rec.sport.football.college

On Feb 24, 9:44=A0pm, Homer Hickam wrote:
> On Feb 24, 8:24=A0pm, Trent Woodruff wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > >On Sun, 24 Feb 2008 14:29:51 -0800 (PST), "deemsb...@" .@> wrote:
> > >>On Feb 24, 4:35=A0pm, Trent Woodruff wrote:
> > >> Hey guys,
> > >> The wife and I are looking at buying a home in Nebraska for future
> > >> retirement plans. =A0We figure if we can get the thing bought while I=
'm
> > >> still working, then we can actually live very well on just my
> > >> retirements (military and school)...particularly in small town
> > >> Nebraska.
> > >> So...as we're looking at homes online, it's easy enough to figure out=

> > >> what our monthly payment for just the house will be.
> > >> However, there is also homeowner's insurance and property taxes.
> > >> Property taxes shouldn't be too hefty, since I'm a cheapskate and wil=
l
> > >> not be buying a particularly expensive home, although small town
> > >> Nebraska may have higher tax rates than some other places.
> > >> But homeowner's insurance...what sort of expectation should I have fo=
r
> > >> this? =A0Does it generally go "per $1000 of the home" or what?
> > > =A0 Who will be living there? A lot of homeowner's insurance isn't
> > >valid unless the house is occupied.
>
> > No kidding? =A0Now that's interesting. =A0Any idea why that is?
>
> > We're thinking either letting it just sit empty (my first choice, to
> > be honest) or letting the parents live there until we retire (the
> > wife's first choice).
>
> > --
>
> > ...I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god =
than you do. =A0When
> > you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will und=
erstand why I
> > dismiss yours.
> > - Stephen Roberts
>
> I can add this to the discussion. =A0A house that sits empty rapidly
> deteriorates. =A0Seals in toilets go bad, heating systems begin to
> corrode, paint peels, wind blows shingles off, squirrels and racoons
> break in, etc. =A0It also becomes a target for vandals. =A0You will find
> yourself spending a great deal of money on upkeep that will be big
> items as vs. spread out over time with the maintenance you just
> naturally do in a house where you live. =A0The freezing winters in
> Nebraska and boiling summers are just going to cause an empty and
> untended house to fall apart.

Not to mention mold, mildew, etc.

>
> I own a second home in the USVI. =A0We rent it when we're not there -
> short term week by week - for this very reason. =A0We also keep our
> rental rates VERY high. =A0This assures the house gets attention paid to
> it by our house manager and the house gets used and loved which every
> house needs. =A0My advice? =A0If you really think this is something you
> want to do, buy unimproved property in an area that has growth
> potential. =A0That way, it should accrue in value and not deteriorate.
> In fact, you can gradually improve it by clearing brush, etc.
>
> H3