tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post3739607199829760367..comments2023-09-22T09:03:09.417-04:00Comments on Townie Bastard: Housing problemtowniebastardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03129158923604362272noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-90061692525562473112009-10-22T10:22:29.265-04:002009-10-22T10:22:29.265-04:00Why do you want the place? Investment? Home to gro...Why do you want the place? Investment? Home to grow old in? Place to store your junk? Sit down and answer that question then decide how important "soul" is in a house. What do you imagine you would have to do to the place to give it a "soul"? How much would that cost?<br /><br />I think the view is secondary - its nice to have one but... meh! Is it in good shape? Does it have a decent bathroom and kitchen? <br /><br />Are you inventing reasons not to buy cause you still can't imagine yourself as a homeowner? Remember all that debt is secured debt so technically all you have to do is sell the place and you are debt free.<br /><br />Ditto on the comment about not paying rent. Every month that money is going into your pocket and not into someone else's - tha is a nice feeling and was a major motivation for me to buy my first house when I was living back in Gander.<br /><br />I always figure I can live anywhere as long as I have my junk around me. Which makes it all kinda odd as right now I am living in a hotel room.Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14401558992050889178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-54407451363353914112009-10-22T06:00:25.368-04:002009-10-22T06:00:25.368-04:00General gender dynamics of house buying sound pret...General gender dynamics of house buying sound pretty familiar :) I do think it helps if both/either neighbourhood or flat are what you both really want. We both loved the first flat we bought, and still do (although it was not to everyone's taste). The second one has character, but is too small already. BUT is in a great neighbourhood, which we both want to stay in. But then, we have a lot more choice than you do, I think. We didn't want to move to generic suburbs, but right now I would happily move to a 'boring' house with no 'period features' if it was nearby (location, location....). It does feel great not to pay rent anymore.Sara Dormanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11062772751850705696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-65854674507211780302009-10-22T01:09:40.046-04:002009-10-22T01:09:40.046-04:00You're not at all on the same page - and yet t...You're not at all on the same page - and yet that may be a good thing. Forking over that kind of money might cause you to have a stroke without support, but maybe Cathy would accept a house for too much $ without you. I do agree with not dipping into RRSPs, there's a line. And no, as I've said before, housing is not an investment, it's an asset and there are important differences.<br /><br />As for soul, I know, I know. But how likely are you to get it there? Without needing massive work - Bond street is undergoing a complete reno. If you get a place that doesn't have soul you cna do something...that's what you need to be looking at when you walk in to a place. I suspect Cathy is, maybe she has the ability to see what a place can become, not everyone can do that. But there's also an argument for not spending too much: most people underestimate how much the renos will cost...and I don't mean like Bond street, I mena the usual stuff everyone undertakes - and the extra furniture.<br /><br />I'm living in a totally soulless place; of course, I'm not paying for it. It's very nice though, in that hotel-feel kinda way. I seriously wonder if we're ever going to stop long enough to bother getting a house.tanker bellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09080888329110339975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-39852179902008395052009-10-21T22:56:54.519-04:002009-10-21T22:56:54.519-04:00though a house in Apex is tempting, I am not sure ...though a house in Apex is tempting, I am not sure if some days I can get out to town due to that hill. I've been stranded more than once in Apex before and one time it was in an SUV cab.<br /><br />you guys are going to take the $30K DP program right? and I found out that there is a $65K allocation if you want to do renovation to your home.<br /><br />I think its impossible to find something that we really love in iqaluit. Yeah, there was one but I am not going to pay almost $400K for a 24 years old with some roof issue b/c it has killer views, its crazy.<br /><br />i think we will eventually get a decent fixer upper, something not too big, but something that will suit my family.<br /><br />good luck!Aidahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13554795865874702432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-70248408295092188612009-10-21T20:53:15.197-04:002009-10-21T20:53:15.197-04:00Might I suggest a house in Apex. I think it is Iqa...Might I suggest a house in Apex. I think it is Iqaluit's best kept secret. We bought a house down here 5 years ago, and haven't looked back since. For sure there are some "cool" buys down here at times (I know exactly what you mean) and the prices are generally more reasonable. There are options for killer views, very kid and dog friendly, and the closer sense of "community" has been very enjoyable. The 5 minute "commute" is nothing to stress over - in fact I look forward to it - it allows me a few minutes of peaceful automoting to gather my thoughts in the morning (and shake the cobwebs out...) as well, after work, I enjoy cresting that hill and seeing the quiet, picturesque little "Apex" sparkling in the dark, cold, night. IMHO. Cheers.Mat Knickelbeinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-36528121263354209102009-10-21T20:01:00.842-04:002009-10-21T20:01:00.842-04:00My advice is to keep looking. My wife and I waited...My advice is to keep looking. My wife and I waited eight years to find the right one.<br />We are not typical home owners. We did not buy for resale. <br />We waited for the 'one'. It is ideal for family, and ideal for retirement.<br />We are not budging.<br />The husband in me says do what Cathy wants.<br />I can appreciate your dilema.<br />Best of luck, PaulAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-67009057687385945542009-10-21T19:33:19.446-04:002009-10-21T19:33:19.446-04:00I'm 5.5 years into a house I didn't care f...I'm 5.5 years into a house I didn't care for and still don't. BUT its close to the kid's school, close to my wife's work and it was a VERY SMART investment ....SNORE!<br /><br />This is my 4th house and standard suburban fare compared to the places I lived in Sandy Hill, Ottawa, The Beaches, Toronto, Portugal Cove and downtown St. John's. <br /><br />It's an OK house with lots of options for renovation and I take comfort in the fact that I can sell it any day of the week and walk away with a nice wad of bills to go wherever I want in the world. So, I live with it for the low stress and the future options it allows me.<br /><br />I'm guessing buying a house up there is a wierd experience at best.<br /><br />Maybe one thing you need to consider is how long you expect to be there and what the ease and value of resale will be in a few years when you want to leave.<br /><br />Save the dream house for when you are in a place where there are more to choose from and it will be a more reasonable price.<br /><br />I've been told your first house is to teach you what you REALLY want and don't want in a house.<br /><br />best of luck!Greghttp://www.nlpress.canoreply@blogger.com