What's new
By:

Question for those with land in cold, wintry area

UGLI baby said:
Gypbro, not hating at all, but if I'm reading things correctly this is all a plan for 5 years from now???

I'm currently making plans for a trip to San Francisco this weekend and tbh my pervading thought is, "this is soooo far away why am I even thinking about this?"

I leave in like 36 hours lol


£¥£
Click to expand...
Worst timing ever
 
franklin said:
That place is ridiculous cheap for Utah on anything not drier than an Egyptian tomb. I'd love to have a place on the lake with my own dock and all. It looks like a dream, man. Solid choice.
Click to expand...

I forgot to say too, if you look at the price history, they had it listed at 75K less, 225K, less than a year ago....I guess they figured the market went up...I bet you these peeps would take 225K cash...then again, this place could be part of some former dump site for all I know.
 
LazyD said:
Worst timing ever
Click to expand...

UGLI baby said:
Haha why?


£¥£
Click to expand...

You going to SF Outside lands bro?

Tom Petty, Kanye West, Mclemore, and UGLI baby are.

My roommate is running the Heineken Dome and I'm gonna be shuttling artists to and from the festival and taking them to the airport and ish.

I'm taking a girl on Saturday, but I think you could use one of my wristbands on Sunday if you wanna come. Got dem backstage passes too. I can't remember who plays on Sunday, but the festival is massive.


£¥£
 
UGLI baby said:
You going to SF Outside lands bro?

Tom Petty, Kanye West, Mclemore, and UGLI baby are.

My roommate is running the Heineken Dome and I'm gonna be shuttling artists to and from the festival and taking them to the airport and ish.

I'm taking a girl on Saturday, but I think you could use one of my wristbands on Sunday if you wanna come. Got dem backstage passes too. I can't remember who plays on Sunday, but the festival is massive.


£¥£
Click to expand...

Please don't steal the water.
 
Duck Rodgers said:
Do they not have basements in some areas out there or something though? Because some of these houses look sizable, but they only list at like 1500 sq ft.
Click to expand...

TBH, I don't know but I've looked at a ton of homes online in Maine and I'm not sure if I've seen any with basements so maybe not. As far as the living space goes, I'm not sure how the law works and whether it's a state-by-state thing (I think so) or Federal (I don't think so) but here in NJ, I think the way living space works is that, if a basement is finished, it can only be considered living space if it has an egress at least a certain minimum size (don't know that size off the top of my head) for firefighters to be able to get in in case of a fire. I assume a door that provides immediate access to the basement would be fine too. My basement currently just has the small rectangular windows (about one foot by two feet) so even if we finished it, it would not be considered livable as far as listing it goes should we ever choose to sell it. That said, I sort of wonder the same thing because the home I linked is only listed at 2,200 square feet despite looking quite large and having six bedrooms. Who know though. Pics can be very deceiving and many of those bedrooms could be 10' x 11' or something. The house looks like it about 3,200 square feet to me but it may not be very deep and the barn which appears attached or at least is right next to it may also be contributing to what could be illusory size.
 
QuinSnydersHair said:
Thanks so much for the replies, peeps. Most of this we had thought of (proximity, travel, kids and their hobbies and interests, etc.) but some of it we had not. The only thing I'll say is this and it's really to franklin. I hear ya man on within 45 minutes. I do. But then, I wouldn't feel like we're getting away. Anything within a two hour drive would feel like NJ or remind me of NJ. I want to get away, like it's a whole 'nother world. Maine, NH, or Vermont would each be that own little world to me and that's why we're considering there, at this point Maine specifically though because of the cheap land and tranquility yes but also because we'd be a couple hours from the shore (just a change of pace from the Jersey shore) and some other cool towns like Portland, Camden and Augusta. The place I linked is about 6.5 hours from where we currently live which is nothing (I've driven more than that on a few vacations recently)...kids will of course change all that but by the time we bought it, our youngest would probably be five years of age and not a toddler crying all night. I'd get everyone up at 3 in the morning, they could sleep til about 8am, we'd get breakfast somewhere in Masschussetts, and then we'd be up at the place by 11am...this would cost us about $200 in gas and of course meals...way cheaper than airfare, almost just as quick when you consider going to the airport and checking in and security and flying and getting the rental car and driving the rest of the way and paying for gas for that rental...not to mention the journey as a family is part of the trip. Obviously my tune may change once the parenting begins in the next week or two but as of now, I plan on being as old school as possible and preserving many of the fundamental tenets many of us were raised on while still being very pragmatic.
Click to expand...

Traveling with kids is no longer as bad as those 70's movies made it out. We've taken our kids to San Diego several times over the last three years. We did it with a 1 month old infant this summer. Nevada-Cali state line is about 6 hours, and we make a stop or two like you said. The key is loading movies and games onto electronics. Make 'em wait about 45 minutes, then give 'em a two hour movie and you've cut half their boredom out.

