Renting for 2 years-The Story

[cashman]

I echo your sentiment…renting does suck, but it sure helps to ease the pain looking at my bank statements every month! I sold my home in 11/05, about the same as you, and like you haven’t rented for over twenty years. Making the psychological shift was the first step, then counting all the money I’m saving is the second. In my case, my home probably is still a couple of hundred thousand more today than when I sold it (LA county), but from a cash flow perspective, I’m doing OK. And I know sooner or later the cards will fall in LA. Then I’ll be dancing. The hardest thing for me about renting is not being able to show pride of ownership, which is important to me. I’m referring to little things, like being able to drill into the walls to install that killer home theater system, or put in some nice designer drapes, or plant some special fruit trees in the back yard and watch them grow. We are definitely deprived in some ways as renters, but just keep looking at your bank statements and count your blessings.

[Anonymous]

Desmond, I agree with you wholeheartedly. Financially right now since homes haven’t hit bottom yet, it might be a better move. However, I have found renting someone else’s home to be undesirable especially with younger kids. You cannot paint or personalize the home to your liking, you cannot change the landscaping, and there is a sense of feeling that you do not belong. If you do not like something, you have to either put up with it or move.

The landlord I’m renting from is now being foreclosed on by the second mortgage holder. He hasn’t paid his property taxes for a whole year, nor his HOA. Both had liens on the property but I think they have since been paid off my the second. At any rate, I’m looking to move right now and will be glad when I finally own. So, I understand exactly where you’re coming from.

[Anonymous]

Desmond, I agree with you wholeheartedly. Financially right now since homes haven’t hit bottom yet, it might be a better move. However, I have found renting someone else’s home to be undesirable especially with younger kids. You cannot paint or personalize the home to your liking, you cannot change the landscaping, and there is a sense of feeling that you do not belong. If you do not like something, you have to either put up with it or move.

The landlord I’m renting from is now being foreclosed on by the second mortgage holder. He hasn’t paid his property taxes for a whole year, nor his HOA. Both had liens on the property but I think they have since been paid off my the second. At any rate, I’m looking to move right now and will be glad when I finally own. So, I understand exactly where you’re coming from.

[Anonymous]

Desmond, I agree with you wholeheartedly. Financially right now since homes haven’t hit bottom yet, it might be a better move. However, I have found renting someone else’s home to be undesirable especially with younger kids. You cannot paint or personalize the home to your liking, you cannot change the landscaping, and there is a sense of feeling that you do not belong. If you do not like something, you have to either put up with it or move.

The landlord I’m renting from is now being foreclosed on by the second mortgage holder. He hasn’t paid his property taxes for a whole year, nor his HOA. Both had liens on the property but I think they have since been paid off my the second. At any rate, I’m looking to move right now and will be glad when I finally own. So, I understand exactly where you’re coming from.

[Anonymous]

Desmond, I agree with you wholeheartedly. Financially right now since homes haven’t hit bottom yet, it might be a better move. However, I have found renting someone else’s home to be undesirable especially with younger kids. You cannot paint or personalize the home to your liking, you cannot change the landscaping, and there is a sense of feeling that you do not belong. If you do not like something, you have to either put up with it or move.

The landlord I’m renting from is now being foreclosed on by the second mortgage holder. He hasn’t paid his property taxes for a whole year, nor his HOA. Both had liens on the property but I think they have since been paid off my the second. At any rate, I’m looking to move right now and will be glad when I finally own. So, I understand exactly where you’re coming from.

[Anonymous]

Desmond, I agree with you wholeheartedly. Financially right now since homes haven’t hit bottom yet, it might be a better move. However, I have found renting someone else’s home to be undesirable especially with younger kids. You cannot paint or personalize the home to your liking, you cannot change the landscaping, and there is a sense of feeling that you do not belong. If you do not like something, you have to either put up with it or move.

The landlord I’m renting from is now being foreclosed on by the second mortgage holder. He hasn’t paid his property taxes for a whole year, nor his HOA. Both had liens on the property but I think they have since been paid off my the second. At any rate, I’m looking to move right now and will be glad when I finally own. So, I understand exactly where you’re coming from.

[DWCAP]

That sounds like a really hard two years. But I dont know if you can blame it all on the fact you are renting. First off, even if you had owned your home, there is no reason that a “FRAT/NASCAR” house couldnt have been your neighbors. As you said, they moved in a month later than you. I have had bad neightbors before, but owning wont help you avoid it. That is just bad luck. Plus had you owned rather than rented, it would have been very hard to get away from them. I am sure you had great neighbors before, but there is no reason that one of them couldnt have done what you did, sell, and then who knows who is moving in.
The utility bill also isnt really due to the fact that you rent, more to the fact that you rented a huge place. I am sure alot of that $500 bill was A/C, and if you have been living in valencia for 20 years with A/C in the summer, than you should be use to paying through the nose. That is the trade off for being able to live in a 2000+ square foot house. Ill bet those vaulted celings and extra large master bedroom sounded great when looking at the place. (Assuming that is what you got for 2500+/month brand new place if not, then please excuse my inference). Anyway it goes, you will pay for what you get.
As for your current landlord, it sounds like it was a good year until they fell of the face of the Earth. You sound like you would have renued if you could have. So 11 good months and one frustrating one. Not a bad %.
It wont really help since you already have somewhere to go, but if you ever have to move again, ask how long the landlord has owned the property. If the answer is 2003-2007 and is being rented out, it is a spec property and will have this kind of problem, especially in a down market.
On the bright side, just think of the money you have selling at the top, hopefully investing at a safe ~5%+ return, and letting someone else take the finacial hit. That should help alleviate some of the pain.
I dont mean to discount your frustration, I am sorry you had to go through all that, but alot of what you are complaining about isnt really a problem of renting, more a problem of bad neighbors and unexpected bills. The Second LL is just weird, and the fact that it is happening alot is something that should be looked into by the local news. I hope you have a great experience at this new place. Enjoy the $$$$.

