(He has a 1984 Harley that he intends to sell just as soon as he puts the front wheel on it. [Don't ask.] And IIRC, he had a Honda like the one you're buying, too.)

Do you know how much? Do you have pictures?

Also, I avoid the Viaduct like the plague, and have been scared of it since 1989 and the SF quake.

I avoid it whenever possible, but the Shuttle Express people LOVE it for some reason.

The bridges I go over regularly are the Ship Canal and Aurora ones, and I've convinced myself they're safe. And if anyone wants to tell me otherwise, LA LA LA! I can't HEAR you!

(Sometimes denial is the only way to go through life.)

P-C, a thought. If you're currently paying $1000 a month for rent, you should have little trouble meeting half of the monthly payment on a $300,000 place. You'd just be writing the same check to a mortgage company instead of a landlord.

In fact, after factoring in the tax break on mortgage interest and property taxes (and the fact that you'd be reducing your tax withholding to reflect that tax break), you might be able to go as high as half of a $400,000 place with little or no effect on your cash flow.

When we bought our first place, we skated right up to the edge of my comfort zone and beyond. I hadn't taken the tax benefits into account. I admit there wasn't a lot of money for extras for the first few months. But a fixed rate mortgage meant the next pay raise increased the disposable income handsomely.

That assumes that you know somebody that you'd be willing to buy a condo with jointly.

And any reputable mortgage company is in the business of lending money and collecting it back with interest. Not selling foreclosed homes. However, the realtor's commission is based on the amount you pay. So the realtor has more of an interest in pushing you into a more expensive place than the mortgage company.

Poor, busy NoiseBob

This is actually good work. It looks to be occasional audio sound effects creation which I can do from home, so there's no travel involved. I also quoted them a rate that's in the low three figures per hour, so it's well worth my time.

(He has a 1984 Harley that he intends to sell just as soon as he puts the front wheel on it. [Don't ask.] And IIRC, he had a Honda like the one you're buying, too.)

Do you know how much? Do you have pictures?

I don't know how much off the top of my head, and I do have pictures, but at home (not work).

Ohio's a long way to go to buy a bike, you know....

:: sigh ::

Housing should be 25% of your income?

:: sigh ::

Just did quick n dirty math. Housing for me (in SoCal) is about 45% of my take home pay from my primary employer, not including random pick up work that I can't budget for. That doesn't include utilities. Just rent on the apartment and garage. Me needs a new job.

ION... HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MM & EMPRESS!! Woot! :: throws handful of confetti in air and blows kazoo ::

Why can't I figure out what an IO mortgage is? I'm guessing I should know that as a mortgage haver.

IO = interest only.

Has it been said in Bitches yet...?

I did! I did! juliana "Spike's Bitches 36: Did I Sully Our Good Name?" Aug 2, 2007 11:04:55 am PDT

The Boy will drool over that bike, and then talk bikes with you endlessly.

Schweet. I'm a little terrified of the bike. Well, mostly getting it home (uphill!) through rush-hour traffic. But I'm also excited, whee!! VROOM! I should have an extra helmet, too.

Ohio's a long way to go to buy a bike, you know....

Dude. Road trip.

Why can't I figure out what an IO mortgage is?

Interest Only. aka, often a bad idea.