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Old 07-19-2017, 07:59 AM
 
28,111 posts, read 63,536,638 times
Reputation: 23240

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Quote:
Originally Posted by dcisive View Post
Holy crud those numbers don't seem possible. $900? Are you sure?
I've seen it with large homes and aversion to cold.

One of my friends has a 4500 square foot home in Thurston County with 3 levels... the upstairs has it's own furnace and water heater as does the main floor.

They have had $900 electric around Christmas... his wife doesn't like the heat pump says the heat does not feel hot yet the thermostat indicates 74...

I guess another way to look at it if their home was half the size the bill might also be half or about $450

Square footage, shade, type of construction, Energy saving features, climate zone, etc are all factors but none in my opinion as much as how warm or a person needs to be comfortable.

Growing up we seldom turned on the furnace accept when we had company during the holidays...
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Old 07-19-2017, 09:39 AM
 
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
34,661 posts, read 57,789,143 times
Reputation: 46126
Quote:
Originally Posted by patty1955 View Post
My husband and I are exploring the idea of retiring to the Olympia or Centralia area and we're hoping that someone can give us some idea of the cost of utilities in the area. We looking for about a 1500 sq ft house.
Electric/gas =$120/month = average year-round 'balanced' monthly payment for combo of above
water/sewer =$40 - $120 varies with city / service provider (One of my duplexes is $300 / month for water and sewer ONLY)
garbage = $20 - $40 depends on service and volume of refuse.
cable/satelite = $50 - $150 depends on usage and desired service (I have ot had TV since 1968, none available in my area. No satellite dishes allowed (Federal restriction in my specific area)
internet = $ 50 Depends on usage and available service
lawn care = $80 /. $200 / month depending on size and services.

Any help would be appreciated.
$300 - $600 for above.
that said,,, varies... I am on a well, and septic and burn wood and have a passive solar home, no trash fee, no TV. Go to the nearby recycle center 1x / month and use my $20,000k tractor to do 'lawn care'.
<$200 for the above package deal (Utilities only)

Drive a $35 car (burns free veggie oil since 1976)
Eat / feed family on $100 / month

WA Property taxes = $1280 / month (up from $70 / month 20 yrs ago, some house, just older! and the assessor really likes it. (he wanted to buy it for his parents)
Healthcare (early retired pre age 65) = $1740 / month

result... my house utilities in WA is peanuts in the big picture.
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Old 07-23-2017, 06:05 PM
 
Location: Cali
162 posts, read 198,154 times
Reputation: 280
Quote:
Originally Posted by StealthRabbit View Post
WA Property taxes = $1280 / month (up from $70 / month 20 yrs ago, some house, just older! and the assessor really likes it. (he wanted to buy it for his parents)
Healthcare (early retired pre age 65) = $1740 / month

result... my house utilities in WA is peanuts in the big picture.

Uh...$1200 a month???
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Old 07-23-2017, 09:36 PM
 
Location: A Place With REAL People
3,260 posts, read 6,739,295 times
Reputation: 5105
I've been doing tons of homework trying to bone up on a possibly new life up that way. The primary market I'm looking at is Sequim. I've now been in contact with a very nice lender as well as a agent assisting in scouting out possible properties. The taxes are apparently assessed by the particular area one is in. Just in Sequim alone I've seen lots where the taxes per year will vary as widely as $145 on up to $1200 for a given lot. For sure I'll be fine tuning to find one not associated so much with a school district if I can. I'm well tired of paying for everyone's kids to go to school here in Utah as they crank out babies like the movie theater makes popcorn. I've also noted the utility differences. It appears they are far more in alignment with what I now pay so shouldn't be too much of a shock.
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Old 07-27-2017, 09:44 AM
 
28,111 posts, read 63,536,638 times
Reputation: 23240
Quote:
Originally Posted by wmweeza View Post
Uh...$1200 a month???
I went from $6900 to $12,000 in one year... and the $6900 was based on the price I paid 18 months prior... sure was my wake up call in Thurston County!

Taxes are my biggest expense by far!
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Old 07-29-2017, 11:02 AM
 
32 posts, read 18,203 times
Reputation: 53
I hadn't even considered the property taxes. California has prop 13 regulations that stop property taxes from rising so it's not something I thought about. I have seen that house are listed without a senior exemption. Does anyone know if that's for all WA houses or just some?
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Old 07-29-2017, 03:33 PM
 
28,111 posts, read 63,536,638 times
Reputation: 23240
Senior exemptions/deferrals are available to those that qualify... some require no more than 40k income and others put a lien on the property in the case of deferrals.

There is an upper income limit and my understanding is it freezes taxes... those I know that have it are retired military and teachers.

Property tax exemptions and deferrals

I think my case was extreme but it was not just me... it affected my neighborhood...

$6800 property tax vs $12000 sure did get my intention... especially on a home that was rented at the time for $1600
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