House shopping, you decide.

[shmike]

Our house shopping is finally appearing to net some results.

There are two places that we are interested in but are at opposite sides of the spectrum.

Both places meet our requirements and are about the same price. Both are move-in ready.

Given the choice which would you choose?

House A (Gixxer 1000):
Pros:
HUGE 5 bed / 5 bath 3500+ sq.ft.
HUGE, Incredible yard
3 car garage
Beautiful, gated community

Cons:
High carrying costs (high HOA, big electric, big lawn bills, insurance, etc.)
Less desirable area
45 minute commute


House B (SV 650):
Pros:
Location, location, location
Nice house, nice neighborhood
5 minute commute to work, beach, downtown
More desirable area
Smaller = lower costs of upkeep


Cons:
May want to upgrade/upsize when kids come along
Neighborhood is decent, doesn’t “wow” you
Yard is plenty big for entertaining but not big enough for fiddys


All constructive input is appreciated.

[pauldun170]

What's the sq ft on house B?

You have told us next to nothing on house B.

House A sound like the choice not to make

[HurricaneHeather]

I'd go smaller, but I think the idea of any less than 10 people living in 3500 sq ft is just assanine. :lol:

That's personal preference. I'd rather have a cozier place with lower bills(including gas mileage) than a giant box out in the suburbs. I had the big box in suburbs. It's mega lame.

[Trip]

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBoobs

Plan B

[wildchild]

house A sounds like a waste unless you're really into trying to impress people from the "outside" No kids why have that big of house. huge costs can get much worse if something needs to be fixed. Yeah don't think contractors don't notice the size of the house being worked on. if you look like you got money they'll want a lot of it.

House B sounds like a no brainer. good location/size/price all good

House C sounds like you already don't really like it but if it was a choice between it and being homeless you'd make do with it.

[shmike]

What's the sq ft on house B?

You have told us next to nothing on house B.

House A sound like the choice not to make


House B is a 3/2 2cg just shy of 2000 sq. ft.

What else would you like to know?

[HurricaneHeather]

House B is a 3/2 2cg just shy of 2000 sq. ft.

What else would you like to know?

I'd like to know why you are even thinking about House A. :lol:

2000 is a lot of space. Like a lot.

[shmike]

I'd like to know why you are even thinking about House A. :lol:

2000 is a lot of space. Like a lot.

I think we would end up knocking down some walls.

The bedrooms are nice and big but the center of the house doesn't flow as well as I'd like.

If it were more open, I wouldn't think twice about it.

[pauldun170]

I'd like to know why you are even thinking about House A. :lol:

2000 is a lot of space. Like a lot.

:iagree:

[HurricaneHeather]

I think we would end up knocking down some walls.

The bedrooms are nice and big but the center of the house doesn't flow as well as I'd like.

If it were more open, I wouldn't think twice about it.

Oh okay, I gotcha.

Do you have pics of floor plans?

[cuttle]

knocking down walls isn't hard to do.

you save 1 hr a day on commute - this should give you plenty of time to fix the hole in the wall.

[Fleck750]

House B is a 3/2 2cg just shy of 2000 sq. ft.

What else would you like to know?

How big is the garage? You have to have someplace to call your own, ya know.

And the money you save NOT paying HOA fees can go toward renovation.

And yes, I watch HGTV WAAAAAAY too much.

[shmike]

How big is the garage? You have to have someplace to call your own, ya know.

And the money you save NOT paying HOA fees can go toward renovation.

And yes, I watch HGTV WAAAAAAY too much.

It is a 2 car garage but they took some garage space to widen the laundry room.

As soon as I saw it, I said "That wall will be removed before we move in."

The listing agent was horrified. :lol:

[RACER X]

2000 sq ft gets real real small when you start having kids...........

school district?

[Fleck750]

It is a 2 car garage but they took some garage space to widen the laundry room.

As soon as I saw it, I said "That wall will be removed before we move in."

The listing agent was horrified. :lol:

Laundry can be done outside, the bike and car are much more important. :D

But the short commute would be the deal sealer. You can't buy time, or sanity, which commutes suck the life out of. :cool:

And this way you can put the car up on blocks, which you can't due in an HOA place.

[Fleck750]

2000 sq ft gets real real small when you start having kids...........

I was raised in a 1200 sq. ft. house with 6 of us living there. Kids can go outside, make friends, go to THEIR houses instead of yours. We also had a full basement.

[unknownroad]

You're in FL, right? Does house A's neighborhood have a lot of foreclosures?

House B sounds like a winner. 5 minutes to the beach and downtown has a LOT of value. Jobs come and go, but the beach ain't movin'.

I wouldn't call 2000 sq ft a ton of space (me, my wife, and 4 cats fill it pretty well with all our crap), but it's certainly not crowded for the average family.

And does B have space to expand the garage? Build a workshop/bike storage/detatched? A regular 2-carhole leaves zero room to boogie. But if you don't have to deal with HOA bullshit and have at least a bit of land, there's potential.

I would guess that house A is new/recent construction, and B is older, maybe 80s? New construction in boom areas tends to be of shit quality, but tropical weather ages stuff quickly.

[HurricaneHeather]

2000 sq ft gets real real small when you start having kids...........

My parents raised three kids in 1000 sq ft. Stayed there until we were all grown and out of the house. :shrug:

[Fleck750]

My parents raised three kids in 1000 sq ft. Stayed there until we were all grown and out of the house. :shrug:

And you learned how to respect each others space/stuff, I bet. Either that or you learned how to run. :D

[RACER X]

you can raise a family in an outhouse, doesn't mean you or the family will like it.

and babies take up alot more room then older kids.

[HurricaneHeather]

And you learned how to respect each others space/stuff, I bet. Either that or you learned how to run. :D

That and we actually spent time together as a family, went outside to play, learned to appreciate our time alone(rare as it was). :shrug:

you can raise a family in an outhouse, doesn't mean you or the family will like it.

and babies take up alot more room then older kids.

Ed, you are such a Houstonite. :lol:

[RACER X]

yup , i live in houston (well not anymore really) but anyways, whats your point?

we came out of a 1800sq ft townhouse, it sucked w/ 1 kid.

just cuz you had fond memories of your child, doesn't mean back then you wished you had your own room or space. you just don't remember it.

fleck/hurri-heather , do ya'll have kids?

[pauldun170]

We have a 3 bedroom ranch that's just under 1400sq feet on 100x100

No problem with 2 kids, 2 adults, 2 cats and 2 goldfish.

[R6Chick]

I would consider that a good location would = greater land/house appreciation.

Also, I've seen HOA's raise their fees like crazy in some places. If the carry costs are high now, what will happen later....

Plus if a smaller house means not being house poor...

Definately B!

[RACER X]

We have a 3 bedroom ranch that's just under 1400sq feet on 100x100

No problem with 2 kids, 2 adults, 2 cats and 2 goldfish.

and if you could have bigger?

my guess is the i-net answer would be, we'd stay.....:?:

[HurricaneHeather]

yup , i live in houston (well not anymore really) but anyways, whats your point?

we came out of a 1800sq ft townhouse, it sucked w/ 1 kid.

just cuz you had fond memories of your child, doesn't mean back then you wished you had your own room or space. you just don't remember it.

fleck/hurri-heather , do ya'll have kids?

Not everyone wants excessive large places. That is a suburbanites mindset that more is better. :wink: More than anything when I was kid I just wished we had an air conditioner. :lol: We all had our own rooms, what more do you need? Seriously? If you have your own room to get away and shut the door, what else would you want? I had enough room for my toys and clothes and myself. When I was a teenager my dad made a vanity in my room with lights and a mirror so I could get ready in my room. It worked.

[defector]

We went with house A when we bought. It wasn't exactly like your description, but it isn't that far off either.

We looked at all of the trade offs and decided that for us, it was the right choice overall.

[skiergirl]

couple other things to think about -

how long do you plan to live there? with the housing market in the toilet right now you can pick up those huge houses in fancy places pretty dirt cheap. Hold on to that for about 2 years and you might find yourself making a large profit selling it for something you want in a better location.

Resale value of either house? school districts? even though you don't have kids a potential buyer might.

You mentioned renovating the smaller house, how much will that cost you? if you're going to spend 30K on renovations why not get a house that doesn't require that?

[RACER X]

Not everyone wants excessive large places.

well if he's considering it then he's thought about buying it as well.

and smaller always isn't better also.

how'd you have a 4bdrm 1000sq ft house?

[cuttle]

possible needs for a mac-mansion:

show off

doesn't like to be around the spouse

can't control the children - or doesn't like children

compensation for a small ****

underground pot-farm

likes to waste money on utility bills

[RACER X]

likes to waste money on utility bills

so what do you consider exp?

