Recent content by JimK

Thanks. I can think through the emotional part, I'm here to find out the otimal path to the best financial situation in retirement. Thanks...

Thank you. What percentage of return is that? I've read that it's not wise to expect to be able to get more than 6-8% a year in t4he market, and look out for the down side... ??? Did you get a loan for the 169K ormost of it? How does that change the picture? Thanks.

Good thoughts. Thanks much.

Thanks. It's being built by a builder with 30 years in this area, and an excellent reputation. I can not get anything on the used market remotely close in value to what he is building me on this lot he needs to sell. Any thoughts on my question? Thanks, Jim

Any advice very much appreciated, thanks. I am about to have a home built, for $135K, probably 20-25K down, hoping for 5% interest on a 30 year FHA loan. Mortgage, interest, taxes, and mortgage insurance will be around $850/mo. Currently rent for 600/mo. I'm 54, earn 60K/yr. Plan to retire in...

Wow. One of the properties I looked at had a Section 8 tenant.

Thanks, Letj. Is the 30% you look for a function of how things are where you live?

Heh, thanks.

Hm, how'd the "confused about dryer sheets" tag get attached to me? Oh well, could be worse I suppose....

Thanks everyone. I'm just going by the news headlines....announcements about home sales figures (numbers of sales, prices). However, I do have a small number of accurate crystal balls. I need to sell a few of them...

Hi everyone, Our town, Las Cruces, has had much less housing market dip than some places. It seems housing prices still may have more downward movement from news today. I'm looking at a multi-family (fourplex). It's a good deal and an unusually good property for around here. Does a smart real...

Thanks. It there a standard figure for eviction fees people use in figuring this? Thanks, Jim

Thank you HpRyder. I don't understand the * monthly PITI I understand subtracting all costs from rent. Those costs are monthly PITI, maintenance, vacancy, legal fees, rehab costs. But I don't understand why you multiply vacancy by monthly PITI. It seems like you have already included...

Hi all, thanks warmly for the welcomes, and the congrats on my tenure. It's been a long tough road. I have identified a property, I want it, but the asking is 288K and by my figures, at $225K it will work and not demand too much more than I lay out now for my apartment's rent. Anyway, there are...

Hi, I'm 54, have had my head buried in my career, and am just starting to think about retirement, now that I have earned tenure. Salary 60K, have a very large student loan, still renting. I started my prof job pretty late in life, at 48. Have thought about nothing but science, publishing...