Wife and I make $500k hhi, $300k currently saved for down payment. One kid. Currently renting in ny area. Looking at houses in southern westchester it feels like we can’t afford much of anything in a good school district other than starter type homes. Any advice? Should we stretch on first house so we don’t have to move later? Wait a couple years for rates to drop?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Everyone had to buy a starter home. Avoiding a starter home will make home buying inaccessible

When rates come down, home values will likely go up accordingly. Houses are only this cheap because rates are as high as they are

like

If rates drop, prices are bound to go up. Can you find a good starter home that gives you the opportunity to build out/expand instead of having to sell?

like

This is a little age-dependent for me, to be honest. If you're 20-30, 100% starter home. If you're closer to 40 with reliable and increasing income and some savings tucked away in other ways, I'd push it (but only to the limit of what you can service on income alone).

I live in westchester, you can definitely find a nice home for the amount of money you have saved up. That being said, why southern westchester? I find the northern parts of westchester a lot nicer.

Also there’s a lot of great private schools in westchester, so if you plan to send your kids to private schools location become more flexible.

We went the "future potential" route and bought a house that had space to build out/needed some work, its working fine while we saved more for renovations, we have been in our area since December 2020 and prices have only gone up

Turns out everyone wants to live in a good school district, so prices tend to be higher. Who knew?!

You may want to look at the premium you would pay for buying in a good school district vs renting in that same district vs just paying the price of private school.

Also, when rates drop, prices tend to climb quickly, especially in good school districts, so waiting for rates to drop won’t help your affordability.

At least buying in a good school district means the additional money you spend goes toward equity and not private school which is sunk cost.

like

Related Posts

I am not able to upload my tax declaration details from the greyHR portal. It is showing an error message since morning. Is there anyone else who is facing the same issue

likefunny

If I JUST got my Uber Visa card, before they announced all of the changes in their rewards/cashback system, is it worth it to close the credit card?

like

Final day at current company tomorrow and I have 100k+ AMEX points I need to use before they disappear forever. How should I redeem them to get the most bang for my buck?

likehelpful

Need to urgently find a 500k job. Can't keep up with mortgages with anything less. Any advice?

likefunny

I'm under contract for a new build in progress that won't be done until much later this year. I fully expect interest rates will be higher than what I originally estimated. I may or may not try to lock in a good rate early, but I'm planning on renting it out and this throws a bit if a wrench in my margins. I can take it financially, but wondering, If I absolutely needed to get out of buying it, what recourse do I have? Or could I go ahead, and refinance later (who knows rates at that time...)?

like

What’s the general guidance on the order to maximize retirement contributions for tax benefits for an normal individual and for a self employed/small business owner before moving to taxable accounts or alternate vehicles like cash value life policies?
I’ve seen for individual: match trad 401k->match roth 401k->max roth IRA->max trad IRA->max trad 401k->max roth 401k->max HSA
For self employed: max SEP IRA/solo 401k->max roth IRA->max trad IRA->max HSA

Of course situations differ but in general?

like

Should I do the IPG employee stock plan? Anyone else do this? Don’t even know if it’s a good stock or not

like

How much should I invest in buying a HOME as my primary residence.

Current TC: 200k
Net worth: 300k, readily available 170k in stocks, hysa and cash
Current rent: 2000 per month
Age: 30

Wonder if anyone has any excel model or a rule to determine how much I can afford or should go for?

like

Do you use a tax preparer? How do you find a good one? Do they need to be local?

like

Cross posted: Has anyone ever heard of this type of real estate private equity fund structure:

-One LLC, so only one PPM
-Multiple investors that can be onboarded anytime
-Multiple investments that investors can determine whether or not they want to invest in
-One K-1 per investor based on their investments and income
-Ability for the Sponsor/Fund to invest directly, indirectly and in equity, debt, Pref, etc.
To me this seems extremely cumbersome and would require multiple classes of (cont’d)

like

Financial literate people of the bowl, in your opinion, what should be your net worth to buy a Rs 10 lakh car?

like

How much percentage of your Salary do you Save/Invest?

