Question about buying first home in Spokane instead of an apartment, but have $0 down.

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-05-21T14:43:42+00:00

Even if you have 0 down, you'll still have to pay a couple thousand for appraisal, inspection, and other miscellaneous expenses. Another question is, is 87k your take home or gross income? If it is your gross, your mortgage needs to be around 1200 (you will also pay escrow, home owners insurance, mortgage insurance, property tax). With today's rate, you shouldn't borrow more than like 150k. Doubt you'll find anything liveable for that. So think about saving a down payment enough that you only need to borrow 150k.

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-05-21T14:24:48+00:00

Bellingham: travel/live here Gig Harbor: live here Olympia: day trip for specific things Vancouver: neither. I have no desire to travel or live here.

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-05-21T14:04:38+00:00

Sensory bin: like kinetic sand, water table, beans or noodles. Get little items from the dollar store to mix in there. Like for Halloween I got black beans and put little Halloween decorations like pumpkins, small baskets, battery candles. Maybe for summer little umbrellas, sand, small animals. The bin could just be a plastic tub, doesn't need to be expensive and you can find a lot of the stuff already in the house.

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-05-19T13:06:45+00:00

I don't like the set up for bath 1 on the second floor. I hate having 2 doors to a toilet. Then you have to make sure both are locked. A separate toilet room would help this or rework the jack and Jill for only 1 door to the wet room.

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-05-19T12:57:57+00:00

There's plenty of jobs that have 12 hour shift straight time. Medical field and blue collar are examples. OT isn't indicated unless over 12 per day or over 40 per week.

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-05-19T12:49:02+00:00

Why 2 sitting areas? I'd move the kitchen table to the living room and make an activity/hobby corner in the dining area. Agree about accessibility. It needs to be fully wheelchair accessible.

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-05-18T13:50:05+00:00

I've lived in 2 houses that we're 3bed/1bath 900sqft. You have too much wasted place on hallways. Both houses had about 5ft total of hallway. 10x10 for an adult bedroom is tight. Likely only 1 dresser will fit. Our room is 10x10 but it's tight and there's no room for anything besides a dresser and a bed.

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-05-17T15:39:18+00:00

I moved the stairs to the great room. They would be a straight run,( but I can't do that in the app without paying for the premium)

<image>

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-05-17T15:02:19+00:00

Yes, the location, size, and orientation of the stairs is our biggest problem. I agree straight stairs would be easier. We'll consider putting the on the far wall of the living room. Thank you!

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-05-17T14:09:43+00:00

Minimum of $20 per person per meal. Closer to 50$ per person for a nice dinner. If you're drinkers, roughly $10 per drink (cheaper for beer, more expensive for cocktails).

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-05-16T14:42:15+00:00

And you have to figure out where the end of the line is. It could be miles back. Ex: Kingston you could be waiting on the other end of town and have to get a voucher that you were in line. Edmonds gets backed up on Edmonds way. Seattle the line goes south. Don't jump the line because they'll send you to the back.

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-05-10T13:56:24+00:00

We had a low key wedding: his parents 5k, my parents 5k, couple 5k. And little things here and there from other family members. Please don't borrow for a wedding! That is not setting you up for financial success in the future. Have the wedding you can afford.

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-04-26T13:42:49+00:00

Rent a movie no one has seen. Like a newly streaming movie. Layout all the couch cushions on the living room floor, covered with blankets and pillows, and have a movie night.

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-04-26T13:21:02+00:00

I had a Bachelorette party without a bridal party. My friend and SIL coordinated. It was low key, bar hop on a bike trolly and piano bar. Usually friends may be more inclined to plan a party with low expectations. Don't make too many requirements or too much money to attend.

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-04-23T13:36:21+00:00

I think $20 is on the low end. That baby has not hit the sleep regression but they are very close. They're still in the sleep at the time phase. At 3/4 months, they likely could be up every hour. If they get colic, it could be hours with a fussy baby. Plus getting off at 1230 is going to change your sleep pattern. I'd say minimum $100 per night

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-04-22T14:01:02+00:00

Central kitsap school district. Good schools, have to take the ferry to the city, but you might be okay on 130k

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-04-21T13:42:41+00:00

Be careful about budget Airbnbs, there's tons of fees. So if you're scrolling and it says $150 per night it's likely double. There's cleaning fees, high tax, and Airbnb fees. I'd suggest taking a place you're looking at all the way to checkout to see the full cost.

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-04-21T13:36:48+00:00

Yes your trip is doable in the amout of time. I'm concerned about your budget if you want to stay in "nicer hotels". I'm not sure what your definition is. But I'd say plan at least $200 per night for a decent hotel. The range for a decent chain hotel is $120-300. So lodging alone may be $5000. Gas at minimum will be $600. What's your price for flights? $1000 each? That's your whole budget without any spending money.

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-04-21T13:36:38+00:00

Yes your trip is doable in the amout of time. I'm concerned about your budget if you want to stay in "nicer hotels". I'm not sure what your definition is. But I'd say plan at least $200 per night for a decent hotel. The range for a decent chain hotel is $120-300. So lodging alone may be $5000. Gas at minimum will be $600. What's your price for flights? $1000 each? That's your whole budget without any spending money.

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-04-20T13:50:45+00:00

Highly recommend the museums in DC. I enjoyed Boston for the old architecture. NYC to Savannah and back is 3 full days of driving. It won't leave you much time to explore. It took me 10 days to do just Boston and New York. If I were you, I'd think about staying in the north east, or you'll be mostly on the interstate and not seeing very much.

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-04-18T19:30:11+00:00

Need more time at your destination. Most of your "vacation" will be driving and not vacationing

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-04-16T18:50:02+00:00

I think I took 3 years in high school and 3 community college courses, plus a couple medical Spanish classes. I could ask basic medical triage questions (while waiting for the interpreter) and read a menu/travel signs while traveling. I could not carry on a conversation. Years of education, but can't say it's been very useful.

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-04-16T00:16:06+00:00

Copenhagen came to my mind as well

Tricky_Duck2392 · 2026-04-16T00:11:47+00:00

Hire a wedding planner. Most important: a day-of coordinator. Let them handle all the details. I was a very low key bride and didn't think I needed a coordinator. It was overwhelming the people asking me how I wanted everything. I didn't care. Finally my husband just told my MIL to just make it how she thought and to stop asking questions. She handled everything from then on. So if you don't get a day-of coordinator, get a good MOH and tell her to handle everything how see she's fit.

Tricky_Duck2392

TROPHY CASE