Anyone else who will likely never be a home owner?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mid thirties couple here with no way forward regarding buying a home. I feel sad knowing I won’t be able to have a home to call my own and decorate and build a family in.

Anyone else in this boat?

No. You two had at minimum 10 years to live in a condo/townhouse (possible with roommates) and pay down the mortgage. Then take out the equity and buy something bigger. Since you don't seem to have done that, take the money you invested while renting all those years (Usually renting is cheaper than owning, so the difference you invested). You did that, right? If you live in DMV you have known for a long time that it is expensive to live here.
If no,t you two need to move into a studio and both work 1.5 jobs to save up for a townhouse somewhere outside of the city. Within a few years when the interest rates go down again, you should be ready to buy. Get a roommate if you do buy a townhouse or a house.

This. The pp had years to live frugally and save for home ownership. If you suddenly look up at age 33 and wonder why you don't own a home, then that's on you.

So hard to imagine that many people in an area known for highky edicared transplants didn't grow up here, didn't live with mom and dad, or spent their savings or had low incomes in their 20s due to higher education. I know TONS of people who weren't able to save for a down payment at the rate prices were increasing in their 20s.

Lots of us did it without family to live with or to give us money. We lived with roommates in crappy rentals and saved money to buy a dated home in a tier 2 or 3 area. You also need to be careful taking on student loans. If that exclusive school is going to saddle you with debt but not a high salary, then you can't afford it. You also can't afford the prestigious but low-paying career. I have no sympathy for people who indulged their egos instead of being financially responsible.

Don't try to live the trust fund lifestyle without a trust fund then come complaining.

+10000. We are relatively high earners and had to make sacrifices for that first down payment. We spent a year or so not going on any vacations, we skipped out on some weddings, didn’t even have iPhones and got by with one older car. The friends we have who have not yet bought a house are all unable to make these kind of sacrifices. Now they are in their 30s and it will be more obvious that they missed the boat.

Wow, you spent a whole year without going on vacations? You didn't even have iPhones?? I'm impressed you were able to make those kinds of sacrifices.

Yeah. We can’t afford vacations either and I drive a basic car. We make mid six figures but no inheritance so only fixer upper townhomes are in our price range.

You make mid 6 figures and can’t afford vacations?

I can already tell they lease BMW’s or Audi’s, buy designer clothes, and buy the latest iPhones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We spent our 20s in school, with very low-paying jobs, and saved enough to pay for a downpayment on a home when I turned 30.

We lived VERY frugally to achieve this, given our low incomes. We picked up free furniture left in the trashroom by other residents, bought cheap food on sale, cooked from scratch, never ate out or went to the movies or paid for any sort of entertainment, lived in a crappy one-bedroom (with one, then two kids)...

Most people on DCUM can't even imagine living such a frugal life.

And now we're living a middle class life.

But it took 10 years of lean, lean living to get there. And even now, we budget carefully.

I can relate, as I'm an immigrant and frugal living was a normal for me and my family. Thanks to an extremely frugal mindset and hard work, I own a home that is paid off, worth $1.1 mln; and I'm 45 years old. I don't get all these people, who can't afford a home. Like what the heck were you doing all your life when you're young? You had no savings, no part time jobs? Sorry, but I don't feel sorry for all people with college debt either. You should have gone to community, then transfer to the closest in-state university. That would be much cheaper for you, while you were working of course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We spent our 20s in school, with very low-paying jobs, and saved enough to pay for a downpayment on a home when I turned 30.

We lived VERY frugally to achieve this, given our low incomes. We picked up free furniture left in the trashroom by other residents, bought cheap food on sale, cooked from scratch, never ate out or went to the movies or paid for any sort of entertainment, lived in a crappy one-bedroom (with one, then two kids)...

Most people on DCUM can't even imagine living such a frugal life.

And now we're living a middle class life.

But it took 10 years of lean, lean living to get there. And even now, we budget carefully.

I can relate, as I'm an immigrant and frugal living was a normal for me and my family. Thanks to an extremely frugal mindset and hard work, I own a home that is paid off, worth $1.1 mln; and I'm 45 years old. I don't get all these people, who can't afford a home. Like what the heck were you doing all your life when you're young? You had no savings, no part time jobs? Sorry, but I don't feel sorry for all people with college debt either. You should have gone to community, then transfer to the closest in-state university. That would be much cheaper for you, while you were working of course.

