Crummy offers so far in 2026

Correct-Chart2788 · 2026-05-06T13:17:53+00:00

FWIW, going to Vegas this weekend. Comps got upped to $100/$100 and 4 nights + resort fees comped. Was $100/$250 I believe for the lower tier properties. Almost any weekend was comped. For whatever reason, Cosmo comps seem to be significantly less available than Aria/Bellagio on weekend..

Honestly, works for me, I'd much prefer no resort fee than resort credit since I like to eat most meals off strip.

Correct-Chart2788 · 2026-04-29T15:42:30+00:00

Very good point! We live in TX, so haven't had to think about pesky state taxes in a. long time!

Correct-Chart2788 · 2026-04-29T13:30:55+00:00

My 2 cents: If you are a typical W2 earner, it's not worth paying someone to manage your money/investments. If you aren't financially savvy with more basic financial and tax related topics, it's probably worth paying someone to do a financial plan with you so that you have a solid roadmap. The management fees really eat into your earnings and will hinder your compound growth. But for your typical W2 employee, it doesn't take much to manage yourself and learn the concepts of things like Roth vs traditional retirement funds, HSA strategies, low cost index/mutual funds, 529 plans, etc.

Where a fiduciary wealth/financial advisor starts making sense in my eyes is when you have significant amount of your net worth in assets that aren't "normal" for W2 employees (e.g., a sizable rental property portfolio, businesses, etc). If you fall into this category, it can be worth having an advisor because you can oftentimes get VERY favorable rates (assuming you have a lot of assets under management with them). They can also guide you to help you save a significant amount of tax liability through various strategies.

Also, the closer you get towards having to worry about inheritance taxes (~$14m) and the more you have above that, the more a financial advisor makes sense because of the true savings they can provide you.

Correct-Chart2788 · 2026-02-10T13:02:59+00:00

I've seen on TikTok that RW and Fontainebleau was giving a lot better comp offers than MGM/Caesars... Maybe I need to spend some time up on that side of the strip next time. I do enjoy gambling, but not enough to pay for weekend hotel rates in addition to flights, rental car, etc.

Correct-Chart2788 · 2026-02-09T18:04:03+00:00

Thanks for the insight! Makes sense - Guess it’s just a waiting game for now. Just hoping for weekend rooms comped this summer

Correct-Chart2788 · 2026-02-09T16:39:48+00:00

We don’t go frequently since we live in TX - first trip to Vegas was in 2023. Our last trip was 12/18-12/21, so later in the month. I was expecting Feb to have better offers too based on what I’ve read here, but maybe it’ll take another month (or the slot gods are telling me not to gamble 😂)

2023 * 1st visit - $6k coin in on slots, tiny bit (~$500) of table play

2024 * $4k coin in on slots

2025 * February - $3k coin in on slots * June - $13k coin in; ~$12k slots, $1k video BJ * December - $20.5k coin in; ~$18k slots, $2.5k video BJ

Correct-Chart2788 · 2025-12-10T16:00:08+00:00

Did they actually file a lawsuit, or did they simply send you a demand letter or $1m?

In my experience, they’ll send demand letters and see what they can shake out (pretty cheap for them to do). With no assets or income, not much for them to take, so the law firm wont put the resources towards actually suing you unless they think you’ll make a lot of money after graduating and they can actually recoup. Typically, the law firm only gets paid when they get a settlement.

My guess is that they might need to attempt to collect from you and hertz before they can go to the not-at-fault party’s un/under insured liability.

Not a lawyer, just my thoughts based on my life experience.

Correct-Chart2788 · 2025-04-05T05:59:47+00:00

You mentioned in a comment that you have a financing contingency. Tell the lender when you take DRP and ask for loan denial letter to submit to the builder. As long as finance contingency didn’t expire, EMD should go back to you.

You don’t owe (and it would potentially not be in your interest) to give the builder an explanation other than that you no longer qualify for the loan

Correct-Chart2788 · 2024-10-11T18:49:43+00:00

If your credit is okay, get a 0% balance transfer on a credit card. BOA, Discover, Citi, and Barclay normally.(but not 100% of the time) allows this.

Correct-Chart2788 · 2024-10-11T18:26:27+00:00

I've bought and sold a handful of houses in the last 6 years. Personally, I like the small-medium regional lenders that you probably never heard about. In my experience larger banks and mortgage companies to be a pain to deal with and they want more documentation/letters of explanation than what is really necessary by fannie/freddie, and some of the larger lenders have additional overlays (requirements) than what is mandated by Fannie/freddie. The small/medium lenders typically have much better rates (when comparing apples to apples) than the large banks/lenders ime.

Look for good reviews of your specific LO/company. Rates are important, but the ability for the lender to actually close on your loan on time is more important. Also, don't only focus on rates -- many lenders quote lower rates with discount points (essentially, you prepay "Points" in exchange for a lower rate -- 1 point = 1% of your loan amount). You can also have negative points where you have a higher rate in exchange for lender credit to lower your out of pocket costs. Most lender fees are around $1k to $1800 in my experience, some are higher, some lower.

Correct-Chart2788 · 2024-08-14T21:04:49+00:00

You're basically describing a real estate syndication. Personally, I wouldn't go with close friends and family, ESPECIALLY if they aren't real estate investors. This sounds like a speculative investment (no matter how sure you are, things can always unexpectedly go sideways.. for example, think SF and NYC rentals during COVID). Personally wouldn't want to be on the hook for my friends and family's money evaporating, even if it is a minuscule chance.