like

I'm early in my career, managed to save $30K to invest, and want to get my hands dirty with a rental property without too much risk (e.g. no HML/flipping). It sounds like that's a tall order in the NY/CT area given the prices, not to mention whether I'd be able to get a mortgage on anything below $100K, but I figure I'll give it a shot anyway. Any advice on what you might do in my position? Am I being crazy with this idea?

like

How do you all plan for retirement while in the Middle East (especially for European folks)? Did you sign up for your home country retirement plan while abroad ? (My home country offers it but at a very high cost)

likehelpful

What are some side hustles you’re doing? I’m looking for ways to make additional money.

like

Noogler question: are approved Amex expenses from concur directly paid by google to Amex? Or I gotta to pay? My expense was approved but has not yet been fully received in my account..

like

What are the benefits of a trust in estate planning for a single person with assets around $2m?

like
like

I want to sell my house but there seems to be water damage and I’m worried someone will lowball me, what should I do?

like

This isn’t relating to investing but we are looking buy a SFH in South Orange NJ. We are have a 2 yo and we are moving from Sacramento. It is a close to a train station to New York.
Does any one here have any info, good or bad things to know about the area. We toured 3 different homes and they were relatively affordable by (600-750k) and it seemed like a small town community but we are not familiar with east coast/ New England. It’s going to be our first move there.

like

More Posts

Looking for a Johnson&Johnson referral. Can anyone please help?🥺

like

Anyone in IB/PE in Toronto? Would like to connect to learn more about the industry

like

Finally after months of interviewing, I accepted an offer with FAANG. During the process got rejected by over 10 companies for one or the other reason. This community has been really helpful to me and I would like to help anyway I can. So ASK ME ANYTHING and I will answer as much as possible.

likeuplifting

Help! I accidentally clicked on enable content and I’m about to cry 😭

likefunny

Any of your firms do virtual gifts or corporate appreciation for your teams? We want to do something for our hard working team that is spread out over the nation but not make it an event where we’re stuck doing over zoom. Ideally something like wine delivery just to show appreciation

like

Anyone start later in life? About to turn 32 and my retirement savings are sad.

like

I am on notice and LWD would be in Dec. Should I even be raising snapshots for coming mod year review? Am I expected to raise?

like

Busy season continues

Post Photo
likefunny

Why is Barclays the best organization to work with?

I have been hearing a lot that Barclays is one of the best organization to work for but no one is actually helping me in what terms it is better then other organization's. Can someone please share their thoughts here

No joining bonus for early joiners
No WFH set-up cost for new joiners
The organization does provide chair/monitor/mouse/keyboard for WFH ease but then we have to return it while leaving organization.

Word limit pls check commen

like
like

Has anyone here used infinite banking to fund their real estate investments? If so, could u share details about the policy design you got? Is there a way to tell how different insurance agents have different fees before engaging them in discussion?

like

Citi India. Guys did anyone get stat bonus in salary this month? Have been receiving it every year in October but not this time. Shocked personally.

like

any transaction advisory services in DC area?

Anyone know of remote work from home jobs located on the West Coast for Pharmacy Technicians?

like

Is there an official promotion list out on ACN portal somewhere?

like

What are bonuses like for a first year IB Analyst in London? (Think US banks like GS, MS, Citi etc.)

like

Hi Everyone,
I am looking for a job opportunity in RPA Blue Prism. Please let me know if there are any openings available in Citi bank/Credit Suisse/Bank of America/Deutsche bank. Thank you in advance.

like

Anyone here have experience / know anyone who did the Luxury & Fashion Retail MBA @ NYU Stern?

like

$$$$ to Booth or $$ to Wharton

like

Additional Posts in The Real Estate Bowl

Does anyone have experience managing an out of state property yourself? Are there any tips/services you use?

like

For anyone that has bought a townhome from Lennar, are the walls fairly well insulated for sound?

What, if any, were your main complaints?

like

What are some of the things that were a MUST when buying your first home and what were some things that you were more flexible with and why? I’m having a discussion with my partner about what we absolutely need and what can be worked on later.

like

Anyone punched out of state 4-10 unit apt building? How did you find the listing?

like

Any one knows what’s the easiest way to order a radon test for new construction?

like

Is it okay to buy a home worth 660K for a couple earning 325K TC together? The HOA and taxes for this home bring the monthly payment up to ~4.8K which is ~32% of our monthly take home after tax…we’re first time home buyers, any advise is appreciated!

like

We are renovating a condo and the previous owner had two Crane toilets (not sure how old, but functioning although seals are old according to our contractor). Back outlet flour mount ones are the only options for the building, and one toilet can cost $300-$500.

