Post #275,159
12/8/06 12:02:11 PM
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Made an offer on a new house last night.
Will have a 60mi commute, all interstate (Property is 6 miles north of interstate, work is on the exit)
Single level house, perfect for my wife with her limited mobility.
5 acres, modular house built in 2004 (current owner has been transferred to Phoenix), huge garage. Looks like have the lot (2 1/2 acres) has been planted with Christmas trees. Might have a side business in a couple of years.
Downside, it's in Wisconsin. :-) Guess I can't make any more snide remarks about cheeseheads anymore. No more Packer bashing.
But, if I keep the same payment schedule that I have with my current house, I'll be free and clear in 7 years.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. (Herm Albright)
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Post #275,160
12/8/06 12:10:25 PM
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Woot! Fingres Crosesd for you.
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Post #275,163
12/8/06 12:32:08 PM
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Congrats!
Hope and pray this works out and is a great move for you and your wife :)
--
Steve
[link|http://www.ubuntulinux.org|Ubuntu]
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Post #275,172
12/8/06 12:55:42 PM
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Very nice
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Post #275,173
12/8/06 1:02:58 PM
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Sounds nifty
[link|http://www.blackbagops.net|Black Bag Operations Log]
[link|http://www.objectiveclips.com|Artificial Intelligence]
[link|http://www.badpage.info/seaside/html|Scrutinizer]
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Post #275,185
12/8/06 3:19:01 PM
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That was fast!
Wisconsin is just fine! You cant go wrong with The Dells and Cheddar! And those cheesehead hats are sexy!
I had a commute like that once- 70 miles each way, all interstate. It wasnt so bad, but I went through 2.5 tanks of gas a week. That was the killer. Otherwise the hour drive each way was no longer than I would have spent tied up in city traffic, and it was much more relaxing. I like country living.
(These days, with my commute being a flight of steps to the basement, I fill the car up only once a month. That piece of crap Chevy Tracker is going to last me forever)
Congrats!
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Post #275,197
12/8/06 5:33:43 PM
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Power of MLS online
Enter selection criteria find houses. I found a few others and did drive past to check commute - during rush hour (home).
I currently spend 20-30 minutes driving across town to get to work. 60 minute interstate drive won't really be much different. More gas, but better mileage. And when my 250k mile car finally dies, I'll get one that is even more fuel efficient.
Sorry - no cheesehead hat for me. For those of you fortunate enough to have never seen one, now you can [link|http://www.cheesehead.com/products.asp_Q_catid_E_6|order one here]
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. (Herm Albright)
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Post #275,199
12/8/06 5:36:55 PM
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how will the state income tax(es) affect you?
Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free american and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 51 years. meep
reach me at [link|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net]
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Post #275,207
12/8/06 6:28:23 PM
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Numbers
Income tax is 1.35% lower in Wisconsin.
Property taxes are higher, but value of property is less than current. Net $100/yr higher property tax.
Net tax difference $900/yr saving. (real rough calculations)
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. (Herm Albright)
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Post #275,215
12/8/06 9:13:28 PM
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you dont have to pay income taxes in both states?
Minnesota wont want to bite income? (I thought you worked in Minnesota)
Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free american and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 51 years. meep
reach me at [link|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net]
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Post #275,238
12/8/06 11:54:23 PM
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Re: Power of MLS online
hehe I take MLS photos in NJ
"Pictures are better then words because some words are big and hard to understand"
Peter Griffin (Family Guy)
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Post #275,191
12/8/06 4:50:22 PM
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Good for you, Joe! Cringy extremities well flossed here.
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Post #275,376
12/10/06 8:03:59 PM
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Several comments...all of them good.
1) Good luck. Appropriate appendages crossed.
2) Make fun of the cheeseheads all you want. I do
3) As a Bears fan, I'd say, bashing the Packers is an honorable pasttime, even for Vikings fans <raspberry />.
