[bzribee]

I just want to say that I appreciate this very thorough discussion about Redfin vs traditional realtors.

Years ago, when I should’ve bought a condo, my most wonderful agent then took me to places he had pre-screened. He had the ability (which I don’t) to help me imagine what it would look like with a few simple changes. Sadly, I got cold cold feet and never bought.

Years later, a RedFin agent, knowing about my severe allergies, brought me to a property that smelled so bad from outside I wouldn’t even finish the walk up the stairs. I was told that’s what all agents nowadays are like.

I prefer the Redfin website (soooooo much easier to access information) and considered using a Redfin agent if I look again. This discussion explains why some Redfin open house realtors know so little about the property. They’re “door openers”.

So thank you for reminding me to be more open minded about traditional agents and to understand the commission differences may not be so different. As I will clearly need somebody knowledgeable with a bit of hand-holding included, I will be more comfortable using a traditional agent I’ve already met and liked. He has been patient with my process, which I appreciate.

[bzribee]

Red Foxx said, “Won’t those health food nuts feel silly one day, lying in bed, dying of nothing.”

I love that quote.

I take supplements that have helped over the years. I also read the current research, and don’t buy any product not assayed (? fun word) by ConsumerLab.com ($15/year membership, well worth it IMHO).

Fish Oil (on weeks I don’t have 2-3 servings of salmon–Trader Joe’s has a great frozen salmon meal.)
Echinacea (when I”m around runny nosed kids)

Daily:
Vit D (but not as much as I used to)
Calcium (also not as much as I used to)
Lutein

I’m considering CoQ10 and/or Vitamin K but have reading to do–can’t remember why I thought they’d be good!

CoQ10 really helps family members who take statins–shown scientifically, so therefore it’s now medicine, right?

BTW, EWG (Environmental Working Group) says farmed salmon from Chile, Canada and the US are best of available choices. They like wild but say some wild salmon have more pesticides than farmed. They’re the fine folks who brought us the Dirty/Clean Dozen (produce) and the sunscreen/cosmetics ratings.

[bzribee]

Wow. After reading all your comments I feel REALLY old! I just turned 60. Both 50 and 60 were difficult. Some friends and I decided to read and discuss some books re aging and I feel the stress lessening. At times I feel the need to do all those things I haven’t yet done, at other times I feel content with just enjoying my life as it is.

Too many friends dealing with cancer, and a number dying too young. One said to me, “The way I see it, we have ’til we’re 50 then all bets are off.” That really impacted me and helped me decide to retire early. Who knows what’s in store, but I want to be able to live as fully as possible. I retired early (58) as my job became too stressful. I now have a small business that I enjoy.

Lately, I”ve been aware that I’m letting the small business take over, and not doing the traveling I wish to do, so I’m re-evaluating again. Time to step things up.

Starting with 50 I became more aware of physical changes and I have to fight the feeling that I’m “old”. Luckily I have even older friends who are very active and great role models of what is possible.

I have been asked to be the guardian of friends’ children. I think it is easier to go from having kids and adding a few more, than it is to go from zero kids to all of a sudden becoming a parent–so I suggested they ask someone with a family.

Doing an estate plan, living will, etc took me forever but it felt really good to have the conversations and to get these done. Now I’m deciding on long term care, if they’d even take me.

It’s so weird to see high school friends–such an intense time–and realize we were hanging out together 45 years ago. Arrgghhh!!!

I believe Red Foxx said, “Won’t those health food nuts feel silly one day, lying in bed, dying of nothing?”

I’ll let you know when I get there! Meanwhile, I don’t have a bucket list but I am trying to say “yes” more than “no” each day.

That’s my (elder) take on things. I really enjoyed reading everyone’s experiences. It helps to talk about it–compare notes.

BTW, I became aware of body changes beginning around 40 but didn’t do much about it (“no time”). DON’T WAIT!