[DWCAP]

That sounds like a really hard two years. But I dont know if you can blame it all on the fact you are renting. First off, even if you had owned your home, there is no reason that a “FRAT/NASCAR” house couldnt have been your neighbors. As you said, they moved in a month later than you. I have had bad neightbors before, but owning wont help you avoid it. That is just bad luck. Plus had you owned rather than rented, it would have been very hard to get away from them. I am sure you had great neighbors before, but there is no reason that one of them couldnt have done what you did, sell, and then who knows who is moving in.
The utility bill also isnt really due to the fact that you rent, more to the fact that you rented a huge place. I am sure alot of that $500 bill was A/C, and if you have been living in valencia for 20 years with A/C in the summer, than you should be use to paying through the nose. That is the trade off for being able to live in a 2000+ square foot house. Ill bet those vaulted celings and extra large master bedroom sounded great when looking at the place. (Assuming that is what you got for 2500+/month brand new place if not, then please excuse my inference). Anyway it goes, you will pay for what you get.
As for your current landlord, it sounds like it was a good year until they fell of the face of the Earth. You sound like you would have renued if you could have. So 11 good months and one frustrating one. Not a bad %.
It wont really help since you already have somewhere to go, but if you ever have to move again, ask how long the landlord has owned the property. If the answer is 2003-2007 and is being rented out, it is a spec property and will have this kind of problem, especially in a down market.
On the bright side, just think of the money you have selling at the top, hopefully investing at a safe ~5%+ return, and letting someone else take the finacial hit. That should help alleviate some of the pain.
I dont mean to discount your frustration, I am sorry you had to go through all that, but alot of what you are complaining about isnt really a problem of renting, more a problem of bad neighbors and unexpected bills. The Second LL is just weird, and the fact that it is happening alot is something that should be looked into by the local news. I hope you have a great experience at this new place. Enjoy the $$$$.

[DWCAP]

That sounds like a really hard two years. But I dont know if you can blame it all on the fact you are renting. First off, even if you had owned your home, there is no reason that a “FRAT/NASCAR” house couldnt have been your neighbors. As you said, they moved in a month later than you. I have had bad neightbors before, but owning wont help you avoid it. That is just bad luck. Plus had you owned rather than rented, it would have been very hard to get away from them. I am sure you had great neighbors before, but there is no reason that one of them couldnt have done what you did, sell, and then who knows who is moving in.
The utility bill also isnt really due to the fact that you rent, more to the fact that you rented a huge place. I am sure alot of that $500 bill was A/C, and if you have been living in valencia for 20 years with A/C in the summer, than you should be use to paying through the nose. That is the trade off for being able to live in a 2000+ square foot house. Ill bet those vaulted celings and extra large master bedroom sounded great when looking at the place. (Assuming that is what you got for 2500+/month brand new place if not, then please excuse my inference). Anyway it goes, you will pay for what you get.
As for your current landlord, it sounds like it was a good year until they fell of the face of the Earth. You sound like you would have renued if you could have. So 11 good months and one frustrating one. Not a bad %.
It wont really help since you already have somewhere to go, but if you ever have to move again, ask how long the landlord has owned the property. If the answer is 2003-2007 and is being rented out, it is a spec property and will have this kind of problem, especially in a down market.
On the bright side, just think of the money you have selling at the top, hopefully investing at a safe ~5%+ return, and letting someone else take the finacial hit. That should help alleviate some of the pain.
I dont mean to discount your frustration, I am sorry you had to go through all that, but alot of what you are complaining about isnt really a problem of renting, more a problem of bad neighbors and unexpected bills. The Second LL is just weird, and the fact that it is happening alot is something that should be looked into by the local news. I hope you have a great experience at this new place. Enjoy the $$$$.

