More questions from a soon to be newbie (California, Rea: insurance, how much)

[SassyGirl2]

Oh sagacious ones, I humbly request your assistance in educating this deep south city girl.

I have been lurking in the shadows getting a feel for forum decorum as I am new to this. After some research, I now find I must come forward as I have not been able to locate answers to my questions and many of you show great promise in tutoring me.

(SIDEBAR: To us "deep" south denizens, South is defined as Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, North and South Carolina. Missouri, much to the chagrin of most inhabitants, is considered a Mid-West state. See, I told you I had been lurking around!)

First, my father's family is age old Missourians. I have visited Missouri many, many times since the age of 18 so I am a little more familiar than most with the area. However, being a guest is vastly different than being a resident. Please bear with my total ignorance on some of these subjects.

1. Karst/sinkholes - how invasive is this condition? Is there an "inspection" of sorts for this condition prior to purchasing a home? If so, from whom and at what cost?

2. Property taxes, specifically Greene, Christian and Webster counties - Is there relief for seniors? If so, how much? (Note: As an example, here in Mississippi disabled and those over 65 pay no property tax.)

3. Banks - which institutions seem to be more financially beneficial to seniors as in fees and charges?

4. I am concerned about the lack of building codes in some areas. Other than an inspection prior to purchase, what other services should I consider to protect our investment in a home.

5. Now the biggy - lagoon v. septic v. city sewer, i.e. cost, maintenance, etc. Next, well v. city water; same concerns as above. (At our ages and income levels, I don't enjoy the thought, not to mention cost, of problems with a septic, well, etc., that may occur.) We just want to make an informed decision about the different services we may be required to consider. Furthermore, should there be inspections of such prior to a purchase? (Told you I was a city girl.)

Finally, I sincerely hope there is no initiation rite to obtain these answers as I am not too adapt at jumping through hoops (at least, no longer).

I have really enjoyed your forum and hope to participate frequently. Maybe I can be as much of an assistance to others as I have found from all of you.

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by SassyGirl2

Oh sagacious ones, I humbly request your assistance in educating this deep south city girl.

I have been lurking in the shadows getting a feel for forum decorum as I am new to this. After some research, I now find I must come forward as I have not been able to locate answers to my questions and many of you show great promise in tutoring me.

First, my father's family is age old Missourians. I have visited Missouri many, many times since the age of 18 so I am a little more familiar than most with the area. However, being a guest is vastly different than being a resident. Please bear with my total ignorance on some of these subjects.

Only if you'll bear with our partial ignorance on many of these same subjects...

Originally Posted by SassyGirl2

1. Karst/sinkholes - how invasive is this condition? Is there an "inspection" of sorts for this condition prior to purchasing a home? If so, from whom and at what cost?

In 13 years, I've heard of 3 or 4 houses that have been affected...none swallowed residents whole in the night. There are no inspections I know of, but you might talk to a well driller in the area...they seem to know what's under our feet!!!

Originally Posted by SassyGirl2

2. Property taxes, specifically Greene, Christian and Webster counties - Is there relief for seniors? If so, how much? (Note: As an example, here in Mississippi disabled and those over 65 pay no property tax.)

Sorry...don't know. Anyone?

Originally Posted by SassyGirl2

3. Banks - which institutions seem to be more financially beneficial to seniors as in fees and charges?

Good question...I'll be finding out!

Originally Posted by SassyGirl2

4. I am concerned about the lack of building codes in some areas. Other than an inspection prior to purchase, what other services should I consider to protect our investment in a home.

One of the most important things is knowing the builder. Even tho' there's no codes, the reputable builders still build a great house.

Originally Posted by SassyGirl2

5. Now the biggy - lagoon v. septic v. city sewer, i.e. cost, maintenance, etc. Next, well v. city water; same concerns as above. (At our ages and income levels, I don't enjoy the thought, not to mention cost, of problems with a septic, well, etc., that may occur.) We just want to make an informed decision about the different services we may be required to consider. Furthermore, should there be inspections of such prior to a purchase? (Told you I was a city girl.)

Avoid lagoons. Don't be afraid of a septic system, but if you buy an existing system, have an inspection. Well water is just water. A well is just a hole in the ground with a pump at the water level. Again, an inspection is in order...and you should learn about your well from a local well guy. There are actually health benefits from not being on "city" water!

Originally Posted by SassyGirl2

Finally, I sincerely hope there is no initiation rite to obtain these answers as I am not too adapt at jumping through hoops (at least, no longer).

Hmmm...great idea...hoops!

