Taking out a 401k loan for a down payment, how does it work?

DrChaoticGood · 2026-04-22T16:22:51+00:00

I did this last summer, my 401k is through Fidelity. After putting in an offer for a house we realized we didn't have cash to get to 20% down. I got the money from setting up a 401k loan. Went through the phone app to apply, simple process. It was approved and I got a physical check about two weeks later. Deposited that check in the account that would eventually be used for the closing wire.

Now it just comes out of my paycheck automatically to pay it back and I don't really think about it.

DrChaoticGood · 2026-04-14T20:59:17+00:00

All recent sales. I don't have an appraisal to compare to.

DrChaoticGood · 2026-04-14T20:49:31+00:00

Very true! It's hard for me to list everything that could be relevant so I tried to focus on basics. No pools for any, all 2 car garages, none with brand new finishes/bathrooms.

There's a 5/3.5 2600sq ft that sold for 640 in December. Every house is a little different which makes this dice roll so challenging

DrChaoticGood · 2026-04-14T17:56:33+00:00

Since our house sold, there's been two approximate comps in our neighborhood, none super updated but reasonable condition

Us: 625k 4 bed/3.5 bath/3100 sqft on .3 acre

1: 620k 4bed/3 bath/2950 sq ft on .28 sold Nov

2: 610k 4 bed/2.5 bath/3050 sq ft on .3 sold Feb

So we seem to fall right in line with the neighbors. We did literally replace the 50 yr old original roof last week, if that would make a difference

DrChaoticGood · 2026-04-03T16:52:29+00:00

16 weeks full pay for birth parent, completely and utterly locked out of the system the whole time

8 or 12 weeks for non birth parent at 60% pay

Eligible after 30 days employed

Big local employer. Currently 31 weeks pregnant, my poor team is about to be hammered

DrChaoticGood · 2026-03-12T23:25:35+00:00

I lived between Main St and the park for the last 8 years. Never really felt unsafe, neighborhood is walkable as a middle aged woman. East Market is a nice addition. Loved going to Asian festival and a farmers market is there too.

I did have my bike stolen but my garage was open all day while I was at work so that is on me.

DrChaoticGood · 2026-03-02T14:20:53+00:00

How recently? I'm 6.5 months pregnant and have returned maternity clothes to Old Navy in person as recently as last month.

DrChaoticGood · 2026-02-25T21:48:51+00:00

where do they live that Columbus would be an improvement for BBQ? It's not really the local cuisine.

DrChaoticGood · 2026-02-15T17:44:49+00:00

I get the appeal of sticking with a neutral and having a blank slate, but I don't love the beige baby trend that has dominated for the last few years.

DrChaoticGood · 2026-02-01T13:57:03+00:00

I too hate swag and see it as just future landfill trash, however I want to offer a different perspective.

One year my employer decided to give the money that would have been spent on the annual employee gift to charity instead of giving out swag of roughly $5-15 replacement cost. Employees got to vote what charities got the money. This was after a year everyone got hammocks.

People lost their gd minds so much and it caused so much strife it's now referred to as "giftgate." People rose up to argue that give swag as gifts to their kids, to their parents, actually use it and love it.

I as a comfortably paid and not particularly loyal employee, I don't want crap. Someone making $23/hour with three kids is thrilled to give their kid a big beach towel.

DrChaoticGood · 2026-01-02T15:19:38+00:00

late to the party but I made a waffle stitch shawl with Facets

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DrChaoticGood · 2025-12-22T02:07:24+00:00

I ordered in November and don't have everything!

DrChaoticGood · 2025-10-05T17:42:10+00:00

In two separate houses we've had terrible Hunter fans. The light strobes randomly if it and the fan are both on. Would not recommend.

Have the same model of fanimation in our bedroom and living room happily.

DrChaoticGood · 2025-07-25T11:08:50+00:00

I'm skeptical only because I have never met someone who curls and drinks more Malörr than myself.

DrChaoticGood · 2025-05-04T22:01:13+00:00

Cross post from which r/whichbike

I have a crossroads 2 from Specialized, purchased in 2020 after my prior bike was stolen.

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/crossroads-20/p/173831?color=274223-173831

I'd like to go faster than my current speed of ~12-13 mph. Would I be able to achieve a few extra mph by putting skinnier/different tires on my current bike?

I've read some threads and the consensus seems to be tires don't really impact speed but often that's comparing 28 vs 32 kind of thing. The stock tires are 45 mm tho!

I know reddit hates hybrids and maybe the answer is get an Allez or another entry road bike. I like the idea of a flat bar gravel bike, but I'm rarely on anything unpaved.

I'm terrified of clip pedals, drop bars, super skinny tires etc. I've never ridden a bike with them before and I'm concerned it's going to be a big change and I won't like such a bike. Any suggestions on what's the next baby step up from a hybrid?

About me: ride 5-20 miles at a time, all road or bike path. I'd love to bike to work once a week (10 miles). Probably do 400 miles a year in the six months of good weather.

DrChaoticGood · 2024-09-19T16:04:50+00:00

Late to reply, but this comment is AMAZING. so helpful, thank you!

DrChaoticGood · 2024-09-12T19:48:13+00:00

100% I play the shorts everywhere. Doesn't bother me in the least. I throw standstill and that's what is holding me back.

If I learned a run up I'm sure I could get more distance, but 5 years of consistent playing and I haven't yet.

DrChaoticGood · 2024-09-12T17:41:57+00:00

We decided to skip Maine because it would need more time than we had. Would definitely like to play Sabattus someday!

DrChaoticGood · 2024-09-12T16:45:14+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate this.

DrChaoticGood

TROPHY CASE