[quote=bearishgurl]
In any case, buying a house just $150K less than what I sold mine for would result in a “wash” between my current tax bill and my new tax bill because my current house, even with a recent Prop 8 upward assessment for FY 13/14, is still assessed at about $150K less than its market value.[/quote]
150K less in assessed value is saving you $1500 a year. You could move down by $150K and have a house close to free and clear. It would have to save you a net of at least $4K a year. ($150K or thereabouts on your current mortgage at 4% is $6K a year in interest you could save.) You’ve suggested that my family should have moved, irrespective of non-financial issues, yet those non-financial issues (school for your kids, pets, etc.) are sufficient for you to NOT move. My point is, everyone has those non-financial issues, and moving into an inherited house never comes down to just money. There are always other considerations. Which is why it does NOT happen more often than it does.
