >>>>>> think the $600/mo. seemed like enough. >>>>>> >>>>>> From: Thomas McMahan <shadowmonstrosity@xxxxxxx >>>>>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2>> >>>>>> To: audio-pals@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2> >>>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 9:23 AM >>>>>> Subject: [audio-pals] Re: Older Houses >>>>>> >>>>>> Oh mine btw was $162, because we’re cheap! *lol*. Then it went down to >>>>>> $150 then down to $128, but again we’re cheap and live in a piece of s— >>>>>> house, but as Pat used to say, “it’s our piece of S— *lol*. >>>>>> >>>>>>> On Mar 12, 2015, at 10:12 AM, BethAnn LaPresta (Redacted sender >>>>>>> "bela28_02@xxxxxxxxx >>>>>>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2>" for DMARC) >>>>>>> <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>>>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I am not sure that $600/month figure is accurate. I just refinanced at >>>>>>> 3.25% and my payment is $800/mo. (this does include property taxes and >>>>>>> insurance though). >>>>>>> >>>>>>> From: Josh <lawdog911@xxxxxxxxxxx >>>>>>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2>> >>>>>>> To: audio-pals@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>>>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2> >>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 4:44 AM >>>>>>> Subject: [audio-pals] Re: Older Houses >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Amanda did some figuring using a mortgage calculator online and the >>>>>>> 120,000 house was going to run us roughly 600 something a month for I >>>>>>> want to again say it was 1700 sq. ft. We currently live in a 1100 sq. >>>>>>> ft. apartment and pay 714.00 a month. So, given the differences there >>>>>>> and the fact that we have nothing to show for it at the end of the year >>>>>>> is a little much in my book. So, if the 120,000 was going to be 600 >>>>>>> something it would go to reason that the 112,000 would be less money >>>>>>> than that. Now, as far as utilities go, Knoxville Utilitiy Board (KUB) >>>>>>> will give us high and low figures for the last 12 months. The last 12 >>>>>>> months is a good thing providing there has been someone living in the >>>>>>> house, but if the house has sat empty then the numbers that KUB quotes >>>>>>> are not in the least bit accurate. I really like the idea of rolling >>>>>>> insurance and taxes into the monthly payment so that way at the end of >>>>>>> the year or whenever land taxes are due we are not hit with a big lump >>>>>>> sum of money to pay. Sure it would be nice to think that I could just >>>>>>> put that money back each month and not touch it, but the minute >>>>>>> something needs to be paid for guess where the land tax money goes that >>>>>>> was being put bac into an account. If it is figured into the monthly >>>>>>> payment then for the most part the majority of it will be paid >>>>>>> throughout the year. The thing that really sucks is that stinking PMI >>>>>>> payment each month. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> From: audio-pals-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>>>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2> >>>>>>> [mailto:audio-pals-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>>>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2>] On Behalf Of >>>>>>> Thomas McMahan >>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 4:58 AM >>>>>>> To: audio-pals@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>>>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2> >>>>>>> Subject: [audio-pals] Re: Older Houses >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I accidentally hit the send before cleaning up that mail darn it. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Here’s another little exercise to work on. Lets say you guys decide to >>>>>>> go for this house. You should have a ballpark of the monthly payment. >>>>>>> Sit down and plot out a budget around it on one paper, as well as a >>>>>>> list of possible repairs to do on another list and their costs. Yes a >>>>>>> house payment can be cheaper than rent, but their are other realities >>>>>>> such as the taxes, and insurance. Are you going to escrow your >>>>>>> insuranc and tax payments into your house payment? Most people do that >>>>>>> and it usually works out well until they assess your house taxes up and >>>>>>> then you have to make up the short fall. Of course if they assess them >>>>>>> downward you get a chunk of money back in the mail like my >>>>>>> sister-in-law has done the past two years. I didn’t escro my other >>>>>>> payments. I deal with insurance as I would any other utility, and we >>>>>>> would do our taxes on our own. Because of that I now pay my insurance >>>>>>> once a year and it’s cheaper, and once the house was paid for there was >>>>>>> less entanglement with the bank. I even removed the automatic withdraw >>>>>>> for house payment because they double dipped us a couple of different >>>>>>> months, and didn’t have a very good explanation as to why. So it put >>>>>>> us into over draw land, which isn’t a place you want to be. They did >>>>>>> the same to my sis-in-law too and she went in and practically threw a >>>>>>> fit because she wasn’t working at the time and didn’t have income yet. >>>>>>> They refunded her money on that one, but as she asked them, “now how am >>>>>>> I supposed to pay the rest of my bills? You think you guys are my only >>>>>>> bill to pay?” Banks and their computers can be sloppy sometimes. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Now when you do your budget here’s another game to play which may be >>>>>>> beneficial. Can you run your whole budget on one income? Everybody >>>>>>> that lives as a couple should do this whether renting or paying for a >>>>>>> house. Most of us find we can’t, but it is a nice goal. The guy we >>>>>>> had going along with us to check out houses etc and sort of pointed and >>>>>>> guided us along through the process gave us that little bit of wisdom. >>>>>>> As he said, what happens if Pat loses her job and can’t get one very >>>>>>> fast? Can you live on just your income alone, because if you can get >>>>>>> to that point, then you can start paying extra against your house on >>>>>>> it’s principle and have more paid off faster which is good for the >>>>>>> credit rating, but if you decide to move in 20 years you are carrying >>>>>>> less of a load thus will get more money back to leverage against your >>>>>>> next place should you decide to do that. Or you can both pay some >>>>>>> extra on house and car, then put the rest in the bank against major >>>>>>> repairs which are going to come even if you buy a house that was built >>>>>>> today, in 30 years you will have to had to replace things, they just >>>>>>> don’t build stuff that good anymore and sometimes that includes homes >>>>>>> btw. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Lots of decisions, but at least it looks like you guys aren’t just >>>>>>> jumping right and grabbing what shines in front of you which is good. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Btw, I don’t think our budget is currently within the lowest income >>>>>>> level of the house here at this time which would be Patti’s income, >>>>>>> although it’s not way above that amount. It is a good goal to work for >>>>>>> actually, so we will be able to start seriously working on this place. >>>>>>> Get a lot of little stuff done over time, then do a loan down the road >>>>>>> and fix the major stuff such as re doing the roof etc. I don’t think I >>>>>>> am going to lift the house and work on foundation, but it would be nice >>>>>>> to do actually. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> But it’s a good exercise to do. I would run it on your income Josh >>>>>>> because it is likely to always be there and Amanda’s income is the >>>>>>> variable one, it can be lower if she’s out of work, but can also be a >>>>>>> lot higher should land a great paying job. Drop in everything, credit >>>>>>> cards the whole deal, then figure out once you get to where you’re >>>>>>> going which angles to cover and get paid off in the budget. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I am guessing you guys have done some of this already though in >>>>>>> preparing for checking out the housing market and talking to lenders >>>>>>> because they are going to do roughly the same thing when checking your >>>>>>> credit etc. Especially if it’s a conservative bank. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Now I think I’ve completed all I was going to say. Took two e-mails, >>>>>>> but if I had been able to clean up the other one first it would have >>>>>>> fitted into one probably *lol*. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Instead you get two. >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Mar 12, 2015, at 3:34 AM, Thomas McMahan <shadowmonstrosity@xxxxxxx >>>>>>>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2>> wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Wouldn’t worry about a house on market for 5 months. Most around here >>>>>>>> are on a year or so. To many deals fall through each time that >>>>>>>> happens that just adds more time that the house is sitting there. >>>>>>>> Age, is only a problem if the house hasn’t been kept up and modernized >>>>>>>> over the years. There are people who prefer older houses simply >>>>>>>> because they are more solid. The house I live in was placed here in >>>>>>>> 1922. Yes it came from somewhere else. The house next door is older >>>>>>>> and was also brought in here from another place too. Fairly common in >>>>>>>> a town that springs up by a railroad. I wouldn’t worry so much about >>>>>>>> that as apposed to how it’s fundamentally built, there are a lot of >>>>>>>> newer places that are likely to give you just as much trouble if not >>>>>>>> more. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Any house is going to have ongoing mantainence of some kind. Sided >>>>>>>> house are nice but siding fades over the years for example and >>>>>>>> eventually would need replacing. Wooden houses have their things that >>>>>>>> have to be done, and so would brick, but brick is the best option as >>>>>>>> far as I’m concerned accept maybe when a big earthquake comes, then I >>>>>>>> would favor a wooden house, but what are the chances of that huh? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I don’t know the market down there anymore so don’t know if that is a >>>>>>>> low ball figure on that house or not, but I can tell you it is larger >>>>>>>> than mine is and mine is two stories, but so is it’s price too. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Go through it with a fine tooth comb with the idea of what has to be >>>>>>>> fixed now, and then in the next 5 years and what would be ongoing over >>>>>>>> the years, I don’t think for the long term ongoing it will be much >>>>>>>> different than a 10 year old house verses the 60 year old house, but >>>>>>>> agin it is a matter of what would immediately have to be worked on. >>>>>>>> When was the house last occupied too? A house that hasn’t been >>>>>>>> occupied for a good while can have problems such as drainage because >>>>>>>> they haven’t been flushed etc. It sounds like you already have >>>>>>>> someone with you who knows how to examine a foundation well and give >>>>>>>> you an idea of what would have to be done and when which is good. >>>>>>>> Same with tuck pointing brick etc. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> It may be sitting on market because folks think it’s to high also, but >>>>>>>> you are going to drop in a price and they will take it or leave it, or >>>>>>>> you both the buyer and seller will eventually come up with something >>>>>>>> in the middle, or the seller is going to have an empty house on their >>>>>>>> hands. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> What heating and cooling does it have, and when was it installed too >>>>>>>> that is a factor, a 30 year old furnace is getting kind of old in this >>>>>>>> part of the world, but most of our furnaces are gas and they do have >>>>>>>> to work pretty hard for a good part of the year. Does it have any >>>>>>>> chimnies, and where do they run through the house. Ones that run >>>>>>>> through centers of houses on the surface are nice, but when they have >>>>>>>> to be worked on they are a lot more work. Of course where you live a >>>>>>>> lot of homes are electric heat and electric water heat, which is >>>>>>>> another thing to add to your check list, how old is the water heater >>>>>>>> and when will you be replacing that. A brand new house obviously you >>>>>>>> would get to wait a while before doing that, but chances are you would >>>>>>>> have to do it eventually, or have your price knocked down when you are >>>>>>>> selling it, or when your descendants are selling it. But that goes >>>>>>>> with any house again. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> What neighborhood is it in? How accessible is it to you. Pretend >>>>>>>> Amanda had to leave town for a Month and start your math, what is easy >>>>>>>> to get to via walking etc. Maybe that isn’t a problem for you at this >>>>>>>> moment, but life can always hand you changes, and well, next thing you >>>>>>>> know, you are walking to the grocery store if you know what I mean. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Find out what their highest bills were for each utility in the last >>>>>>>> year it was occupied if you can, you need that in planning a general >>>>>>>> budget. I don’t know your property tax situation anymore, but here >>>>>>>> they just give an estimate from the seller, but the problem is, that >>>>>>>> if the sell lived in the house for a long time you might get a little >>>>>>>> surprise when the annual taxes come. Our’s wasn’t a surprise because >>>>>>>> the previous owner hadn’t lived or owned the house for to long. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> So it becomes also a matter of do you get a house that you won’t have >>>>>>>> to do any work or as little work as possible on, verses one that may >>>>>>>> have to have some work done, or one that is a fixer upper. We bought >>>>>>>> a fixer upper, but when we bought it was a seller’s market, it >>>>>>>> definitely isn’t that nowadays, so we went for a house we knew we >>>>>>>> could likely get. Well the trade off is that it’s needed work done on >>>>>>>> it and still does actually, but likely we would at least get some >>>>>>>> money back when we sell it. Maybe not a lot but probably some when >>>>>>>> all is said and done, and of course the sell of this place could be >>>>>>>> the lverage to getting a better place. It’s probably what you parents >>>>>>>> did, if not them then your grand parents did, that is more the normal >>>>>>>> thing in history. Well up until recently where you have people who >>>>>>>> expect to buy a brand new house that is larger than what their parents >>>>>>>> owned as their first house. Well if it can be swung, go for it, but >>>>>>>> to me it’s a little unrealistic, well to my income level it is *lol*. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> What appliances are already there, and how quickly do you think you >>>>>>>> will be having to replace say: stove, washer, or more of a bear >>>>>>>> dishwasher? What about cabinetry etc, is Amanda happy with that, >>>>>>>> having that done can also be expensive unless you have someone who >>>>>>>> works with you to give you a break. How much stuff will you guys do >>>>>>>> on your own for modifications verses having to hire outsiders. So yes >>>>>>>> the advantage of a new place is that you won’t have to do that, but I >>>>>>>> guarantee you will pay up front for that, but that is why newer houses >>>>>>>> don’t stay on market long. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> So then it falls back to degree of work and mantainence that has to be >>>>>>>> done. >>>>>>>>> On Mar 11, 2015, at 9:41 PM, Josh <lawdog911@xxxxxxxxxxx >>>>>>>>> <applewebdata://41FBB680-3689-444B-8094-AD6ACD7FAED2>> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Hello, >>>>>>>>> We are finding tons of older houses that we absolutely love. When I >>>>>>>>> say older I am talking 1950’s. I am struggling with this a bit though >>>>>>>>> because I am looking ahead, past when I am living there. Or rather to >>>>>>>>> the point that I am ready to not live there anymore. So, when I get >>>>>>>>> to the point of not wanting to live there anymore it could be 10, 20, >>>>>>>>> 30 or more years down the road, but I am sure there will come a time >>>>>>>>> that I am ready to move on. If this is not the case and I stay there >>>>>>>>> until I die then it is not a concern, However, a 1950 house that I >>>>>>>>> live in for 20 years will then be 85 years old. I know the specific >>>>>>>>> house that we are looking at has been on the market for right about 5 >>>>>>>>> months. So, what do you all think, do you think I would have trouble >>>>>>>>> selling an 85 year old home? It is on the market for 5 months at the >>>>>>>>> age of 65 years old. It is right about 112,000.00 right now without >>>>>>>>> negotiating a lower price. Do you think I would be able to get my >>>>>>>>> money back? If it is not a major concern, the age of the house, then >>>>>>>>> I will not let it sway my decision, but taking into consideration >>>>>>>>> that it is an all brick rancher with over 1700 sq. ft. and it is >>>>>>>>> almost 100,000.00 and still on the market concerns me regardless how >>>>>>>>> beautiful the house seems right now. >> >> >> > > >