Is there an area in Washington that'll work for me? - (WA) - Page 5 - City-Data Forum

StealthRabbit · 01-18-2017, 08:19 PM

I solicit my own purchases (not yet on market, or fell off due to lack of interest).
I do the leg work the realtors do for those incapable or not desiring to find their own properties.

I diligently research areas, tax sales, ownership profiles, estate settlements, absentee owners, destroyed properties (by owners, nature, or renters), land swaps, Zoning problems, family financial crisis, relocations of owners...

just the basic and common sense stuff. (and a good way to spend the nights / weekend while on work assignment overseas)

If it is listed for sale... you are certainly too late, and you will be fighting hundreds of other potential buyers to pay a premium price.

Know what you want,
what you will spend
When you want it
and ACT!

I typically close in less than 10 days.

I bought homes / acreages / distressed properties in the USA while I was working in Thailand (and still closed in less than a week from 20,000 miles away). Going under contract and closing within a week is not very likely when you have a herd of 'professionals' helping you out.

Having the equipment is just extra fluff, fun and saves a lot of time. It is very EZ to rent the same stuff and save yourself some big bucks. Not too many are willing to take the tests for septic installers license, but it was a nice education and cost me $20, & 4 hrs and saved me $100k doing several systems myself.

Nearly all our materials are bought from Habitat ReStore, and we do all our own millwork, stone-laying and tile (tough) + electrical and plumbing (EZ). We like custom homes, so free solar, and lots of built-ins, natural stone, and custom woodwork. Unfortunately the assessor seems to like it too, as we are taxed on $1m, but have a <$100k cost basis on current home (including permits and infrastructure). Land was $21,2k, (no realtor) but is taxed at $250k.

Gotta DIG, or you gotta pay the price !

Diana Holbrook · 01-18-2017, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuda1337

Ok, that makes sense.

I've considered purchasing a home instead of building. I have mixed opinions about that. On one hand, it'd be far easier. On the other hand, we want some specific things. I feel like the only way to get what we want aside from building from scratch is to buy a house that needs some work and putting some serious money into it. But I don't know if that is really a smart use of our money, or if it'd just be cheaper in the long run to build from scratch.

Spend some time looking at both/all options, in the areas you're interested in. I don't know yet which option is better for you.... but I bet you'll start to figure that out the more you look.

Cuda1337 · 01-18-2017, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

I solicit my own purchases (not yet on market, or fell off due to lack of interest).
I do the leg work the realtors do for those incapable or not desiring to find their own properties.

I diligently research areas, tax sales, ownership profiles, estate settlements, absentee owners, destroyed properties (by owners, nature, or renters), land swaps, Zoning problems, family financial crisis, relocations of owners...

just the basic and common sense stuff. (and a good way to spend the nights / weekend while on work assignment overseas)

If it is listed for sale... you are certainly too late, and you will be fighting hundreds of other potential buyers to pay a premium price.

Know what you want,
what you will spend
When you want it
and ACT!

I typically close in less than 10 days.

I bought homes / acreages / distressed properties in the USA while I was working in Thailand (and still closed in less than a week from 20,000 miles away). Going under contract and closing within a week is not very likely when you have a herd of 'professionals' helping you out.

Having the equipment is just extra fluff, fun and saves a lot of time. It is very EZ to rent the same stuff and save yourself some big bucks. Not too many are willing to take the tests for septic installers license, but it was a nice education and cost me $20, & 4 hrs and saved me $100k doing several systems myself.

Nearly all our materials are bought from Habitat ReStore, and we do all our own millwork, stone-laying and tile (tough) + electrical and plumbing (EZ). We like custom homes, so free solar, and lots of built-ins, natural stone, and custom woodwork. Unfortunately the assessor seems to like it too, as we are taxed on $1m, but have a <$100k cost basis on current home (including permits and infrastructure). Land was $21,2k, (no realtor) but is taxed at $250k.

Gotta DIG, or you gotta pay the price !

