Mom had Alzheimer's. She moved in with my sister. Mom contributed $400 per month. When Mom couldn't be alone at all, I moved home from out of state to be full time caregiver. I left my home in the care of my son.
I contributed $300 per month. We were like three peas in a pod, . Mom lasted for slightly over two yrs.
I sold my home and opted to stay. The question now is what is fair.
Sister owns the home, has the equity, the tax deductions (and the responsibility). I rent a room and share the expenses.
1/2 the household bills including mortgage but not food, comes to just under $500. I contribute $700.
She cleans corners with q-tips, I blow off the dust. She is a gourmet cook, I'm content with cereal. We differ on many things. She commented that I would have to pay over $1,000 for an efficiency apt. She would like me to contribute more. (She can't afford house without me.)
We need guidance so neither one feels resentful.
Thank you so much.
2007-08-11 05:35:56 · 4 answers · asked by grannysuze 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
This is a family issue.
not for strangers to decide.
2007-08-11 05:40:52 · answer #1 · answered by Michael M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you are in the driver's seat if she can't afford the place without you. In my opinion, if you uprooted so you could take the care of your Mom off the hands of your sister, you should almost live there rent free for the rest of your life, but that's just me.
The equity she is building far outweighs any benefit you derive from the property, and she gets the tax deduction to boot. She is not really taking the full responsibility of the property since you are providing for half the household expenses. I am assuming that the space that you get as an 'efficiency' apartment is certainly not 50% of the total square footage of the property either.
Your sister is greedy. She should be thankful she has someone to take at leaset part of the financial burden off her for the house, without which it sounds she would certainly flounder. Even if you are not the most compatible people in the world, you are contributing more than you should even have to.
If she persists with the talk of you finding an efficiency (sounds pretty punchless to me) grab the classifieds, circle a bunch of apartments you would be interested in, and then leave the opened page somewhere conspicious. My guess is she will come to her senses after she freaks out about you leaving....
2007-08-11 13:05:38 · answer #2 · answered by jsullymaan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mortgage, property tax, insurance, power, water, sewage, cable or satellite, property maintenance , etc comes to over 1,000 a month. Maybe the two of you should write down all of the expenses and recalculate. It sounds like you came up with a rough estimate, which has to be short.
Write up a set of rules regarding not just money, but household chores as well, so your sister does not feel put upon. If you both know what to expect and agree to it there will be much less tension.
2007-08-11 12:56:54 · answer #3 · answered by Landlord 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think this is fair: pay half all utilities, half her mortgage ONLY if you have the run on the house-and not just your room,
but pay no insurance or taxes. buy all of your own food and personal items.
2007-08-11 14:13:22 · answer #4 · answered by jon jon's girl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