[bzribee]

Mark Kellner (Washington Times–should my link not work) just compared several computer programs (TurboTax, H&R Block, some others):

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/apr/4/kellner-2-extra-days-for-tax-prep-but-time-to-get-/

[bzribee]

Thank you to the OP and for the follow up comments. I did not know this background and though I feel the anger is misdirected, it helps me understand why there is so much anti-union/anti-teacher sentiment lately.

This respectful discussion with facts and clarifications is to me, the best way to be informed. No name calls, rants, taking sides–just learning.

Thank you, Piggs.

[bzribee]

Eye opening comments–thank you!

Well, family emergencies occurred and I’m just getting back to these posts today. I did get loan approval and continue to look in North Park, primarily. I am actually looking at lower priced (than my loan amount) places because I hate to owe money and I don’t need to overpay. The comments by HLS and others were really helpful. I get the message–I’ve overinflated my “I’m a great risk” scenario, and I’ve just got to suck up that this is the way it works. Got it!!! I disagree with the poster who said I’m looking for more than I can afford but that’s okay–it’s all food for thought. Meanwhile, I will check out some of the online loan sites, and continue to look around. I”m in a very low cost apt so I have time if I need it….Thank you, all!

[bzribee]

Treehugger, Thanks for the story. I can see why the foreclosure worked with the seller agent. Too bad you found the short sale guy afterwards. He’ll be around for your next transaction.

Thanks to sdr and zzz for the realtor names.

[bzribee]

Response to Diego: Yes, I live in North Park and do know the area well but don’t feel comfortable doing this on my own–I recognize this so I would use a realtor. I have an “inner sense” of what I feel something is worth or what I’d be willing to pay but I prefer to pay a professional for guidance and expertise, at least for my first home.

I appreciate reading about your experiences. I know many folks on this site are very knowledgeable and I”m sure others have done this on their own, too. Thanks to all the posters here, I’ve learned a lot. And I recognize there’s a lot I don’t know. And I don’t know what I don’t know, so I have to find and trust someone to take care of that for me.

[bzribee]

Thanks, I appreciate the referral. Yes, my perceived and real level of experience is nill. (null?)

Glad to have already noticed the previous poster’s ad on re-fi topic, and someone’s humorous response–worth reading–towards the end of topic.

Thanks for your suggestion, sdr.

[bzribee]

Ah, just found absolutemortgageco from refi topic. I’ll look at that. Still open to more references and answers to other questions…

[bzribee]

Yup, laughing out loud at 2 a.m. Thanks, Fearful!

[bzribee]

[quote=meadandale]Costco and Ikea are always packed, even midday in the middle of the week. The malls are always full.

I look around San Diego and think “what recession”. Clearly people are hurting somewhere but I haven’t met any of them.[/quote]

As a classroom teacher (east county), I have met many of these folks who are hurting. Several times I asked parents (who appeared to me to be available) to help in the room and they broke down crying over money/housing issues. Families are constantly moving, often into a relative’s home, or out of town, then back, then out again. They’re on edge. They’re juggling child care, night shifts, and fear of losing both of those (a misbehaving child will be kicked out of childcare. If the parent has to leave work, they can lose their job, especially if it’s a frequent occurance).

Heck, even my apartment building is a good example of relatives living with family members, kids sleeping on the floor, watching tv all summer. I guess I’m just saying I see this also.

A few years ago, one of my 2nd graders was excited because he got a mattress for his birthday. He’d been sleeping on the floor (which helped explain the bite marks on his arms and legs). We got his family some help. 11 people lived in that apartment. I imagine they would pick up and leave when they couldn’t pay the rent. Or they were evicted.

I remember his mom getting angry at us for worrying about this kid’s homework when she was worried about keeping her job and about eviction. And she was right.

These families are very loving–but they are operating out of survival mode.

Makes me thankful for all I have.

[bzribee]

[quote=meadandale]Costco and Ikea are always packed, even midday in the middle of the week. The malls are always full.

