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Old 12-21-2018, 01:30 PM
 
Location: State of Transition
102,063 posts, read 107,003,261 times
Reputation: 115863

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Quote:
Originally Posted by MtnSurfer View Post
It would sure take a lot to heat or cool that big place. Surprising taxes aren't too bad for such a large place. Couldn't imagine being an empty nester with so much home not being used/needed. The only reason we're looking for a 4+ BR is that we've got three teenagers to house and feed currently. Eventually, we will likely downsize a bit once they're off to college.

Derek
Since it will only be a few years until they're all off to college and beyond, maybe you could look for something like a 3 br. place with a basement bonus room, or something of that nature. Something with a flexible space plan, so you wouldn't have to downsize eventually. For example, I've seen craftsman homes, that are basically a 2-br. on main floor, but they have a lot of bonus space in the daylight basement, or some don't have a basement, but have 2 additional attic bedrooms. These are advertised as 4-br. houses, when in fact, they were originally designed as 2-br. plus bonus attic space, and the attic space was later converted into two bedrooms.

Just an example, but you get the idea. Moves are expensive and stressful. Just trying to save you the trouble of an extra one.
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Old 12-21-2018, 04:34 PM
 
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
34,601 posts, read 57,556,690 times
Reputation: 46013
We heat and cool 5000+ sf for <$100 / month in probably the harshest climate in SW WA (elevation + 80 mph wind (ICE this morning) )

Multiple living spaces offer lots of flexibility
2800 SF daylight basement full service (Kitchen / laundry / garage) make a nice place for:
  1. Kids
  2. Boomerang kids
  3. eldercare
  4. Tenants (boarders ... not renters)
  5. Friends (siblings) in crisis
  6. LT guests
  7. crafts
  8. meetings
  9. caretaker
  10. caregiver
  11. self (let the caregiver have the top floor) Basements are GREAT (Quiet)

Many neighbors (and my kids) have apartments in garages for same reason.

Cannot stress the GREAT lighting strong enough.

Open South face is a must for me, Light tubes / high ceilings, Picture windows. BIG windows and LOTS of them!
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Old 12-21-2018, 08:38 PM
 
Location: WA
5,314 posts, read 7,597,979 times
Reputation: 8301
My heating costs here in Camas in Dec/Jan with 3000+ sf house, gas furnace and 3 gas fireplaces and gas stove and water heater are about 1/2 of what they were to cool a similar size house in Texas in July/Aug. Winter gas bills are usually about $100 and we aren't really trying to conserve. I haven't found utility costs (gas, electric, or water) to be unreasonable here at all.
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Old 04-21-2019, 10:45 PM
 
237 posts, read 406,533 times
Reputation: 136
Quote:
Originally Posted by StealthRabbit View Post
Small foot print is very useful in managing Clark County Property Taxes (very SF intensive).

The assessor has several ways to apply 'Best Use / Highest tax value'

In my case they love to use $250 / SF replacement cost. I built for $38 / sf (including land). I could REBUILD for $70 SF (EZ, since well / septic / foundation is in place)

I 'rebuy' my home ... every 7 yrs from Clark County...100% of the cost.
Hi StealthRabbit, could you explain this "rebuy" thing to me?

Not familiar with the term, but sounds like there's a property tax issue in the area, and there's ways to work it down some?
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Old 04-21-2019, 10:51 PM
 
237 posts, read 406,533 times
Reputation: 136
Quote:
Originally Posted by StealthRabbit View Post
Property taxes on my (5) TX properties combined is less than my (1) primary residence WA property Tax... Valuations are ~ same.

A WA rural residence (income prop) <1 minute from my primary residence is 1/10th the property tax. (Same cost basis, but ~ 30% less valuation).

(all are rural homes on view acreage, WA and TX)


*hint... don't upset your WA tax valuation appraiser.
They definitely get upset when you drag them to Olympia year after year to contest your valuation.

Taxing authority uses Multiplication (factors), Land owners only have addition and subtraction ... - you CAN NOT win against those odds!

My house burns to the ground... my WA property taxes on the bare LAND will still be over $6k / yr.

What qualifies something as "rural" and therefore 1/10th the taxes?
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