Feedback welcome: cross-posted in Austin site (foreclosures, rental, mortgage)

[lynxgirl68]

Hi, All,

I posted here a while back, planning to move from SA to Austin. This is still my plan, but it's getting dangerously close to the start of the school year, and our house here in SA STILL hasn't sold--it's a real buyer's market here, and our kitchen doesn't have granite so we haven't had a single offer. I am now looking to rent this house out here and then rent something in Austin. Still loving the Circle C neighborhood and would like to rent 3,000 sf for around $2500/month. Should be doable.

I'm wondering if anyone has had good experiences with renting out their house. I hear plenty of bad stories, and am aware of the risks of someone trashing your house, but I have also heard that many people who have great credit but still can't get a mortgage are renting. I'm also wondering what is the latest date I can register my daughter for public kindergarten. Any feedback on the kindergarten classes at Kiker?? I'm also in need of a good OB since I am 12 weeks pregnant...does this sounc like a crazy plan?? Should I just stay put for a year?? I really need to be in a place where I can eat healthy, be active, do lots of yoga and get involved in an intellectual community, and SA just isn't doing it for me.

TIA for feedback!!

[Stabart47]

We left a house behind... 3200 sq ft and are taking a hit each month. It's crazy b/c we are now moving from MO to Raleigh in Sept. for a new job and will be renting there. Found a great house, 3000 sq ft. and it's going to cost us $2800 a month! Just shows location matters. I HATE knowing we have a rental in SA... during the big boom, the builders and banks were putting anyone breathing into $200,000+ houses and the realtors encouraged it. Fast forward: foreclosures, short-sales, etc. and people like us so underwater we can't sell. I think if you really want to move, go for it. This market won't improve for YEARS, so take any emotional attachment to the SA house away and move on. At least you won't be too far away. Just be very, very picky about who gets into your home. We did not allow pets, smokers, and waited for a military officer who signed a 2 yr lease. Life is too short not to be happy, so good luck!