I look around San Diego and think “what recession”. Clearly people are hurting somewhere but I haven’t met any of them.[/quote]

As a classroom teacher (east county), I have met many of these folks who are hurting. Several times I asked parents (who appeared to me to be available) to help in the room and they broke down crying over money/housing issues. Families are constantly moving, often into a relative’s home, or out of town, then back, then out again. They’re on edge. They’re juggling child care, night shifts, and fear of losing both of those (a misbehaving child will be kicked out of childcare. If the parent has to leave work, they can lose their job, especially if it’s a frequent occurance).

Heck, even my apartment building is a good example of relatives living with family members, kids sleeping on the floor, watching tv all summer. I guess I’m just saying I see this also.

A few years ago, one of my 2nd graders was excited because he got a mattress for his birthday. He’d been sleeping on the floor (which helped explain the bite marks on his arms and legs). We got his family some help. 11 people lived in that apartment. I imagine they would pick up and leave when they couldn’t pay the rent. Or they were evicted.

I remember his mom getting angry at us for worrying about this kid’s homework when she was worried about keeping her job and about eviction. And she was right.

These families are very loving–but they are operating out of survival mode.

Makes me thankful for all I have.

[bzribee]

[quote=meadandale]Costco and Ikea are always packed, even midday in the middle of the week. The malls are always full.

I look around San Diego and think “what recession”. Clearly people are hurting somewhere but I haven’t met any of them.[/quote]

As a classroom teacher (east county), I have met many of these folks who are hurting. Several times I asked parents (who appeared to me to be available) to help in the room and they broke down crying over money/housing issues. Families are constantly moving, often into a relative’s home, or out of town, then back, then out again. They’re on edge. They’re juggling child care, night shifts, and fear of losing both of those (a misbehaving child will be kicked out of childcare. If the parent has to leave work, they can lose their job, especially if it’s a frequent occurance).

Heck, even my apartment building is a good example of relatives living with family members, kids sleeping on the floor, watching tv all summer. I guess I’m just saying I see this also.

A few years ago, one of my 2nd graders was excited because he got a mattress for his birthday. He’d been sleeping on the floor (which helped explain the bite marks on his arms and legs). We got his family some help. 11 people lived in that apartment. I imagine they would pick up and leave when they couldn’t pay the rent. Or they were evicted.

I remember his mom getting angry at us for worrying about this kid’s homework when she was worried about keeping her job and about eviction. And she was right.

These families are very loving–but they are operating out of survival mode.

Makes me thankful for all I have.

[bzribee]

[quote=meadandale]Costco and Ikea are always packed, even midday in the middle of the week. The malls are always full.

I look around San Diego and think “what recession”. Clearly people are hurting somewhere but I haven’t met any of them.[/quote]

As a classroom teacher (east county), I have met many of these folks who are hurting. Several times I asked parents (who appeared to me to be available) to help in the room and they broke down crying over money/housing issues. Families are constantly moving, often into a relative’s home, or out of town, then back, then out again. They’re on edge. They’re juggling child care, night shifts, and fear of losing both of those (a misbehaving child will be kicked out of childcare. If the parent has to leave work, they can lose their job, especially if it’s a frequent occurance).

Heck, even my apartment building is a good example of relatives living with family members, kids sleeping on the floor, watching tv all summer. I guess I’m just saying I see this also.

A few years ago, one of my 2nd graders was excited because he got a mattress for his birthday. He’d been sleeping on the floor (which helped explain the bite marks on his arms and legs). We got his family some help. 11 people lived in that apartment. I imagine they would pick up and leave when they couldn’t pay the rent. Or they were evicted.

I remember his mom getting angry at us for worrying about this kid’s homework when she was worried about keeping her job and about eviction. And she was right.

These families are very loving–but they are operating out of survival mode.

Makes me thankful for all I have.

[Author]

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