DU Housing Survey

[Robb]

Poll question: DU Housing Survey

Just curious. Rent? Own? Barter? Mooch? :D

Add details, laments about lack of Dingbat option in replies. ;)

[NMDemDist2]

1. own it free and clear thanks to getting out of Phoenix at just the right time

and once again, I have to thank the DUers in the Economy forum for seeing the red flags and getting me to jump

[kedrys]

2. "Own" until we're foreclosed upon and have to evac

Plans are in motion to make the timing our call, not theirs.

[baldguy]

3. "Own" - me & the bank

[Robb]

4. Yep

...That's what the quote marks are about. Me too. :)

[Omphaloskepsis]

5. I live in a RV..

I bought a 18' RV for $1100 that was a shithole. I spent about $400 for a new roof, insulation, walls, paint, molding, and random shit. My BIL helped with running power, cable, and cable Internet to it. I still have to go inside for anything water related. The bathroom is about 20 feet away.

I have it parked in a friends backyard. I pay $200 per month. Utilities are included in that figure. I am saving a ton of cash.

[skater314159]

6. We rent...

a loft which is really nice. I did own a house - no morgage, it was paid for - for a few months after my dad died until I could sell it. I've never wanted to own a house, and that experience really has made me a "confirmed renter".

You guys who "own", I wish you the best of luck in this economy!

:hippie:

[flvegan]

7. The bank owns more of it than I do.

But yes, "own" here.

[GCP]

8. Own free and clear

Because we paid the mortgage off early. Whenever we had any spare cash it went straight into the house. Of course we were lucky we had no education bills - university in the 60s in the UK was paid by government grant, parental income based. As Mr. GCP and I came from poor families, we got the maximum grant.
It looks like luxury now, what we took for granted. :sigh:

[TZ]

9. "own"

With an adjustable rate mortgage...After buying in 2000, this was the first year my interest rate went above the original loan rate (was 7%, now 7.75%) the cuts in interest might actually mean no increase for me this year. Yay!

[raptor_rider]

10. Owned my home for

almost 10 years. Granted I still have 10 years left on the mortgage. I bought my home when I was 23.

[LeftyMom]

11. I rent.

Buying anything comparable in the same area would cost half again as much.

I don't want to be here once I finish school anyhow.

[txwhitedove]

12. Housesitting. I pay utilities, forward mail, maintain garden and

plants, the truck, and numerous other requests. In one year, there's been a flood, a lightening strike fried household electrical equipment, and bug infestations, so there is much time/work bartering. I've made friends and love the neighborhood, in an area of town where home sales are supposedly still high. However, on this block alone some houses have been on the market for over a year.

P.S., I thought all DU Polls required the "Robb is a Dingbat" option..., no?

[Giant Robot]

13. I rent

I suck too much to qualify for a mortgage.

:(

[GOPisEvil]

14. Me and Bank of America own this little slice of heaven.

It's FAR from my dream house, but it ain't too shabby. Beats the hell out of renting. I'd probably actually pay about the same to rent this house as I do to buy it.

For those first time buyers, I recommend The Genesis Program for low-to-moderate income folks. It helped me get this place with only first month's interest down. I moved in for about $1500 (inspection included).

[huskerlaw]

15. I rent.

Here in L.A., condos start at about $350,000.

That's starting to go down a bit, but it'll be a while before I can afford to buy anything. x(

[Kajsa]

16. Same story in OC.

I rent too.

The median home price here is still $650.000.

It's completely nuts- overvalued 300%.

[GoneOffShore]

17. Own free and clear, except for

property tax and insurance.

And that is just sheer good luck.