DocLightning From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 16935 posts, RR: 57 Posted (6 months 3 weeks 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 1970 times:
Actually, I officially became a homeowner a bit over a week ago, but we moved in yesterday. Well, sorta. The house is still a mess of boxes and packing materials. It's all so exhausting, both mentally and physically.
The aggravation of the last two days has been curtains. Like most houses that are bought (not rented) there are no curtains, no blinds, nothing. So every single window was an enormous movie of my husband and me moving into this beautiful house in a so-so neighborhood. Not to mention that the toilet in the downstairs bathroom is installed directly in front of a window that gives my next-door neighbor a very clear view of whomever might be taking a leak facing right at her. (I mean, you want to get to know your new neighbor, but not that way!)
So last night, I went off to Bed, Bath, & Be Broke and bought the hardware and curtains for every room in the house. Well, at least I got the hardware right. And I got the curtains right for the front and main side windows (those most visible from the street). But every other room (except the bathrooms and kitchen), I managed to screw up the curtain sizes. So today I went to go back to B,B,&B and they were closed at 7P because it's Sunday. I'll be going tomorrow and finally hanging the curtains so that we can stop putting on a show for the neighbors.
So today I spent the majority of the day on a stepladder with a power drill and a screwdriver and muttering a lot of colorful language in both Spanish and English. Now, remember, I'm a gay Jewish doctor. Power drills are not my forte (cue lewd comments from SFly and friends ). But I have to say I did a good job at mounting the hardware (wow, I'm on a roll!).
The next frustration will be the kitchen, which doesn't have nearly enough counter or storage space. So I'll be buying an Island for it. Eventually, a kitchen remodel is in the offing, but that's a few years and a few tens of thousands of dollars away.
The next handyman skill I need to learn is how to change a ceiling-mounted light fixture without dying in the process. That will be interesting...
DocLightning From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 16935 posts, RR: 57 Reply 2, posted (6 months 3 weeks 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 1952 times:
Quoting mad99 (Reply 1):
A good day is the one when you make the last payment and you own it free and clear.
Yeah. Only three decades to go!
I'm shooting for between 13 and 14 payments a year to cut 8-10 years off the loan. The monthly payments are approximately 20% of my take-home salary, so I can afford a few extras.
That's what we did. We took advantage of any government incentives to pay the loan off asap. Some people would say you're better off having debt for different reasons, like write-off's etc but we just paid it off.
Also, if you look at the graphs showing years/monthly payment you'll see that by making a little effort you can take years off the mortgage, just like what you plan to do!
KiwiRob From New Zealand, joined Jun 2005, 5420 posts, RR: 3 Reply 4, posted (6 months 3 weeks 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 1923 times:
Quoting DocLightning (Thread starter): The next handyman skill I need to learn is how to change a ceiling-mounted light fixture without dying in the process. That will be interesting...
nighthawk From UK - Scotland, joined Sep 2001, 4992 posts, RR: 38 Reply 5, posted (6 months 3 weeks 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 1903 times:
Quoting DocLightning (Reply 2): I'm shooting for between 13 and 14 payments a year to cut 8-10 years off the loan. The monthly payments are approximately 20% of my take-home salary, so I can afford a few extras.
Ask your bank if you can make weekly payments instead of monthly. The interest on the loan is calculated daily, so simply paying weekly instead of monthly can shave a good few years off the mortgage, while still paying the same amount each month.
raffik From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2006, 1651 posts, RR: 4 Reply 6, posted (6 months 3 weeks 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 1859 times:
Welcome to the world of home ownership!
I love it, apart from my mortgage payments ofcourse My mortgage has 7 years left so I should be mortgage free by 36 if I continue with the current repayment.
falstaff From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 5704 posts, RR: 29 Reply 7, posted (6 months 3 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 1812 times:
Quoting KiwiRob (Reply 4): Which means no kids and a healthy bank balance, pay someone to do it for you!
Doc is a smart guy, he can easily handle it. I've installed fans and light fixtures in my house without any trouble. The most dangerous part is standing in the ladder. Be sure you have the breaker shut off/fuse pulled before you start working.
