Welcome to our forum.
PS...Why tell other posters in the forum what posts to respond to? Do you think that you are msarter than them or that they should listen to you for some reason? Just curious. Maybe I'm just more into independent thought than you are. But I feel that most people in this group are probably smart enough to decide on their own which posts they want to read and reply to.
This string is at least fun to read....Solo- In the ennd your right....you will buy when your ready. My question to you.....what was the last thing you bought ....lets say that cost more then $750Are you this particular about spending your dollars on every purchase?I have to admit, I am tight with the buck.....but the one thing you do after you finish an exhaustive search and buy....is say.....jes, I should of done this sooner.Hope you get a tub ......sooner then later.
Solo,The only reason I encourage you to "buy, buy, buy" now, is because you say it is truly for therapy. And, you have stated you have a source for the extra money. Seems like you are punishing yourself.
It took me 4 months to buy my last car even though I knew what I wanted on day 1. I ended up buying my Honda Accord during the last week of December in the year I got it. So on MAJOR purchases, I do a ton of research, establish my price, and wait for that price. It's a practice that has saved me thousands of dollars through the years.
Single Guy:Premium line for those with over $70K/year in incomeMid-line for those with over $50K/year incomeDon't bother for thos with less than $40K/year income.
This probably varies greatly by area. Where are you located?
The big city of Charlotte, NC (not really so big and the cost of living here is actually considerably cheaper than up north). Taxes are about 25% here of what they are in NJ (new 4,000 sq ft homes on a new 4-star golf course with nearby shopping are $500K and property taxes are around $4,500/year vs. NJ where the same EXACT house by the same EXACT builder (but it not on a golf course) is $800K and property taxes are $18K/year. Most middle class ($300K home) here make around $80K/year or so. Those making between $100K and $150K live in neighborhoods like this one. Like any other town, there is another COMPLETE level of income for others where they are bringing in WELL over $200K/year. Some are dual income doctor/dentist husband/wife which almost seems common around here. Those are the ones paying cash for the few million dollar 6,500 sq ft. homes in this neighborhood. They are also the ones that might just pick out a tub based on if the color matched their decor rather than any concerns about price. Too bad I never did start that Hot Tub business 3 years ago...
Someone making $80K a year isn't able to afford a $300K house with only 20% down. This is why the whole sub prime problem is happening. According to the banker I went to (the one who I went to for the mortgage on this home) a person's mortgage (PITI) is supposed to occupy only 28% of the monthly income. 28% of $80K is $22400 or $1867/monthAlthough if you sold a house in NJ and used that money for the purchase ... you'd be sitting pretty!
The big city of Charlotte, NC (not really so big and the cost of living here is actually considerably cheaper than up north).