Who has MOVED from their home state ? How difficult was it for you?

[Hey-O]

I wasn't going to mention this, but I just bought a condo, one bedroom. The HOA fees are 287 a month. It covers from the dry wall out, water, trash, club house use, two pools and sewer. Yes in my favorite place. It was dirt cheap, as far as I'm concerned anyway and even with the high HOA fees, they'll buy. Location, location location. I'm not sure if I'm going to rent it, 1500 hundred a month or just flip it. I kind of wish I didn't get first pick on these places, I'd like to stop, but it's hard to walk away from. Flipping it, not holding the note will yield me, after all expenses, 35 thousand. You tell me. 30 day turn around.

 

[demonram]

The Missouri legislature has passed a bill that eliminates the state income tax on Social Security benefits and public pension payments and provides a property tax credit for senior citizens. The credit would apply to seniors who are 65 and older and would effectively freeze their property taxes.................... About time for those of us that have paid taxes from day one and have been squeezed even in retirement. enough is enough!!

I will say, Illinois doesn’t tax retirement. My folks or my sisters didn’t pay. Of course they do tax everything else. I hope they don’t start. I agree, I think the’ve paid more than their fair share, for way too long.

 

[Hey-O]

I will say, Illinois doesn’t tax retirement. My folks or my sisters didn’t pay. Of course they do tax everything else. I hope they don’t start. I agree, I think the’ve paid more than their fair share, for way too long.

Many states pay no personal property taxes on cars, boats and things as stupid as taxes on a boat dock, we do. This is us just catching up with what I consider common sense. They'll get theirs one way or the other. I think it's funny some swear their state is more friendly than others. They just get it another way, it takes money to get the better things we all enjoy.

 

[68BabyBlue]

Many states pay no personal property taxes on cars, boats and things as stupid as taxes on a boat dock, we do. This is us just catching up with what I consider common sense. They'll get theirs one way or the other. I think it's funny some swear their state is more friendly than others. They just get it another way, it takes money to get the better things we all enjoy.

Biggest thing I got out of my legal education was learning how this shell game is put together, and then using it to my advantage. Smart professor told me I would never make as much as a doctor by practicing law, but by using inside knowledge with the money made, many lawyers ended up financially ahead of doctors over time. "Legal tax avoidance" was a cornerstone of the process. Problem for most folks is that access to that knowledge comes at a steep price. The system has always been rigged.

 

[Hey-O]

Biggest thing I got out of my legal education was learning how this shell game is put together, and then using it to my advantage. Smart professor told me I would never make as much as a doctor by practicing law, but by using inside knowledge with the money made, many lawyers ended up financially ahead of doctors over time. "Legal tax avoidance" was a cornerstone of the process. Problem for most folks is that access to that knowledge comes at a steep price. The system has always been rigged.

If I told you how much I got back this year in taxes, versus what I made, most wouldn't talk to me. There's a reason I have five doctors, one corporate CPA, and two lawyers. One doctor doesn't know what he needs to know about my heart, not my opinion, that's why each one is called a specialists. One lawyer for estate and general BS and a criminal lawyer. I know I don't have to explain any of this to you. My broker and my CPA, who work together to optimize not only what comes in, but also how much goes out. Those at the top pay, but get away with more and those at the bottom are just stealing money and the air we breath. It's the middle class that they put the hammer down on. You're absolutely right it's a game!!

 

[68BabyBlue]

If I told you how much I got back this year in taxes, versus what I made, most wouldn't talk to me. There's a reason I have five doctors, one corporate CPA, and two lawyers. One doctor doesn't know what he needs to know about my heart, not my opinion, that's why each one is called a specialists. One lawyer for estate and general BS and a criminal lawyer. I know I don't have to explain any of this to you. My broker and my CPA, who work together to optimize not only what comes in, but also how much goes out. Those at the top pay, but get away with more and those at the bottom are just stealing money and the air we breath. It's the middle class that they put the hammer down on. You're absolutely right it's a game!!