Quoting raffik (Reply 6): You'll have to upload some pics
Super80DFW From United States of America, joined Oct 2007, 1642 posts, RR: 11 Reply 8, posted (6 months 3 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 1804 times:
Congratulations! When are we gonna see pictures of it??!
I love Bed Bath & Be Broke as well. I went there two weeks ago to look for new sheets and a duvet, and of course I walk out broke!
Right now there is an AA MD-80 flying over my house.
West Oakland is where the Black Panthers started over 40 years ago. I expect you to invite Bobby Seale and Angela Davis for the housewarming party.
Quoting DocLightning (Thread starter): I'm a gay Jewish doctor. Power drills are not my forte (cue lewd comments from SFly and friends ). But I have to say I did a good job at mounting the hardware (wow, I'm on a roll!).
Get your head out of the gutter and start drilling!
Quoting DocLightning (Thread starter): Well, sorta. The house is still a mess of boxes and packing materials. It's all so exhausting, both mentally and physically.
Sounds exactly like a move...it'll take at least six more months to dispose of all the boxes. Do make a commitment to yourself to not have ANY boxes left to deal with 12 months from your move in date.
Quoting DocLightning (Thread starter): The next frustration will be the kitchen, which doesn't have nearly enough counter or storage space.
Try buying a small (TINY) rowhouse in Washington DC like we did...forget storage in the kitchen, we have ZERO storage anywhere! IKEA is your friend when you live in a small place as they have plenty of ideas on how to maximize your space. We successfully hosted the parents and a sibling (making us 5 people in total) over Thanksgiving in a house with less than 800 sq ft of space. It's certainly doable, you just have to be creative.
DocLightning From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 16935 posts, RR: 57 Reply 12, posted (6 months 3 weeks 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 1709 times:
I just dropped my entire bank balance into the downpayment. So not so much.
Quoting Charles79 (Reply 11): Try buying a small (TINY) rowhouse in Washington DC like we did...forget storage in the kitchen, we have ZERO storage anywhere! IKEA is your friend when you live in a small place as they have plenty of ideas on how to maximize your space.
IKEA's ideas look great in a tiny showspace designed to fit their wares. In the real world, not so much. I'll be using one of their islands, though.
Quoting Charles79 (Reply 11): Sounds exactly like a move...it'll take at least six more months to dispose of all the boxes. Do make a commitment to yourself to not have ANY boxes left to deal with 12 months from your move in date.
nickh From United States of America, joined Jun 2008, 101 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (6 months 3 weeks 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 1697 times:
Congratulations, Doc! Welcome to the wonderful world of leaky faucets, roofing jobs, mowing the lawn, ...errr I'm just kidding, home ownership is a good thing.
Do get to know your neighbors, they can be your best allies when it comes to security, advice on contractors, etc.
Angie's List can (sometimes) also be a good resource.
Also, do consider joining your local civic or neighborhood organization, if you have one, the members are all your neighbors and can be an invaluable resource in reporting crime, finding missing pets, neighborhood watch, etc.
Best of luck, and try not to electrocute yourself on that kitchen lighting fixture... (smile).
DocLightning From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 16935 posts, RR: 57 Reply 18, posted (6 months 3 weeks 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 1679 times:
Quoting planejamie (Reply 16): and adding: "wouldn't be the first time you've mounted some hardware" (forgive my 18 year old immature mind... I should know better by now)
I'm almost twice your age *gulp* and I don't know any better!
Quoting PHX787 (Reply 17): Like i said to you earlier man, when I am in SFO you better let me visit
But of course, I will be bringing some asian ladies back for some visiting
There will be a hot tub going on the back porch soon. Just sayin'.
Also, the guest room is downstairs and has its own bathroom. The master bedroom is upstairs.
casinterest From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 3336 posts, RR: 1 Reply 19, posted (6 months 3 weeks 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 1666 times:
Quoting DocLightning (Reply 2):
I'm shooting for between 13 and 14 payments a year to cut 8-10 years off the loan. The monthly payments are approximately 20% of my take-home salary, so I can afford a few extras.
I don't know Doc. I know a lot of folks believe getting that payment off your back is a good thing. However take the following into consideration.
