Hey Everyone,
Lately I've been listening to YouTube channels in which realtors, despite making their living selling houses, are telling people NOT to buy a house unless they are absolutely sure they can afford it -- and to have a stockpile of money on the side for all the other expenses that come with it.
I'm listening to horror stories of rents, mortgages, fees, taxes, and insurance going up by 200, 500, even 1000% all over the country -- even in areas where people think they are "safe." I have a friend in the northern USA who was informed that her house insurance would be going up because of all the other policies the company pays out -- in Florida.
And with the fires that just happened in California, it seems inevitable that people all over the country are going to pay the price.
I'm interested in hearing how real-life people out there all over the USA and the world are being affected by these costs.
Let's use the past 3 years as a baseline (but you can go further back if you would like.)
* Using dollar amounts or percentages, how much have your costs gone up for housing? What things have been raised the most?
* Were these costs raised (higher than "normal" increases?) out of the blue or was there any warning/assessment/way to prepare in advance?
* What kinds of expenses caught you "by surprise"? For example, I've heard from several people who were quoted tax prices based on the land, then were completely blindsided by the enormous increase in taxes once they built a house on it.
* Are there any condominium owners out there? I've listened to all kinds of stories about "special assessments" and the merciless costs they are pushing onto condo residents. Has this happened to you?
* How has this affected you and your family? Where do you have to now cut back? Have you had to move, or take on new jobs?
And perhaps, most importantly:
* In what ways have you seen God help work things out to provide for you during this time?
My heart goes out to everyone who is having an especially hard time in these ways.
If you are in the midst of a struggle, please share what you feel comfortable with and let us know how we can best pray for you and your loved ones. 🙏
Lately I've been listening to YouTube channels in which realtors, despite making their living selling houses, are telling people NOT to buy a house unless they are absolutely sure they can afford it -- and to have a stockpile of money on the side for all the other expenses that come with it.
I'm listening to horror stories of rents, mortgages, fees, taxes, and insurance going up by 200, 500, even 1000% all over the country -- even in areas where people think they are "safe." I have a friend in the northern USA who was informed that her house insurance would be going up because of all the other policies the company pays out -- in Florida.
And with the fires that just happened in California, it seems inevitable that people all over the country are going to pay the price.
I'm interested in hearing how real-life people out there all over the USA and the world are being affected by these costs.
Let's use the past 3 years as a baseline (but you can go further back if you would like.)
* Using dollar amounts or percentages, how much have your costs gone up for housing? What things have been raised the most?
* Were these costs raised (higher than "normal" increases?) out of the blue or was there any warning/assessment/way to prepare in advance?
* What kinds of expenses caught you "by surprise"? For example, I've heard from several people who were quoted tax prices based on the land, then were completely blindsided by the enormous increase in taxes once they built a house on it.
* Are there any condominium owners out there? I've listened to all kinds of stories about "special assessments" and the merciless costs they are pushing onto condo residents. Has this happened to you?
* How has this affected you and your family? Where do you have to now cut back? Have you had to move, or take on new jobs?
And perhaps, most importantly:
* In what ways have you seen God help work things out to provide for you during this time?
My heart goes out to everyone who is having an especially hard time in these ways.
If you are in the midst of a struggle, please share what you feel comfortable with and let us know how we can best pray for you and your loved ones. 🙏
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In that regard, I am less affected than most. Also, the fact that I live in Texas – I have seen my house/land tax cut in half. Maybe due to a surplus of funds in the state.