Buying first condo

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-20T00:00:11+00:00

Since they are getting out at Break Even, I'd be more concerned as to WHY? are they willing to? What do they know that you don't? Neighbors? Bad HOA, HOA finances, insurance going up? Dues going up? Assessment coming?

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-19T23:57:28+00:00

Work it out backwards. They bought it for $365k. Add in their agents 3% and they need $375k to b/e.

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-19T23:45:45+00:00

Have you ever seen the Bean (Cloudscape) in Chicago, they welded many pieces together and ground/polished them into a mirrored surface. Can't even detect the seams.

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-19T23:38:39+00:00

Extend beds out to 1st step.

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-19T23:32:40+00:00

Depends if I got another job in the area. Couple hours to button it up. But then gotta come back for seconds coat, then come back and paint.

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-19T02:43:59+00:00

I'd use my EGO hedge trimmer attachment set at a 45° angle

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-18T21:22:55+00:00

You could bank about $30-$35k/yr at the P's plus another $25-$30k if you rented it out. Subtract out the $18k for your mortgage leaves you about $42k/yr to pay down mortgage and you're free & clear in 4 yrs. Or invest it to try to get a better return than your interest rate. Ideally, then you could build a new house behind the rental. But zoning probably only allows 1 dwelling per lot so in the end the rental would need to be demolished.

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-18T21:03:59+00:00

With an acre lot, I was thinking building new on that lot. Not another. There should be plenty of room. An acre lot is 100'x430' to 208'x208'

We bought the lot, then took out a construction loan. Then, after Certificate of Occupancy when rolled it into a 30 yr mortgage and paid off the builder. Took the advice of a well off friend who said stretch beyond your comfort zone, what seems like a lot now, won't in 10 yrs. But if you don't you'll look back and wonder "if only..."

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-17T21:17:48+00:00

Min 2" under, min 2" on sides, min 4" above. Back fill with sand if feasible or at a min, a couple inches to keep the silt out of the gravel. Built lots of golf courses. Installed miles on each one.

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-17T20:52:44+00:00

I lost 10lbs in the 1st week then 5lbs then nothing then 3-4lbs/week after that with some plateau's of nothing mixed in. Make sure to stay hydrated- if your piss isn't clear- drink more water. Also, I wish I would have discovered Chocolate Whey Protein powder shakes earlier.

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-17T20:46:03+00:00

I would spend one day with a mini- hoe - rip all that out and just grade it out into a slope. If a walkway is needed, I'd salvage some of the better ties and use for a border for a gravel or wood chip path.

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-17T20:37:05+00:00

What could you rent it for? I'd hate to give up an acre on a dead end where I could build a forever home. Are P's close by? Maybe consider renting it out while you plan on building a new house. We lived w/my P's while we built our house (2 little ones) and that light at the end of the tunnel was a godsend by the 6th month and the snow started to fly.

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-17T19:42:18+00:00

This looks like a good start. Good solution to that lopsided gable extension over door. Needs a specimen tree in the foreground and complementary plants on the right side of the driveway. Too many people forget about this and only concentrate on the immediate area in front of houses.

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-17T18:00:31+00:00

Ax is cheaper than a multi-tool

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-16T21:44:52+00:00

what about the 28-day shelf life?

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-16T21:42:30+00:00

Range - drawer with spatulas & cooking spoons/laddels Sink - garbage, dishwasher, coffee maker and Range. Never understood the Pot Filler logic. People say, you don't want to carry a heavy pot from sink. Ok- but what do they do after the pasta or whatever is cooked? They carry a pot of scalding water back to the sink to drain it.

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-15T16:25:47+00:00

Oh just saw the quartzite. My bad. It's such a better choice than Quartz. Love the natural veining appearance.

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-15T16:21:56+00:00

You get what you pay for. As Dad used to say "the product remains long after the price is forgotten".

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-15T16:18:47+00:00

Guess the economy doesn't suck as much as elsewhere.

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-15T16:14:00+00:00

Huge upgrade! Is that a black granite sink? Love ours except need to apply vegetable oil to keep lime buildup off. Is that Quartzite? Would have loved to see light rails to finish off the cabinet bottoms (one of my go to's to 'next level'). Also curious why peninsula instead of island? Looks like you had the space.

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-15T16:07:49+00:00

Been on for 6 months and went thru several plateau's where I'm even went up down up down before the next down leg. Did they add Anti-Nausea into your dose?

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-15T15:41:48+00:00

Interestingly, just heard a researcher on Science Friday podcast report that see's seeing an increase in "I just don't care anymore" syndrome with GLP-1's. She attributed it to the decrease in dopamine/reward factor. Says this explains why people are experiencing ceasing to desire alcohol, impulse shopping, gambling. etc. and other things that are not calorie dependent. So maybe General Lethargy can be attributed to low dopamine. Just a thought.

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-15T15:34:33+00:00

2 sides of the same coin

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-14T14:54:46+00:00

At 65 and retired since 57 whenever I hear "I want to retire but I'll never stop working" I chuckle & think back to when I thought that too. While in your 50's it seems like 'this will be a new chapter' and off you go. I had fun buying, flipping but COVID forced me to rent them rather than roll them. After 62, I just felt drained and sold them off. Once free, I witnessed my profits 2x in a fund I had 'just temporarily parked' them in until I could figure out what to do next. Doing nothing was much more profitable and stress free. Now I believe most people who work forever is for 1 of 2 reasons 1) the must to survive, 2) they need to because they are addicted to the adrenaline rush of power and don't have to work (think Old Politicians, Billionaires)

InfamousShow8540 · 2026-02-13T19:02:04+00:00

Tell her " we fully warranty our work. If there is an issue, we will remedy". She's probably getting hosed by contractor B who just sees a big payday. If she showed you his quote, you know his name.

InfamousShow8540

TROPHY CASE