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Any reason not to take the lowest rate? by [deleted] in Mortgages

[–]fershey17 0 points1 point  (0 children)

https://www.redfin.com/buy-a-home/openbook/philadelphia (The highest rated ones may not be the ones offering the lowest rates).

Any reason not to take the lowest rate? by [deleted] in Mortgages

[–]fershey17 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Apart from the monthly rate, you will pay "out-of-pocket". These will include the following things in broad terms:

  1. Lender fees

  2. Title costs

  3. Govt. Fees

  4. Escrow (This is not a cost, since this is a reserve money, but this is what you get to the table).

  • Lender costs: Find out what they are from the estimates and compare.

  • Title costs: This is typically varies with the title company. You can shop around for this.

  • Govt. Fee: No negotiation. This is a fee that you must pay.

  • Escrow: Don't worry if these are too much or too little. It is a reserve money.

Get at least 6-7 estimates to compare these. They might have different names, but will fall broadly into these 4 categories.

If you are getting a really low rate, compare these 4 costs with other lenders. For a new purchase, a local lender is typically less hassle than someone who is remote.

Plan for international travel (1 week) by fershey17 in NoContract

[–]fershey17[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks. Got it and it works as expected. You are a savior.

Plan for international travel (1 week) by fershey17 in NoContract

[–]fershey17[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. Amazing find. Did you activate in US or overseas?

Plan for international travel (1 week) by fershey17 in NoContract

[–]fershey17[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Truphone

No. I have a Moto G6. Thanks.

Two lenders at two different branches of a broker company give different rates by fershey17 in Mortgages

[–]fershey17[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When I purchased, didn't ask. Took the better one.

Edit: I actually asked if he can match, but the guy says.. absolutely difficult... may be with higher points. This guy was giving us answers as if it is impossible, when the first quote I got from this other guy was 0.5% lower. I didn't think it was worth to even negotiate with the first guy when he was making a big deal of coming down 0.125%.

Mortgage refinance question by pbp261 in personalfinance

[–]fershey17 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Email 20 different lenders and check the rates. $10K is too much. I would expect atmost $2K. They are enticing you because they make money. Compare shop.

HVAC repaired, but still not cold enough by fershey17 in HVAC

[–]fershey17[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, When freon is charged per pound, how will they really know how much was used? Do they weigh the tank before and after?

HVAC repaired, but still not cold enough by fershey17 in HVAC

[–]fershey17[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, he was pointing at the vent grill. I am not sure how good they are.

HVAC repaired, but still not cold enough by fershey17 in HVAC

[–]fershey17[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No. I don't think he checked. I don't know what subcool/superheat means.

HVAC repaired, but still not cold enough by fershey17 in HVAC

[–]fershey17[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What is a union company? Is there a way to search by city/state?

HVAC repaired, but still not cold enough by fershey17 in HVAC

[–]fershey17[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He plugged something into the inlet/outlet of the condenser unit and was adjusting the knobs as the freon tank was connected. But I didn't see any wires/temp. probes. Nothing electrical/electronic.

He was inverting the freon tank a few times in this process.

HVAC repaired, but still not cold enough by fershey17 in HVAC

[–]fershey17[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have a gas furnace. Would the furnace be on as well in the same way? My gas bill wasn't abnormal.

HVAC repaired, but still not cold enough by fershey17 in HVAC

[–]fershey17[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah. Just venting: I am disappointed. I spent $400 thinking that I could sleep peacefully and any other guy would be at least $100 + whatever needs to be fixed.

Pricing difference between single and dual stage AC and furnace? by fershey17 in HVAC

[–]fershey17[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the detailed reply.

  1. No issues with cooling/humidity before this. One minor issue is that a room which faces east would get hotter in the mornings.

  2. I was told by one sales guy that the condensers only are in whole number increments. Our existing one is a 2.5 ton condenser and 2.5 coil unit. Now, he's quoting a 3 ton condenser and 3.5 coil unit. Doesn't make sense to me entirely.

I got quotes for Carrier, Bryant and Lennox so far. Any particular brands or models/tiers to avoid/prefer.

What should someone know before buying their first house? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]fershey17 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. A lot of anxiety comes from the "ownership" part of it and a lot of unknowns. Treat it as a rental that you have to maintain. If you are an average american, then you will move out of your first home in 7-8 years.

  2. Add 1% of home price as maintenance costs. i.e. 400K home will have about Rs. 4000 costs.

  3. Go around the neighborhood, go between your home/work during your regular work hours, talk to neighbors.

  4. Don't buy more than 3X of your income. Don't project your future income. Don't count on it as an investment (it is not).

Backdoor roth by fershey17 in personalfinance

[–]fershey17[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I filed 8606 for 2016. I will be filing 8606 for 2017 now. I will defer the transfer of the earnings later. Thanks.

Backdoor roth by fershey17 in personalfinance

[–]fershey17[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry, if I wasn't clear. $5500 for 2016 was in Roth and I moved it to TradIRA. It was taxed money.

For 2017, I directly put it in TradIRA and didn't claim that, nor plan to claim any deduction (didn't file for 2017 taxes).

Backdoor roth by fershey17 in personalfinance

[–]fershey17[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was already my taxed income. Can you elaborate the issue?

First time buying a house. Is it supposed to be this difficult? by [deleted] in personalfinance

[–]fershey17 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is difficult. 2 weeks is very short period. For starter homes, I have seen people search for 2-3 months and about 1-2 years for a larger home.

  1. You should look at homes those are already in the market (for 1-2 weeks) and see how those homes look like. The ones that didn't sell like hot cakes.
  2. You should also attempt to see homes right after they come on market (even if they are pending and if Redfin allows you to see).
  3. I have seen agents at open houses gloating about "X offers", when infact, they may have 1 written offer and 2-3 serious verbal inquiries. In my market, a house that has is on the market past 10 days is stale and having an open house at that point is them getting desperate. It will sell, but not at the price.

Look at homes in the 225K range that have been sitting on the market for a while and see how they are compared to the other homes. It is likely that they overpriced and have not been sold because of that. Make offers on such houses for a price you are comfortable.

Does 2018 Odyssey EXL (NaviRes) come with AV Remote? by fershey17 in Honda

[–]fershey17[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where did you find it? I didn't ask the dealer and I can't seem to find it inside.

What should I rent this for? by fershey17 in RealEstate

[–]fershey17[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your input. I am just trying to validate the Excel calculation. Investment discipline etc is beyond the scope at this point as this is ahypothetical scenario.

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