thenuge26

iTrader: (2)

It's also half-Tau day!

DaveC

Time constants are cut in half today? That explains a few things.....

Gryff

iTrader: (6)

Now that you mention it, I have been feeling a bit odd today... This must be why.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

***:



Flavor:





together - *** with flavor (extra points if you recognize the gay):




and *** flavor:

redturbomiata

iTrader: (5)

finally got around to taking this 2lb scrap aluminum off. turns out club roadster kids like them

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Makes perfect sense, especially for an urban center in the south.

When a poor, uninsured bicycle rider with no health insurance takes a spill with no helmet, the city/county winds up being on the hook for the cost of their medical care and rehabilitation.

When a poor, uninsured motorcycle rider with no health insurance takes a spill with no helmet, several productive citizens who do have health insurance get new organs, and society as a whole is elevated.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

So I'm in a hotel, which means I have access to "normal" television.

Right now, there's a show on the Discovery Channel about a couple of angry homosexuals who buy and flip dilapidated houses, and a show on the History Channel about a bunch of rednecks tooling around through a swamp in a flat-bottomed boat.

Am I the only one who sees a problem with this?

blaen99

iTrader: (6)

I know Joe, I mean, why aren't you on the **** channels man? The problems obvious!

DaveC

The problem is that you're watching the Discovery Channel and the History Channel. Stop doing that.

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

I hardly ever watch TV at all. Generally only when I am stuck in a hotel or off visiting family who do not have internet. From what I have seen in the past few years is that yes Discovery and History channel's have gone to complete ****, but compared to what else is normally on they are still better.

DaveC

You're probably right. I pretty much watch only movies, often just the first few minutes of them.

There are a few shows on FX that I record: Archer, Louie, Wilfred, Legit.

czubaka

iTrader: (3)

Wait till you see what's on the learning channel.

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

So I just found this house for sale. I checked it out today and it is very nice inside except for the fake wood vinyl in the main living area. It has ripples and it not very even. It seems that they just simply laid the vinyl down without putting padding or anything under it.

The garage is only 19.5x19.5 which is a bit smaller then I want. On the plus side it is 3.1 miles from work and I could bike to work which would be awesome. I talked to the neighbor briefly and he races Camaro's and says there are a few other racers in the neighborhood which is awesome. So I don't have to worry about people being annoyed with cars on jack stands out front.

So does anyone have any advice or knowledge that they would like to pass on to a first time home buyer?

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

dont buy a house and have the economy crash a few days later and a hoa that constantly increases fees and special assestments.

rleete

iTrader: (21)

Not sure what that area has as far as basements, but check the foundation. Cracks=very bad.

Check the furnace & A/C. Water heater, too. Anything that is gonna be bucks to replace or a pain to be without. Adjust offer price accordingly.

Check out the wiring if you can. Most DIY electrical is a nightmare.


Other than that, you want to put as much down as you can without leaving any cushion for emergencies to get your mortgage lower. Then, pay a little extra each month to pay it off faster, saving thousands in interest.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

vertical foundation cracks could be settling are fine (like where a basement window is). i have one, no biggie. so long add it doesn't leak water in.

blaen99

iTrader: (6)

+1 on the as large of a downpayment as you can.

However, the bit about interest may not be completely correct. It depends entirely on the type of loan.

Certain loans have you essentially pay all the expected interest up front, with the principal being last.

Others put the lion's share of the interest in the first year or two, and have you pay principal finally later on - you can literally end up paying 0.5% interest or lower on the remaining principal a decade down the road, compared to something ridiculous like 10%-15%-20%+ on the principal early on

Others actually work like Rleete mentioned - if, however, the loan falls in the first two categories, the bank hates you and has already factored in their interest payments no matter how fast you pay it off, unless you pay it off in like 5 months or something ridiculous.

flying_solo

iTrader: (5)

I don't know about your state, but here in Illinois you are crazy to buy without having an inspection and lawyer and making the offer pending on the inspection/improvements needed. They put all kinds of legal jargon into the offer to help protect you and take care of closing as well. They run about $500 here.

flying_solo

iTrader: (5)

Been there done

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

No basements in this area due to living right next to the ocean. The foundation will definitely be checked out.

It had the AC replaced within the last 2 years. I will make sure I have the home inspector specifically check out the big items and see if they notice anything. I have 2 uncles in the construction business in town and will be getting recommendations for home inspectors from them. I will not be going with any one my realtor recommends.

I also have an electrician that I trust that I will have come check out the wiring for me and then give me a quote to have the 220v outlet installed for the TIG welder.

I will only be doing about 10% down. Realistically I would like to do more, but I have not been saving for a down payment for a long time as purchasing a house is something I have decided to do in the past 3 months. Running the numbers each additional 5% down I do will only cut $25 or so off each individual mortgage payment. If I was to do 20% my mortgage payment looks to only be about $100 less monthly then then it would be with %10. I am already planning on paying twice a month and a bit more then the mortgage will actually run me. If I get a roommate which I probably will I will just add that on top of me paying the full mortgage to help pay down the balance faster and get rid of the PMI quicker. I am planning on going with a 30 year conventional loan, but I am planning on fully paying off the house in 10-15 year time frame. Only reason I am not going with a 15 year mortgage is that I do not want to lock myself into the higher monthly payment. With what the mortgage is looking like I could make it alone delivering pizzas.