Originally Posted by SassyGirl2

I have really enjoyed your forum and hope to participate frequently. Maybe I can be as much of an assistance to others as I have found from all of you.

Countin' on it. Welcome to MO forum.

[SassyGirl2]

Lake Junkie -

Golly, gee, whiz, I am so impressed. And a big thaank yooo dawling.

[sunshine girl]

We love Bank of America and the senior plans they have and they are in many states other than MO, for traveling purposes, too. Another plus As far as senior reliefs in MO, there are not many. No homestead exemption either But...it is gorgeous country here.

[SassyGirl2]

Golly Darn, I hadn't even considered the lack of homestead exemption. Just thought it was a given. Oh well, I hope the pros outweigh the cons of our intended retirement move. Thanks for your info.

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by SassyGirl2

Golly Darn, I hadn't even considered the lack of homestead exemption. Just thought it was a given. Oh well, I hope the pros outweigh the cons of our intended retirement move. Thanks for your info.

Generally, they seem to...depending on where you are moving FROM...my California living expenses just seem crazy now that I'm used to SW MO.
Good Luck!

[Randy Henderson]

Originally Posted by SassyGirl2

1. Karst/sinkholes - how invasive is this condition? Is there an "inspection" of sorts for this condition prior to purchasing a home? If so, from whom and at what cost?

There aren't any inspections that I know of (I'm a local Realtor, by the way). There was a map that a client of mine had last fall that showed all of the likely sinkhole areas- it looked like about half the state to me! I think that the likelyhood is so small that I wouldn't worry about it.

Originally Posted by SassyGirl2

2. Property taxes, specifically Greene, Christian and Webster counties - Is there relief for seniors? If so, how much? (Note: As an example, here in Mississippi disabled and those over 65 pay no property tax.)

No, but the good news is it is relatively cheap. I have 2300 square feet on 1/2 acre, built in 1980, mine runs 1000 a year in ozark.

Originally Posted by SassyGirl2

3. Banks - which institutions seem to be more financially beneficial to seniors as in fees and charges?

We have a bank every 10 feet, so i am betting that they all have some sort of discount program for seniors.

Originally Posted by SassyGirl2

4. I am concerned about the lack of building codes in some areas. Other than an inspection prior to purchase, what other services should I consider to protect our investment in a home.

Certainly you should have an inspection done before you buy. The lack of codes is just in the county, not the city. Honestly, the builders that build in the county also build in the city, so they build to code, even when it isn't required.

Originally Posted by SassyGirl2

5. Now the biggy - lagoon v. septic v. city sewer, i.e. cost, maintenance, etc. Next, well v. city water; same concerns as above. (At our ages and income levels, I don't enjoy the thought, not to mention cost, of problems with a septic, well, etc., that may occur.) We just want to make an informed decision about the different services we may be required to consider. Furthermore, should there be inspections of such prior to a purchase? (Told you I was a city girl.)

If you are going to live in Christian county, there is a 3 acre minmum that you have to live on to accomodate the septic tank. Lagoons are rare unless you go out quite a ways. In Greene county, it is 5 acres. These laws came about in the mid 90's, so it is possible to find homes on smaller tracts that have septic tanks. A septic tank shouldn't give you any trouble, especially the new 1000 gallon concrete tanks. Of course, city water and sewer is easiest of all, but costs a little bit.

Wells in Missouri are interesting. You find 3 party wells very common. 5 or more parties on a well aren't unheard of, either. We seem to have plenty of groundwater here, and it is very rare to have insufficient supply. With a well, the water is free, of course, but there is a cost for the electricity to run it, and maintenence for the pump and holding tank. On a shared well, there is normally an agreement, where everyone shares the costs.

[SassyGirl2]

Randy Henderson,

Thank you so very much for the input. All you guys are being so helpful. Can't thank you enough.

[mrschilicook]

As far as tax relief for Seniors...there aren't any to speak of. A few if your income from ANY source is small enough (and they mean SMALL!). Missouri did pass a law this year exempting social security from taxes for incomes under a certain amount (fairly high). But you pay the same property taxes as anyone else here. The good news is that they are fairly reasonable in most counties, but ask about the rates by county...they can vary significantly.

We spent 5 years analyzing taxes, insurance, etc...for several states, but ended up in MO anyway....we love it here...taxes and all.

[SassyGirl2]

Thank you so much for the input. I was wondering about the Social Security tax issues as well. Glad you thought of it for me. Everyone has been so helpful. Today we had an offer on our home so we should be Missouri bound very, very soon as a Nov 1 move date has been set. Keep your fingers crossed for us.