md95065

Property taxes are high in Texas because there is no state income tax.

If they don't get their money one way they have to get it another way ...

firehawk

wish I could choose Seattle instead

so this is a monthly or a yearly thing?

it just does not make sense how people can afford a house and be able to live. I imagine no saving at all but instead always being somewhat in debt every month.

mortgage, property tax, food, utility bills.... all adds up.

Bob

Getting a mortgage is possible....crap rates and large deposit will sort that out.

Question is, why? It's so much more expensive selling a place in the US than in the UK and not to mention it's so much more hassle maintaining a place that you don't know the kind of up keep involved, compared to renting. So rent for a year, get a feel for the place first and build up your credit history.

Also, your reasons for not renting, they're crap. You can find rentals that allow you to do what you want inside, just depends on the rental.

You're in for much bigger financial mess buying without knowing what you're getting into compared to renting.

But then again, this thread isn't any different to your last thread and you couldn't be bothered to listen to anyone's help then, so I don't see this one being any different, so everyone who has responded to these threads has just wasted their time.

Meh.

Scott33

I think they call it the American Dream. My property tax (over and above my mortgage payment) is just about $1,000...

...per month!

You missed the big one.

firehawk

the big one?
from the sounds of it - you are saying the American Dream = debt? LOL.

and as for my reasons for not renting - sorry but you dont get to say what is suitable for me or not. you arent the government/agency. I know what I want and what I can or cannot afford and other logistical reasons. if you dont like it - dont contribute or read it. no one has a gun pointing to your head. dumbass *rolls eyes*

rebs

Health insurance and costs

Scott33

^^^^^This^^^^^

firehawk

so how on earth can people afford this?!

on avg I guess the salary is around 45K? I'm a contractor so I make more than an "employee". but still even with what im calculating... expensive. not enough to save much on the side

fatbrit

On $45k, you're the working poor.

firehawk

oh really? I dont know much about US salary. in the UK on avg its between 35-45K GBP.

as a contractor who is working for my US client, I get around $5000/month give or take.

md95065

OK, if you already know what you can or cannot afford when it comes to buying the house in the US that you know that you want I don't really understand why you started this thread ...

SpoogleDrummer

The US is too big to use an average. Around here 45K would make you fairly well off. Go to New York and you'll be scrubbing toilets at night to on top of your 45K to try and pay the rent.

Mr Weeze

$60k a year in Houston? Well that rules a lot out...

fatbrit

$200k house.

As he has no US history, I'd guess $100k down and 4 points over base would be a good result if he could swing it.

TimNiceBut

$200k house on $50k-$60k might already be pushing it, depending on how high the property tax and insurance work out at that point.

4 points over base *really* is throwing away money. Not to mention that buying a house in a location you haven't seen and that you don't know can very quickly turn into an expensive mistake.