Comments on: Buying a House in 2021

By: One Frugal Girl

One Frugal Girl — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 16:25:32 +0000

In reply to NZ Muse. That's true! That's why we searched for a house with good bones. The other stuff can be altered.

By: NZ Muse

NZ Muse — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 07:34:43 +0000

A gas stove (and other kitchen stuff) are things you can add! (Unlike other, fixed elements) Woohoo!

By: One Frugal Girl

One Frugal Girl — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 17:23:24 +0000

In reply to Ana. Thanks! I can't believe how many people can come to the table with $800,000 or more in cash! It's definitely wild times in the housing market. Would you stay in Florida or move somewhere else?

By: One Frugal Girl

One Frugal Girl — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 17:22:40 +0000

In reply to She's FIRE'd. Thanks! I hope we find new things and people to love too!

By: Ana

Ana — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 14:28:59 +0000

My husband and I have talked about moving, too. The market in Florida is crazy (probably like everywhere else). I’ve heard about the outrageous bidding wars and cash only offers. I find it so hard to believe that there’s such a big housing shortage.

Hope you enjoy your new home– sounds like a kitchen makeover is in your future!

By: She's FIRE'd

She's FIRE'd — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 13:13:33 +0000

Enjoy your new house. I hope you find new things and people to love in your new neighborhood!

By: One Frugal Girl

One Frugal Girl — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 03:41:44 +0000

In reply to Dividend Power. I know we are in a very different environment than the sub-prime mortgage debacle, but ever since that event I worry about the up and down momentums of the market. Over the long haul prices generally rise, but I would feel nervous buying a house if I wasn't also selling one this time around. I was bitten terribly by a house purchase in 2005 that only recently recovered its value. Thankfully we never had to sell it, but it would've been downright awful if we did. Thankfully home prices are rising for a different reason this time around. You are 100% right about interest rates though. Money is so cheap that this time around I'm not paying off my mortgage!

By: Dividend Power

Dividend Power — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 13:05:45 +0000

House prices will continue rising due to tight supply and builders not building. That being said, if interest rates one up then it will slow down the market.

By: One Frugal Girl

One Frugal Girl — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 02:51:43 +0000

In reply to Mistress of Home and Finance.

What a great comment! We are definitely paying for the convenience of not waiting any longer. If we stayed where we are we would’ve paid $40,000 for private school too! So I’m happy to dump more into a mortgage at this point in time to avoid that.

Some communities are certainly better than others, but even in the best you’ll find a few folks you’d rather avoid. I actually grew up thirty minutes away from a grocery store as a kid and looking back on it I loved those drives too. I do not love them as an adult though 😉

By: Mistress of Home and Finance

Mistress of Home and Finance — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 00:00:23 +0000

Good luck with selling your house!
As for buying when the market is high… well, you’re paying for the convenience of not waiting longer.
That’s what all the money is there for, in the end.
It gives you options to live a happier life, if you choose to.

Although it’s interesting to see how radically different our must-haves are.
I grew up as a rural queer (among other things), so I’ve valued having distance from my neighbours.
My favourite saying is “Love is blind, but the neighbours certainly aren’t!”
Which is a shame, and a lot of my more radical friends are all for fostering community level interactions.
It’s something I’ve never reconciled, especially now that I live in a condo and get to see how messy neighbours’ lives are.

And yes, I would recommend trying to avoid the forty minute drive to get groceries. It’s brutal.
Although I have lots of fond memories of taking those trips with my dad and getting to talk with him the whole way.