[HurricaneHeather]

well if he's considering it then he's thought about buying it as well.

and smaller always isn't better also.

how'd you have a 4bdrm 1000sq ft house?

2000 isn't small to most people, unless you have a thousand indoor hobbies to house.

And cheap houses built in the 70's with really small rooms. :shrug:

My parents sold the house not to long ago, but I guess they took down the listing. I was gonna post it up so you didn't think I was lying. :lol:

[cuttle]

so what do you consider exp?

Anything over $300 month for power/water/gas













easy for me to say - I have spring water

[Fleck750]

you can raise a family in an outhouse, doesn't mean you or the family will like it.

and babies take up alot more room then older kids.

I understand that, but people only take up as much room as you allow them. I raised my son in 800 sq ft house. He had his room, I had mine. One TV, one bathroom, one kitchen. I was the adult in the house that decided things. My kid didn't run the house, I did. Sure, it was small, but I had a good sized yard which I grew flowers and he played. It was also what I could afford and pay bills in.

[Fleck750]

Anything over $300 month for power/water/gas


easy for me to say - I have spring water

We rent here in KC. The gas bills runs me $300 bucks a month in the winter. The duplex is 500 sq feet and the thermostat never goes over 67 degrees. Air cond. is costing 150 a month, at 80 degrees. All depends on where you live, I guess.

[RACER X]

I understand that, but people only take up as much room as you allow them. I raised my son in 800 sq ft house. He had his room, I had mine. One TV, one bathroom, one kitchen. I was the adult in the house that decided things. My kid didn't run the house, I did. Sure, it was small, but I had a good sized yard which I grew flowers and he played. It was also what I could afford and pay bills in.ok, if you could have afforded more, would you have moved to a bigger nicer neighborhood?

i think we pay $300-325/mos for all our bills gas/elec/water, adn this was last month, w/ 100+ deg temps everyday, and Z at home w/ the AC cranked. thats for cuttle.........and we have a 3400+ sq ft house. so we prolly pay alot less then fleck in bills throughout the yr........so who's wasting?

[Fleck750]

ok, if you could have afforded more, would you moved to a bigger nicer neighborhood?

Probably not. I'm not much into neighborhoods, just a nice sized yard. I like living in town, but hate neighbors. Doesn't matter how nice the houses are, there are always poopheads that inhabit them, regardless of how much money they make. :hangman:

[RACER X]

Probably not. I'm not much into neighborhoods, just a nice sized yard. I like living in town, but hate neighbors. Doesn't matter how nice the houses are, there are always poopheads that inhabit them, regardless of how much money they make. :hangman:

ok, same neighborhood, same everything, what would you want for your family, 800sq ft or 2500?

[cuttle]

ok, if you could have afforded more, would you have moved to a bigger nicer neighborhood?

i think we pay $300-325/mos for all our bills gas/elec/water, adn this was last month, w/ 100+ deg temps everyday, and Z at home w/ the AC cranked. thats for cuttle.........and we have a 3400+ sq ft house. so we prolly pay alot less then fleck in bills throughout the yr........so who's wasting?

Now imagine the money you could save by having a smaller house....

ok, same neighborhood, same everything, what would you want for your family, 800sq ft or 2500?

There is a difference between 2000 and 3500..... (a whole house for the average person)

[Fleck750]

ok, same neighborhood, same everything, what would you want for your family, 800sq ft or 2500?

800. I hate cleaning. :D No, really.

The whole point of raising children is getting them out of the house. If it's a small house, they'll move out sooner. :p

[goof2]

Some additional factors have already been mentioned. Age of each house. School districts. Amount of foreclosures in each neighborhood. What you are going to have to spend to get either house how you want it.

Some that haven't been mentioned. Traffic in each area. Crime in each area. Sex offenders in each area. How much you are stretching your finances to buy.

If it were me, with all things being equal, I would go with house A. While most on this board would prefer the smaller house, from what I have seen most in the public would choose the larger house. At least around here there are a lot more families who would prefer a 5/5/3,500 over a 3/2/2,000.

[RACER X]

Now imagine the money you could save by having a smaller house....



There is a difference between 2000 and 3500..... (a whole house for the average person)

OR NOT, my point was fleck pays more then i do for bills, yet he's in an apt. buying a "nicer" house may be more efficient that your not gonna get w/ a cheaper house, i know my builder doesn't build less then 3000sq ft. so who's to say another builders 2000sq ft house is as effecient as my 3500.

ok same neighborhood samo samo, would fleck rather have his family in a 800sq ft house or 3500sq ft house, both that he can afford comfortable.
800. I hate cleaning. :D No, really.

The whole point of raising children is getting them out of the house. If it's a small house, they'll move out sooner. :p

NOW thats a great point........lol, we have kids to clean.......kekeke, ok a maid right now till the kids get older.

[HurricaneHeather]

OR NOT, my point was fleck pays more then i do for bills, yet he's in an apt. buying a "nicer" house may be more efficient that your not gonna get w/ a cheaper house, i know my builder doesn't build less then 3000sq ft. so who's to say another builders 2000sq ft house is as effecient as my 3500.

ok same neighborhood samo samo, would fleck rather have his family in a 800sq ft house or 3500sq ft house, both that he can afford comfortable.


NOW thats a great point........lol

1. Fleck's a chick
2. Fleck I'm guessing is in an older house than yours, so that has to be taken into consideration when you think about efficiency. And EVERYONE in KC has $300 gas bills in the winter.

[RACER X]

1. Fleck's a chick
2. Fleck I'm guessing is in an older house than yours, so that has to be taken into consideration when you think about efficiency. And EVERYONE in KC has $300 gas bills in the winter.

oops

sure it does, but cuttle made a blanket statement about big houses and big elec. bill that always isn't true.

and why am i the only 1 defending "big" houses, :whatwhat:, i know troy and lee both have big houses......:hitfan:

[Homeslice]

Choice B period

Choice A tends to be foreclosure central.........Younger, less-stable homeowners who bought way out in the outskirts because that's the only place they could afford to buy a real house instead of a condo. But they're not desireable neighborhoods because they don't have any history, they aren't close to anything, and the architecture is generic. So they suffered the biggest drops in value. See: desert areas of Cali, Phoenix and Vegas.

[cuttle]

i know my builder doesn't build less then 3000sq ft. so who's to say another builders 2000sq ft house is as effecient as my 3500.

apparently your builder is the only builder in the world that's able to build energy efficient....

[Fleck750]

1. Fleck's a chick
2. Fleck I'm guessing is in an older house than yours, so that has to be taken into consideration when you think about efficiency. And EVERYONE in KC has $300 gas bills in the winter.

When I had my 800 sq ft house, the bills never cost me over $150 a month. I spent money in new windows and it was insulated VERY well. It was 80 yrs. old, but it was built with solid oak, and had no structural problems. Also, the smaller the house, the cheaper the taxes.

I'm a small minority, I know. I hate huge houses. You never see the people you live with, something always needs cleaning. We live in a small duplex at the moment, but we have a basement, so it allows a spot to spend time alone, usually cleaning/working on the bikes. Everyone needs a refuge, but I would rather it be the basement than 3500 sq ft. :)

[RACER X]

Choice B period

Choice A is what resulted in a lot of the foreclosures.........A bunch of tools who bought way out in the outskirts where the only advantage is lots of space for the dollar. But they're not desireable neighborhoods because they don't have any history, they aren't close to anything, and the architecture is generic. So they suffered the biggest drops in value.

and here i thought CA AZ and FLA were the reason for all our probs being what 50+% of the F/C are in those 3 states.

[RACER X]

apparently your builder is the only builder in the world that's able to build energy efficient....

talking w/ alot of peeps you'd think. for whatever reason "our" houses are crazy efficient.

you think your gonna get that kinda efficiency from a cheap house, not. even "green" houses are crazy expensive.

[Homeslice]

and here i thought CA AZ and FLA were the reason for all our probs being what 50+% of the F/C are in those 3 states.
Hmm, think I'm gonna call bs to that stat

[RACER X]

I'm a small minority, I know. I hate huge houses. You never see the people you live with, something always needs cleaning. We live in a small duplex at the moment, but we have a basement, so it allows a spot to spend time alone, usually cleaning/working on the bikes. Everyone needs a refuge, but I would rather it be the basement than 3500 sq ft. :)

going to dinner at my next door neighbors house tonight, to meet his mom. and the guy across the street works w/ US as well.

so ever sit. is diff.

even for mike, and w/ that i'm out for the day, CYA!

[Fleck750]

have a good evening. :D

[LeeNetworX]

I think you already know what my choice would be, Sean. http://smiliesftw.com/x/laugh2.gif (http://smiliesftw.com)

[Homeslice]

ok, if you could have afforded more, would you have moved to a bigger nicer neighborhood?