My income tax professor explained this well when she introduced us to the course, stating that a 10% flat tax across the board, with no deductions, would be the fairest system possible, and eliminate the need for our class. She then told us it would never happen, and why. The elites have always been able to carve out legal loopholes that favor them, and they like the idea of subsidies for the folks at the bottom, to deter social unrest, in the form of the peasants storming the castle gates.

Mathematically, there aren't enough rich folks to foot the bill, even though "soak the rich" plans have always been an easy sell in the political arena. By sheer numbers, the folks in the middle end up paying the tab to keep the boat afloat. There are enough folks at the bottom, and at the top, who don't pay taxes, to keep the system in place. The horde of tax professionals that make a living from the current system also provide a lobby against systemic change. None of this has changed since my freshman year in 1981, although the tax brackets have been shuffled a few times over the years.

 

[Hey-O]

My income tax professor explained this well when she introduced us to the course, stating that a 10% flat tax across the board, with no deductions, would be the fairest system possible, and eliminate the need for our class. She then told us it would never happen, and why. The elites have always been able to carve out legal loopholes that favor them, and they like the idea of subsidies for the folks at the bottom, to deter social unrest, in the form of the peasants storming the castle gates.

Mathematically, there aren't enough rich folks to foot the bill, even though "soak the rich" plans have always been an easy sell in the political arena. By sheer numbers, the folks in the middle end up paying the tab to keep the boat afloat. There are enough folks at the bottom, and at the top, who don't pay taxes, to keep the system in place. The horde of tax professionals that make a living from the current system also provide a lobby against systemic change. None of this has changed since my freshman year in 1981, although the tax brackets have been shuffled a few times over the years.

Well said and spot on!! My CPA is my wife's cousin and he has a firm with four partners. He has a business that he refuses to retire from and the money flows like sweet wine. We've had this same talk several times and flat tax is his enemy as far as personal taxes. His big business is corporate taxes where dollar for dollar, we pay their taxes. He can't make my tax obligations go away, but, he's very creative and has been for 44 years. He's the first and last person I talk to when I buy and sell properties.

 

[68BabyBlue]

Well said and spot on!! My CPA is my wife's cousin and he has a firm with four partners. He has a business that he refuses to retire from and the money flows like sweet wine. We've had this same talk several times and flat tax is his enemy as far as personal taxes. His big business is corporate taxes where dollar for dollar, we pay their taxes. He can't make my tax obligations go away, but, he's very creative and has been for 44 years. He's the first and last person I talk to when I buy and sell properties.

My CPA is a similar story. He hasn't done anything but corporate work for decades, but I got together with him 40 years ago, when he was just taking over his father's operation. His dad was an IRS agent who was admonished to slow down because he was making his co workers look bad. So he started doing work on the side, and got the firm started while he was still on the government payroll.

 

[Kern Dog]

Bad news.....
This house:

We put in an offer, the seller liked the numbers but wasn't as keen on the LONG escrow we wanted....90 days to finish and sell our current house.
Another offer came in a few hours after ours....$5000 over our offer and a 30 day escrow.
The sellers went with the that buyer.
Son of a bitch.

 

[Hey-O]

I'm sorry to hear this. It's a game, it's always about the game. You weren't ready. To win, you can't blink. You can't go to a gun fight with a knife if you want to be the last man standing. Get your house in order, so next time you'll be ready to pull the trigger. There will always be a next time.

 

[Kern Dog]

I don't buy houses frequently.
It seems like a juggling act if you need money from the sale to buy the next place.
The Arizona house I posted has been the one that met far more of our needs and desires than any other. Every other house we have looked at is either ugly, too small, on a dirt road, doesn't have a shop or any additional parking, has an ugly yard, too little acreage or some other problem.
This one was not perfect but did have a LOT going for it.
Yeah, I keep telling myself that the house we end up with may not even be on the market yet.
Before we bought where we are now, we missed out on 2 houses that we really liked. This place was listed without pictures but we took a chance and drove by to see it in person. We were immediately impressed. After buying, I felt like we dodged a couple of bullets because this place was better and had more land.