+1. I went to community college and transferred to UVA where my tuition was 11,000 for two years. All in with books snd room and board my student loans were under 40k for a great education. Then I went to work, paid them off, and lived a frugal lifestyle. All my clothes are from the thrift for example, and I drive a ‘97 civic (no it’s not a beater, paint still looks crisp because I garage it). All of my extra money went into rental property. I’m not mega rich, but I own multiple homes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mid thirties couple here with no way forward regarding buying a home. I feel sad knowing I won’t be able to have a home to call my own and decorate and build a family in.

Anyone else in this boat?

No. You two had at minimum 10 years to live in a condo/townhouse (possible with roommates) and pay down the mortgage. Then take out the equity and buy something bigger. Since you don't seem to have done that, take the money you invested while renting all those years (Usually renting is cheaper than owning, so the difference you invested). You did that, right? If you live in DMV you have known for a long time that it is expensive to live here.
If no,t you two need to move into a studio and both work 1.5 jobs to save up for a townhouse somewhere outside of the city. Within a few years when the interest rates go down again, you should be ready to buy. Get a roommate if you do buy a townhouse or a house.

This. The pp had years to live frugally and save for home ownership. If you suddenly look up at age 33 and wonder why you don't own a home, then that's on you.

So hard to imagine that many people in an area known for highky edicared transplants didn't grow up here, didn't live with mom and dad, or spent their savings or had low incomes in their 20s due to higher education. I know TONS of people who weren't able to save for a down payment at the rate prices were increasing in their 20s.

Lots of us did it without family to live with or to give us money. We lived with roommates in crappy rentals and saved money to buy a dated home in a tier 2 or 3 area. You also need to be careful taking on student loans. If that exclusive school is going to saddle you with debt but not a high salary, then you can't afford it. You also can't afford the prestigious but low-paying career. I have no sympathy for people who indulged their egos instead of being financially responsible.

Don't try to live the trust fund lifestyle without a trust fund then come complaining.

+10000. We are relatively high earners and had to make sacrifices for that first down payment. We spent a year or so not going on any vacations, we skipped out on some weddings, didn’t even have iPhones and got by with one older car. The friends we have who have not yet bought a house are all unable to make these kind of sacrifices. Now they are in their 30s and it will be more obvious that they missed the boat.

Wow, you spent a whole year without going on vacations? You didn't even have iPhones?? I'm impressed you were able to make those kinds of sacrifices.

Yeah. We can’t afford vacations either and I drive a basic car. We make mid six figures but no inheritance so only fixer upper townhomes are in our price range.

You make mid 6 figures and can’t afford vacations?

I can already tell they lease BMW’s or Audi’s, buy designer clothes, and buy the latest iPhones.

Sorry to disappoint you. We have none of these. One car has 110,000 miles. Bought the other used and it’s a modest non-luxury line.

Kids in college. We haven’t made this much money until kind recently though. Last family vacation was 7 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like anyone can be a homeowner even in expensive markets as long as you’re willing to give up everything else for 10 years of your youth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mid thirties couple here with no way forward regarding buying a home. I feel sad knowing I won’t be able to have a home to call my own and decorate and build a family in.

Anyone else in this boat?

No. You two had at minimum 10 years to live in a condo/townhouse (possible with roommates) and pay down the mortgage. Then take out the equity and buy something bigger. Since you don't seem to have done that, take the money you invested while renting all those years (Usually renting is cheaper than owning, so the difference you invested). You did that, right? If you live in DMV you have known for a long time that it is expensive to live here.
If no,t you two need to move into a studio and both work 1.5 jobs to save up for a townhouse somewhere outside of the city. Within a few years when the interest rates go down again, you should be ready to buy. Get a roommate if you do buy a townhouse or a house.

This. The pp had years to live frugally and save for home ownership. If you suddenly look up at age 33 and wonder why you don't own a home, then that's on you.

So hard to imagine that many people in an area known for highky edicared transplants didn't grow up here, didn't live with mom and dad, or spent their savings or had low incomes in their 20s due to higher education. I know TONS of people who weren't able to save for a down payment at the rate prices were increasing in their 20s.

