Has anyone ever taken a timeshare deal?It usually goes something like this:The timeshare company gives you some sort of great deal/offer In exchange you agree to listen to a pitch about their company and what it offersObviously this must work because companies keep doing it.And what's really the risk anyway? Often the offer is something that costs the … [Read more...]
Help a Reader: Buying a Rental Unit in a College Town
Here's another email from a reader asking for some suggestions on a financial situation.Please read below and give him your thoughts...I've been thinking about purchasing a 3BR condo in my daughter's college town and renting it for the long term. The college is tight for their on campus housing slots and actually have to resort to a lottery for housing each year since … [Read more...]
Help a Reader with Housing Advice
I recently had a reader email me and ask about buying a house.I suggested he write something up, I'd post it, and we'd let the ESI Money community weigh in on the subject.Here's his background/questions:I know home ownership is more than an investment but I am trying to ensure my first time purchase in the near future is not a money pit and something that can … [Read more...]
Stop Acting Rich: The House You Buy Determines Your Wealth
When I posted Stop Acting Rich Overview and Thoughts on Wealth, Habits, and Happiness I promised that I would follow up with some thoughts from Stop Acting Rich: ...And Start Living Like A Real Millionaire on home ownership and how it impacts a person's net worth.This is the fulfillment of that promise. :)There's lots to share, so let's get to it.How an Expensive … [Read more...]
Lessons from a Real Estate Expert
As I mentioned in my 30-day retirement update I'm walking a lot these days.The first month of retirement I would listen to music on the days I walked alone (long walks at 7 am before most of the family is up and about).But that got boring (listening to the same stuff over and over) and is less than productive (I know, we don't need to be productive every second of the … [Read more...]
How Much Should You Spend on a House?
If you look around the web there are a whole host of suggestions on what the "right" or "best" percentage of your income can be spent on a house.Today we'll look at a couple of methods that suggest what you should budget for a house.I'll also share what we've done through the years and my recommendations on what to spend when you buy. The Highest Percentage Most … [Read more...]
My Properties Have Appreciated Over a Quarter of a Million Dollars (Over 45%)
A few weeks ago my property manager emailed me to ask if I'd be interested in selling any of my properties.I told him I wasn't but I would be interested in their estimated value. I had heard the market was "hot" for rental units and I assumed mine had gone up in value, but I wanted a better estimate than they had "gone up."He said he'd have his real estate department … [Read more...]
Buy One House Per Year for 20 Years
Here's a subject I can't wait to get your thoughts on.As I noted in Financial Details of My Real Estate Investments, we ran into an older, retired gentleman at property #3. He was the owner and seller of the property. He walked us around and we chatted for 30 minutes or so. He was a very nice and interesting man.As you might suspect, the subject came up of why he wanted … [Read more...]
What I Did Well and Not-So-Well in Real Estate Investing
Now that I've posted on the Financial Details of My Real Estate Investments,I wanted to share what I felt I did well in this effort and where I could have improved.I'm hopeful that my learnings can be helpful to others who are interested in real estate investing. What Went Well Here are the things I think that went well:Got knowledge from someone who knew what … [Read more...]
How to Buy a House and Pay Off the Mortgage in Less Than 10 Years
Buying a home is the biggest purchase most Americans will ever make, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in one chunk. In addition, there are a whole host of associated costs -- insurance, maintenance, taxes, furnishings, and on and on that make this a gigantic financial issue for all but the wealthiest of us. The impact buying a home can have on a family's finances is … [Read more...]