[DWCAP]

That sounds like a really hard two years. But I dont know if you can blame it all on the fact you are renting. First off, even if you had owned your home, there is no reason that a “FRAT/NASCAR” house couldnt have been your neighbors. As you said, they moved in a month later than you. I have had bad neightbors before, but owning wont help you avoid it. That is just bad luck. Plus had you owned rather than rented, it would have been very hard to get away from them. I am sure you had great neighbors before, but there is no reason that one of them couldnt have done what you did, sell, and then who knows who is moving in.
The utility bill also isnt really due to the fact that you rent, more to the fact that you rented a huge place. I am sure alot of that $500 bill was A/C, and if you have been living in valencia for 20 years with A/C in the summer, than you should be use to paying through the nose. That is the trade off for being able to live in a 2000+ square foot house. Ill bet those vaulted celings and extra large master bedroom sounded great when looking at the place. (Assuming that is what you got for 2500+/month brand new place if not, then please excuse my inference). Anyway it goes, you will pay for what you get.
As for your current landlord, it sounds like it was a good year until they fell of the face of the Earth. You sound like you would have renued if you could have. So 11 good months and one frustrating one. Not a bad %.
It wont really help since you already have somewhere to go, but if you ever have to move again, ask how long the landlord has owned the property. If the answer is 2003-2007 and is being rented out, it is a spec property and will have this kind of problem, especially in a down market.
On the bright side, just think of the money you have selling at the top, hopefully investing at a safe ~5%+ return, and letting someone else take the finacial hit. That should help alleviate some of the pain.
I dont mean to discount your frustration, I am sorry you had to go through all that, but alot of what you are complaining about isnt really a problem of renting, more a problem of bad neighbors and unexpected bills. The Second LL is just weird, and the fact that it is happening alot is something that should be looked into by the local news. I hope you have a great experience at this new place. Enjoy the $$$$.

[DWCAP]

That sounds like a really hard two years. But I dont know if you can blame it all on the fact you are renting. First off, even if you had owned your home, there is no reason that a “FRAT/NASCAR” house couldnt have been your neighbors. As you said, they moved in a month later than you. I have had bad neightbors before, but owning wont help you avoid it. That is just bad luck. Plus had you owned rather than rented, it would have been very hard to get away from them. I am sure you had great neighbors before, but there is no reason that one of them couldnt have done what you did, sell, and then who knows who is moving in.
The utility bill also isnt really due to the fact that you rent, more to the fact that you rented a huge place. I am sure alot of that $500 bill was A/C, and if you have been living in valencia for 20 years with A/C in the summer, than you should be use to paying through the nose. That is the trade off for being able to live in a 2000+ square foot house. Ill bet those vaulted celings and extra large master bedroom sounded great when looking at the place. (Assuming that is what you got for 2500+/month brand new place if not, then please excuse my inference). Anyway it goes, you will pay for what you get.
As for your current landlord, it sounds like it was a good year until they fell of the face of the Earth. You sound like you would have renued if you could have. So 11 good months and one frustrating one. Not a bad %.
It wont really help since you already have somewhere to go, but if you ever have to move again, ask how long the landlord has owned the property. If the answer is 2003-2007 and is being rented out, it is a spec property and will have this kind of problem, especially in a down market.
On the bright side, just think of the money you have selling at the top, hopefully investing at a safe ~5%+ return, and letting someone else take the finacial hit. That should help alleviate some of the pain.
I dont mean to discount your frustration, I am sorry you had to go through all that, but alot of what you are complaining about isnt really a problem of renting, more a problem of bad neighbors and unexpected bills. The Second LL is just weird, and the fact that it is happening alot is something that should be looked into by the local news. I hope you have a great experience at this new place. Enjoy the $$$$.

[desmond]

First of all I am a guy. Second, I am not complaining, I walked away with a $500,000.00 + check. I am just pointing out that renting sucks, that the new homes are poorly designed, that new neighborhoods are falling apart, and this is in Valencia. Also, it is not easy screening landlords, 95% of the homes for rent in Valencia have fb for owners. I went through a property management firm for this next house, as I did on the first two. I don’t mind moving, I have down to a science. But I can’t wait until I finally plant the flag and call it my home, wherever and whenever that is.

[desmond]

First of all I am a guy. Second, I am not complaining, I walked away with a $500,000.00 + check. I am just pointing out that renting sucks, that the new homes are poorly designed, that new neighborhoods are falling apart, and this is in Valencia. Also, it is not easy screening landlords, 95% of the homes for rent in Valencia have fb for owners. I went through a property management firm for this next house, as I did on the first two. I don’t mind moving, I have down to a science. But I can’t wait until I finally plant the flag and call it my home, wherever and whenever that is.

[desmond]

First of all I am a guy. Second, I am not complaining, I walked away with a $500,000.00 + check. I am just pointing out that renting sucks, that the new homes are poorly designed, that new neighborhoods are falling apart, and this is in Valencia. Also, it is not easy screening landlords, 95% of the homes for rent in Valencia have fb for owners. I went through a property management firm for this next house, as I did on the first two. I don’t mind moving, I have down to a science. But I can’t wait until I finally plant the flag and call it my home, wherever and whenever that is.

[desmond]

First of all I am a guy. Second, I am not complaining, I walked away with a $500,000.00 + check. I am just pointing out that renting sucks, that the new homes are poorly designed, that new neighborhoods are falling apart, and this is in Valencia. Also, it is not easy screening landlords, 95% of the homes for rent in Valencia have fb for owners. I went through a property management firm for this next house, as I did on the first two. I don’t mind moving, I have down to a science. But I can’t wait until I finally plant the flag and call it my home, wherever and whenever that is.

[Author]

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