What defines nicer?

Just bigger, newer homes with bigger lawns?

What if it also means generic architecture, with very few trees, nothing to do within walking distance, and all your neighbors were $40K millionaires who are only 3-4 paychecks from missing their mortgage payment?

[HurricaneHeather]

Two co-workers also agree B is the right place. :lol:

[Homeslice]

Choice A = OWN3D

[MissHell]

With the info given, I'd go with the better location = B.

Although I want to know when the houses were build. I prefer newer homes myself. :cool:

[R6Chick]

Sex offenders in each area.

I think Shmike would actually like that....

[goof2]

I think Shmike would actually like that....

I never said if it was a positive or negative.:lol

[defector]

possible needs for a mac-mansion:

show off
To who, my neighbors, whose houses are similiar? Or my family, who cares about nothing pertaining to my house except that now when they visit they don't have to stay at a hotel?

doesn't like to be around the spouse
Now I carpool with my wife, which gives me an extra 1.5hrs a day 5 days a week that we never had before

can't control the children - or doesn't like children
My children don't need to be "controlled", and we spend lots of time together in the game room - which we didn't have room for at the old house.

compensation for a small ****
Dammit, you might have me there. :lol

underground pot-farm
Negative. As I understand it, the clay content in the soil out here makes it hard to grow good ganja.

likes to waste money on utility bills
Can't speak for everyone, but my utilities are about $75/ month higher than my old house. 3 times the size of the old house, but eliminated the pool / spa.
...

[cuttle]

Originally Posted by cuttle View Post
possible needs for a mac-mansion:

show off
To who, my neighbors, whose houses are similiar? Or my family, who cares about nothing pertaining to my house except that now when they visit they don't have to stay at a hotel?
that's just sad - how do you find your own house late at night if they are all similar?

doesn't like to be around the spouse
Now I carpool with my wife, which gives me an extra 1.5hrs a day 5 days a week that we never had before
see - you can have a good time in a small space

can't control the children - or doesn't like children
My children don't need to be "controlled", and we spend lots of time together in the game room - which we didn't have room for at the old house.
such a huge house and your kids don't have their own room to play in? I'd complain to the architect.


compensation for a small ****
Dammit, you might have me there.
we need to decide by ourself: PICS!!!

underground pot-farm
Negative. As I understand it, the clay content in the soil out here makes it hard to grow good ganja.
apparently you thought about it.....

likes to waste money on utility bills
Can't speak for everyone, but my utilities are about $75/ month higher than my old house. 3 times the size of the old house, but eliminated the pool / spa.
That's impressive - just imagine how little your bills would be in the similar build house with less square footage

[Fleck750]

I still really believe that if people thought about having to clean 20 ft cathedral ceilings and change the light bulbs up there, they wouldn't buy a house that had them. :D

[goof2]

I still really believe that if people thought about having to clean 20 ft cathedral ceilings and change the light bulbs up there, they wouldn't buy a house that had them. :D

It actually isn't very difficult to do either.

[Fleck750]

It actually isn't very difficult to do either.

I have a friend whose lights need to be changed up there. He bought the telescoping stick changer thing, but it's not long enough.

Please tell me how you do it.

[defector]

Originally Posted by cuttle View Post
possible needs for a mac-mansion:

show off
To who, my neighbors, whose houses are similiar? Or my family, who cares about nothing pertaining to my house except that now when they visit they don't have to stay at a hotel?
that's just sad - how do you find your own house late at night if they are all similar?
similiar, not the same - on my culdesac, mine is the 2 story, and has the 3rd bay garage on the outside - easy peasy

doesn't like to be around the spouse
Now I carpool with my wife, which gives me an extra 1.5hrs a day 5 days a week that we never had before
see - you can have a good time in a small space
Sure can, just can't live in it. :lol:Every time I go collect the rent at the old house, I am reminded of it, and why we got a bigger house.

can't control the children - or doesn't like children
My children don't need to be "controlled", and we spend lots of time together in the game room - which we didn't have room for at the old house.
such a huge house and your kids don't have their own room to play in? I'd complain to the architect.
they all have their own rooms, but we like to do corny stuff like socialize during/after dinner, and it usually ends up in the game room


compensation for a small ****
Dammit, you might have me there.
we need to decide by ourself: PICS!!!
For the record, it hangs to the left.

underground pot-farm
Negative. As I understand it, the clay content in the soil out here makes it hard to grow good ganja.
apparently you thought about it.....
thought about burying my MIL (alive) out there too, but the damn ground is like concrete, and it's hot, and.....you know what, I am just lazy.

likes to waste money on utility bills
Can't speak for everyone, but my utilities are about $75/ month higher than my old house. 3 times the size of the old house, but eliminated the pool / spa.
That's impressive - just imagine how little your bills would be in the similar build house with less square footage
Couldn't tell ya, my neighbors complain about their utility bills, but their back yard is lit up very nicely at night, and their house actually feels cold to me. They like it, so who am I to say anything otherwise?






Man, this is an ugly color....

[askmrjesus]

Please tell me how you do it.

Needle-nosed pliers, and a trampoline.

JC

[Ninjakel]

House B

[goof2]

I have a friend whose lights need to be changed up there. He bought the telescoping stick changer thing, but it's not long enough.

Please tell me how you do it.

The telescoping stick changer thing I used must have been longer. It was either 8 or 10 feet collapsed and had 2 telescoping sections. It was threaded on top to take a duster or a suction cup.

[askmrjesus]

It was either 8 or 10 feet collapsed and had 2 telescoping sections. It was threaded on top to take a duster or a suction cup.

I knew a girl like that.

I would have married her, but she was a redhead.

ETA: It's not that I don't like redhead's, but my mom is one, so, you know, creepy.

JC

[Fleck750]

The telescoping stick changer thing I used must have been longer. It was either 8 or 10 feet collapsed and had 2 telescoping sections. It was threaded on top to take a duster or a suction cup.

I think he'll have to get a ladder, too, to do this job. Thanks for the info.

[LeeNetworX]

Please tell me how you do it.

They are called ladders. I have them.

[wildchild]

and if you could have bigger?

my guess is the i-net answer would be, we'd stay.....:?:

I raised two boys in a 1000 sq ft apt. I guess the answer would be that I would stay because I did for 13 years. Now decided to buy a house. it's not better, just bigger and I don't have to deal with idiot neighbors.

of course living in the apt gave us lots of time and extra cash for traveling and getting out, so we never felt cramped.

[RACER X]

They are called ladders. I have them.

better yet, my neighbors have them.

they help me mess w/ house stuff
i help them mess w/ car stuff

he did have to rent a 20' A-frame ladder when he changed the fan in the "great" room

I raised two boys in a 1000 sq ft apt. I guess the answer would be that I would stay because I did for 13 years. Now decided to buy a house. it's not better, just bigger and I don't have to deal with idiot neighbors.

of course living in the apt gave us lots of time and extra cash for traveling and getting out, so we never felt cramped.

so why not buy as small a house as your apt?


i guess this ? is like, why buy a gix1k, when a 6 will do or a 'busa.........

[wildchild]

OR NOT, my point was fleck pays more then i do for bills, yet he's in an apt. buying a "nicer" house may be more efficient that your not gonna get w/ a cheaper house, i know my builder doesn't build less then 3000sq ft. so who's to say another builders 2000sq ft house is as effecient as my 3500.

ok same neighborhood samo samo, would fleck rather have his family in a 800sq ft house or 3500sq ft house, both that he can afford comfortable.


NOW thats a great point........lol, we have kids to clean.......kekeke, ok a maid right now till the kids get older.


this may blow your mind but utilities don't cost the same in every state. how much do the utilities cost per month where you are for an 800 sq ft home? then you would see your larger house costs more then smaller.

going to a larger house my utilities went up a huge amount. NO I DIDN'T WANT A LARGER HOUSE, but I love the land and being out in the country. I have blueprints in the making, if I stay the two story farm house is getting bulldozed and replaced with a house half it's size.

[LeeNetworX]

Do what makes you happy. That's all that really matters.

[wildchild]

better yet, my neighbors have them.



so why not buy as small a house as your apt?


i guess this ? is like, why buy a gix1k, when a 6 will do or a 'busa.........


because I bought the house in the country. it's a very old farm house, that's what you get when you buy out of town. No desire at all to live in a subdivision.

oh and I have never had a litre bike, I prefer the 600 sportbikes

[wildchild]

i know my builder doesn't build less then 3000sq ft. so who's to say another builders 2000sq ft house is as effecient as my 3500.



um building codes. building practices, building materials. one contractor is very often the same as the next, building larger ie: more expensive homes doesn't make one better. it simply means he has amassed enough revenue to carry the overhead of larger more expensive construction.

