I am 25 and married.
We own a 3 bedroom/2.5 bath home that will be paid off in less than a year.
We wanted to do a small remodel and upgrades in the house since is very 80's looking.
We planned to spend $50,000 on improvements.
My mother keeps telling me that I shoud keep the money and plan to use it on a down payment on another house one day.
She said if I kept it for a rental property the tenants might ruin my $50,000 upgrades.
She says I can keep my house now as rental income or I can sell it and buy another home and have a smaller loan.
I always assumed we would live where we do, but we don't have children so maybe we will move one day.
Is it rare someone lives in the same house for decades?
Or do people typical own several different houses in their life?
What do you think?
2006-09-01 10:12:53 · 10 answers · asked by HappyHippo 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
I think that if it's a decent sized home that it's not unreasonable to think that you would be living there for a long time.
My grandparents have lived in their second home for over 35 - 40 years. My parents have lived in their first home (my dad was in the military prior to that) for 22 years. I just bought the house that I plan to retire in (which will be in about 30 years).
I think it's great that you own a home and it's almost paid off at your age. If you can stay where you're at (your job won't require you to move, your house is big enough to grow into), you should stay. NOT having a house payment (or rental) is a huge deal - you will be able to use that money for SOOO many other things. You won't need rental income if you never have a house payment again. If you do move, sell your old house and use that money to pay cash for the new house (100% down).
Don't buy into the hype that debt is the American way of life!
2006-09-01 10:25:00 · answer #1 · answered by alisha_kelly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you are not being unrealistic. Actually, that's a lovely idea. My grandparents lived in the same house for probably about 20 years, and even after they passed away, none of my moms siblings wanted to sell it because it had so much sentimental value to it. I, personally, would want to live in one place for a long time. I get very easily attatched. I lived in the same house for 16 years, until I moved to a newer house with my parents, then I went off and got married some years later. But, my first house was always the one dearest to me because it was where I grew up. That was where I made my childhood memories. If you are happy living in this house, it seems like you will live here for a while and there's nothing wrong with that! After all, a happy house is a happy home! =)
2006-09-01 10:22:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
At 17, I've lived in three different homes. Some people move, and some become attached and stay in the same home for a long time. I say, be flexible. Maybe you will have children and want a larger home, maybe not. It depends on your plans for the future. Don't worry about what other people do or what your mother suggests. After all, it's only a suggestion. If you really want to continue living there, do it.
2006-09-01 10:18:50 · answer #3 · answered by Dan-Bi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that if you plan on living there, even for a few more years that you should do the improvements. It will make it more liveable for you and depending on what you are doing, you are more likely to get more money for your home if you sell. I think when you do have children, your desires for your home change. You start thinking about neighbors, children in the neighborhood, schools, rec centers, safety, etc. Things change and so do your desires. Also, as people age they typically find themselves in higher income brackets. With that comes a desire to live in better homes and better neighborhoods. Good Luck with everything.
2006-09-01 10:24:18 · answer #4 · answered by luveeduvee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use to be that someone built a home when they married, and they lived in that home for the rest of their life.
Now, it seems people hop around a bunch more.
Sounds to me like you need to decide for youself - if you stay in the house, go ahead and do the $50,000 improvements - you'll enjoy it.
If you're planning on moving, then use it as down payment, simple as that.
2006-09-01 10:19:29 · answer #5 · answered by p_rutherford2003 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Or you might also consider investing that money in other area, to spread and control risk in your investment portfolio. Afterall, your house is both your home and investment.
Spending $50K on home improvement is for quality of living. Hard to say "no" to that. I wouldn't invest in another property now since housing market continues to slump.
Just a reminder that it is better if you learn some investing on your own. Some advisers get paid by commission and they would advise for their own benefits.
Congratulation!
2006-09-01 10:45:54 · answer #6 · answered by Price is what you pay for value. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The average homeowner lives in their home 5-6 years.
2006-09-01 10:17:53 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well my parents built this house we live in and were moved in here right before I was born 23 years ago.
2006-09-01 10:19:47 · answer #8 · answered by Katie Girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone is different. I've owned 6, and will more than likely buy one more before I'm done.
2006-09-04 15:59:11 · answer #9 · answered by free2b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it sounds like you are happy where you are. it is a HOME to you, not just a house. you should do what is best for you and your family not what society usually does! Good Luck
2006-09-01 10:16:50 · answer #10 · answered by cali13 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