Sir
@gambit ,
When i first came to the United States, the first thing i did was rent apartments (back in California), and then when I moved to New Jersey couple of years ago for a new position , i realized that the homes in New Jersey are very decent-sized and prices are affordable.
At age 27, i purchased my first house here in the states --- and yes, Sir, its costly investment, but its an investment that pays back. Instead of renting an apartment where your money goes to the landlord or property owner, owning a house, you're paying your own mortgage (which is the same cost almost as renting an apartment) and the gist is this--- it builds your own equity. If i decide to sell my house, i get my money's worth back. lol.
I purchased my first -- and probably only -- house just six yrs ago. Yes, I was a very mobile person six yrs ago. When I used to work for Santa Clara Plastics, then SCP Global now gone, I was always looking for a place where I could feel comfortable enough to settle down. Hawaii was just way too expensive and does not have the technology industries I wanted to be in, so the mainland is it. I thought much and serious about California, part of that was the large Vietnamese community, but I did not care for the politics. Too liberal for my taste.
You must make more than I do to afford a nice place in Joid-zee.
Tho i admit it cost me close to $30,000 to remodel the place. I changed the whole kitchen style as the original planning style was from the 90's. I got new stainless steel fridge, appliances, my new counter top is marble top, and for my kitchen cabinets, --- had those all added on new -- cherry wood -- and designed by the Amish in Chestertown, PA. The floors were carpetted -- i had those removed -- and installed dark wood floors. Upstairs as well.
Here is my story...
When I was shopping for a house, I told my agent: 'No HOAs.' Any house that is an in HOA, I want immediate dismissal. She eventually found me a place asking price 175k. I did some public info research and found the seller bought the house from a foreclosure at 135k in Jun '09. He already spent about 5k doing some minor repairs/upgrades. We also found out there were four offers: 2 FHAs, one just a simple offer, and mine. The FHA rules states that the seller must be in the house for at least 90 days before FHA will back the loan. Mine was VA and there is no such rule, which left only two offers.
The VA want the seller to pay closing costs, and I want more stuff fixed up. The seller resisted. So I told him about the FHA rule but did not tell him what I knew of his purchase price. So he had a choice of either working on the house and wait for a better offer, or agree to my offer/demands and sell. My way would have him nominally own the house for 30 days, made not a single payment on it, sell it to me, and make 40k profit. Even minus the closing cost and assorted repairs/upgrade, he would still make at least 30k on it. So he agreed.
So far my house is ...my castle. There is a great deal of satisfaction coming home to YOUR OWN house after work. I love it, just the only down side is that its an empty nest. I'd like to, someday, God Willing, have little Nihonjins running around...LOL!
A house is definitely a proverbial 'chick magnet', my friend. Does not matter how old she is, even the younger gals know how nice it is to have a house over an apartment. A house is more a 'chick magnet' than a car but a lot of guys do not know that.
Next is to get yourself a bike, and I do
NOT mean a pedal pumper. If you notice, all action movies heroes know how to ride a bike.
YOU -- cruising on your bike down the street into your own garage -- that is cherry, buddy. And if you are good looking, chicks will be tripping over their panties running after you.
Sir, i can only imagine your property --- living in Hawaii. You have to be , literally a millionaire to live there. Isn't it so expensive there?
No...I grew up in Hawaii, and we lived in an apartment there. It was a large apartment, yes, but we did not have enough to buy property in Hawaii.
