Norcal Spotted and BS Thread

i havent hated the apartment life too much, but i do hate the 700sqft. Out rent currently is extremely under market value ($1200) and while that has helped us live the life we've lived its time to go bigger.

I have the resources and knowledge to do a fixer upper and there is quite a few nice houses in our price range in Vacaville which is where we want to stay. Hoping it all falls in place but im also nervous overall as like @jberry813 said its not ideal time.

 

we have time on our side, our lease isnt up until march and if we have to renew we will just to keep cheap and see what happens.

 

Similar payments is one thing, but locking in a purchase price when the market is high; that's the thing to avoid.
We bought almost 2 years ago (February 2016) and refinanced a few months ago. The new appraised value ended up being $65k higher than our purchase price; this is what you hope to have happen. My previous house (purchased in 2004) did not end up so nice. Rented numerous houses between then and now, but am glad to no longer be renting. Best of luck in your quest, and obviously we all hope the market continues to rise!

 

Make sure you buy something with a dedicated room for Danny

 

sadly, im not going to be able to wait for the market to turn which will ruin business that would pay my mortgage/rent. Very aware 5 years ago was the time to buy but reality of it is, we weren't ready then. Cant cry about spilled milk, just have to do your best clean up and see what improvements i can make now. Waiting out a market is like waiting to have kids until you're "ready".

 

You can get creative to avoid the full 20% down, as well as PMI if you have 10% down, and do an 80/10/10.
The rates on the second are obviously higher, so refinancing to get out of that once enough equity can justify/allow it is ideal.

 

Yes, I would have loved to buy 5 years ago.
Because of my foreclosure from earlier in life, I had to wait until certain things fell off of my credit report before I could really buy anything again. Since I tried to "do the right thing" for a while back then, it extended my fall-off period longer than it should have. #liveandlearn
Those nasty things on my credit fell off in November of 2015, but the report didn't reflect it until December. We closed at the end of the following February, so it was all a timing game for us. Luckily, my previous house was purchased before I even met my wife, so she never took a hit (her credit is how we survived the rough times). Ahhh, memories of ramen for days!

 

Just to learn how to build stuff. Yea, makes sense to just Youtube it

 

Ok, gents. I threw a poll up to get some feedback on the whole DIY garage membership concept.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...like-high-school-auto-shop-for-adults.524816/

 

I have been doing this and a class might be helpful. or maybe just a better welding machine. im sure there are things a class would help speed up the process of learning. like welding in different positions. I would love to take a class on it.

 

I'd like to be able to put my CMC plates on, but I've never welded, nor do I have a welder to even attempt it with. Buying/learning is on my bucket list, but honestly it's not very high.

 

I did my own CMC , actually came out pretty good. its not that hard.

 

I have been welding/ fabricating since I was 9. My dad was a welder and crane operator who was away from home a lot. Dad taught me how to weld very young and I still love it. It's a great feeling to make something that's yours to use.
Lots of things on YouTube will help with understanding the weld process. Looks simple most of the time but can get tricky with different metals. I'm now working on a new Tig welder to use for gold and Platinum and some silver work. It's all doable just remember the prep work is key to all.

 

I was in this exact same boat when I bought. We got fucked over by our apartment complex and wanted to move, was actually cheaper to buy my house than it was to move into a new apartment. Also my mortgage is about $500 less a month than what I was paying to rent. Granted I am luckier than most as I used the VA home loan and put 0 down. Also I don’t pay PMI.

 

I learned on a auto set from miller.
Millermatic 211.
We just got a dc inverter with tig kit at work that I’m gonna practice tig on

 

Also another option is USDA loan - IF someone were to move to a rural area. They offer 0 down as well, reduced or even 0 PMI

https://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do

 

what's good for beginners - MIG or TIG?