For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

[nemesis04]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

Upstate NY is a bit different from other parts of the country in regards to property and property taxes, our taxes are about the same as our mortgage. As it stands right now, we will be able to easily pay every month. Since my coborrower would be my fiancé we would still need a downpayment as we're not married.

The rate we're getting is comparable with that of a VA loan, our real savings is going to be my veteran discounts on our taxes. I'm just happy we're moving along now, can't wait to have a awesome media room.


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Where upstate you moving to Cusefan?

[Scott]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

Closing on our house 1/14...15 days away, beyond excited.

[Cusefan]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

Where upstate you moving to Cusefan?

Camillus, it's a Syracuse suburb. Best part of where we're moving is Verizon Fios!


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[jeremym480]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

Question for any pool owners.... Do you have a robotic cleaner and if so do you feel that it is worth the cost?

[mgoblue]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

Question for any pool owners.... Do you have a robotic cleaner and if so do you feel that it is worth the cost?

Mine's not robotic, it's suction based (a Zodiac Baracuda G2 that my FIL got us as a housewarming present). I do like having the automatic cleaner and it does a good job overall. I do have trouble getting it to go to all areas, but that's common with some cleaners based on pool shape.

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

Question for any pool owners.... Do you have a robotic cleaner and if so do you feel that it is worth the cost?

To me, they're not worth it.

Have one in the garage. Spent more time monitoring it in case it flipped upside down, the hose got tangled or it just kept going over the same spot.

I use a vacuum attachment sweeper that I attach to the hose and skimmer pole. It is just like vacuuming your house. You can vacuum where you want and the walls. Takes way less time and effort. They're cheap too.

[jeremym480]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

To me, they're not worth it.

Have one in the garage. Spent more time monitoring it in case it flipped upside down, the hose got tangled or it just kept going over the same spot.

I use a vacuum attachment sweeper that I attach to the hose and skimmer pole. It is just like vacuuming your house. You can vacuum where you want and the walls. Takes way less time and effort. They're cheap too.

Do you mind posting a link to the one you have? Also how often do you have to use it?

When we sat down and made our budget for the pool we said we wanted to spend x amount on the pool, then gave us another x amount for accessories, furniture, landscape, etc. After cutting some things we only went over about $1500 on the pool which eats into our accessory/furniture budget. And if we bought the cleaner that our pool contractor suggested that knocks out another $1100. If there really isn't much advantage to have a robotic cleaner, then I was thinking about passing. I can always get one later.

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

Do you mind posting a link to the one you have? Also how often do you have to use it?

When we sat down and made our budget for the pool we said we wanted to spend x amount on the pool, then gave us another x amount for accessories, furniture, landscape, etc. After cutting some things we only went over about $1500 on the pool which eats into our accessory/furniture budget. And if we bought the cleaner that our pool contractor suggested that knocks out another $1100. If there really isn't much advantage to have a robotic cleaner, then I was thinking about passing. I can always get one later.

Spoiler

This won't run you more than $20-$25. (Mine is black. Any pool store will sell them.)

Attach your skimmer pole and one end of the hose to this, fill the hose with water and attach the other end to your pool's skimmer.

Once your pool pump primes, you just walk around pushing it like you're vacuuming your house.

Once I started using it, I would not go back to the auto vac unless I was going away or something. The auto vac will miss things. They work well but I'd rather use this and be done in 1/4 of the time.

Unless you have a massive-sized pool or you're physically unable to walk around, I'd suggest this.

Just my opinion though.

EDIT- Use depends on how much wind and rain you get. I use it once a week during pool season but that just goes with your weekly maintenance (checking chemicals, etc.). Really depends how much dirt gets in your pool.

I never use it on leaves because that'll get into your filter. Just dirt. I skim the leaves out.

[jeremym480]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

We signed the contract this morning. Although, we still have to finalize the tile and plaster colors and are going with our designer next week to check out a few pools in person. Either way they plan on digging in about two weeks and hopefully will be done by St Paddy's day. They said it should take 40 days, but with this South Louisiana weather I will believe it when I see it.

We're going for a natural lagoon look with dark water. Here's the design:

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

That looks great. Congrats!

[Scott]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

OS Pool Party?

[jeremym480]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

OS Pool Party?

Bring your Man Cave!

[23]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

Bring your Man Cave!

Im in!

I have another question. Importante

How about tax season. How does having a home help you and what kind of expenses can/do you write off?

[Stu]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

Im in!

I have another question. Importante

How about tax season. How does having a home help you and what kind of expenses can/do you write off?

The biggest is obviously the mortgage interest and property taxes. Also MIP if you have mortgage insurance.

If you work from home or have a home office there are a number of deductions. When I was working as a consultant basically 1/5th (1 office in 5 room house not counting bathrooms) of all home expenses were deductible. This included utilities, internet, phones, computers, home repairs, depreciation etc. I recommend working with an accountant on this though as the rules were confusing to me and I wouldn't have gotten nearly as much of a deduction if I had tried to do it myself.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: For all of you guys who are homeowners or newly owned

It is actually based on the square footage of the house and square footage used.

The home office is much more beneficial to somebody who is filing a Schedule C rather than somebody who is working for somebody else and receiving a W-2 since they will have to meet the 2% Employee Business Expense floor before deductions are allowed.

Typically, as Stu said, it will mainly be mortgage interest, plus real estate taxes, and (if applicable) mortgage insurance premiums to put a taxpayer over the standard deduction and allow them to itemize. Once there you can throw in any charitable contributions, property taxes, state income taxes (or state sales tax if you're in a no income tax state), and medical expenses if you reach the 10% floor. There are some credits available for energy efficiency additions and modifications, too.