Lots of us did it without family to live with or to give us money. We lived with roommates in crappy rentals and saved money to buy a dated home in a tier 2 or 3 area. You also need to be careful taking on student loans. If that exclusive school is going to saddle you with debt but not a high salary, then you can't afford it. You also can't afford the prestigious but low-paying career. I have no sympathy for people who indulged their egos instead of being financially responsible.

Don't try to live the trust fund lifestyle without a trust fund then come complaining.

+10000. We are relatively high earners and had to make sacrifices for that first down payment. We spent a year or so not going on any vacations, we skipped out on some weddings, didn’t even have iPhones and got by with one older car. The friends we have who have not yet bought a house are all unable to make these kind of sacrifices. Now they are in their 30s and it will be more obvious that they missed the boat.

Wow, you spent a whole year without going on vacations? You didn't even have iPhones?? I'm impressed you were able to make those kinds of sacrifices.

Yeah. We can’t afford vacations either and I drive a basic car. We make mid six figures but no inheritance so only fixer upper townhomes are in our price range.

You make mid 6 figures and can’t afford vacations?

I can already tell they lease BMW’s or Audi’s, buy designer clothes, and buy the latest iPhones.

Sorry to disappoint you. We have none of these. One car has 110,000 miles. Bought the other used and it’s a modest non-luxury line.

Kids in college. We haven’t made this much money until kind recently though. Last family vacation was 7 years ago.

What is the car brand? And where are the kids going to college? How many kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mid thirties couple here with no way forward regarding buying a home. I feel sad knowing I won’t be able to have a home to call my own and decorate and build a family in.

Anyone else in this boat?

No. You two had at minimum 10 years to live in a condo/townhouse (possible with roommates) and pay down the mortgage. Then take out the equity and buy something bigger. Since you don't seem to have done that, take the money you invested while renting all those years (Usually renting is cheaper than owning, so the difference you invested). You did that, right? If you live in DMV you have known for a long time that it is expensive to live here.
If no,t you two need to move into a studio and both work 1.5 jobs to save up for a townhouse somewhere outside of the city. Within a few years when the interest rates go down again, you should be ready to buy. Get a roommate if you do buy a townhouse or a house.

This. The pp had years to live frugally and save for home ownership. If you suddenly look up at age 33 and wonder why you don't own a home, then that's on you.

So hard to imagine that many people in an area known for highky edicared transplants didn't grow up here, didn't live with mom and dad, or spent their savings or had low incomes in their 20s due to higher education. I know TONS of people who weren't able to save for a down payment at the rate prices were increasing in their 20s.

Lots of us did it without family to live with or to give us money. We lived with roommates in crappy rentals and saved money to buy a dated home in a tier 2 or 3 area. You also need to be careful taking on student loans. If that exclusive school is going to saddle you with debt but not a high salary, then you can't afford it. You also can't afford the prestigious but low-paying career. I have no sympathy for people who indulged their egos instead of being financially responsible.

Don't try to live the trust fund lifestyle without a trust fund then come complaining.

+10000. We are relatively high earners and had to make sacrifices for that first down payment. We spent a year or so not going on any vacations, we skipped out on some weddings, didn’t even have iPhones and got by with one older car. The friends we have who have not yet bought a house are all unable to make these kind of sacrifices. Now they are in their 30s and it will be more obvious that they missed the boat.

Wow, you spent a whole year without going on vacations? You didn't even have iPhones?? I'm impressed you were able to make those kinds of sacrifices.

Yeah. We can’t afford vacations either and I drive a basic car. We make mid six figures but no inheritance so only fixer upper townhomes are in our price range.

You make mid 6 figures and can’t afford vacations?

I can already tell they lease BMW’s or Audi’s, buy designer clothes, and buy the latest iPhones.

DP but until I came on this forum I always thought "mid six figures" meant like 150k. Here it means more like 500k. I just literally didn't know anyone in person who made real mid six figures. I do make around 150k and my vacations are mostly camping or long weekends in the cheapest hotels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We spent our 20s in school, with very low-paying jobs, and saved enough to pay for a downpayment on a home when I turned 30.

We lived VERY frugally to achieve this, given our low incomes. We picked up free furniture left in the trashroom by other residents, bought cheap food on sale, cooked from scratch, never ate out or went to the movies or paid for any sort of entertainment, lived in a crappy one-bedroom (with one, then two kids)...

