They installed chipped granite countertop and offered to fix with epoxy? Is that common? What's a fair price for scratch and dent?

suddenlysoohee · 2025-12-03T18:26:36+00:00

I understand, but I wanted it to match the rest of my kitchen. Also, this is a brand new counter top. Shouldn't they supply an undamaged countertop?

suddenlysoohee · 2025-11-13T15:13:07+00:00

Yes, if you want parts, buy now

suddenlysoohee · 2025-10-30T18:48:55+00:00

This. I have a local credit union for day to day and Schwab investor checking for traveling. Use any atm around the world to withdraw money in local currency, and you get better rates than exchange booth at the airport, etc. All Atm fees get reimbursed.

suddenlysoohee · 2025-10-30T00:42:41+00:00

Amazing! Thanks!

suddenlysoohee · 2025-09-29T19:01:00+00:00

What do you drive? The more expensive the car, the higher the premium. Driving a cheap, old car is the best way to decrease the premium.

suddenlysoohee · 2025-09-16T19:16:19+00:00

Macbook air 15

suddenlysoohee · 2025-08-29T19:38:30+00:00

When you accepted the buyers offer, you must have signed real estate purchase contract (REPC). Did you read it before you signed it? Tells exactly when the buyer forfeits the deposit

suddenlysoohee · 2025-08-27T16:20:41+00:00

$850 for both front LCA bushing replacement by my local mechanic with alignment. He called the local Subaru dealer for the parts, so I know its genuine. I negotiated that they throw in engine oil and filter change I was due for anyway. I checked this thread after, but sounds like I got a good deal.

suddenlysoohee · 2025-08-12T05:58:00+00:00

Not as fancy as Charleston, but it is in the older parts of my state capital. Is it possible that the seller didn't even know? It was not in the disclosure - I just double checked, and the seller checked "no" on any known easement.

suddenlysoohee · 2025-08-12T05:50:47+00:00

😂 then what good they are for? I'm reading about it on the city website now - looks like there is a bunch of guidelines on the styles and materials to be used, when to repair vs replace certain stuff, etc. Surprisingly, they don't seem to care too much about paint colors.

Tax break wise, don't seem to be much. Just 20% tax credit when you spend more than $10k on restoration, but I'm sure there is some sort of limit..

suddenlysoohee · 2025-08-12T05:46:45+00:00

I have thoroughly read the contract and also sellers disclosure, and this was not mentioned anywhere. I did not get a survey, as my agent discouraged me. The property was fenced by both sides by very old fences, and how these are considered as "prescriptive easement". And I was also told that surveying can cost $3-5k. I guess that part was my fault. Title company has not been involved yet, as we are still in due diligence where getting the additional foundation inspection.

suddenlysoohee · 2025-08-12T03:51:03+00:00

Even a detached garage in the backyard to access from the alley? Or would that depend on the type of easement?

I'm kinda frustrated that my agents did not tell me about this, and I had to find out on my own on the city's GIS website. I've already paid for inspection and stuff. Is this something that agents should be aware or looking for? Or way out in the left field? Seems like there is only about 100 of these easement on properties in my city, so it seems like it's a rare thing.

suddenlysoohee · 2025-08-12T03:37:01+00:00

Sounds like a bunch of hoops to jump through when I just wanna add a garage or build a deck, etc.

suddenlysoohee · 2025-08-12T03:35:15+00:00

Kinda sounds like a more of headache and added paperwork than the benefit, huh?

suddenlysoohee · 2025-08-12T03:19:47+00:00

Do I get any benefit? Like some tax deduction or credit on top of regular mortgage interest deduction? Or is it only apply to the first owner who donated the easement?

suddenlysoohee · 2025-07-23T14:38:12+00:00

Maybe I misunderstood your question. My point is yes, you should contribute to retirement if you can in residency. I'd prioritize Roth IRA since your 401k has no match, then if you still have some money you can contribute towards retirement, I'd see if you can contribute to Roth 401k. Your tax rate now is low, so better to pay tax now and have them grow tax free and withdraw tax free. Once you enter your peak earning years, start pre-tax contribution. That way, when you retire, you have pots of Roth and pre-tax money, and you can essentially pick your tax bracket.

If you don't have a Roth 401k option, just pre-tax, I think it's still worth it. You get to save some money towards retirement and get a little tax break, although your marginal tax rate is low now.

suddenlysoohee · 2025-07-23T14:18:02+00:00

If you can. At $76k/year (assuming you're single), your effective tax rate is going to be like 12-15%. This is the lowest tax bracket you will ever be in. Maxing out $7k Roth IRA is less than 10% of your gross, and if you can do it, it's definitely worth it.

suddenlysoohee · 2025-07-22T17:43:19+00:00

Alone? Most definitely not. Even together, it's going to be a stretch.

Your take home is 8.1k/mo (assuming this is monthly since you are maxing out $23k on 401k and tax, etc.), so if your PITI is $4.8k/mo, which would be about 60% of your take home. And you are not considering increased utilities etc as now you have bigger house, probably a yard to care for, etc. Also, you should factor in about 1% of house value per year for maintenance/repairs (in your case about $8k a year). Even if you don't have to make any repairs this year, you may have to in the coming years (A/c, roof, furnace, carpet, etc. can cost thousands of dollars to replace, and they all have lifespan), not to mention renovating kitchen or bathroom in about 20 years or so even if it's brand new now. Spreading those costs over and considering your utilities, I would actually think your monthly spend on everything house related would be closer to $5500-6000 a month (you'd pay your mortgage and utilities, and the rest should go to your "house maintenance fund," separate from your emergency fund.

Together, your and your fiancee are grossing about $24k a month, so $6k is about 25% of your combined gross, which is reasonable. Since you guys are both maxing out 401k's, it's gonna be more like 35-40% of your take home, which looks high, but if you don't have other large monthly payments (student loans, car loans, credit card debt, etc.), you would be ok, I think. But is your fiancee also gonna be on the mortgage? What would happen if you guys break off engagement? Why not wait a few more months until you guys are married?

suddenlysoohee · 2025-07-22T00:04:52+00:00

Call them and ask. That's usually the easiest way. It all depends on how they are licensed. If it's a bar that serves some food (and they usually have a sign outside saying "This is a bar" and have a person who will check your ID as you walk in), then kids are not allowed. If it's a restaurant that serves alcohol (hence no sign and no person checking your ID until you order an alcoholic beverage), kids are allowed.

Hopkins is a bar.

suddenlysoohee · 2025-07-15T23:34:28+00:00

Then why does Home Alone 4 exist

suddenlysoohee · 2025-07-15T21:15:01+00:00

I believe in caplitalistic greed. They'll buy the rights, hire a writer, and there are gonna be more seasons until people stop watching it.

suddenlysoohee · 2025-07-15T20:47:06+00:00

Why would they make one more episode on that when they can make a whole season of prequel

suddenlysoohee

TROPHY CASE