1. You are putting money into a non-liquid asset. It is very hard to get that money back out, unless selling or refinancing.
2. With interest rates as low as they are, and in consideration of the above, it may be better to put payment 13 and 14 into a mixed bond/CD portfolio to use as maintenance and rainy day funds.
And welcome to the joys of home ownership. May the leaves fall on the other person's lawn and the water roll away from the house when it rains. : )
[Edited 2012-11-26 09:22:33]
Older than I just was ,and younger than I will soo be.
I'm shooting for between 13 and 14 payments a year to cut 8-10 years off the loan. The monthly payments are approximately 20% of my take-home salary, so I can afford a few extras.
I don't know Doc. I know a lot of folks believe getting that payment off your back is a good thing. However take the following into consideration.
1. You are putting money into a non-liquid asset. It is very hard to get that money back out, unless selling or refinancing.
2. With interest rates as low as they are, and in consideration of the above, it may be better to put payment 13 and 14 into a mixed bond/CD portfolio to use as maintenance and rainy day funds.
Wise words, those. It's definitely not a bad idea to set up and maintain a savings account just for the unexpected problems that seem to crop up at the most inopportune times.
Quoting casinterest (Reply 19): And welcome to the joys of home ownership. May the leaves fall on the other person's lawn and the water roll away from the house when it rains. : )
As for leaves, here's a labor-saving trick for fall- Flower beds. Fill them with low-maintenance perennials and rake the leaves into them for mulch. No more leaf bagging and nice flowers to enjoy in the spring!
Able to kill active threads stone dead with a single post!
vikkyvik From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 8318 posts, RR: 28 Reply 22, posted (6 months 3 weeks 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 1608 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW PHOTO SCREENER
Quoting DocLightning (Thread starter): Power drills are not my forte (cue lewd comments from SFly and friends )
Ah, so you're more of an old-fasioned-screw-using-sheer-muscle-power type, eh?
fr8mech From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 4346 posts, RR: 12 Reply 23, posted (6 months 3 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 1587 times:
Congratulations. Welcome to the world of home ownership. Where, there is always something to do.
We just moved into or 4th, yes 4th house in 14 years and they will have to drag me out of this one on a friggin' gurney.
Quoting DocLightning (Thread starter): The next frustration will be the kitchen, which doesn't have nearly enough counter or storage space. So I'll be buying an Island for it. Eventually, a kitchen remodel is in the offing, but that's a few years and a few tens of thousands of dollars away.
My wife absolutely loved the design of the kitchen, but after a couple of weeks in has decided that the kitchen cabinets, counters and major appliances have to go. To be fair, I agree, but I saw it before we bought the house, but the wife poo-poo'd my observations. No big deal, I stood firm on our offer, factoring in a new kitchen.
Quoting DocLightning (Reply 2): m shooting for between 13 and 14 payments a year to cut 8-10 years off the loan. The monthly payments are approximately 20% of my take-home salary, so I can afford a few extras.
Doc, I don't know your financial situation, but you may want to hold off and shoot for a 15 year loan in a year or so. Given the economy, my guess is that the rates stay in the high 2's for a 15 and a bit lower for a 12 or 10. My plan is to refinance in a year or so after we grow the savings account.
dtw9 From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1054 posts, RR: 2 Reply 24, posted (6 months 3 weeks 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 1525 times:
Quoting DocLightning (Reply 2): I'm shooting for between 13 and 14 payments a year to cut 8-10 years off the loan. The monthly payments are approximately 20% of my take-home salary, so I can afford a few extras.
Just call EMPP(early mortgage payoff plan) and set up an account to withdraw half your payment every two weeks from your checking or savings account. Pays off a 30 year mortgage in 22 years. Best part is it's free.
25 falstaff: I met Bobby Seale, in 1995, and he was a great guy. He was one of the best (and funniest) public speakers I ever heard. I love mowing the lawn. If yo
26 DeltaMD90: Congrats! I'll have to see it when I visit SFO (one of these years...........)
28 flymia: Congrats! That is a big step in life. Also glad to see the priorities are straight. One day when I am a homeowner this will also be the case.
