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I actually don't mind mowing the lawn that much. The work that really bothers me is the weeding and constant clean up of leaves and catkins during the February-April period. But I don't think leaf cleaning services exist. Who knows.
Landscapers do what you hire them to do. If you only want then to maintain the flower beds and clean out leaves, etc, they will. But they could cut your grass so quickly you should just include that as well.
Look, there really isn't anything major going on here, certainly nothing worth selling the house and uprooting your whole life.
You're just reacting to new routines that you don't like. Now that you know there are options, pursue those options to make your life easier.
Landscapers do what you hire them to do. If you only want then to maintain the flower beds and clean out leaves, etc, they will. But they could cut your grass so quickly you should just include that as well.
Look, there really isn't anything major going on here, certainly nothing worth selling the house and uprooting your whole life.
You're just reacting to new routines that you don't like. Now that you know there are options, pursue those options to make your life easier.
Nothing major?
Reread the post.
He is stressed out more than ever. Finances are not where they should be because of cost of owning. That is major.
Time to sell. Easy decision. Never get attached to material things in this life. Its a waste of thought.
He is stressed out more than ever. Finances are not where they should be because of cost of owning. That is major.
Um, no. He's fine:
Quote:
Originally Posted by nep321
Yes, I will be able to afford both a pool service and lawn service. My 9% pay raise is effective July 1.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nep321
I am a single 36 yo gay guy with no kids and will always be single with no kids.
He's stressed out because he is learning the hard way about home maintenance. But it's something he can easily change, and he's learning.
He invested in a house he can afford, and he's getting free renovation from his parents. He just doesn't have as much discretionary income, but he's not giving away rent every month.
Then keep it filled, but leave it covered? OP does seem to be in "glass half full" mode; most of us have to pay big bucks to sketchy handymen or exploitative contractors to get home improvements done...if we can get them done at all.
And it IS a GOOD investment.
But I also realize that every lifestyle is not for everyone. OP, did someone talk you into homeownership?
Many people who have a pool have it serviced by a pool company on a regular basis and the older homeowners who are not comfortable cutting their own lawn have a service do that as well. These items, along with yard maintenance are things that are usually considered prior to buying a single family home. For those who are gainfully employed and rather not do these chores, often pay for those services while others, even those with children, might prefer to do as much as possible on their own and enjoy doing it.
You choose and or decide what you are most comfortable with that works best for you and perhaps owning your own home might not be a financially viable option.
Rent goes up and up and up. Your mortgage remains the same.
If you go to contd tr townhouse, they will pay someone to take care of the outside of your house and then bill you for it. You could just hire a gardener and a maintenance guy now.
renting you can be forced to move out. You have to live by someone else's rules. Can you have a pet? A fish? Can you put up blinds instead of curtains? Add an outlet? Have a back yard bonfire with friends? What if you tire of white walls? Decide you want hardwood instead of grody carpeting? Either not an option or you have to pay for improvements to someone else's property. What if you have a SO who loves magnolia trees or Paw Paws. Can you plant one at your apartments or condo? (generally no).
There is a lot to consider, but paying someone else to handle maintenance and yard care at an apartment or condo certainly does have its appeal. Of course, as mentioned, you can just hire out that work at your house. It will cost a little more at first, but in the long run, it will be cheaper than renting.
I hope one or both of those services will provide substantial relief for me at a reasonable cost. Maybe that's the key to happiness. I don't mind doing some yard/pool work but doing EVERYTHING on my own is a little too much.
I certainly understand. We ahve an acre of land, a large swimming pool and a huge all wood house with wooden porches all over. The kids all moved away, so it is pretty much just me doing all the mowing, trimming, fixing, painting, burning (brush), etc etc. We hardly use most of it anymore.
However we really do not want to move. I look at what we can get for what we pay in mortgage and taxes and it is pretty lame by comparison. Our kid love to visit. We might use that pool year. We know the sensible thing is to sell ti and move to a smaller place or even a condo, but then what would we do? Where would we put the chickens?
The attached picture is our front yard yesterday. Where can you find an apartment or condo like that?
Rent goes up and up and up. Your mortgage remains the same.
If you go to contd tr townhouse, they will pay someone to take care of the outside of your house and then bill you for it. You could just hire a gardener and a maintenance guy now.
renting you can be forced to move out. You have to live by someone else's rules. Can you have a pet? A fish? Can you put up blinds instead of curtains? Add an outlet? Have a back yard bonfire with friends? What if you tire of white walls? Decide you want hardwood instead of grody carpeting? Either not an option or you have to pay for improvements to someone else's property. What if you have a SO who loves magnolia trees or Paw Paws. Can you plant one at your apartments or condo? (generally no).
There is a lot to consider, but paying someone else to handle maintenance and yard care at an apartment or condo certainly does have its appeal. Of course, as mentioned, you can just hire out that work at your house. It will cost a little more at first, but in the long run, it will be cheaper than renting.
1. You can always rent a place that is less expensive. You are NEVER tied down to a rental, ever. If they raise it too high, you move.
2. HOA fees are deadly and way to high. Nothing is free with these people.
3. Good point about the "rules" of renting.
The bottom line is that the guy does not seem to be happy with home ownership, and should strongly consider selling and enjoy life.
Last time I checked, this life only happens one time...although reincarnation is likely for many that don't evolve out of this place.
Then keep it filled, but leave it covered? OP does seem to be in "glass half full" mode; most of us have to pay big bucks to sketchy handymen or exploitative contractors to get home improvements done...if we can get them done at all.
And it IS a GOOD investment.
But I also realize that every lifestyle is not for everyone. OP, did someone talk you into homeownership?
Well, he certainly thought about it long enough. There was his long thread about whether or not a 1200 sq. ft. house is too small for one person. It doesn't seem like he was coerced into buying IMHO.
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OP does seem to be in "glass half full" mode; most of us have to pay big bucks to sketchy handymen or exploitative contractors to get home improvements done...if we can get them done at all.