[RACER X]

um building codes. building practices, building materials. one contractor is very often the same as the next, building larger ie: more expensive homes doesn't make one better. it simply means he has amassed enough revenue to carry the overhead of larger more expensive construction.

or nicer homes may get your better insulation, better windows, more efficient A/C units, tech shield in the attic, etc.......vs bare min. smaller homes.

so a bigger house w/ better effeciency may actually be cheaper utility wise vs a cheaper home thats not as efficient. the cost is relative to the area, its how much your household uses.

our elec. bill was in the $70-80 range during the winter in our new house. our old townhouse was in the $250-300's.......

kinda strange very few actually buy smaller houses, but most buy bigger, yet everybody is on the small house bandwagon.....

I have blueprints in the making, if I stay the two story farm house is getting bulldozed and replaced with a house half it's size.



sounds like your kids are outta of the house or about to be, where mike is in the beginning stage of his "family".

[wildchild]

or nicer homes may get your better insulation, better windows, more efficient A/C units, tech shield in the attic, etc.......vs bare min. smaller homes.

so a bigger house w/ better effeciency may actually be cheaper utility wise vs a cheaper home thats not as efficient. the cost is relative to the area, its how much your household uses.

our elec. bill was in the $70-80 range during the winter in our new house. our old townhouse was in the $250-300's.......

kinda strange very few actually buy smaller houses, but most buy bigger, yet everybody is on the small house bandwagon.....





sounds like your kids are outta of the house or about to be, where mike is in the beginning stage of his "family".

"nicer" does not always mean bigger. you can have some very well built smaller homes. If you feel your house has to be big in order for people to think you are successful you have a sorry outlook on yourself.

as far as my kids yep they're out. remember when I said I raised them in the apt? The only reason I bought a large house is because it was sitting on the piece of dirt that I wanted. My son was there for the last couple years of his schooling, but he would have easily fit in the house I'm thinking of building.

[Trip]

Why can't ya'll just say, "I like to be glamorous" and "I like to be confined." :lol:

I am a small house person as well. My wife is a large house person because she has a ton of junk. We settled in the middle with a 2000 sq ft house. Actually she won pretty much everything because I am in a subdivision in way too big of a house.

I grew up in everything from a 500 sq ft trailer to a 3500 sq ft mac mansion in a nice HOA community living with my family growing up. The mac mansion life isn't for me. It's mostly cause of the people mac mansion subdivisions usually bring in (see the emails from crazy people, our subdivision in the large home was very much like that) and I have no want to remotely maintain something of that size. I very much dislike having to maintain a 2000 sq ft house.

The only reason I bought bigger was the wife. As I tend to only occupy one room, well two if you count the garage. She has crap everywhere. I am better off in the country because of my complete dislike for most human beings.

Good builders are a lot a like. I have a good friend that is a builder for the mac mansion subdivisions. It's amazing how you add fancy words to the same materials that he uses on smaller homes to trick the rich people. Efficiency is more about age of home, than price and size.

If you really want efficiency. Build it yourself and pick out all the best efficiency building materials. Otherwise you will get a lot of the same materials.

[wildchild]

[QUOTE=Trip;251642]Why can't ya'll just say, "I like to be glamorous" and "I like to be confined." :lol:

QUOTE]
no because if I say I like to be confined they'll put me back in that little room. :didntdo:

[RACER X]

Why can't ya'll just say, "I like to be glamorous" and "I like to be confined." :lol:



cuz then we'd have nothing else to waste our time w/ :td:

[z06boy]

I voted House B but in my case I guess we bought house A. It's huge and yes...too big for two people but we found a deal that we couldn't or didn't want to refuse at the time.

Our house is 3300 sq. ft. but it had sat vacant for 9 months due to the owners being transferred to Ohio and the house being purchased by the company the guy worked for.

It had been taken off the market twice but the financing fell through both times and we just happened to be looking right when it went back on the market.

We bought it for below tax value. :idk:

We love the place but I'm sure our next home will be smaller.

3 stories gets old when the master is on the top floor and you get to the basement to pull out of the garage and realize you forgot something and it's on the dresser in the bedroom. :wtfru:

[Homeslice]

A townhome with $250-300 electric bills? How is that going to happen. The most I've ever paid is $50-60, and that's California, not some cheap state like Texas lol.

[RACER X]

A townhome with $250-300 electric bills? How is that going to happen. The most I've ever paid is $50-60, and that's California, not some cheap state like Texas lol.

elec heater vs gas
old house w/ poor effeciency

plus TX is deregulated, so of course our rates are higher vs what they're supposed to be.

[Homeslice]

elec heater vs gas
old house w/ poor effeciency

plus TX is deregulated, so of course our rates are higher vs what they're supposed to be.

I have elec heat too. You use the AC every day for 6 mos or something?

[cbrchick]

I think it's interesting how 2000 sq feet is considered small :)

Our current house is like 1100 sq feet and that includes the garage :)

2000 sq feet in this city will run you over 340,000 and that doesn't include a garage, use able basement and parking for more than 1 car..

I've learned I don't want an exceptionally huge house. I hate cleaning and the fact I feel I "need" to fill it with crap.

I choose B - location is important....

[RACER X]

I have elec heat too. You use the AC every day for 6 mos or something?

for prolly 9-10mos outta the yrs, it's either on HEAT or COLD.

and we had a prog. thermostat too.

hey Kirsty, you know everythings bigger in TX lol

i didn't think garages were included when talking house sq ft

[Homeslice]

So for those who bought homes 2x as large as their previous one.......How much did you spend on furniture & artwork in order to fill the extra space, lol

[Cruzergirl]

I'm a small minority, I know. I hate huge houses. :)

Me too. My house is 620 sqft. I inhabit the house with 1 cat, 2 dogs, and sometimes a boyfriend (who has his own mcmansion down the road in Destin that he rents out).

I HATE big houses. Of course, I don't care if YOU live in a big house... I just prefer the security of the walls being a little closer and everything within earshot.

My idea of heaven would be a 450 sqft cabin in the Alaskan mountains (Cordova, specifically). So my opinion might be slightly skewed in this question of house A or house B. :lol:

[RACER X]

So for those who bought homes 2x as large as their previous one.......How much did you spend on furniture & artwork in order to fill the extra space, lol



alot :rockwoot:

[wildchild]

My idea of heaven would be a 450 sqft cabin in the Alaskan mountains (Cordova, specifically). :lol:

the perfect choice

[LeeNetworX]

So for those who bought homes 2x as large as their previous one.......How much did you spend on furniture & artwork in order to fill the extra space, lol

"More than you can afford, pal."

[wildchild]

"More than you can afford, pal."

you got a ferrari? :lol

[z06boy]

So for those who bought homes 2x as large as their previous one.......How much did you spend on furniture & artwork in order to fill the extra space, lol

:lol: This was our first home purchase together so between all of my stuff and all of her stuff we were able to fill most of it up.

Now as far as "artwork"...well we're still working on that part...still have some bare walls. Oh well. :idk:

She had a 1400 sq. ft. townhouse and I had a 1000 sq. ft. condo but we both also had storage units rented that needed to be emptied as well.

Both had been married before too so we had a bunch of stuff in these storage units that we weren't using but didn't want to get rid of either...so it came in handy with the bigger place.

Ok now that I think of it...your question didn't really apply to my situation but I posted this anyways. :lol

[Trip]

I think it's interesting how 2000 sq feet is considered small :)

Our current house is like 1100 sq feet and that includes the garage :)

2000 sq feet in this city will run you over 340,000 and that doesn't include a garage, use able basement and parking for more than 1 car..

I've learned I don't want an exceptionally huge house. I hate cleaning and the fact I feel I "need" to fill it with crap.

I choose B - location is important....

I don't think 2000 sq ft is small. I live in that and think it's huge and too big.

So for those who bought homes 2x as large as their previous one.......How much did you spend on furniture & artwork in order to fill the extra space, lol

Nothing, the wife works and I told her if she wants to fill the place, use her money. I consider it her house since she

My idea of heaven would be a 450 sqft cabin in the Alaskan mountains (Cordova, specifically). So my opinion might be slightly skewed in this question of house A or house B. :lol:

This is one time I disagree with a small house. There is no question of this, none, you will go flippin nuts in a house that tiny in Alaska. I lived in a small house in Alaska. By the end of winter, it was lucky someone in my family wasn't dead. If you are just going to stay in the summer, it would be nice cause you would never be inside, but in the winter someone will die.