Most people on DCUM can't even imagine living such a frugal life.

And now we're living a middle class life.

But it took 10 years of lean, lean living to get there. And even now, we budget carefully.

I can relate, as I'm an immigrant and frugal living was a normal for me and my family. Thanks to an extremely frugal mindset and hard work, I own a home that is paid off, worth $1.1 mln; and I'm 45 years old. I don't get all these people, who can't afford a home. Like what the heck were you doing all your life when you're young? You had no savings, no part time jobs? Sorry, but I don't feel sorry for all people with college debt either. You should have gone to community, then transfer to the closest in-state university. That would be much cheaper for you, while you were working of course.

+1. I went to community college and transferred to UVA where my tuition was 11,000 for two years. All in with books snd room and board my student loans were under 40k for a great education. Then I went to work, paid them off, and lived a frugal lifestyle. All my clothes are from the thrift for example, and I drive a ‘97 civic (no it’s not a beater, paint still looks crisp because I garage it). All of my extra money went into rental property. I’m not mega rich, but I own multiple homes.

+2 Or even go to state schools for 4 years. I'm so sick of the snobs on this board who brag about their exclusive schools that are crushing them in debt and never netted them a high-paying job. They made bad financial decisions and now they can't afford to buy a home, because of course any home has to be in the "right" area. I don't feel sorry for them either, and I say this as someone who owned homes in coveted areas plus a beach house. I made choices to get there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We spent our 20s in school, with very low-paying jobs, and saved enough to pay for a downpayment on a home when I turned 30.

We lived VERY frugally to achieve this, given our low incomes. We picked up free furniture left in the trashroom by other residents, bought cheap food on sale, cooked from scratch, never ate out or went to the movies or paid for any sort of entertainment, lived in a crappy one-bedroom (with one, then two kids)...

Most people on DCUM can't even imagine living such a frugal life.

And now we're living a middle class life.

But it took 10 years of lean, lean living to get there. And even now, we budget carefully.

I can relate, as I'm an immigrant and frugal living was a normal for me and my family. Thanks to an extremely frugal mindset and hard work, I own a home that is paid off, worth $1.1 mln; and I'm 45 years old. I don't get all these people, who can't afford a home. Like what the heck were you doing all your life when you're young? You had no savings, no part time jobs? Sorry, but I don't feel sorry for all people with college debt either. You should have gone to community, then transfer to the closest in-state university. That would be much cheaper for you, while you were working of course.

+1. I went to community college and transferred to UVA where my tuition was 11,000 for two years. All in with books snd room and board my student loans were under 40k for a great education. Then I went to work, paid them off, and lived a frugal lifestyle. All my clothes are from the thrift for example, and I drive a ‘97 civic (no it’s not a beater, paint still looks crisp because I garage it). All of my extra money went into rental property. I’m not mega rich, but I own multiple homes.

+2 Or even go to state schools for 4 years. I'm so sick of the snobs on this board who brag about their exclusive schools that are crushing them in debt and never netted them a high-paying job. They made bad financial decisions and now they can't afford to buy a home, because of course any home has to be in the "right" area. I don't feel sorry for them either, and I say this as someone who owned homes in coveted areas plus a beach house. I made choices to get there.

Where do you live? Because here, $800,00 gets you a fixer upper with a squatter. And that’s an hour from the city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We spent our 20s in school, with very low-paying jobs, and saved enough to pay for a downpayment on a home when I turned 30.

We lived VERY frugally to achieve this, given our low incomes. We picked up free furniture left in the trashroom by other residents, bought cheap food on sale, cooked from scratch, never ate out or went to the movies or paid for any sort of entertainment, lived in a crappy one-bedroom (with one, then two kids)...

Most people on DCUM can't even imagine living such a frugal life.

And now we're living a middle class life.

But it took 10 years of lean, lean living to get there. And even now, we budget carefully.

I can relate, as I'm an immigrant and frugal living was a normal for me and my family. Thanks to an extremely frugal mindset and hard work, I own a home that is paid off, worth $1.1 mln; and I'm 45 years old. I don't get all these people, who can't afford a home. Like what the heck were you doing all your life when you're young? You had no savings, no part time jobs? Sorry, but I don't feel sorry for all people with college debt either. You should have gone to community, then transfer to the closest in-state university. That would be much cheaper for you, while you were working of course.