 

[Dennis H]

Well it’s 102 degrees in Kingman, and about 79 at my place in San Jose. But, I made the offer anyway.

Kidding. Keep searching.

 

[Hey-O]

It's a game that about 25 to 30 percent of the people are ready to pay cash to walk away with the prize. The stock market is crazy up now and people are ready to get back in the game with new found profits. Unless my house is not selling, cash, no agent, sold as is or it works best for me to wait, 90 days is a lifetime, I flip houses in 30 days. As is the case in most parts of California, selling homes there will bring you more money to buy a house in most markets that are twice the size for half the money. I haven't checked on the prices in Arizona, but you buy here and you'd get one hell of a house and the same is true in tennessee. My house is a half million and I live very comfortable. New York, California and where RC lives, the prices are stupid high, right along with yearly real estate taxes. People with smart money are starting to question why they are paying so much money for rent when they can’t justify the trade off to live there anymore. Big business is running to more friendly areas leaving you and I to pay more in taxes because of this mass exodus, who knows. Florida has seen a rise in people moving there, lord knows why, things are only going to get worse there, as far as I'm concerned, watch, time will tell. In the middle is where it's at. I own my home and a 53 acre farm and still paid less than in all those states that sit on the outer edge of our country. Because of those places the cost to live here is going up also. It's a game and now higher interest rates on a mortgage are in your face and a small bump up may still be ahead. To be honest, I don't own my home outright. I put 20 percent down and got a pre approved loan. This is the first house payment I've had in many years, why, to be honest, the profits from this month alone will pay my house payment for this year and almost all of next year. My broker makes my payment, I've never seen or written a check for it myself, the only way my nervous wife would go for it. My point is, there are still about 75 percent of the people who will need to get a loan which tilts the game back in your court. I would pick the house you want, because I seriously don't think you're moving again and don't worry, trust me, things happen for a reason and your day will come. Good luck!!.................. This is only one old mans opinion.

 

[68BabyBlue]

I don't buy houses frequently.
It seems like a juggling act if you need money from the sale to buy the next place.
The Arizona house I posted has been the one that met far more of our needs and desires than any other. Every other house we have looked at is either ugly, too small, on a dirt road, doesn't have a shop or any additional parking, has an ugly yard, too little acreage or some other problem.
This one was not perfect but did have a LOT going for it.
Yeah, I keep telling myself that the house we end up with may not even be on the market yet.
Before we bought where we are now, we missed out on 2 houses that we really liked. This place was listed without pictures but we took a chance and drove by to see it in person. We were immediately impressed. After buying, I felt like we dodged a couple of bullets because this place was better and had more land.

My experience has paralleled yours. Unlike Hey-O, who assessed the situation perfectly, I bought homes on a limited basis, owning only four in my lifetime. Having to sell one to buy another puts you at a disadvantage. When my wife and I moved to the Chicago area thirty years ago, this kicked us in the head. Had a soft market at the time in PA (similar to today, with interest rates working against us,) combined with limited supply in our range in the new location - most were too small, or McMansions we refused to pay for.

We broke even on the home we sold in PA, but later took a loss on the place in northwest Indiana, in the name of a quick sale. But we had planned the move a year in advance, and that was part of the process. I liquidated my stable of Mopars (three at the time,) most of our furniture, ending up with 9000 lbs of household goods for the move, about half what a married couple in their late 40s would normally carry. We rented a small duplex in State College, and filled the garage with boxes, rather than unpacking the stuff.

During the period I was searching the internet for our permanent home, we narrowed our search to one neighborhood. We hit pay dirt when we found a place that had been owned by a regional bank vice president, who had been promoted, and moved a few months earlier. School was in session, the market was soft, and the relocation company wanted to be rid of the place. We bought it with a low ball offer. In 23 years, we've seen nearly 400K in appreciation, making up for the loss of the earlier move exponentially.

