Buying the house was such a mistake

[Anonymous]

Newly divorced with a 3 yr old. Sold old house, bought a new one closer to work. I love the house, but it is just too much money! My family talked me into it, they love the place and even helped me buy it. But, the reason for the move w to be closer to work and lower expenses, not increase them. I wanted to have lots of money to do stuff with dd and travel with her and now I will be house poor for years. I intend to keep household expenses as low as possible, but there are just bills that have to be paid. I wish I cold just turn back time but I cannot. I may see if I can rent a basement room, not what I wanted, but any major expense will just wipe me out. Argghhh,sorry, need to vent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Newly divorced with a 3 yr old. Sold old house, bought a new one closer to work. I love the house, but it is just too much money! My family talked me into it, they love the place and even helped me buy it. But, the reason for the move w to be closer to work and lower expenses, not increase them. I wanted to have lots of money to do stuff with dd and travel with her and now I will be house poor for years. I intend to keep household expenses as low as possible, but there are just bills that have to be paid. I wish I cold just turn back time but I cannot. I may see if I can rent a basement room, not what I wanted, but any major expense will just wipe me out. Argghhh,sorry, need to vent.

Where are you? Good location for a housemate?

[Anonymous]

South arlington. There is room for a housemate, but it would be in the basement, with a basement window and access to outside through laundry area. Great bath though. I may see if I can get short term rental income, but with a kid and two cats I really didn't want to share the house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:South arlington. There is room for a housemate, but it would be in the basement, with a basement window and access to outside through laundry area. Great bath though. I may see if I can get short term rental income, but with a kid and two cats I really didn't want to share the house.

Maybe a single female? Key is finding a compatable match. Get several refs, deposit. I used to do it in a huge house I had. Month-to-month lease. I was a single mom to. They can't have pets (since you do) or smoke.

[Anonymous]

My parents did this as well. They had a house that had an entire upstairs dormitory, open space entire length of house with a bathroom. They were in Arlington, just above Rosslyn. They put a small fridge, microwave and a hot plate, and full access to the kitchen and laundry. They mostly rented to grad/law/medical students going to school in DC. The metro being close by was a plus.

Maybe you can advertise the room somehow to the DC schools. There may be a young female student who needs housing while attending during the school year and may not even be home all that much due to school/work schedules

[Anonymous]

You might find a quiet, middle-aged woman (maybe also divorced). In fact you might find someone interested in occasional babysitting. How about that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You might find a quiet, middle-aged woman (maybe also divorced). In fact you might find someone interested in occasional babysitting. How about that!

Agree with this poster. I would be interested in discussing if you decide to move forward. I'm looking to move and I actually nanny in the evenings and on weekends. I'd definitely be open to occasional sitting. I think you will find a lot of interested people. I also agree with another poster who mentioned finding the right fit. Hold out for someone you think will work best with your family/routine.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

If you're going to stay, use the house. Can you hold birthday parties at home rather than pay for a venue? Weekend play dates at your house. Sit out in your yard. Have your family and friends over for pot luck rather than meeting them at a restaurant.

[Anonymous]

Not sure why these people keep telling you to rent to women. You're eliminating half the market.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why these people keep telling you to rent to women. You're eliminating half the market.

Maybe because she is a single woman with a small child.

[Anonymous]

"My parents did this as well. They had a house that had an entire upstairs dormitory, open space entire length of house with a bathroom. They were in Arlington, just above Rosslyn. They put a small fridge, microwave and a hot plate, and full access to the kitchen and laundry. They mostly rented to grad/law/medical students going to school in DC. The metro being close by was a plus."

Not the OP, but I'm considering doing something like this. Do you have a sense of how often the tenant would cook in the room vs. shared kitchen vs. just eat out? Not sure I'd be comfortable with someone doing a lot of cooking in either location.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Newly divorced with a 3 yr old. Sold old house, bought a new one closer to work. I love the house, but it is just too much money! My family talked me into it, they love the place and even helped me buy it. But, the reason for the move w to be closer to work and lower expenses, not increase them. I wanted to have lots of money to do stuff with dd and travel with her and now I will be house poor for years. I intend to keep household expenses as low as possible, but there are just bills that have to be paid. I wish I cold just turn back time but I cannot. I may see if I can rent a basement room, not what I wanted, but any major expense will just wipe me out. Argghhh,sorry, need to vent.

Why you called this a mistake? The housing market is getting better including South Arlington area. It should not take you too long to sale it unless you bought your house during the housing bubble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why these people keep telling you to rent to women. You're eliminating half the market.

Maybe because she is a single woman with a small child.

Riiiiggggghhhhttt. NP here. You're one of those of the mindset that every man is a potential rapist. I get it. And women are never violent, abusive or negligent. Got it.

You know, you could be less sexist and just suggest that she do a background check of any potential tenant. Something that would be wise for any tenant, male or female.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why these people keep telling you to rent to women. You're eliminating half the market.

Maybe because she is a single woman with a small child.

Riiiiggggghhhhttt. NP here. You're one of those of the mindset that every man is a potential rapist. I get it. And women are never violent, abusive or negligent. Got it.

You know, you could be less sexist and just suggest that she do a background check of any potential tenant. Something that would be wise for any tenant, male or female.

I'm the poster you are jabbering on about. I'm certainly not sexist, I only offered a reason that people might be suggesting renting to a woman. Thus the "maybe". I've had roommates for the past 8 years. Two have been women and three have been men. As long as they aren't crazy, i couldn't care less what sex they are.

If I had a small child, i might think differently for a lot of reasons.

Are you a single mom with a small child and renting to a man? If so, maybe you can enlighten the OP with some helpful advice.

[Anonymous]

Well Arlington co has very good schools (I think) and even if you are cash poor now, Arlington is an awesome location so down the road you may be positively thrilled you bought a house there based on the resale value. Your income will probably go up and your mortgage will not right? It might turn out to be a smart decision that feels like a pain at the moment.