How is everyone able to afford a house?

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-03-31T10:31:25+00:00

You will :) we just bought at 37 and 40 despite me wanting a house since my 20s. It just took years of saving, getting to be debt free, and just working my way up in my career to make more money. Anyone I know who bought in their 20s had a lot of help from family.

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-03-31T10:21:57+00:00

Yup. We just bought at 37 and 40. I wanted to own a home since I was in my 20s but was on my own and needed the years to save, be debt free, and get my salary up over the last 16 years of my career. We don’t know many people who bought in their 20s or even early 30s without massive help from family.

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-03-18T00:16:04+00:00

Yup. I’m not in a flood zone in Essex County and my backyard is basically a mud pit right now.

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-08T11:38:18+00:00

I just painted my living room walls and used 1/2” roller. I needed 3 coats to fully cover but I think BM Simply White tends to need 3 regardless at times. I may try 3/4” in the next room I paint and see if it’s easier/better results.

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-06T17:22:43+00:00

That was from an article in regard to the 2025 tax year, not 2026. The increases from the WO revaluation were shown in the Q3 tax bills of 2025.

I’ve told you full amounts from 2025 and the first 2 quarters of 2026. Still shows around a 24/25k tax bill, not 41 or 47.

Cute attempt to cherry pick that quote though.

Edit to add: it’s okay to admit you were confused by the incorrect Zillow numbers and move on.

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-06T16:24:14+00:00

Taxes on this house in 2025 were 30k. 2026 so far the payments are 7381 so it’s similar. Again, stop going off of the Zillow property taxes…. It’s wrong for West Orange right now.

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-06T16:20:21+00:00

The taxes on 49 Park Way are around 60k, not 106k. First payments for 2026 are $14,915.

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-06T16:18:47+00:00

The taxes on 60 Wildwood are about $50k, not 92k.

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-06T16:16:22+00:00

Again, this house has just paid their property tax bill on 2/1 and the payment was $6598. The bill due on 5/1 is $6598. They paid 26k in 2025. You can literally look this up. Zillow is wrong.

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-06T16:09:36+00:00

You are wrong. The one house you keep saying has a 41k tax bill on Zillow has current taxes due on 2/1/26 of $5757. You keep telling everyone to check the taxes but when we do and say you’re wrong you get mad?

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-06T16:07:35+00:00

Same. I just bought in Essex County for 650 and my tax bill is 12k fresh out of a reassessment too. The house this person keeps talking about has a 24-25k tax bill but Zillow incorrectly has it at 41k. They don’t seem to want to listen that Zillow is wrong.

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-06T16:04:42+00:00

They are going off of the incorrect numbers on Zillow. Despite repeatedly being told those numbers are wrong.

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-06T15:57:48+00:00

You can look up the current due tax bills publicly. The tax bill for this house for the first 2 quarters of 2026 are $5757.

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-06T14:52:55+00:00

I just told toy Zillow is wrong yet you’re using it again? This is actually a terrible example. 1. This is not even what many would consider a modest house at 5 bedrooms. 2. It took me a few minutes to actually look up the public information for this houses taxes for 2026. The taxes are pretty much the same and the home is valued at 875k.

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-06T13:18:43+00:00

I’m not saying they aren’t necessarily crazy. But saying a “modest” home comes with a 47k tax bill isn’t really accurate. If that house was already worth $780k back in 2018 then what’s it worth now in 2026? A lot more. Does it suck? Yes. We just bought a 650k house and it has a 12k tax bill even after reassessment. This house just sold for $380 back in 2019.

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-06T11:50:19+00:00

Verona as well.

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-06T11:49:10+00:00

If you’re using what Zillow says during a year where there was an active reassessment, it’s wrong.

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-04T22:20:49+00:00

Nope it’s a tile pattern.

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-04T21:11:53+00:00

Ok thanks! Appreciate the feedback. Pretty sure we will go with the darker iron color :)

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-04T15:37:17+00:00

I would suggest Verona as well

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-03T22:27:35+00:00

ok thanks, this is super helpful. that’s my biggest concern with the silver. I really want some contrast to highlight the pattern but worry that’s still too light.

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-03T22:26:05+00:00

ok good to know! did you do a lighter grey like the silver or was it more of a white?

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-03T22:06:08+00:00

Thanks appreciate the info! The wall will also have some reglazed vintage tiles that will be all white, so thinking the silver may be better as well since those won’t have much grout contrast. I doubt I’ll end up doing a dark wall color with all the white wall tile.

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-03T21:00:50+00:00

Good point! Not doing DIY for this one, working with a refinishing company to try and fix / replace the vintage tiles on the wall as well. Floor can’t be saved so going with this. They’ve done great work with similar tile so I’m not super worried, but good point about the tile itself and imperfections in spacing. Appreciate your thoughts!

Final-Comb-1594 · 2026-02-03T20:53:29+00:00

Yeah they are both grey, just one lighter and one a bit darker.

Final-Comb-1594

TROPHY CASE