The fact that you don't have to move tomorrow will work in your favor in the end.

 

[Hey-O]

My experience has paralleled yours. Unlike Hey-O, who assessed the situation perfectly, I bought homes on a limited basis, owning only four in my lifetime. Having to sell one to buy another puts you at a disadvantage. When my wife and I moved to the Chicago area thirty years ago, this kicked us in the head. Had a soft market at the time in PA (similar to today, with interest rates working against us,) combined with limited supply in our range in the new location - most were too small, or McMansions we refused to pay for.

We broke even on the home we sold in PA, but later took a loss on the place in northwest Indiana, in the name of a quick sale. But we had planned the move a year in advance, and that was part of the process. I liquidated my stable of Mopars (three at the time,) most of our furniture, ending up with 9000 lbs of household goods for the move, about half what a married couple in their late 40s would normally carry. We rented a small duplex in State College, and filled the garage with boxes, rather than unpacking the stuff.

During the period I was searching the internet for our permanent home, we narrowed our search to one neighborhood. We hit pay dirt when we found a place that had been owned by a regional bank vice president, who had been promoted, and moved a few months earlier. School was in session, the market was soft, and the relocation company wanted to be rid of the place. We bought it with a low ball offer. In 23 years, we've seen nearly 400K in appreciation, making up for the loss of the earlier move exponentially.

The fact that you don't have to move tomorrow will work in your favor in the end.

You have a ton of common sense, good for you!!

 

[MIKESPOLARA]

You pretty much have to have the money available at time of offer. No more "contingencies" at least not in any hot market.

 

[Fran Blacker]

Don't know your financial situation. I'd avoid a mortgage, if possible but a $100k one for 15 years wouldn't be to bad. Maybe have a bridge loan waiting to have cash ready to buy. You pay on that loan until your house is sold. Having a garage/shop already built by someone can have compromises you don't like. With your expertise is perfect for built your own shop. Hire a contractor for his crew but he follows your directions.

 

[Kern Dog]

The goals and plans are always a moving target.
The wife wants out of CA, so do I. WE have talked extensively about Tennessee due to the beautiful scenery, the trees, the green, the old barns...

We both love the area. This is our ultimate goal.
She wants to live close to her parents for their final years. I absolutely understand and support that so the first step out of here is Arizona.
I won't live in 120 degree heat so that means finding higher elevation property. That limits the choices there. We have been looking at properties there since Christmas 2022. We do have some help in the family to buy in AZ before we sell our own place.....so it isn't as if we are fumbling around with no way to make it happen.
We do have some conditions that are hard to satisfy.
NO dirt roads. Too many properties we see listed are on long dirt roads. Screw that....I have a few shiny cars and don't care to drive down dusty roads.
NO fully "off grid" properties. I know little about solar, septic, wells and such. Living with one or two of those is doable but all three? No thanks.
We want some acreage with some trees and shrubs. Too many properties are on totally flat land that looks like a moonscape....nothing but flat ground and rocks.
We have dogs and will always have them. The back of the house needs to have visibility to keep an eye on the dogs in the yard.
We need some type of shop or at least the space to build one. I don't want to keep everything that I own (car-wise) out in the open to serve as an eyesore or a temptation for theft to any roaming asshole.

 

[alsant]

We have been in Prescott Valley Az now 3 years , we have no regrets and of course we me miss a few things but no regrets !

 

[Kern Dog]

We have looked there. Over the past few months, there are very few properties there that meet our needs and price range.
I asked several months and pages back about property close to the Mexico border. Some of those areas are also cooler than Phoenix due to the higher elevation. What worries me is that having property so close to a border that nobody enforces, I fear there is a greater risk of theft and violence. It may be a long shot but I still think it is possible. These classic cars can be stolen and dragged across the border where I'd never see them again.