We are redoing all the bathroom tiles and walls and debating what we should do with the two toilets. Would resealing the toilets extend the use life? Or should we just replace the toilets? Any other recommendations? TIA!!

like

I'm under contract for a new build in progress that won't be done until much later this year. I fully expect interest rates will be higher than what I originally estimated. I may or may not try to lock in a good rate early, but I'm planning on renting it out and this throws a bit if a wrench in my margins. I can take it financially, but wondering, If I absolutely needed to get out of buying it, what recourse do I have? Or could I go ahead, and refinance later (who knows rates at that time...)?

like

How much should I invest in buying a HOME as my primary residence.

Current TC: 200k
Net worth: 300k, readily available 170k in stocks, hysa and cash
Current rent: 2000 per month
Age: 30

Wonder if anyone has any excel model or a rule to determine how much I can afford or should go for?

like

I'm early in my career, managed to save $30K to invest, and want to get my hands dirty with a rental property without too much risk (e.g. no HML/flipping). It sounds like that's a tall order in the NY/CT area given the prices, not to mention whether I'd be able to get a mortgage on anything below $100K, but I figure I'll give it a shot anyway. Any advice on what you might do in my position? Am I being crazy with this idea?

like

Hey everyone, curious about pros/cons and profitability of renting out a unit long term vs AirBnB. Let’s say it’s a condo downtown in a big city, how do you figure out what’s the better option?

like

This isn’t relating to investing but we are looking buy a SFH in South Orange NJ. We are have a 2 yo and we are moving from Sacramento. It is a close to a train station to New York.
Does any one here have any info, good or bad things to know about the area. We toured 3 different homes and they were relatively affordable by (600-750k) and it seemed like a small town community but we are not familiar with east coast/ New England. It’s going to be our first move there.

like

I share my first property with a family member which is my primary home. If I buy a second property (and keep the first property) and live there, does that second property now qualify as my primary home?

like

From a financial standpoint in this market, which would be a better approach in Austin -

1. Buy a ~8-850k house that meets most of our ideal criteria (size, schools, interiors etc) to stay long term

2. Buy a ~5-550k house that’s not ideal with the plan of moving into an ideal home in 4-5 years when kid is ready for school.

How easy is it to get a mortgage for the second home?

Household income - 300k

Happy to add more details as needed

Thanks

28 year old with ~125k in cash/brokerage. Have been wanting to begin purchasing rentals but anxious to use a good bit of my liquid savings. Thoughts on biting the bullet vs. investing in stocks. In Houston if that is a factor

like

Under contract to buy my first home - house hacking a triplex. Property has been leased by the same three tenants for the last 5+ yrs, rents haven’t been raised since they moved in. Market rents have risen 70-100% in the same timeframe. All seem like ideal tenants (retired and take great care of the units) but I’d like advice on how to approach the rent increase conversation. Rents don’t make/break my mortgage payment but I’m leaving a lot on the table if I don’t increase significantly.

like

How might I start to evaluate whether or not it’s worth it to keep my current primary residence and turn it into a rental, instead of selling and using the cash to roll into the next down payment for our next home? Currently in our “starter home” and thinking to upgrade in a few years. Some figures to consider for current house - 299k purchase price, 240k left on mortgage, could prob rent for 2250-2500/month, or sell for 375k. It’s in a desired school district, but in the “city” tax district.

like

Hi guys! Looking to learn about real estate investing! I am a senior in college graduating with a degree in finance so I understand certain aspects, but am looking to learn more on my own about real estate specifically!

What books would you recommend I read?

like

I would like to learn more about development and real estate. Can anyone recommend any books or courses that you think are informative. Eventually I would like to own a few apartment buildings, but I know there is a lot I need to learn 1st. Any advice appreciated. 

like

Now that the rents are going higher and housing is not affordable. With wfh option is it good idea to love to ranch with house?

Anyone here invested or opted as primary living place outside of cities?

Cheers

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal