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So i have been looking for quite and long time now and i still can't find a house i like. Well technically, i found plenty of houses, but can't afford them with their almost $4,000 taxes in this area and i'm getting quite discouraged. I have a bit more then 10% to put down on a house in my price range and it would still lead to a $1,700 a month mortgage that i can't afford.

I'm not sure what to do, i've been saving every penny i have and it seems to be leading no where, any one have any suggestions that might encourage me a bit more? (Unfortunately moving is out of the question for now)

The worst thing i heard yet, was my mortgage guy told me that for every $1,000 i have to put down on a house it takes $4.75 off the price of the mortgage.... so less then 5 bucks for every grand...what a rip off.

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\"I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives\"

This is the problem.
If it's just "for now" then continue to rent until you can move, then buy somewhere else.

that doesn't sound right... or the economics in Texas are rediculously different in the North. My $87,000 note cost me about $870 per month (right at $10 on the 1000).

Thats in Arlington... you know.... where the f*****g cowboys play.

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\"One of you is gonna fall and die, and I'm not cleaning it up\"

At $1700/month it sounds like you're looking at a $250K house based on $4K for taxes. Obviously you need to be looking at something cheaper. The first thing you need to do is to sit down with a pad of paper and figure out what are the absolute must haves versus would be nice to have but you could live without it.

Start with location, that one is critical for resale. You can change a lot of things in a house but you can't change where it sits. Next, figure out what kind of house and how big. If you're single, you really don't need 2500 square feet, half that is fine. Remember, you have to heat it, you have to cool it, you have to clean it and the bigger it is the more the first two things cost.

Think you have to have an updated kitchen? Think again because you're going to pay dearly for that. Modern bathroom with a jetted tube? That also needs to move to the \"would be nice\" column. All of that can be done later as your personal finances improve. Keep in mind there's nothing in a house that can't be changed. Even load bearing walls can be moved or even removed. My last renovation project was a new kitchen and it included all new cabinets, new stainless appliances (every one of them American made by the way), granite counter tops with undermount sink and a new floor. I'm not talking about just flooring, I'm talking a new floor to include floor joists because the old ones were undersized...by a lot. They were also spaced anywhere from 13 to 28 inches on center. I put in 2x10's spaced 16 inches on center, new subfloor and hardwood on top of that. Total cost? Just a shade over $16K. Contractor bid was $38K. My point is you can do a lot yourself. Granted, I've been doing renovations for 30 years but everything I've learned has been from asking questions, reading books and OJT.

Don't dismiss a house because it doesn't have everything you want. If it's in the right location and it's affordable, you really need to think about what a coat of paint and some inexpensive flooring would do to the place. If you go into a house search with that in mind you just may find yourself a homeowner before you know it.

OC

I actually had meant that moving out of state is out of the question for now. I'm ready to have my house.

Thanks for the input, and OC The $4,000 taxes in this area are tacked on to houses that are less then $200,000 in some cases. Some of the townships here are killer. We have been looking at a lot of houses lately and so far nothing in our price range has stood out. I know that location is a big thing and that is important to us, so that is the main reason we have been picky. I can handle paint and carpets and such, but electrical and plumbing issues scare me.

I really appreciate the tips though, i'll be keeping all that in mind.

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\"I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives\"

First, continue to save as much as you can. I agree that there is a point at which the amount of downpayment doesn't do much more for you. However, if you can come to the table with 20% down, you can take your insureance and property taxes out of the loan, which will considerably reduece the mortgage. On the down side though, you'll have to save up for the taxes and insureance and pay them in lump sums. If you're good at saving, it's really the best way to go.

Second, you should consider moving out of state when you can. They don't beat you to death on taxes out in WY or CO, at least, not as bad as what you are looking at. A friend of mine has a big house, small lot, ritzy subdivision, and his place is worth over 400K and his taxes this year were about 4K. I have a small 1150sf house in a not so hot AO and mine were 800 this year.

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Slow is Fast, Fast is Slow
Violence may not be the best option, but it IS an option

Wow ice really? Pennsylvania sucks....geeze lol, I'm working to get to that 20% but it is hard, i have about 11-12% now so i will continue to save (and hope that i hit the lottery)

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\"I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives\"

Stick with it RC, it's hard but well worth the effort.

_________________
Slow is Fast, Fast is Slow
Violence may not be the best option, but it IS an option