I'm sorry man, but I find it VERY hard to believe that you have a home worth a million plus that you paid less than 100k for, assuming it doesn't have years of appreciating. That's just not realistic.

wmweeza · 01-20-2017, 03:32 PM

[quote=Cuda1337;46874505]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmweeza

Care to share what builder you used?

I haven't used him, I just inquired and he gave me a full breakdown of what the costs would be....that was 6 to 8 months ago and for the area I'm sure the costs have gone up.
Coval Homes
FYI the estimated cost I gave? That is for the smallest floor plan they do, so the average house they build is quite a bit more

MarciaMarshaMarcia · 01-21-2017, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuda1337

I'm sorry man, but I find it VERY hard to believe that you have a home worth a million plus that you paid less than 100k for, assuming it doesn't have years of appreciating. That's just not realistic.

Yeah, I'm still looking for those $10 Spirit Air flights from Seatac to San Diego...

grega94 · 01-26-2017, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuda1337

Wife is a teacher. Im a behavior analyst, meaning I work with kids that have developmental delays providing ABA services. Washington appears to be a very good state for my field.

Wenatchee appears to be brown, deserty? Is that an accurate depiction? It looks like you can drive 30 minutes into the mountains to get green, but outside of the cascades it's quite arrid and brown? That might be a concern for us. It is one of the reasons we are leaning away from states like Colorado.

StealthRabbit · 01-26-2017, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarciaMarshaMarcia

Yeah, I'm still looking for those $10 Spirit Air flights from Seatac to San Diego...

That would have been $19.91 each way from PDX direct to SAN gotta get your facts right (Spirit has NEVER flown SEA to SAN), the last email I got from them was $38.20 PDX>SAN (no longer serving SAN from PDX, must go to Vegas). I am flying SWA this weekend for $50 (SNA) join Spirit's $9 Fare Club and you will get all the notifications If you fly a lot it is a good deal, but I hate flying Spirit, tho for $19.91, it was worth the 2 hrs of pain (20+ flights to SAN in 2 yrs).https://www.spirit.com/StaticFareClubEnrollment.aspx
https://customersupport.spirit.com/h...ub-Information

Quote:

I'm sorry man, but I find it VERY hard to believe that you have a home worth a million plus that you paid less than 100k for

On my property values... I paid $22k for my lot, the dirt alone is now assessed at $357,000 (if house was GONE), so not at all hard to see where a $100k "cost basis" for improvements can get jacked to $1m. It is all public info and on the tax site GIS, nothing to hide. (that is where I find my bargains, takes about 10 min, even on my dead slow pay-per-byte dial-up). Yes... I consider it worth my effort to find my own props. 3 neighbors bought adjacent lots for $99, - $120k the same yr I bought mine for $22k, and mine is much better (after I cleared 20' tall blackberries and built a road into the forest) I have about 30% more usable land than they, + have a creek, which they missed (out of their lot line)

I built the joint brick by brick, shovel by shovel, nail by nail... not like I was gonna find a contractor

to build all the add-ons / stone and millwork. yes... we are 'different in our priorities, Our kids did the same while in Jr High (built their own homes from scratch). Not too many folks here that would dedicate yrs of 24/7 to educate and mentor their kids in skilled trades. I am not ashamed of that investment, tho I could have retired at 35 rather than 49 if I would have invested in ME rather than THEM. YPMV
When you find someone else who builds their homes with $6 fixtures and doors from Habitat ReStore, and discounted mis-ordered windows, then you will be on the same page. (my home costs were $38 / SF INCLUDING well, property, permits) I have built 6 since.

OP... Wenatchee region is very nice, but quite dry / wildfire susceptible, and very BROWN in summer. Cashmere is slightly greener. There is NICE regional transit, and good services, including fiber. As a retiree I appreciate being near a college (or 20 + colleges in my WA locale). My TX and CO locations each have 3 colleges within 20 min.

Walla Walla is very nice, but a long way from the beach or an international airport with decent flight schedule and service. You would be able to work in tri cites or Walla Walla (State Penitentiary), couple nice colleges there too (and good produce / health / sustainability focus... founded by SDA mission)