Housing Cost Revisit- What's your expense to keep your house afloat?

[Bestwifeever]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danmar OK I'm leaving myself wide open for criticism here. We have 4 places with the following yearly costs: Canmore-$36k, Ontario lake house $40k (although much higher this year), Toronto condo-$24k, Arizona about $90k (although we are still getting this place into shape). This includes some travel to get between the places. Certainly not cheap. The value of our personal use real estate represents about 20% of our net worth. Really enjoy these places but certainly not a life style for everyone.

I am an excellent house sitter, just so you know. No criticism here either.

[CoolChange]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bestwifeever I am an excellent house sitter, just so you know. No criticism here either.

+1 here. Although, I am only a good house sitter in warm climates; so, I would be useless most of the year in at least 75% of your properties. AZ summers don't frighten me a bit though.

Seriously, it sounds like you are enjoying your choices and have the means to support them; so, please ignore any criticism you do get, here or elsewhere.

[NW-Bound]

Should I count RV-related expenses as housing costs? After all, I lived in it for many weeks each year. Cheap class C motorhome as it is, the little beast is thirsty!

Nah. I will keep classifying its costs under travel.

[MRG]

I'm moving.

MRG

[FANOFJESUS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danmar OK I'm leaving myself wide open for criticism here. We have 4 places with the following yearly costs: Canmore-$36k, Ontario lake house $40k (although much higher this year), Toronto condo-$24k, Arizona about $90k (although we are still getting this place into shape). This includes some travel to get between the places. Certainly not cheap. The value of our personal use real estate represents about 20% of our net worth. Really enjoy these places but certainly not a life style for everyone.

Danmar you win on the high side LOL
Looks like aaronc879 is the winner on the low side.

Good job guys you both sound like you are having fun. aaronc879 I admire you. You are one of my role models on this forum. It is very interesting to me what it cost to live in different parts of the country.

[aaronc879]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rec7 Danmar you win on the high side LOL Looks like aaronc879 is the winner on the low side. Good job guys you both sound like you are having fun. aaronc879 I admire you. You are one of my role models on this forum. It is interesting to me what it cost to live in different parts of the country.

I'd rather have his means but i'm better off than many. I will likely downsize in the not too distant future.

[FANOFJESUS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronc879 I'd rather have his means but i'm better off than many. I will likely downsize in the not too distant future.

Do you think you can bring your housing cost down some more?

[Ronstar]

My Az condo checks in at:

taxes 1500
HOA 2920
Utils 2427
Ins 500
Total 7347

[FANOFJESUS]

aaronc879 we are living on 15k-16k here in MO for our overall budget. But our housing cost is about 2k higher that yours. Good job aaronc879

[Major Tom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danmar OK I'm leaving myself wide open for criticism here.

Heavens no. No criticism here either. The only people I have difficulty dealing with are those who live beyond their means (however big or small those means are) and refuse to change their ways, even when impending crisis is staring them in the face. You are obviously not one of those people. Enjoy your homes!

[aaronc879]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rec7 Do you think you can bring your housing cost down some more?

With what i'm doing for work right now, i'm only going to be home around 100 days per year. I'm considering selling or renting my condo and buying a cargo van to live in. I'd invest some money into it to make it comfortable and efficient. I think it'd save me a lot of money in the long run with minimal sacrifice. I've had noise problems at my condo for years so I don't think it would decrease my quality of life living in a van. I can move my home to where the nice weather is and where the work is. I have a membership at 24 hour fitness so I can go to a gym anywhere in the country to exercise and take a shower. It's certainly not for everyone but I think it would be good for me. It's at least worth a try.

[FANOFJESUS]

Not a high risk idea and if it noisy you can move the van to a quiet place. On a side note I have also heard of people living in camping places at a reasonable price. Lots of work in North Dakota but you would have to have that van super insulated. You got me thinking a 100 days a year? Maybe even a cheap rental? But maybe you could get in a better area with the van.

[Danmar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFWR How to make a million in real estate? Start with two million...

Actually, in total our real estate has appreciated by about 50% over cost. biggest winner is Paradise Valley, AZ. Don't own these places for capital appreciation though.

[Calico]

1050 sf ranch, NC
Septic and community well; propane heat.

Monthly:

Insurance 50
Taxes 100
Electricity 80
Propane 85
Water 25
Trash service 30
Yard guys 90
Internet 40
Upkeep 100

Total: 600/month

[RobLJ]

Houston suburb (2400 sq ft & pool)

6000/yr taxes
800 insurance
1800 utilities (mostly AC)
1200 yard (until retired)
360 internet

Not bad for about 900/month. We're moving to Seattle & downsizing when we pull the plug in a few years, but I'm calculating it will be about the same.

[aaronc879]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rec7 Not a high risk idea and if it noisy you can move the van to a quiet place. On a side note I have also heard of people living in camping places at a reasonable price. Lots of work in North Dakota but you would have to have that van super insulated. You got me thinking a 100 days a year? Maybe even a cheap rental? But maybe you could get in a better area with the van.

Other than visiting family in Wisconsin during the holidays I wouldn't go to any cold weather states Nov-Feb so wouldn't have to insulate much if at all. I would go to camping places sometimes but not too often. I can pretty much work when and where I want at about a dozen different sites through out the country. So i'd go north in the summer and south in the winter. I can take time off anytime I want without affecting future jobs so that's a plus.

[Gumby]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enuff2Eat these number are frighteningly high. Just imaging adding says $14,000.00 for a mortgage, young people will work the first two week just to pay for housing only.

A mortgage to buy my house would run you roughly $36,000 per year (P&I), for a total operating cost of $60,000 per year. But young people just starting out typically are not the ones who would be buying it.

[WhoDaresWins]

2000 sq. foot single family home about 25 miles to the southeast of Pittsburgh, PA; built in 2004 as a spec home.

$3600 a year in property taxes
water: $200.00 a year
sewage: $240.00 a year
trash/recycling: about $160.00 a year
lawn care/snow removal: $1800 a year on average
electricity: $600 a year on average
gas: $600 a year on average
homeowners insurance/umbrella: approx. $1000.00 a year
repairs/systems maintenance: approx. $500.00 a year on average (so far)

I bought a new front-loader washing machine in 2010 for $900.00 but that has been about it for appliances (so far). I splurged on the stove and fridge in 2004 so I hope they last me for the duration in this home. I am nervous reading posts about hot water heaters. No problems so far but maybe next year after reading on this forum and Bogleheads, I will have mine checked. My AC/furnace/hot water heater are all builder's grade stuff.

I sold a second home in FL late last year and am happy to have that albatross removed from my neck. Anyplace else I reside in retirement during the winter months will be rented.

Edit: I forgot cable TV/internet/phone: $180.00 a month.

Gee, I live an expensive lifestyle, maybe I should rethink retiring in July 2014 (NOT!!!)

[NW-Bound]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronc879 Other than visiting family in Wisconsin during the holidays I wouldn't go to any cold weather states Nov-Feb so wouldn't have to insulate much if at all. I would go to camping places sometimes but not too often. I can pretty much work when and where I want at about a dozen different sites through out the country. So i'd go north in the summer and south in the winter. I can take time off anytime I want without affecting future jobs so that's a plus.

Aaron, do not rule out a small RV, either a small MH pulling a car, or a truck or van pulling a travel trailer. Bought used, these do not cost that much and give you much more comfort than a converted cargo van.

[NanoSour]

Small urban area in NW. Home value of $350K

Property Tax: $3158
Elec/Gas: 130/month
Water/Sewer/Waste: 130/month
Insurance: 542

Annual: $6820