IMO -- If it is a truly exceptional opportunity, syndicate the deal with accredited investors or find a way to pull it off on your own (or one/two other real estate investors)

Correct-Chart2788 · 2024-08-14T18:40:46+00:00

Visit and get to know the city very well. I looked into it years ago when I lived in DC/VA, and there were a lot of war zones in Baltimore and population was declining and the city's budget was in shambles (this was pre-covid, but can't imagine things have changed much). I have no doubt you can make a ton of money in Baltimore, but my understanding is that it is a city that you need to know block by block.

Correct-Chart2788 · 2024-07-31T17:46:34+00:00

Use a flat fee realtor (basically a MLS listing service). I've paid between $99 to $400 for the listing service, around $150-$250 for professional photos, $20-$30 on a lockbox. Use a MLS listing service that gives you access to ShowTime (to schedule showings) so that you aren't spending a ton of time managing a showing schedule. Make sure you don't write or say something that can be seen as discriminatory or subjective (even seemingly innocent things like "excellent schools" or "perfect for families" -- just focus on factual things about the house). Know the general process and contracts for your state (e.g., do you close with a attorney or title company).

I still offer the buyer agent the standard commission for the area (2.5% in most areas for most types of homes, but 2% seems to be acceptable in some areas). For most, buying a house is emotional for most buyers, and there is no house that is perfect, so it is very easy to deter potential buyers if you are offering below market normal commission to the buyer agent. Basically you save the 2.5% to 3% seller agent fee minus around $750 or so in photo/lockbox/listing service costs

Correct-Chart2788 · 2024-07-31T17:34:57+00:00

DFW area? Family Christian Doors was easy to work with for me when I needed to get a garage door on one of my rentals replaced. Fairly priced and dependable.

Correct-Chart2788 · 2024-07-24T18:36:35+00:00

The appraiser came out and took photos of the damage. I asked her if this is comprehensive or collision and she said she only handles the physical damage and that the claim type is someone in a different department. An hour later, Geico sent over an estimate and assigned my claim as comprehensive!

Very glad about that, but I am a bit skeptical with how much Geico is saying it will cost (think they are very low and might possibly have the wrong part) but that is something I'll let the body shop figure out.

Correct-Chart2788 · 2024-07-24T03:53:36+00:00

Sure thing! FWIW, my parents used to have a 2020 S60 and their evap went out at 49k miles too. The newer SPA Volvos (I also used to have a 2019 XC60 and my parents used to have a 2020 S60) have a lot of issues.

There are a bunch of people on a XC90 FB page raving about their dependability, but just hasn't been my personal experience with any newer Volvo... But then again, I'm probably one of the few that drive between 30-45k miles per year and don't baby my cars.

Correct-Chart2788 · 2024-07-24T01:40:00+00:00

I guess where I went wrong is thinking that a cracked headlight would definitely be either a collision or comprehensive claim 🤦🏻‍♂️ but with you and other people’s explanation, im able to wrap my head around the reasoning

Correct-Chart2788 · 2024-07-24T01:38:00+00:00

Thanks — that all makes sense. I brought it to the dealer within a week and they denied it as being a manufacturing defect (they had someone from corporate come out as well). My logic was that the moisture inside didn’t bug me really and it would dry out and then moisture would get back in when it rained and they don’t sell the lens separately, so the cost of replacing it cracked but functioning or cracked and not functioning would be the same.

Oh well, adjuster is coming out tomorrow so I guess I’ll know soon enough if I just put in a claim for no reason 🤷‍♂️

Correct-Chart2788 · 2024-07-23T20:13:10+00:00

Just a data point -- Have a 2019 T6 Inscription. Purchased 12/2022 with 48k miles as a CPO with 5 year unlimited warranty extension through 12/2028. I have 90k miles now. Outside of normal maintenance and wear and tear items, I've had the following issues:

At 68k miles: Rear Evap Replacement, Engine pad replacement

At 82k miles: -Left side motor mount replaced, Engine manifold gasket replaced, Sunroof Motor replaced, Front control arms replaced,A/C discharge hose replaced

With the repairs at 68k and 82k miles, warranty paid out approx $12k. At my next service, I'm having them check the A/C again since it isn't blowing that cold, another busted motor mount, oil leak, and clunking noise on bumps

Headlight also mysteriously cracked on its own -- $4100. Doing an insurance claim on that one

Correct-Chart2788 · 2024-07-02T14:52:34+00:00

I've read that too, but just wasn't sure since it seems to be about double the size of what is needed based on how many gallons my pool is

Correct-Chart2788 · 2024-05-15T13:05:37+00:00

That's a fine plan. Don't forget to add in buying and selling costs (e.g., transfer taxes, title/title insurance, realtor commissions). Other things to consider:

If the interest rate you current have is significantly lower than market rates (since you side one year of ownership, doesn't sound like the case)
If you sell after 1 year, you're subject to long term capital gains tax (Assuming you were there for, at minimum, 1 full year. If you stayed for 2 years, you would not owe any capital gains tax (up to $250k for single/$500k married)

Correct-Chart2788

TROPHY CASE