[RACER X]

we had the biggest UHAUL truck full of stuff, and our house looked pretty empty.

now we got a jog stroller and another stroller parked in the formal dining room......

we got a new King sized bedroom set, now there's a portable crib and bassinet next to it.......

and charlie's room has our old queen bedroom set + a full on crib in it.


Nothing, the wife works and I told her if she wants to fill the place, use her money. I consider it her house since she

. WOW, it will always be OUR house and we'll use OUR $ to furnish it.

[cuttle]

we have 1500 sqf for the two of us, and we don't even use it all :shrug:

Granted, it helps to have another 1200 sqf of ride-in basement for my hubbies crap and my bikes.....

[defector]

So for those who bought homes 2x as large as their previous one.......How much did you spend on furniture & artwork in order to fill the extra space, lol


Not much, I got to unload our storage rental. Yay!

[zed]

or nicer homes may get your better insulation, better windows, more efficient A/C units, tech shield in the attic, etc.......vs bare min. smaller homes.

so a bigger house w/ better effeciency may actually be cheaper utility wise vs a cheaper home thats not as efficient. the cost is relative to the area, its how much your household uses.

our elec. bill was in the $70-80 range during the winter in our new house. our old townhouse was in the $250-300's.......

kinda strange very few actually buy smaller houses, but most buy bigger, yet everybody is on the small house bandwagon.....





sounds like your kids are outta of the house or about to be, where mike is in the beginning stage of his "family".

if you're specing the house why would you end up with lower grade building materials? even if you didn't have the house built, you can go over the specs of the materials, find out what the R rating of the insulation/windows...

I don't like paying taxes in the first place, why spend more for something bigger and have to pay more taxes on top of that?

I like where we live now, the garage/basement is the same size as the living space. plenty of room down there for my half finished projects.

[wildchild]

we had the biggest UHAUL truck full of stuff, and our house looked pretty empty.

now we got a jog stroller and another stroller parked in the formal dining room......

we got a new King sized bedroom set, now there's a portable crib and bassinet next to it.......

and charlie's room has our old queen bedroom set + a full on crib in it.

WOW, it will always be OUR house and we'll use OUR $ to furnish it.

you really got a thing for the whole size issue huh? :tremble:

[cuttle]

it's not about how big it is, it's about what you do with it......

[z06boy]

it's not about how big it is, it's about what you do with it......

I've been saying that for years but I wasn't talking about houses. :lol:

[RACER X]

you really got a thing for the whole size issue huh? :tremble:

it is what it is......we did have largest truck
we did used to sleep in a queen
we did buy a king, woulda been nice to have a CA king.........

sometimes on weekends, we have 2 dogs + 2 kids + us

ZED, yup you can check the R values, and if you wanna upgrade the cheaper house it may come up to be an exp. house.

nobody likes paying taxes, it comes w/ the territory. i pay alot of taxes at work, why would i wanna make more $ then i am now?

[zed]

A townhome with $250-300 electric bills? How is that going to happen. The most I've ever paid is $50-60, and that's California, not some cheap state like Texas lol.

our temps can go from below 0 to over 100, sometimes as much as 115 degree swing from winter to summer. I don't know anyone that has bills that low except spring/fall when the windows can be opened.

for me, I've lived in a 30' fifth wheel camper without slideouts before. I don't want or need a large house.

[RACER X]

for me, I've lived in a 30' fifth wheel camper without slideouts before. I don't want or need a large house.

do you want your kids growing up in that?

[zed]

do you want your kids growing up in that?

if that's what I could afford, looks like that's where they would be living. my son and I did live in it when he was pre teen.

peoples mentality today just confuses me.

[Fleck750]

do you want your kids growing up in that?

So raising happy, well adjusted kids has to do with sq footage? Self esteem has more to do with how big your house is, how much money your parents make, or what kind of car you drive. :cool:

[Cruzergirl]

This is one time I disagree with a small house. There is no question of this, none, you will go flippin nuts in a house that tiny in Alaska. I lived in a small house in Alaska. By the end of winter, it was lucky someone in my family wasn't dead. If you are just going to stay in the summer, it would be nice cause you would never be inside, but in the winter someone will die.

I speak from experience. Been there. Done that. It's my idea of heaven! ;)

[RACER X]

So raising happy, well adjusted kids has to do with sq footage? Self esteem has more to do with how big your house is, how much money your parents make, or what kind of car you drive. :cool:

lol, whoever said that? do you want your kids growing up in a trailer park? vs a home? of any sq ft.

now granted some T/P may be nicer then some hoods, but by in large they're not.

and who's to say "rich" people can't raise well adjusted kids?


IMO parenting has to do more about the people then the $ they make. just cuz people earn good livings doesn't mean they can't be good parents, and vice versa......

[RACER X]

if that's what I could afford, looks like that's where they would be living. my son and I did live in it when he was pre teen.

peoples mentality today just confuses me.

but if you could what would you rather have, a home or live in T/P?

and you could afford either.

[AquaPython]

sean, just saw this thread now.

A appears not to be the choice for you. you listed a bunch of things right off the bat that makes the A house financially not appealing to you. so psychologically it seems you already made your choice, when you compare your positive and negative descriptive statements. anyway, just because you can get by on the payments of the big house, it seems you are still worried about shelling out more money for no real reason. with a house like that, HOA and upkeep should not be a deciding factor. if you can afford the house comfortably, the other shit is almost a non issue. but to buy it just to say you have a 3 car garage in a pimp neighborhood.... well its a lot of cash to trade hands just to be able to talk like that. also consider the size vs the people who will be living in it. look at bicho - K and him are moving out of their massive rental because it is just the two of them now, and the place is too big, with bills like 4-5 people should be living there.

[RACER X]

you listed a bunch of things right off the bat that makes the A house financially not appealing to you. .

agreed, my guess is = he wants house B, wife wants house A :skep:

btw, how old is house A and B ?

[Trip]

WOW, it will always be OUR house and we'll use OUR $ to furnish it.

Maybe that it is because it's something YOU wanted together. I didn't want this house, SHE wanted this house. I comprimsed with HER for some things I wanted. The house is HERS and I am fine with that because OUR relationship works that way. SHE paid 90% of the downpayment to get this house and that got us a great interest rate and I was able to use the money I saved for the house to make some improvements I wanted to it. WE don't have children, WE both work decent paying jobs. WE use our own money for the things WE want. If there is something WE want together, WE pool our money to buy it. It will change when WE have children and SHE doesn't work as much, but for now it works for US. WE have no issues over money. I don't complain when SHE goes out and buys crazy amounts of shoes and do nothings and she doesn't complain when I buy gadgets and moto related products. This cuts OUR relationship squabbles down to mostly simple things since WE have no need to argue over money.

Why are WE capitalizing certain WORDS?

I speak from experience. Been there. Done that. It's my idea of heaven! ;)

How many years and where at? I lived there long enough in the Eagle River/Wasilla/Palmer area to never want to go back again. The mountains of Tenn provide me with enough beauty and less winter. Even trade.

[Captain Morgan]

You may not be happy if you let other people make your decisions for you. ;)

That said, I personally like smaller houses. Someone mentioned that house A will appreciate more when the market comes back. Maybe it will, but I'd prefer to be 5 minutes from the beach. And I'd think house B would be MUCH easier to sell simply due to location. If you don't have the need for all that space, I'd go with house B and save gas money, utility money, sanity, etc. by having a shorter drive to work and a shorter drive to the beach. But that's me. You might want the seclusion of house A. I hate to clean, so I know I'd spend a lot of money on a maid coming in to clean all the time. :lol:

[Fleck750]

lol, whoever said that? do you want your kids growing up in a trailer park? vs a home? of any sq ft.

now granted some T/P may be nicer then some hoods, but by in large they're not.

and who's to say "rich" people can't raise well adjusted kids?


IMO parenting has to do more about the people then the $ they make. just cuz people earn good livings doesn't mean they can't be good parents, and vice versa......
So we agree that no matter where you grow up, how much money/footage involved, that you can raise healthy children. :D

[zed]

but if you could what would you rather have, a home or live in T/P?

and you could afford either.

you are arguing a moot point, I don't have the money and don't desire to live in a house large enough to house 3 families.

I lived in what was called a "Resort" not a trailer park. I had access to a swimming pool and 3 large ponds to fish in any time I wanted along with a few other things.

it's people that wanted more than they could actually afford that helped get this country in the mess it's in. I may be contributing to a different part of the problem but not this part.

[RACER X]

you are arguing a moot point, I don't have the money and don't desire to live in a house large enough to house 3 families.

I

who's arguing, it's a simple ?, when your son was w/ you. would you rather have lived on "the resort" or a "normal" N-hood w/ a normal house (vs 3000+sq ft)?

and you could afford either.

