I know, I know, I know…. I’ve been telling a lot of you guys that this post was coming for over a week now and I have not yet fulfilled my promise. But here you go, the first house post:
make your bed you slob!!!!
Yep, I finally did it. At 28 years old I decided that I have had my fill of apartment life, and it was time to save up some money, get a mortgage and buy a house like an honest to goodness, God fearing, tax paying adult. My plan was slow, but it worked out pretty well. I started saving about 8 months ago and had time to get all of my money, credit and everything else in order before it was time to take a healthy positive net worth, and destroy it with the biggest debt I’ve ever had.
The house is a pretty cool little house. It is 1650 sq ft. or so in Carrollton, and it is close to 35, Bush, 121 and the tollway. It was built in 1988, 2 story (1.5 story? just the master bed and bath up) and is a zero lot with a small but cool back yard.
So what are the best things about not living in an apartment?
Right now I’m doing laundry at 10:30 at nigth and not worrying about annoying the lady next door.
Tonight I will go to bed and the odds of me hearing my neighbor making love through the walls about one in a million.
I have enough room for all my crap.
I have a garage.
I have a yard. In fact I even enjoyed mowing the yard this week… who would think it?!?!
I can turn my sub up as loud as I want and watch movies with stuff blowing up all over the place and not get yelled at.
I can play my music as loud as I want to!
I can sit on my back porch and read the paper on Sunday morning.
I can spend thousands of dollars on “stuff” at Lowes/Home Depot.
I have a mail box that doesn’t require a key to open.
I have an attic!
I have Fios!
I don’t have to listen to the guy next door make love (I know that is on there twice, but really…it’s worth being on there twice).
So. I’m deeply in debt now, but I have a casa. It still hasn’t really sunk in yet, but all in all I’m really enjoying it. There will be more to come I’m sure.
I see the perfect location for your disco ball! And what a snazzy new couch you have there!
Looks great, mang. I see a nice place next to the deck for a hot tub. do it. do it!
I love it! Your yard looks like it is the perfect size. Believe me, you will be so happy to not have an enormous yard to worry about! The novelty of moving the grass wears off pretty quick
It looks just big enough to hang out in and have cookouts (and possibly a hot tub) and that’s all you really need. Congratulations!
Sweetness. I’m digging the wood floors and red dining area..
FIOS!!! I hate you.
I know the feeling of being that far “in debt”… BUT…… (1) when you’re paying rent, you never see that $$$ again…… (2) at least part of the monthly payment is going toward paying off the house (it’s sorta scary to see that of a $1000 house payment $32.00 actually goes toward the principal, the rest goes toward Interest & taxes & stuff….. and for that $32.00, you’re bought that mailbox (non-lockable, 1 each….) so they have a place to put your bills…..)
BUT (3) is the biggie…. you get to write off all that interest off your taxes. Keep REAL good records of things like points paid & stuff…. welcome to the world of the 1040 “Long Form”…….
… and finally (4) I don’t think real estate has ever decreased in value…… the house that I bought in 1992 for $135k is now worth $235K………
I’m pretty much at the Fair (well not 24/7………. but that starts on the 25th/26th…..) but we’ll get together fer a visit & house warmimg beverage or six…..
Holy $hit you have a table!!
I even have 2 of um!
Z
Good stuff, great house for a great deal . . . glad to have you 3 miles from me, now! Much more hangin’ out!
Awesome dude… congrats!! u have a tree up front! You can now tie Vivek & whoever you can (Jan 1st soon after midnight) so that he comes back to reality on your front yard… and has to cab it back home… greatness!
Congrats again!! Cheers!
MG
Dude,welcome to the world of adulthood