Proximity is important for me because I cannot get away for a month at a time, so quick weekend trips need to be close. I cannot see spending that kind of money for 1 week a year.


PKM said:
I love u bro... but you will look back and know you're wrong. You can't logically justify for your kids/grandkids. If this is for you and your wife.. cool... but it's not sustainable without ease of access and reasonable cost. I know that kills the current dream.. but im telling ya bro.. srsly.

Make a decision what u want to accomplish. Go from there.. and my prayers for you, MsSerp, and the lil one (s).

Y'all have a great start because youre thinkin about it.
Click to expand...

I think that depends on how tight nit your family is. My wife's aunt and uncle own a beach house and they never seem to have issues getting together each summer. They're very tight nit though.

Her sister lives up in the NW corner with 6 kids. I see them almost as much as the rest that live inside our county.
 
franklin said:
Traveling with kids is no longer as bad as those 70's movies made it out. We've taken our kids to San Diego several times over the last three years. We did it with a 1 month old infant this summer. Nevada-Cali state line is about 6 hours, and we make a stop or two like you said. The key is loading movies and games onto electronics. Make 'em wait about 45 minutes, then give 'em a two hour movie and you've cut half their boredom out.

Proximity is important for me because I cannot get away for a month at a time, so quick weekend trips need to be close. I cannot see spending that kind of money for 1 week a year.
Click to expand...

Yeah, my wife gets five weeks of vacation (I think six upon her next promotion?) so we would probably take 2-3 straight weeks in the summer when me and the kids have off from school, maybe one other week at some other point, and then a couple (long?) weekends perhaps. Between that, the legacy aspect of it (that PKM mentioned) that one can't put a dollar amount on, and what I also see as a great long-term investment (I see this particular property as a great land/house to cost ratio given the fact that it's not crazy northern Maine) despite the annual costs (10K for upkeep and utilities?) and one that could be worth a ton a generation or two from now. Win-win-win...without me of course seeing the place.
 
QuinSnydersHair said:
Yeah, my wife gets five weeks of vacation (I think six upon her next promotion?) so we would probably take 2-3 straight weeks in the summer when me and the kids have off from school, maybe one other week at some other point, and then a couple (long?) weekends perhaps. Between that, the legacy aspect of it (that PKM mentioned) that one can't put a dollar amount on, and what I also see as a great long-term investment (I see this particular property as a great land/house to cost ratio given the fact that it's not crazy northern Maine) despite the annual costs (10K for upkeep and utilities?) and one that could be worth a ton a generation or two from now. Win-win-win...without me of course seeing the place.
Click to expand...

That is the way to do it. The costs will not matter if you can afford it and you get a good return on your investment. I didn't think I'd every buy a vacation property, but when the recession hit, I looked a multiple "vacation destination" locations that were suddenly more affordable. Some areas took bigger hit than others. When making the purchase, I factored in what appeared to be the best investment taking into account what my family would be able to enjoy year-round. I wanted 35% of my portfolio to be in real estate, so why not enjoy it? There are some tax disadvantages to purchasing an investment outside of a qualified plan, but it is worth it to me.
 
JAZZGASM said:
That is the way to do it. The costs will not matter if you can afford it and you get a good return on your investment. I didn't think I'd every buy a vacation property, but when the recession hit, I looked a multiple "vacation destination" locations that were suddenly more affordable. Some areas took bigger hit than others. When making the purchase, I factored in what appeared to be the best investment taking into account what my family would be able to enjoy year-round. I wanted 35% of my portfolio to be in real estate, so why not enjoy it? There are some tax disadvantages to purchasing an investment outside of a qualified plan, but it is worth it to me.
Click to expand...

Yep. We also own a Marriott Vacation Time Share which allows us to go to any Marriott Vacation Club property anywhere in the world as well as other Marriotts or hotels that will take on said points in some way like I know Ritz-Carlton does. This doesn't limit us to just one location like old time shares used to and it also forces us to take vacations which is nice. It's basically a car payment (440 or so I think) for 10 years and then we own the deed. When we die, the beneficiary gets the deed/time share just like any normal property. The value isn't there now but seven years from now when it's paid off (other then the annual administrative fee), it'll be worth it I think.
 
QuinSnydersHair said:
Yep. We also own a Marriott Vacation Time Share which allows us to go to any Marriott Vacation Club property anywhere in the world as well as other Marriotts or hotels that will take on said points in some way like I know Ritz-Carlton does. This doesn't limit us to just one location like old time shares used to and it also forces us to take vacations which is nice. It's basically a car payment (440 or so I think) for 10 years and then we own the deed. When we die, the beneficiary gets the deed/time share just like any normal property. The value isn't there now but seven years from now when it's paid off (other then the annual administrative fee), it'll be worth it I think.
Click to expand...
Are you allowed to pay more on the time share now and get it paid off early?
 