[zed]

lol, whoever said that? do you want your kids growing up in a trailer park? vs a home? of any sq ft.

now granted some T/P may be nicer then some hoods, but by in large they're not.

and who's to say "rich" people can't raise well adjusted kids?


IMO parenting has to do more about the people then the $ they make. just cuz people earn good livings doesn't mean they can't be good parents, and vice versa......

oh, you're one of those people.

rich people seem to be more snobbish than ones without as much.

[zed]

who's arguing, it's a simple ?, when your son was w/ you. would you rather have lived on "the resort" or a "normal" N-hood w/ a normal house (vs 3000+sq ft)?

and you could afford either.

wish in one hand and shit in the other, see which one fills up first.

I have already said I don't have the money and don't desire to live in a house that large.

I would say that you are arguing with me. you think that to be happy I have to live in a house that I can't afford or even want.

I'm happy with what we are living in right now with a garage as big as our living space. we are at the top of the hill which believe it or not is better than the "hood" at the bottom of the hill. so far no one has bothered anything here, we've been here over a year. it's good enough.

you completely skipped over the important part of that post any way.

[Trip]

who's arguing, it's a simple ?, when your son was w/ you. would you rather have lived on "the resort" or a "normal" N-hood w/ a normal house (vs 3000+sq ft)?

and you could afford either.

If you want to play the wishing game.

If I won a 200 million dollar lottery jackpot today. I would buy a huge ass plot of land in the country and build a 1500 sq ft house on it and probably have a 1000 sq ft garage out back. :lol:

What would you do? Build a fucking 100 million dollar home that was like 15000 sq ft?

[zed]

If you want to play the wishing game.

If I won a 200 million dollar lottery jackpot today. I would buy a huge ass plot of land in the country and build a 1500 sq ft house on it and probably have a 1000 sq ft garage out back. :lol:

What would you do? Build a fucking 100 million dollar home that was like 15000 sq ft?

there we go, I wouldn't need that big of a house though. think I'd also make my out garage on skids to get around some taxing of permanent buildings.

[RACER X]

trailer park or normal n-hood?

so the answer is n-hood?

[Trip]

trailer park or normal n-hood?

so the answer is n-hood?

Why are those the only two options? Why don't you let out in the country away from people be an option? You are skewing the choices so the only option is for people to agree with you. That's fucking retarded. Of course people are going to be forced to pick n-hood if their only other choice is a fucking ghetto. It's a retarded fucking question.

[goof2]

How did this get to be a money/class issue? In his original post shmike said that both houses cost the same.

There are a lot of questions that remain to be answered in order to make an informed decision in this case. I fail to see how cost of the house and the perceived status that comes with it is one of them.

[RACER X]

are you saying trailer parks are ghetto? cuz i didn't.

Why are those the only two options? Why don't you let out in the country away from people be an option? You are skewing the choices so the only option is for people to agree with you. That's fucking retarded. Of course people are going to be forced to pick n-hood if their only other choice is a fucking ghetto. It's a retarded fucking question.

[pauldun170]

Since unlike SOME people I do not have a cleaning lady and occasionally ,the fire department to unclog my toilet, huge houses do nothing for me. In the end it's just more space to accumulate crap, more time time spent painting walls, just more time doing everything. Cathedral ceilings are just wasted space thats a bitch to paint.

I would rather a 1400-2000 sq ft house that has a thoughtful layout vs 3000 sq ft of wasted space.


A smallish "meh" house in a great neighborhood beats a grand house in "meh" neighborhood. It's nice taking a stroll around the neighborhood and having neighbors that smile and say hello.

[RACER X]

A smallish "meh" house in a great neighborhood beats a grand house in "meh" neighborhood. It's nice taking a stroll around the neighborhood and having neighbors that smile and say hello.

agreed, and dinner at my neighbors house last nite was GREAT! pulled pork sammichs. and dinner sun night at the others house down the street was pretty dang good too! burgers and hot dogs for the kiddo's.

[zed]

trailer park or normal n-hood?

so the answer is n-hood?

the place I lived at in the 5th wheel was great. never any problems with neighbors. it was located out in the country.

it was big enough for our needs. period. didn't want or need anything bigger.

[cuttle]

Pros:
HUGE 5 bed / 5 bath 3500+ sq.ft.
HUGE, Incredible yard
3 car garage
Beautiful, gated community

Cons:
High carrying costs (high HOA, big electric, big lawn bills, insurance, etc.)
Less desirable area
45 minute commute



HOA :tremble:

have you checked if you are allowed to park a bike in plain sight?

[Trip]

are you saying trailer parks are ghetto? cuz i didn't.

That's where this is going. If someone picks trailer park over an n-hood, that will be the next step. Theres a couple nice trailer parks out there, just like there are bad ones. The same with neighborhoods. I would pick certain trailer parks over neighborhoods and would want a neighborhood over certain trailer parks.

[unknownroad]

we had the biggest UHAUL truck full of stuff, and our house looked pretty empty.


The biggest truck i could get from Budget was 25'.

It took me four trips to move all the stuff from our 1600 sqft, 2-car garage home to our new place. :willy:

I'll say this- we've got more than enough crap to fill our 2000 sq ft, 4 br/2.5 ba home, but we also have rooms that I don't go in for weeks at a time- we've got a dedicated guest bedroom, and my wife has a home office. The cats have their own bathroom. I use the kitchen, bathroom, master bedroom, and living room. 2000 is not a small amount of space if the house has a good layout.

Sure, i'd take 3500 if i could get it and move some more of my projects in out of the garage, but there's no way in hell i'd give up my location for it. That's why i personally said to go for B. There's no substitute for location.

[zed]

How did this get to be a money/class issue? In his original post shmike said that both houses cost the same.

There are a lot of questions that remain to be answered in order to make an informed decision in this case. I fail to see how cost of the house and the perceived status that comes with it is one of them.

about the same price but with A you have HOA to pay which raises the cost per month. does sound like a money issue, would be with me anyway.

Tina and I was just talking about HOA's, did you check to see if motorcycles were allowed in that gated community? you may not be able to ride that fiddy in the yard. better read the HOA agreement first.

[RACER X]

Sure, i'd take 3500 if i could get it and move some more of my projects in out of the garage, .
NO YOUR WRONG!!! you can't want more, you have to want less............:lol

[Homeslice]

trailer park or normal n-hood?

so the answer is n-hood?

N-hoods (neighborhoods?) don't have to be some subdivision 20 miles from the city core. There are tons of older, more established neighborhoods closer to the city. Granted, the homes will be smaller, but IMO they have more character, and it's pretty much assured that they'll hold their value more (on a % basis) than the new developments 20 miles out.

[Trip]

NO YOUR WRONG!!! you can't want more, you have to want less............:lol

It depends on your needs and wants. You want more, we want less. My wife wants more, I want less. It's opinion, neither of us are wrong. If you can afford more, good for you. There is a lot of people who wanted more and royally fucked up this country's housing market. So I say to them, they can go fuck themselves.

[Captain Morgan]

I have to agree with trip. If I won a shit ton of money, I'd buy a bunch of land and build about a 1500 sq. ft. house with probably the same size garage. Then I'd put a track on my land and have a shit ton of fun with all my two wheel friends. :D

[zed]

Then I'd put a track on my land and have a shit ton of fun with all my two wheel friends. :D

now that would be cool as hell to have.

[Trip]

I have to agree with trip. If I won a shit ton of money, I'd buy a bunch of land and build about a 1500 sq. ft. house with probably the same size garage. Then I'd put a track on my land and have a shit ton of fun with all my two wheel friends. :D

That was actually my plan too. I just didn't add the track part. It would be like 3-4 tracks in one. One big pavement, one that was attached to the big pavement, but went into the infield that was much tighter and shorter for fiddy motards. A portion of the big asphalt would jut off for some dirt section for a supermoto addition. And then have a full on dirt.

[RACER X]

N-hoods (neighborhoods?) don't have to be some subdivision 20 miles from the city core. There are tons of older, more established neighborhoods closer to the city. Granted, the homes will be smaller, but IMO they have more character, and it's pretty much assured that they'll hold their value more (on a % basis) than the new developments 20 miles out.

in houston, inner city means you also get inner city schools (which suck) so then add the cost of private school to your "cheap" house.

in houston, you buy a cheap house and your in n-hoods w/ alot of undesirables. you then you spend alot of $ to get a small house "in-town" thats nice then your still in the chity school, so then add exp house + private school......startin to add up.

[RACER X]

It depends on your needs and wants. You want more, we want less. My wife wants more, I want less. It's opinion, neither of us are wrong. If you can afford more, good for you. There is a lot of people who wanted more and royally fucked up this country's housing market. So I say to them, they can go fuck themselves.

i agree completly :boobs:

[unknownroad]

I have to agree with trip. If I won a shit ton of money, I'd buy a bunch of land and build about a 1500 sq. ft. house with probably the same size garage. Then I'd put a track on my land and have a shit ton of fun with all my two wheel friends. :D

When we were setting up the deal to buy this house, part of my plan was to finance in a 2400 sq-ft garage... damn lender fucked it up :bash:

[unknownroad]

in houston, inner city means you also get inner city schools (which suck) so then add the cost of private school to your "cheap" house.

in houston, you buy a cheap house and your in n-hoods w/ alot of undesirables. you then you spend alot of $ to get a small house "in-town" thats nice then your still in the chity school, so then add exp house + private school......startin to add up.

Birth control FTMFW :dthumb:

[HurricaneHeather]

in houston, inner city means you also get inner city schools (which suck) so then add the cost of private school to your "cheap" house.

in houston, you buy a cheap house and your in n-hoods w/ alot of undesirables. you then you spend alot of $ to get a small house "in-town" thats nice then your still in the chity school, so then add exp house + private school......startin to add up.

Ed, didn't uyou say just a few months ago that there were craploads of foreclosures in your boring cookie cutter house neighborhood? :whistle:

[shmike]

in houston, inner city means you also get inner city schools (which suck) so then add the cost of private school to your "cheap" house.

in houston, you buy a cheap house and your in n-hoods w/ alot of undesirables. you then you spend alot of $ to get a small house "in-town" thats nice then your still in the chity school, so then add exp house + private school......startin to add up.


Neither A nor B is cheap.

They are equally as expensive.

'slices example is exactly what we are talking about. Smaller house, more established neighborhood, closer to "town."

The schools are much better in neighborhood B.

Boca Raton doesn't have an "inner city". :lol:

[Homeslice]

in houston, inner city means you also get inner city schools (which suck) so then add the cost of private school to your "cheap" house.

in houston, you buy a cheap house and your in n-hoods w/ alot of undesirables. you then you spend alot of $ to get a small house "in-town" thats nice then your still in the chity school, so then add exp house + private school......startin to add up.

So you are saying there are NO desireable neighborhoods closer to Houston.......I find that hard to believe. In every major city, there are old, established neighborhoods only a few miles from downtown, where the homes might be smaller but they cost just as much as one of those McMansions 30 miles away, because the neighborhood they're in has always been well-known and in-demand.

[HurricaneHeather]

So you are saying there are NO desireable neighborhoods closer to the city.......I find that hard to believe. In every major city, there are old, established neighborhoods only a few miles from downtown, where the homes might be smaller but they cost just as much as one of those McMansions 30 miles away, because the neighborhood they're in is in demand.

Have you ever been to Houston? :skep:

There is nothing desirable about that whole area. Nothing.

[goof2]

about the same price but with A you have HOA to pay which raises the cost per month. does sound like a money issue, would be with me anyway.

Tina and I was just talking about HOA's, did you check to see if motorcycles were allowed in that gated community? you may not be able to ride that fiddy in the yard. better read the HOA agreement first.

Sure, the secondary costs have to be factored in. Shmike said that the HOA fee was high, but that is a relative term. Compared to house B with no HOA anything is high. In this area I have seen HOA fees from $20 per month to $120 per month.

It does sound like shmike has a money issue with house A, but I don't know if it is something he can't afford or something he doesn't want to pay. I assume it is something he doesn't want to pay simply because I hope he isn't thinking about putting in an offer on a house he can't afford.

True on the HOA and having a 50 track. Most will have an issue with that.

[RACER X]

Ed, didn't uyou say just a few months ago that there were craploads of foreclosures in your boring cookie cutter house neighborhood? :whistle:

dunno about crapload there were 2 on my street, dunno about other streets. and 1 "weird" house where people bought 2+ yrs ago and never lived. so it looked crappy but it was never a F/C. co -worker has bought 1 of the F/C (4800sq ft, 2 people) , and it looks great now. the other was bought up, another HUGE house for 2 people.

i think there are more distressed sales in the "cheap" houses in tha back then where we're at.

[goof2]

That was actually my plan too. I just didn't add the track part. It would be like 3-4 tracks in one. One big pavement, one that was attached to the big pavement, but went into the infield that was much tighter and shorter for fiddy motards. A portion of the big asphalt would jut off for some dirt section for a supermoto addition. And then have a full on dirt.

Your homeowners insurance company would absolutely love you.:lol

[RACER X]

So you are saying there are NO desireable neighborhoods closer to Houston.......I find that hard to believe. In every major city, there are old, established neighborhoods only a few miles from downtown, where the homes might be smaller but they cost just as much as one of those McMansions 30 miles away, because the neighborhood they're in has always been well-known and in-demand.

sure there are, and they are alot more $ then our mcmansions at $200k. and most are still in crappy school districts. or lofts..... in the same bad school districts.

we call it "white flite" if you don't have kids, and don't go outside much, then the "city" might be for you. but if you wanna raise a family then you move out to teh 'burbs, i thought that was pretty common in most citiees.

Neither A nor B is cheap.

They are equally as expensive.

'slices example is exactly what we are talking about. Smaller house, more established neighborhood, closer to "town."

The schools are much better in neighborhood B.

Boca Raton doesn't have an "inner city". :lol:

then B it would b.

whats the HOA $ in B vs A?

[unknownroad]

Boca Raton doesn't have an "inner city". :lol:

:lol Yeah, but you got lots of OG, straight outta the original Ghetto (Warsaw)

[goof2]

Neither A nor B is cheap.

They are equally as expensive.

'slices example is exactly what we are talking about. Smaller house, more established neighborhood, closer to "town."

The schools are much better in neighborhood B.

Boca Raton doesn't have an "inner city". :lol:

Being that it is Florida I would try and research which area had the least foreclosures. In my opinion the foreclosure mess is not ever close to being over. I think an area with more foreclosures in the past is more likely to have them in the future.

[zed]

i think there are more distressed sales in the "cheap" houses in tha back then where we're at.

so you're in a neighborhood like us. less desirable live at the bottom of the hill.

[zed]

Being that it is Florida I would try and research which area had the least foreclosures. In my opinion the foreclosure mess is not ever close to being over. I think an area with more foreclosures in the past is more likely to have them in the future.

in FL. I'd find out which place gets hit with the worse weather/property damaging weather. increased insurance cost.

[Homeslice]

Have you ever been to Houston? :skep:

There is nothing desirable about that whole area. Nothing.

You think Houston is bad, what about Detroit......Google the Palmer Woods neighborhood to see what I'm talking about -- it's within the city limits and it's really nice. Some local broadcasters & politicians live or lived there.

[wildchild]

trailer park or normal n-hood?

so the answer is n-hood?

you can choose to not believe this if you wish. Now keep in mind you and I do the same job for the same length of time. I could easily have either.

given just that choice I would choose the TP. I can't stand subdivisions or their stupid BS rules. Yes parks have rules as well but their not as snooty about them.


but my real choice was of course not offered, I'll take country, w/o neighbors. Thanks

[Homeslice]

sure there are, and they are alot more $ then our mcmansions at $200k. and most are still in crappy school districts. or lofts..... in the same bad school districts.

we call it "white flite" if you don't have kids, and don't go outside much, then the "city" might be for you. but if you wanna raise a family then you move out to teh 'burbs, i thought that was pretty common in most citiees.


seems to me that in these newer McMansion subdivisions, nobody walks down the sidewalk & meets their neighbors, they all just drive home after work and shut the door.

[wildchild]

agreed, and dinner at my neighbors house last nite was GREAT! pulled pork sammichs. and dinner sun night at the others house down the street was pretty dang good too! burgers and hot dogs for the kiddo's.

cheap bastard, if you bought a house you could actually afford you wouldn't have to beg food from the neighbors...................:lol


Yeah I know just kill me now. LOL I couldn't let that one get away.

[RACER X]

seems to me that in these newer McMansion subdivisions, nobody walks down the sidewalk & meets their neighbors, they all just drive home after work and shut the door.

it is what you make of it, that can happen in an place.

[wildchild]

Have you ever been to Houston? :skep:

There is nothing desirable about that whole area. Nothing.

are you saying Ed lives in a manision in the ghetto? :lol

[goof2]

in FL. I'd find out which place gets hit with the worse weather/property damaging weather. increased insurance cost.

Unless you are living on a flood plain the whole state is expensive for insurance. Some of the most widespread damage from the 2004 hurricane season was in the Lakeland, FL area, which is over 30 miles from the gulf.