Seriously, good luck. One more thing, however: Wisconsin taxes are high...higer than Illinois (which is the main reason I'm reticent to move there...well, that an the difficulty receiving Bears and Cubs games on the local telly). Explore that before you jump fully. Except for that, have fun!
jb4
"When the final history is written in Iraq, [link|http://images.ucomics.com/comics/tmate/2006/tmate060926.gif|it'll look just like a comma.]"
— George W. Bush, 24 Sep 06
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Post #275,450
12/11/06 10:41:18 AM
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Taxes
It looks like income tax is .55% (6.5% vs 7.05%) less than Minnesota.
Property taxes are about the same, but no homestead deduction as in Minnesota. Result - property taxes paid will be double what Minnesota charges. Since property value is half of current home, amount paid will be the same.
Since I'll still be working in Minn, i can make any purchases where ever I can find the better value. Sales tax in WI (St. Croix county) is 5.5% St. Paul MN is 7.0%
And I can get gas at the cheapest location.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. (Herm Albright)
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Post #275,406
12/11/06 12:05:30 AM
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Good luck, Joe!
The time driving alone can be put to good use if you keep the radio off. :)
Hope the gasoline prices don't go up.
Alex
When fascism comes to America, it'll be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross. -- Sinclair Lewis
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Post #275,451
12/11/06 10:44:28 AM
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Vehicle
I agree on hoping gas price doesn't rise. Current price is $2.25. I factored in $2.50 for calculations, to allow for some rise.
My current vehicle is getting 25 mpg. I'll be looking to buy a new (used) car that is very stingy on gas (recommendations?) and keep the current vehicle for when wife and I have to travel.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. (Herm Albright)
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Post #275,452
12/11/06 10:46:39 AM
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Update
We played the counter-counter-repeat game until we reached an agreement. Will be signing the official offer paperwork tonight.
Now I just have to find a mortgage broker and sell my current house.
Surprise. No reaction when we told the kids! I was expecting tempertantrums.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. (Herm Albright)
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Post #275,456
12/11/06 10:53:32 AM
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they prolly dont realize they arnt going with :-)
Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free american and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 51 years. meep
reach me at [link|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net|mailto:bill.oxley@cox.net]
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Post #275,463
12/11/06 11:43:04 AM
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Actually that was discussed
We told them that they could stay in the current house until it sold. If it sold before bf was done with school (Mar 1) then they could move in TEMPORARILY until he finished school and got a job, or we would LOAN them money to help get an apartment of their own.
bf was ready to move in with us until I pointed out the 80 mi trip to school for him. "Gee, I'd need a tank of gas every day." He drives a worthless pick-up. (No, I wouldn't even trust it to help move.)
Only one daughter left to tell - the one the triggered it all by moving in with her dad.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. (Herm Albright)
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Post #275,458
12/11/06 11:01:02 AM
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My wife's 1993 Corolla (5 speed) gets ~ 35 mpg highway.
It's got ~ 185k miles on it now and the only problem it has is it needs intake valve seals (it has a puff of oil smoke in the morning).
A Corolla or Prizm is fairly cheap to keep running and should be a decent commuter car.
Good luck with the new homestead!
Cheers,
Scott.
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Post #275,852
12/15/06 2:16:01 PM
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FSBO or Agency?
experiences? Suggestions? Gotchas?
We'll be meeting with mortgage company on Monday to do the paperwork. Should be closing 1st week in January.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. (Herm Albright)
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Post #275,853
12/15/06 2:43:15 PM
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I'd probably go with an agent.
It should sell faster that way, especially with the way the market is now. An agent should know the market better, and more importantly, have contacts with other agents who know of people who are looking. There's more to selling a house than getting it listed on a MILS. The 5-6% commission is often a wash in comparing a FSBO and agent sales (buyers often adjust the price they're willing to pay in a FSBO sale.)
Caveat: I've only bought a house once. We found ours using an agent who knew about the house going on the market before it was listed. (We'd put offers on 3 houses before we were successful.) So take this with a grain of salt.
My $0.02.
Luck!
Cheers,
Scott.
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