Coming up on 2 years as a homeowner, some thoughts

[sudsmaster]

Tax man

Ah yes, good old property taxes.

Here in Cali we have Prop 13, which is supposed to limit property tax assessments to value at time of purchase or 1975 value, whichever is later, unless there's something like a 3/4 voter approval for increases. And subsequent tax assessment increases are limited to 2% per year. So you can wind up with a tax assessment that is a lot less than the market value. As long as the home isn't under water. But cities and counties have found an end run around that, by putting bond bills before the public, which get tacked onto the annual property tax bill as fees that can't be tax deducted. Kind of a rip, almost enough to make me go Republican. Not quite.

In any case, my prop tax bill, including everything (It has sewer charges on it) went from about $2500/yr in '97 to about $4200 this past year. I think. Still, it's not quite as bad as I read about in some other states. I am counting on some sort of property tax control for retirement. Also Cali just reinstated a prop tax deferral program, which is contingent on income and age but could help a lot of people stay in their homes as they age. The deferral comes due at death or sale of home. With interest, of course...

 

[wayupnorth]

My property tax on this place was $450 when it was deeded to me in the 80's and now it is pushing putting another zero on the original amount. Original tax value was $45000, now its $300000+. But this is the view I get.

 

[panthera]

Peter,

We recently had to get bids on an in-home elevator. Wow - were down below $25,000, now, installed for some units. By the time you 'need' it, I suspect an elevator will be cheaper than four separate chair-lifts.

 

[washman]

Just filled the homestead exemption papers......again, it's not really an exemption but rather a reduction on my school taxes (the biggest chunk).

 

Also I have the paperwork from the charity to which I donated my dad's boat to. They sold it for a nice sum; than can come off the taxes as the can the interest on the mortgage.

 

Electric bill is still $63 for the second consecutive month; must have been the C9 lights plus a3 days of running the electric heater in the garage when it got below 10

 

Nice view of lake there Tim.

 

[askolover]

One way to help make that extra payment per year is to divide that one extra payment by 12 and add that amount to your actual payment.  That's what I used to do.  Payment was $600 so I sent $50 extra - $650 each month.  Same difference but much easier than forking out an extra $600.  I'm down to $2300 balance on our house.  Had intended on paying it off this month but Tony got pneumonia and he fell a couple weeks ago and broke his collar bone...I had to take  FMLA for a week so that shortened my paycheck without shift diff added into it.  It will be paid off in 5 months anyway if I just ride it out.  Then the fun begins....a new roof, new floors, already replaced the bedroom doors, need new entry doors, new windows, vinyl siding, replace some of the rafters on the patio, more insulation, need a concrete driveway, taking down the pool.....this house is 61 years old.  I wish I had a new one but don't want a new mortgage.

 

[vacerator]

"The View"

is gorgeous and worth it!
Aging in place is becoming the new norm. Barrier free bath rooms, electric stair chairs, and elevators (with auxialiary power of course) if possible.
Our new master bath has a comfort height toilet, 35 inch high vanity and basins, and a cast iron shower receptor with non slip etching.

 

[sudsmaster]

Caveat emptor

From wha I've read, a new home is no guarantee of a problem free existence. Bad sheetrock, aluminum wiring, substandard plumbing, fake stucco, flooded basements, etc. have made the news over the past few decades.

It may be like buying a car... get a house that's five to 10 years old, where all the warranty problems have been sorted out and disclosure laws let you know if there are any lingering issues... although homes don't generally tend to depreciate like cars...

 

[twintubdexter]

Better than pain pills...

My current severe spine condition often finds me in front of the computer at 2 or 3 AM trying to find something to take my mind off of the pain. This thread is really very interesting. I can relate to many of the situations that face house and apartment dwellers. To add my 2 cents to the conversation...after having owned a relatively new home outright for over 16 years (by myself), I've discovered that even without a mortgage you never really "own" the house. It continues to own you. 

 

I do thank all the members who have posted comments here.

 

[wayupnorth]

Joe, you should have the same pain reliever as I do and if I was the Doctor Portrayal on tv, I would endorse medical pot. Legal here, legal there. It certainly works for my ankle mess. I refuse to take any more pills. This works for me. I am alive, doing fine no pain and not messed up. What more can you ask for.

 

[ea56]

I agree with Tim about pot for pain. I had my right hip replaced this past June. I have been using medical MJ for almost 2 years for the arthritis pain and it really helps. I can't stand the effects of opioids and I refused to take any during the recovery from my hip replacement. My Kaiser doctor was completely OK with this, but I guess Kaiser won't allow their doctors to prescribe medical MJ. No problem, I just went online and did an appt. with a doctor on Hello MD, the doctor does the interview and approval via an app like Skyp for $49.00!
The medical MJ dispensary is walking distance from my home, very convenient.

I had my left hip replaced in 2005 and believe me this time was so much easier. The medical MJ improves my frame of mind and really does help reduce the pain. I just took Tylenol for any residual pain during my recovery. The doctors were all impressed with how quickly I bounced back. I went home the day after the surgery and was able to go up and down our stairs as aften as I needed to. By the end of the 3rd week I was walking without even having to use a cane. I have been walking 1 hr. daily since the end of July, just like I have always done before the arthritis. Thanks to modern medicine and Mother Nature's medicine I'm better than ever.

Pot should be legal everywhere, it is very effective for many different aliments and much better for you than all those chemical pain meds or opioids. I have learned how to make my own edibles and it really is more effective when ingested.
Eddie