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For me, I’ll always carry an Amex because of one feature I haven’t seen on other cards which saved our Europe trip from being a complete disaster when my wife’s purse got stolen in London. When I went to cancel all the credit cards, the Amex rep explained they use different numbers for joint cards so I only needed to cancel my wife’s card. So we had one credit card left to finish the trip on.

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[quote=FlyerInHi]I think technically Mello Roos is not tax deductible. But people do it anyway.[/quote]

I think there was come clarification by the IRS that the mello roos are tax deductible in response to something CA tried to do.

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Interesting point. If you are right, then the payoff is not deductible but since it is paid off, the mello roos tax would not be there on the tax bill, so I don’t think I could even write off the mello roos that were supposed to be due that year.

I was looking at the mello roos payoff as paying taxes early. More like paying the both 1st and 2nd tax installment in December so that both payments can be deducted that tax year. In which case the mello roos payoff would be deductible.

I really don’t know who is right.

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From the comments in this thread, it seems like the payoff of mello roos can be used as a property tax deduction but it doesn’t matter since AMT kicks in. But if AMT can be avoided by having too much income then does it make sense to pay off the mello roos for tax reasons?

Usually I do have to pay AMT like most people but this year cashing in my expiring stock options will push me in the highest 39.6 percent tax bracket so I may not be paying AMT. So if I pay off the mello roos this same year, can I really get the big deduction?

Seems to good to be true. So if anyone sees any holes to this tax strategy, please let me know.

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HLS,

Excellent post on how to do things. I’m doing everything wrong. Definitely should have done all that you suggested. But, I don’t think I’m cut out to be a landlord. Too hard to demand rent and charge late fees.

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Had the same decision to make four years ago. Bought a new house and what do with the old one (doubled in value like yours)? Held on to it and rented because it was hard to sell homes at that time. In hindsight, I should have sold it so the income would have been tax free and I don’t have to deal with being a landlord.

Missed the tax free capital gains window now so I’m stuck with it being a rental. It did appreciate nicely though so maybe its a wash now.

But it sucks to be a landlord. Renter is two months behind on rent now. Maybe should have gotten a property manager to demand rent. Its tough to demand rent when you know they are doing their best to make the payments. Income from being a landlord is not good. I get about 3 percent on investment. I think you need a mortgage to make the numbers work better.

Now with house prices so high, I don’t see why you don’t sell. Unless the capital gains tax rules change, it would be huge financial benefit to sell now.

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Yes, the bulb I broke looks just like the one in the picture. Probably too much work for me to change the socket. If I decide to do this, is the light output the same such so its not noticeable? Otherwise I will have to do all of the lights in the kitchen at the same time.

More likely I’ll just buy the light bulb that ucodegen provided.

How many piggs does it take to change a light bulb?

Thanks

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Bought new house three years ago and I’ve noticed that I must have about 20 of these recessed cans.

Is the GU24 socket what is in the recessed cans? Don’t know what I have but I know its not a standard twist light bulb since it broke when I tried to twist it off.

Such a pain having to remove the cover to get to the light bulb. I like the recessed cans with the BR40 bulbs much better but I suppose those aren’t CFL.

If I do have the GU24, how is the light bulb supposed to be removed without breaking it?

Thanks

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To keep snakes out, the snake fence is 1/4″ wire mesh. Wire mesh is 4 feet high but 1 foot is buried underground so 3 feet is visible. Also I see people do 3 feet high wire mesh with 6″ buried underground.

Link to the green mesh I bought online: http://www.twpinc.com/wire-mesh/TWPCAT_MICE/p_004X004D0250W48T-GRN?FEATURE_PRODUCTS=Y

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Sorry for the off topic subject but for those owners who are adjacent to a canyon and need a snake fence, definitely pay more and get the green fence shipped in. It’s being installed now, and I can’t even tell it’s there. Standard fence is shiny and reflects the light so you see it and it ruins your expensive view. Green fence is more like a window screen so you don’t see it unless up close.

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My house backs up to a canyon as well. Are you referring to the shrubs in the canyon as brush? I don’t know what the rules are but it’s not dead although it will turn brown in the summer. Never did anything with the vegetation in the canyon. I thought the HOA is supposed to take care of that since its not my property.

I just got renewed with Chubb a month ago, no problems. The canyon looks the same now as when I signed up with Chubb three years ago so I don’t think any maintenace is needed.

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I have Chubb too, just renewed at $2600. Too bad USAA is only for military. I think State Farm provides coverage as well.

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There is a den of coyotes behind us so I get to hear them howling after a kill most nights. I’m on the South side facing the open space so its completely dark for star gazing. Got to experience my first meteor shower here, Leonids I think.

But I think your side may be better because of the firing range this side which can be noisy in the morning. Also I like the view of the mountains to the north better. In the winter, you should be able to see the snow capped mountains. South is mostly hills although the distant lights of what I think is El Cajon is nice at night.

Also there is a ridculously far away ocean view if you look northwest.

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Thanks for responding. We will use the same mesh from Home Depot unless I can find the green one. 6″ below is what our landscaper is recommending as well. Professional company would use 4 ft mesh and bury it one foot below but that is probably overkill since the ground is so hard here, you would need a jack hammer.

The HD is always empty but Costco does seem to be just as crowded as the other ones, especially the gas station.

I haven’t seen scorpions yet either. The road runners are my favoraite. Never thought they were real and now I can see coyotes and road runners just like the cartoon.

Do you see the walking sticks and praying mantis as well? First time I saw those as well. Usually see them on the window screens.

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upwardspiral,

Can I ask if your snake fence is green to match the iron fence? Trying to find 100ft rolls of 1/4″ mesh that is green.

The professional snake fence company I spoke with mentioned that the mesh is needed under the wooden fences between the yards and also the gate needs to be snake proofed as well.

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