[Natali :)]

Plan C.- " WINTER BIRDS "

Last time I feel myself less motivated to move to LV right now
(summer is to hot time in LV, job not very good...etc.,...) - but if the price will go a little down I think (as plan C) we can buy some home ( up to $200K) and use it as vacation home for 3-4 months in winter time.

We can afford to pay a mortgage in LV and rent in CA, also IT job in LA of SF/SJ, CA pay ~$20K more what same job in LV so we do not need to work all year.

So how much we need to spend when home is vacant and what should we do to keep it safe from criminals , hot weather , scorpions, etc,.( you name it )......

[SoHoVe]

Originally Posted by Natali :)

Plan C.- " WINTER BIRDS "

Last time I feel myself less motivated to move to LV right now
(summer is to hot time in LV, job not very good...etc.,...) - but if the price will go a little down I think (as plan C) we can buy some home ( up to $200K) and use it as vacation home for 3-4 months in winter time.

We can afford to pay a mortgage in LV and rent in CA, also IT job in LA of SF/SJ, CA pay ~$20K more what same job in LV so we do not need to work all year.

So how much we need to spend when home is vacant and what should we do to keep it safe from criminals , hot weather , scorpions, etc,.( you name it )......

20k is going to be eaten up QUICKLY in CA by state income tax and the over all MUCH higher cost of living in the Bay Area...I don't blame you one bit for wanting to live there BUT it would be very wise IMHO to live there awhile before investing in out of state real estate.

[Natali :)]

I know ALL about living/work in the Bay Area ( previous experience), so I need only numbers about LV

[SoHoVe]

Okay...Then I would recommend buying a Townhouse or Condo somewhere rather than single family residential. Fewer upkeep issues and possibly more secure.

[Natali :)]

Originally Posted by SoHoVe

Okay...Then I would recommend buying a Townhouse or Condo somewhere rather than single family residential. Fewer upkeep issues and possibly more secure.

Ok, Townhouse or Condo BUT as
plan D -Townhouse and
plan E -Condo

I want family residential more

\ my Plan A - live in LV most time and Plan B was -> rent it to same one

[olecapt]

If the place has a pool you must have a pool service. About $100 per month...a little less in the winter.

If you got landscaping you need a gardener. $25 to $100 a month depending on how fancy.

You should probably have an alarm system with at least enough smarts to call you when something happens. $500 to $1000.

If you want to get real secure...Rolladens on the hidden windows and doors...$2K to $5K. Otherwise good doors and locks $500.

You need someone in town to deal with problems. $0 to $50 per month.

So figure $100 a month plus a couple of grand up front. Another $100 with a pool.

[SoHoVe]

Also you will need to keep the water on for the landscaping and the electricity on to run the sprinkler system. Neither would be a huge expense but potential water damage from a leaking or broken pipe could turn into a nightmare.

I am unsure how many HOA's will allow Rolladens in a decent neighborhood (unless things have changed recently).

[Natali :)]

What about Home Owner's Insurance ?

I am looking this link now - is it same problem with Home Owner's Insurance in LV too ?

Vacant Home Owner's Insurance Policy

Thanks !

[mresort]

Originally Posted by olecapt

If the place has a pool you must have a pool service. About $100 per month...a little less in the winter.

If you got landscaping you need a gardener. $25 to $100 a month depending on how fancy.

You should probably have an alarm system with at least enough smarts to call you when something happens. $500 to $1000.

If you want to get real secure...Rolladens on the hidden windows and doors...$2K to $5K. Otherwise good doors and locks $500.

You need someone in town to deal with problems. $0 to $50 per month.

So figure $100 a month plus a couple of grand up front. Another $100 with a pool.

Then getting a condo seems a better move.
Pool- you don't have to deal with a private pool. Many condos have public pools and are managed by the HOA.
Landscaping- the HOA takes care of it

[SoHoVe]

Yeah (to your question about the insurance) that is how home insurance works , though often you can just get a different policy through the same company...and you really shouldn't try to finance as a primary property either because the mortgage companies can take action if you are not honest about that. So your interest rate will be a little higher.