QuinSnydersHair said:
Yep. We also own a Marriott Vacation Time Share which allows us to go to any Marriott Vacation Club property anywhere in the world as well as other Marriotts or hotels that will take on said points in some way like I know Ritz-Carlton does. This doesn't limit us to just one location like old time shares used to and it also forces us to take vacations which is nice. It's basically a car payment (440 or so I think) for 10 years and then we own the deed. When we die, the beneficiary gets the deed/time share just like any normal property. The value isn't there now but seven years from now when it's paid off (other then the annual administrative fee), it'll be worth it I think.
Click to expand...

I thought about doing the same program, but decided I would prefer to have one place that my family will remember fondly, and I don't have the time away from work to justify doing it and having a vacation property. I also wanted a place where I could have an full office so I can still spend time there, even when I have too much to do. Growing up, I went on lot of vacations, but I have the most fond memories of going to my parents lake cabin. Whenever I go there, I still just have good memories and vibes.
 
fishonjazz said:
Are you allowed to pay more on the time share now and get it paid off early?
Click to expand...

Yep. But we both have new cars and the kid on the way so we don't pay anything off in advance right now....we're not tight with money but I like to have a big nest egg in case of emergencies (our roof is 23 years old, have some very minor basement issues with sump pump and foundation that could always get worse, health issues for us or baby could always arise, want to redo old bathrooms in the few years, etc.)...I always like to be prepared...basically though once my wifey gets her next and last promotion in about four years, we should be set for life. Obviously anything could change in this economic climate but we have two jobs (especially her) that are as safe as you get, thank God, and once her promotion comes, we should be able to pay this off within 2-5 years while still keeping that nest egg and saving for college. If all goes to plan.

Basically in about 8-9 years, we should have no car payments, no time share payments, no daycare payments, and we will be pulling in about 2.5 times what we currently make. The next 8-9 years won't be bad at all as far as getting by. But then, bam, we will just be able to pay everything off and save a ton.
 
I'd just like to say too, I hope I don't sound like I'm bragging. I just get so excited about our lives (kid on the way, great wife, solid financial security) and where they are and what they could be. I really hit the lotto with MsSerp. She gives me basically no **** (which is saying something considering my obvious personality which shines through here at times), loves football (she won our fantasy football league about four years ago) and tolerates other sports, is the sweetest, most loving yet strong and hard-working woman I know, is one of the overall brightest people I know and on top of it, just happens to have a great job.

#luckiestguyalive
#futureannualjazzfanzgettogetherinmaineforaweek
#imadreamer
 
Last edited:
JAZZGASM said:
For outdoor pipes, you obviously need to have the system drained each year. My cold weather house has a self draining system.

You would also need to keep heat at a reasonable level all winter. If that old house has poor insulation near any pipes, you may need to keep it warmer. I also have a 12 camera system that I can monitor at any time, including garage, outdoors, and the cooler area of the house (assuming the router keeps working). I do pay for internet, but it is worth the peace of mind not having to rely on neighbors (closest one is 4 miles away) all the time for status updates.

Snow accumulation can be a problem. I installed a roof heating system that is attached to a "smart" plug that I can control over the internet. I also have a I can also control the fridge and lighting (I wanted to have a cool fridge any time I arrive, but don't keep anything in it when I am not there).

I pay a neighbor for lawn and winter care. It is expensive, but I feel I am getting a decent deal. With utilities all year (garbage, sewer, trash, gas, electric) it adds up, even with the minimum charges.
Click to expand...

Waste of money and resources dudes. Get geothermal heat pump and solar hot water with radiant heat. Keep the place 60 degrees in wintertime for free.
 
franklin said:
Traveling with kids is no longer as bad as those 70's movies made it out. We've taken our kids to San Diego several times over the last three years. We did it with a 1 month old infant this summer. Nevada-Cali state line is about 6 hours, and we make a stop or two like you said. The key is loading movies and games onto electronics. Make 'em wait about 45 minutes, then give 'em a two hour movie and you've cut half their boredom out.

Proximity is important for me because I cannot get away for a month at a time, so quick weekend trips need to be close. I cannot see spending that kind of money for 1 week a year.




I think that depends on how tight nit your family is. My wife's aunt and uncle own a beach house and they never seem to have issues getting together each summer. They're very tight nit though.

Her sister lives up in the NW corner with 6 kids. I see them almost as much as the rest that live inside our county.
Click to expand...

I understand what you're saying, but im talking financially. I am very tight with my daughter and grandkids.. but she lives across the country and now has three kids of her own. For her, even just traveling to St. GEORGE is very hard when it's paying for 5 flights. Thats what im referring to when you buy a home that requires travel into a small/expensive airport/flight (s).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page
Back
Top