+1. I went to community college and transferred to UVA where my tuition was 11,000 for two years. All in with books snd room and board my student loans were under 40k for a great education. Then I went to work, paid them off, and lived a frugal lifestyle. All my clothes are from the thrift for example, and I drive a ‘97 civic (no it’s not a beater, paint still looks crisp because I garage it). All of my extra money went into rental property. I’m not mega rich, but I own multiple homes.

+2 Or even go to state schools for 4 years. I'm so sick of the snobs on this board who brag about their exclusive schools that are crushing them in debt and never netted them a high-paying job. They made bad financial decisions and now they can't afford to buy a home, because of course any home has to be in the "right" area. I don't feel sorry for them either, and I say this as someone who owned homes in coveted areas plus a beach house. I made choices to get there.

Objectively not true:

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Hyattsville/5706-40th-Pl-20781/home/10948896

This is a cute little house in hyattsville for less than 500K

Genuinely confused why you would say this?
It seems like people only want to live in Bethesda and just want to complain about that.




Where do you live? Because here, $800,00 gets you a fixer upper with a squatter. And that’s an hour from the city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We spent our 20s in school, with very low-paying jobs, and saved enough to pay for a downpayment on a home when I turned 30.

We lived VERY frugally to achieve this, given our low incomes. We picked up free furniture left in the trashroom by other residents, bought cheap food on sale, cooked from scratch, never ate out or went to the movies or paid for any sort of entertainment, lived in a crappy one-bedroom (with one, then two kids)...

Most people on DCUM can't even imagine living such a frugal life.

And now we're living a middle class life.

But it took 10 years of lean, lean living to get there. And even now, we budget carefully.

I can relate, as I'm an immigrant and frugal living was a normal for me and my family. Thanks to an extremely frugal mindset and hard work, I own a home that is paid off, worth $1.1 mln; and I'm 45 years old. I don't get all these people, who can't afford a home. Like what the heck were you doing all your life when you're young? You had no savings, no part time jobs? Sorry, but I don't feel sorry for all people with college debt either. You should have gone to community, then transfer to the closest in-state university. That would be much cheaper for you, while you were working of course.

+1. I went to community college and transferred to UVA where my tuition was 11,000 for two years. All in with books snd room and board my student loans were under 40k for a great education. Then I went to work, paid them off, and lived a frugal lifestyle. All my clothes are from the thrift for example, and I drive a ‘97 civic (no it’s not a beater, paint still looks crisp because I garage it). All of my extra money went into rental property. I’m not mega rich, but I own multiple homes.

+2 Or even go to state schools for 4 years. I'm so sick of the snobs on this board who brag about their exclusive schools that are crushing them in debt and never netted them a high-paying job. They made bad financial decisions and now they can't afford to buy a home, because of course any home has to be in the "right" area. I don't feel sorry for them either, and I say this as someone who owned homes in coveted areas plus a beach house. I made choices to get there.

Where do you live? Because here, $800,00 gets you a fixer upper with a squatter. And that’s an hour from the city.

That's not true. You can buy in Southern Alexandria a starter home for that without a squatter. 20% downpayment on a $800,000 is only $160,000, so if you a couple you can easily afford that if you both work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We spent our 20s in school, with very low-paying jobs, and saved enough to pay for a downpayment on a home when I turned 30.

We lived VERY frugally to achieve this, given our low incomes. We picked up free furniture left in the trashroom by other residents, bought cheap food on sale, cooked from scratch, never ate out or went to the movies or paid for any sort of entertainment, lived in a crappy one-bedroom (with one, then two kids)...

Most people on DCUM can't even imagine living such a frugal life.

And now we're living a middle class life.

But it took 10 years of lean, lean living to get there. And even now, we budget carefully.

I can relate, as I'm an immigrant and frugal living was a normal for me and my family. Thanks to an extremely frugal mindset and hard work, I own a home that is paid off, worth $1.1 mln; and I'm 45 years old. I don't get all these people, who can't afford a home. Like what the heck were you doing all your life when you're young? You had no savings, no part time jobs? Sorry, but I don't feel sorry for all people with college debt either. You should have gone to community, then transfer to the closest in-state university. That would be much cheaper for you, while you were working of course.

