Being a homeowner IS scary. I wish I'd taken a class or something before we bought our house.

My dad took us out to dinner tonight for K-Bug's birthday (it is actually on the 27th) and for Persian New Year. He didn't think to make a reservation at the Persian place he wanted to go to, so we ended up having Japanese. There is a new, at least new to me, tapan table place in the Berkeley marina area. It was nummy!!!

Actually, ignorance was bliss in buying a house for me.

the things I learned:

1) yes, you can pay more than you think you can in a mortgage. But yes, going to the top of your mortgage is crazy.

2) if you aren't into a fixer-upper- don't do it.

Thinking about it was scary. I had to trust the people giving me advice and modify to my own comfort level.

the two pieces of advice that I got , that made the most sense:

from my dad: I never lost money on a house. so do it.

from other people and my dad: buy a home, not an investment.

and the thing I learned - if you hate doing something ( like lawn mowing or painting) you probably will continue to do so. Buy with that in mind.

I cannot wait to go out on the Grand Canyon Skywalk! I've been hankering for that since I first heard about it! Awesome! Must plan vacation.

I just discovered that Zenkitty and I are not, after all, one. You couldn't pay me enough money to go out on that thing. Yeah on the raise, though! Alas, this is apparently yet another thing that we don't have in common.

I fear I might be like Teppy on the homebuying thing. I suspect this might be why I haven't gotten myself into a class yet, even though they supposedly save you lots on your mortgage. The other reason is that I just can't imagine being able to afford anything where I want to live, but that's just depressing. Most importantly, Teppy, I hope your head feels better soon, if not already!

But the class, which was designed to help the clueless homebuyer be more prepared for the homebuying process, and be more confident, etc., had the exact opposite effect on me.

See, everything up to and including Home Buying for Dummies has this effect on me.

Come on, people. Even cars have become fairly straightforward to buy without a lot of random hidden costs and bargaining. Let's get with the program.

My thoughts on home ownership: It's no longer the investment it once was. Your money will make more money in an investment account or (until lately) the stock market. So only buy if you are going to live there forever.

Also, half a million dollars for someplace I don't even want is offensive.

YO FAY!

It was John Singer Sargent's Madame X

I remember that, amy. I couldn't remember who painted it, though. Lovely.

beth, your advice and your dad's is right on.

Teppy, I'm sorry it stressed you out.

I love Sargent's work. America ex-pat. Great portraits for the Gilded Age.

I read through Homebuying for Dummies. It's too complicated and, considering home prices in the DC area, I can't afford it (that's what I get for working in the non-profit sector!). However, my paranoia about owing money turned out to be a good thing - about a year and a half ago a mortgage broker tried to talk me into an interest-only no-money-down ARM ... and I'm glad I said no!

Yes, I remember that painting! Wouldn't have been help finding it though.

I didn't own a house until I married DH#2. It never suited my lifestyle. Beth's points are right on. Owning a house sucks in so many ways. Stuff always needs repair. Endless lists. Yet it has worked out very well for me. The last couple houses I owned tripled in value, but I live in a place that grows at a crazy pace. Not all markets are the same. In most major markets it doesn't pay to own. It's close to that point here now with the real estate market depressed and taxes at insane rates. If I didn't already own my house I would probably rent some place great and not have the stress.

I made quiche at 6 this morning so when I got home from my first school run the house smelled all yummy. Belly full now. Yum. My sister is visiting. When she wakes her belly will be full too.

I'm hoping to buy this summer. Not freaked yet, but I'm sure that'll change.