29 TSS: And if you don't enjoy mowing the lawn, another benefit of low-maintenance flower beds is that every square foot of flower bed is a square foot of ya
30 DeltaMD90: And if you want a random dude to sit in your hot tub while watching other a.netters fix up your yard, I'm your man! Though, this question begs answer
31 DocLightning: For you, clothing is not optional; it is prohibited. As for mowing the lawn, I bought a robo-mower (hasn't arrived yet). I have a robo-vacuum, so I f
32 KiwiRob: Well that was your first waste of money, my dad and a friend bought them, they really don't work well, they don't cut close, they don't work well on
33 PHX787: There's a reason why I don't drink with my gay friends (except if there's Asian women involved )
34 Superfly: That is awesome! Just imagine if me, you, DocLightning and Bobby Seale met up for drinks. I can just imagine some of the topics that would come up. D
35 type-rated: Drapes/blinds need hanging? Light fixtures need changing? Easy, just call a couple of lesbians and they'll have it all knocked out it no time! I had a
36 fr8mech: Careful, some lenders charge a set-up and/or 'maintenance fee' to get this going. They're not going to give up their 'vig' that easily.
37 Ken777: Congrats! It's a great feeling to move into your first home - I hope it goes well for you & yours there for many years. When looking at paying ext
38 KaiGywer: Indeed. I have done all the work on our house myself, and most of my learning is through YouTube and Google
39 fxramper: 50 posts and no pics? Where is the lame smiley?
40 fr8mech: Hell, Doc, I missed that first time around. I've hung a freaking ceiling fan in every house I've bought. 2 in the first, 5 in the second, 2 in the th
41 Revelation: And it gives his dog a place to poop too! Very nice. Another approach that should go over well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP8m4HbyzhI Bet it wor
42 DocLightning: Oh yeah. The dogs will love that! The house was built in 1890, but all the lights and switches are brand-new. I *HATE* the fixtures in the hallway. T
43 fr8mech: The wiring will be the issue for a ceiling fan. Attic access above the fixture you want to install the fan in? You'll need one of these: http://www.h
44 MD11Engineer: I just returned from the Philippines yesterday. My fiancée and myself would like to purchase a lot adjacent to her and her mother´s lots, to become
45 Superfly: Let's hope that doesn't happen. Otherwise you may end up with all the relatives moving in with you as well. Will that be OK with you? Did you fly Phi
46 MD11Engineer: No, we used Cathay Pacific via HKG (CEB-HKG-FRA) and Cebu Pacific and AirPhil Express within the Philippines (CGY-CEB and CEB-MPG). I normally don´t
47 Superfly: Nope. Superfly Does The Philippines (PR-BKK-MNL) Superfly Does The Philippines (PR-BKK-MNL) (by Superfly Jan 24 2011 in Trip Reports) I've heard of t
48 TSS: A minor understatement. The main problem with a house of that age is that the wiring might be anything from the original stuff through every variety
49 fr8mech: Waiting with bated breath. Absolutely. If you plan on doing your own electrical work, you may also consider one of these: http://www.homedepot.com/h_
50 flipdewaf: Youtube is great, I learned to plaster through youtube (been in my first house just over a year). Same in my house (although my house is ~1780, so ol
51 MD11Engineer: Can you get those e.g. through eBay, for US NEMA fittings (15 & 20 A), but 220 Volts? I need such a tester for the Philippines, where they use Am
52 DocLightning: I'd rather use one of these: And let him do the work.
53 Ken777: LOL! Over the years I have built up a ton of tools! - many that have been used only once. I can justify it as long as the cost of the tool saved a se
54 pnqiad: Congrats Doc! No need to pay any company to do what you can do on your own. Your lender would be able to tell you exactly when and how to pay extra an
55 TSS: Especially since said wiring may have been replaced or added on to in a piecemeal fashion multiple times over the last 122 years. As a very bad examp
56 Ken777: I forgot to mention the obvious. As a homeowner you now need to check out HGTV and the DIY Channels. You'll know you are well established in your new
57 flipdewaf: Aluminium wiring should be fine (no need to rip it out) but it can be a good idea to get the connections checked and make sure that any electrics wor
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). But I have to say I did a good job at mounting the hardware (wow, I'm on a roll!). 
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