[zed]

Unless you are living on a flood plain the whole state is expensive for insurance. Some of the most widespread damage from the 2004 hurricane season was in the Lakeland, FL area, which is over 30 miles from the gulf.

yeah, seemed like Orlando and a little south didn't get hit that much though.

[HurricaneHeather]

You think Houston is bad, what about Detroit......Google the Palmer Woods neighborhood to see what I'm talking about -- it's within the city limits and it's really nice. Some local broadcasters & politicians live or lived there.

I was just taking the opportunity to make a crack about how craptastic everything about Houston is. As a Texan who is not from Houston, I am required to do this every chance I get. :lol:

[RACER X]

are you saying Ed lives in a manision in the ghetto? :lol

we live out in the country, right outside the hood are farm fields (corn and milo ) recently cut, then a lil further are a bunch of cows, dunno what dude does w/ them but prolly 100-150 in the pasture near us.

and nearby is one of houstons only curvy country roads, and i haven't ridden down it in the yr we've been here.

but alas the city is moving in, best buy is opening up 6-7mi down the road. and a big grocery store is opening 1 mi away. houston will be upon us in 10yrs.

[LeeNetworX]

Come on, page 10!

[RACER X]

Come on, page 10!

SPEAK UP EVIL BIG HOUSE OWNER! :tremble:

[HurricaneHeather]

are you saying Ed lives in a manision in the ghetto? :lol

Nope. Take Ed, multiply him by about 3 million, add a few thugs, a few wealthy oil tycoon kids and a crap load of NOLA refugees and that's Houston in a nutshell. It is in no way desireable.

[Trip]

crap load of NOLA refugees

HA HA :nee: Please keep them.

[RACER X]

you forgot MESSICANS! lotsa of em

most NOLA's have assimilated and starting working or killed each other off.


damm here i thought i was special, and there are 3 mil like me......:skep:

[goof2]

yeah, seemed like Orlando and a little south didn't get hit that much though.

That area didn't get hit as bad, but it did get some damage and homeowners is still expensive there. Hurricane Wilma hit on the gulf coast of the state, traveled all the way across the state, and still managed to do significant damage in West Palm on the Atlantic coast.

[HurricaneHeather]

you forgot MESSICANS! lotsa of em

most NOLA's have assimilated and starting working or killed each other off.


damm here i thought i was special, and there are 3 mil like me......:skep:

I didn't not forget. You don't have any Mexicans there.

[Fleck750]

Nope. Take Ed, multiply him by about 3 million, add a few thugs, a few wealthy oil tycoon kids and a crap load of NOLA refugees and that's Houston in a nutshell. It is in no way desireable.

I'd take Detroit over Houston.



Less humidity. :lmao:

[goof2]

You think Houston is bad, what about Detroit......Google the Palmer Woods neighborhood to see what I'm talking about -- it's within the city limits and it's really nice. Some local broadcasters & politicians live or lived there.

Houston has areas like that as well. The problem is the only people who can afford to live there are broadcasters, politicians, executives, etc. Instead of the two houses listed by shmike being the same amount you now have a 2,000 sqf home for $500k+ or a 4,000+ sqf newbuild for $200k.

[goof2]

I didn't not forget. You don't have any Mexicans there.

Fiesta Supermarket would disagree with you.:lol

[RACER X]

Houston has areas like that as well. The problem is the only people who can afford to live there are broadcasters, politicians, executives, etc. Instead of the two houses listed by shmike being the same amount you now have a 2,000 sqf home for $500k+ or a 4,000+ sqf newbuild for $200k.

NAW, it'll be more like the old 2000sq ft will be $350k, and if ever sold, the house knocked down and new one built thats 4000sq cuz of the land.

and the new 4000sq ft will $500k.

[RACER X]

example

old house

http://search.har.com/engine/dispSearch.cfm?mlnum=50759290&class=1

next door

http://search.har.com/engine/dispSearch.cfm?mlnum=67688422&class=1

[HurricaneHeather]

Fiesta Supermarket would disagree with you.:lol

Fiesta? You realize that is one of the few Spanish words that all WHITE people know, right? :lol:

I bet you think taco shells come from a box and taco seasoning comes in a little pouch you find near the gravy section don't you? :lmao:

I'm just messing with you, sorry. :scared:

[LeeNetworX]

SPEAK UP EVIL BIG HOUSE OWNER! :tremble:

Why? lol I don't care if someone thinks my house is too big for us. It's more fun to just read in this thread.

[RACER X]

damm you! :boobs:

[zed]

Why? lol I don't care if someone thinks my house is too big for us. It's more fun to just read in this thread.

you can live in any house you want. tell racer we can too without feeling the want or need to live in a bigger one.

[HurricaneHeather]

you can live in any house you want. tell racer we can too without feeling the want or need to live in a bigger one.

Yeah, who cares where you live? Just don't try and tell us that we are fooling ourselves into wanting 'tiny' 2000 sq ft homes over giant box houses out in the burbs.

[goof2]

NAW, it'll be more like the old 2000sq ft will be $350k, and if ever sold, the house knocked down and new one built thats 4000sq cuz of the land.

and the new 4000sq ft will $500k.

I was using shmike's question as the model with the 4000 sqft home being in the suburbs. Something more along these lines:

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/22926-Eastgate-Village-Dr_Spring_TX_77373_1108174739

[RACER X]

I was using shmike's question as the model with the 4000 sqft home being in the suburbs. Something more along these lines:

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/22926-Eastgate-Village-Dr_Spring_TX_77373_1108174739

YUP thats way out in BFE, nice house nonetheless.

[goof2]

Fiesta? You realize that is one of the few Spanish words that all WHITE people know, right? :lol:

I know vamanos and federales as well.:didntdo:

I bet you think taco shells come from a box and taco seasoning comes in a little pouch you find near the gravy section don't you? :lmao:

Only when done right.

I'm just messing with you, sorry. :scared:

I figured. I don't like Houston either. Real estate can be a smoking deal there though.

[defector]

:lol
Big house vs small house gang fight!

[wildchild]

:lol
Big house vs small house gang fight!

just remember less $$ spent on house leaves more $$ for guns and bullets :rockwoot:

[defector]

just remember less $$ spent on house leaves more $$ for guns and bullets :rockwoot:

....or more room to store more weapons and bullets.....:rockwoot:

[RACER X]

and more room/places to hide stuff when the obamanazi's come to your house lookin for the "goods"

[wildchild]

we have the big yards though. lots of under ground storage. :skep:

[defector]

Me too, but mine is only "city big", not "country big", -5 Points
Dammit...

OK, but how about this?

Upon the onset of the zombie apocalypse, the undead army will have to:

1. travel 40 miles out of the city (cuz that's where I live) +2 points

2. figure out which house is mine, (cause quite obviously they all look the same) +5 points

3.make it up my stairs (cuz you always run upstairs. always. how else can you throw baddies out the top window? plus zombies aren't really known for their fantastic climbing skills, so it could take a few minutes) positive 10 points goddam smiley

4. figure out how to get up into my (unecessary) 11ft high ceiling and into the attic, where I will be waiting. positive 10 points goddam smiley

I really think the scoring speaks for itself.......:lol


That is about all the BS I can muster now, sorry.

[RACER X]

4. figure out how to get up into my (unecessary) 11ft high ceiling and into the attic, where I will be waiting. positive 10 points goddam smiley

.

i can run into my attic from the game room, leaving the door open so they can follow. then i clamor up to the next level go over to the north part of the house, where i push down the roof attic door, and run behind the last Z and shut the door behind them.

HA it's TARP!

[Cruzergirl]

How many years and where at? I lived there long enough in the Eagle River/Wasilla/Palmer area to never want to go back again. The mountains of Tenn provide me with enough beauty and less winter. Even trade.

That is a beautiful area (Wasilla/Palmer...etc). I lived on Kodiak Island (Bells Flats specifically). In the summer it was hiking, fishing, and camping... In the winter it was hiking, snowmobiling, and camping. 6 years in a little tiny house and never for a second did I want to leave (once a year or so to Anchorage...).

To each their own, right? That's why there are BIG houses and little tiny houses.

[vickibocc]

Sean, I read 2 pages of this thread. And judging my page 20, it's changed dramatically.

I would say if they are both about the same price, I would go with option A. I would normally say that it's a waste. Too much house for the 2 of you, and that you shoudl start small, and use the equity you gain in house B (especially if you are planning on improvements), to get you a hosue like house A int he future once kids DO come along (unless youre planning on them in like less than 5 years. However, I think if they are the same price, you should go with A becuase you get more bang for your buck and you don't need to do anything once the kids come along because you'll already be there.

If A was way more expensive, but still affordable for you, I'd say no, save your money, you'll get there eventually. But if they're abuot the same price...I think you should go with A.