+1. I went to community college and transferred to UVA where my tuition was 11,000 for two years. All in with books snd room and board my student loans were under 40k for a great education. Then I went to work, paid them off, and lived a frugal lifestyle. All my clothes are from the thrift for example, and I drive a ‘97 civic (no it’s not a beater, paint still looks crisp because I garage it). All of my extra money went into rental property. I’m not mega rich, but I own multiple homes.

+2 Or even go to state schools for 4 years. I'm so sick of the snobs on this board who brag about their exclusive schools that are crushing them in debt and never netted them a high-paying job. They made bad financial decisions and now they can't afford to buy a home, because of course any home has to be in the "right" area. I don't feel sorry for them either, and I say this as someone who owned homes in coveted areas plus a beach house. I made choices to get there.

Where do you live? Because here, $800,00 gets you a fixer upper with a squatter. And that’s an hour from the city.

That's not true. You can buy in Southern Alexandria a starter home for that without a squatter. 20% downpayment on a $800,000 is only $160,000, so if you a couple you can easily afford that if you both work.

+1 Also the $800K home is generally the 2nd home you buy, not the starter home. You should have that $160K if you're successful enough to purchase an $800K home. No sympathy for you if you've been frittering away your down payment on a pricey rental and eating out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We spent our 20s in school, with very low-paying jobs, and saved enough to pay for a downpayment on a home when I turned 30.

We lived VERY frugally to achieve this, given our low incomes. We picked up free furniture left in the trashroom by other residents, bought cheap food on sale, cooked from scratch, never ate out or went to the movies or paid for any sort of entertainment, lived in a crappy one-bedroom (with one, then two kids)...

Most people on DCUM can't even imagine living such a frugal life.

And now we're living a middle class life.

But it took 10 years of lean, lean living to get there. And even now, we budget carefully.

I can relate, as I'm an immigrant and frugal living was a normal for me and my family. Thanks to an extremely frugal mindset and hard work, I own a home that is paid off, worth $1.1 mln; and I'm 45 years old. I don't get all these people, who can't afford a home. Like what the heck were you doing all your life when you're young? You had no savings, no part time jobs? Sorry, but I don't feel sorry for all people with college debt either. You should have gone to community, then transfer to the closest in-state university. That would be much cheaper for you, while you were working of course.

+1. I went to community college and transferred to UVA where my tuition was 11,000 for two years. All in with books snd room and board my student loans were under 40k for a great education. Then I went to work, paid them off, and lived a frugal lifestyle. All my clothes are from the thrift for example, and I drive a ‘97 civic (no it’s not a beater, paint still looks crisp because I garage it). All of my extra money went into rental property. I’m not mega rich, but I own multiple homes.

+2 Or even go to state schools for 4 years. I'm so sick of the snobs on this board who brag about their exclusive schools that are crushing them in debt and never netted them a high-paying job. They made bad financial decisions and now they can't afford to buy a home, because of course any home has to be in the "right" area. I don't feel sorry for them either, and I say this as someone who owned homes in coveted areas plus a beach house. I made choices to get there.

Objectively not true:

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Hyattsville/5706-40th-Pl-20781/home/10948896

This is a cute little house in hyattsville for less than 500K

Genuinely confused why you would say this?
It seems like people only want to live in Bethesda and just want to complain about that.




Where do you live? Because here, $800,00 gets you a fixer upper with a squatter. And that’s an hour from the city.

That’s a 45 minute commute with no traffic. And I’m not in my 20s, so I’m not living like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like anyone can be a homeowner even in expensive markets as long as you’re willing to give up everything else for 10 years of your youth.

But most young people are pinching pennies and having a blast doing it. They're living in group houses and going to places with cheap drink specials. My roommates and I would cook together at home, go to BYOB house parties or maybe drink at home with friends then go out and buy 1 drink out. Going out to eat was a rare treat, and even then not expensive places. Vacations were driving to visit friends in other areas to party the same cheap way there. Maybe the occasional trip with a cheap hotel and 6 friends crammed into a room. We saved for 6 months to spend that $450 for that vacation lol. The problem is people who want to spend everything they have when they're 25 then get upset when they're 35 and don't want to dial back their standard of living to buy a home. You should have been dialing back when you were 18-30.

[Anonymous]

It’s so interesting to see how many people are more than happy - and proud- to be taken advantage of by playing the housing game. No one should have to pay $600,000 for a moldy flip.