Feels great!
Bought a fixer-upper 20 years ago. It was a mess. Poured a ton of work into it over the years. Spent a lot on repairs and updates.
We initially bought on an 80/20 split loan with 0 down, so we paid aggressively the first few years to get rid of the 20% loan. After 7 years, rates had dropped and we had paid off a bunch of extra principle, so we were able to refinance to a 15-yr loan at 2.5% with no change to our monthly payment.
Now paying on schedule because there's no reason to rush through a 2.5% loan, but there are only 2 years left on the loan. And the house is worth at least double what we paid for it. Of course, we have put a ton of time and money into it - it didn't just double on its own. But there was also a lot of luck involved in the timing.

Anonymous wrote:One of the luckiest financial events of my entire life.

+1000.
Bought in FL in 2019, sold in 2023 for double. 1. We moved out of Florida (big win) and 2. Paid cash in DC and still have $$ in the bank.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a 2.25% mortgage and are very thankful. Our low housing costs will make us wealthy.

However, had I to go back to 2018 I would have bought way more house than I did. The plan was to buy an inexpensive place to get to know the area then go for a significant upgrade.

Welp, guess we aren’t moving now. I’m bummed but realize how lucky we are.

In a similar boat. My house isn’t inexpensive but is in a relatively expensive area (and now much more so.) we were in our late 20s/early 30s when we bought seven years ago, and I didn’t want to stretch further. Now I wish we had as there are several things about our house we have outgrown. But glad we’re already in the market and bought at a fair price with a low mortgage.

Same here. When I look back, all those agonizing over spending another 100k, which the realtor assured me I could afford, now seem silly and I wish I'd spent the extra 100k. But current house is pleasant and in a good neighborhood so I can't complain too much.

Let me correct that for you:

"Which the realtor calculated would generate an additional $3k commission for the buyers agent"

Everyone gets used to the basics in their life and then the desire for more usually sets in. It's called the hedonic treadmill. Do your best not to get on it.

How do I feel? The same. None of it matters unless you sell, anyway. Until then, it’s just a number on a screen.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:watched their property value double...how does that feeeel

How old are you? 25?

Where are these properties that doubled? I'm in NOVA, they didn't here.

You missed that time when we pondered people who bought a great house around 2000-2001 before prices doubled, tripled, up to 10x value. How did that feeeeeeel. I'd love to know.

I'd also love to know how tearing down a $1m home to build a new 7000+ sq ft McModern with new crypto money or family money would feeeel. Maybe I should ask folks here.

I’m in NOVA. I bought a townhouse way out in Ashburn back in 2010 for $275k. It’s now worth $600k.

LOL if you think values haven’t doubled in NOVA.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a 2.25% mortgage and are very thankful. Our low housing costs will make us wealthy.

However, had I to go back to 2018 I would have bought way more house than I did. The plan was to buy an inexpensive place to get to know the area then go for a significant upgrade.

Welp, guess we aren’t moving now. I’m bummed but realize how lucky we are.

In a similar boat. My house isn’t inexpensive but is in a relatively expensive area (and now much more so.) we were in our late 20s/early 30s when we bought seven years ago, and I didn’t want to stretch further. Now I wish we had as there are several things about our house we have outgrown. But glad we’re already in the market and bought at a fair price with a low mortgage.

Same here. When I look back, all those agonizing over spending another 100k, which the realtor assured me I could afford, now seem silly and I wish I'd spent the extra 100k. But current house is pleasant and in a good neighborhood so I can't complain too much.