All Forum Posts by: Travis H.

So, profit, in other words.

Wonder why they don't just call it profit.

Karen Margrave: I'm not sure I understand what this means: "maybe you can trade the equity into a condo in the city or ?"

Part of it might be that I don't know what "equity" is.

See, I told you guys I was new at this. ;)

Jon Klaus: I looked on Realtor.com and saw the same thing. Hm. Perhaps I should just contact a realtor around here and see what they say. If I did that, would I be better off speaking to my original realtor (since apparently they did have a measure of success selling the house in the first place) or should I go with someone else?

John Rubino: Can I still do a lease option even though I have a mortgage? Some of my research on that seems to show that most likely, I can't do that. Something about a due at sale clause or something.

I also uncovered some information about a land contract, but some of that stuff looked a little bit sketchy.

I mean, hell, if I'm going to be arrested for something, I want it to be something cool.

Karen Margrave et al: I had actually attempted to do this a couple of years ago when I tried to sell my house the first time. He basically explained to me that he really didn't think he could get a good idea on comps because none of the houses in my immediate area were selling or renting.

Mary B.: I know, right? Is that an actual website, by the way?

My issue is more or less the odd sort of social climate that makes up Atlanta and its surroundings. I can find dates easily enough in my area. All I have to do is act like somebody who is the complete opposite of who I am.

The issue is finding like-minded dates. I won't delve into politics as that's just not my style, but suffice to say, the sort of women who think like I do generally live in the city proper and not out in the woods like me. And for some reason, most folks who live inside Atlanta would rather not venture beyond its bounds.

Hopefully, though, due to a rather successful second date last night, that particular issue has been resolved.

I don't think it was a refi per se. It had something to do with the Making Home Affordable act or some other government program. Some sort of acronym, but basically since I was that far under water, I was able to qualify for that.

No appraisal. Nothing.

Jon Klaus: If you call me out, I'll play ball. Never cooked on a large scale before, but I might be interested provided that I get some assistance (and provided that work doesn't conflict, of course).

Mehran Kamari: You and me both, brother.

Hi Jon. Thanks for responding!

(Dallas, huh? I've got an aunt and uncle that live out in the Plano area. I think they work [or used to work] at that big Baptist church out there.)

I ran it by Zillow.com because that's pretty much all I've got to work with for the time being, and here's what I've got:

How much could I sell it for? The Zestimate on Zillow (whatever that means) shows it as $98,846.

I owe right around $129,000 to $130,000.

Monthly payment right now is around $867.

Zillow claims that the rent would go for $1,014 per month which, in my opinion, seems a bit high, but then again, what do I know?

I haven't even had the house appraised yet, so I don't even know how accurate those first and last numbers are.

East Atlanta Area, to be specific. Anyway, that's me. All of the really juicy details about me are on the question I just posted in the General Real Estate Forum (Attempting to escape my house!).

What else: Well, I'm an English teacher. No, I won't correct your grammar or spelling. If you're especially worried that I might, though, just read more. Reading is good for you. (I might recommend Heller's Catch 22 if you're looking for some good books.)

I also brew my own beer, write some, and can smoke the sort of barbecued ribs that will give you a religious experience.

I'm not even playing about the ribs.

Promise! I'll post my introduction in the new members thread in just a bit.

For now, though, here's my issue:

I bought a home back in 2006 or 2007 right before the economy crapped out. Heck, I still remember where I was when I found out that it happened. I bought it for around $138,000 at around a 7% interest rate (which, back then, they told me that was fairly generous). This house sits in the middle of the wilderness of rural Georgia, just east of Atlanta on about 3.3 acres of property and is about 2,400 square feet in size. 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, etc etc.

Back then, several people convinced me to buy a home, and since I believed that "grownups" knew everything, I caved and did so, despite my misgivings.

Turns out that my misgivings were right. I surrendered something that I value more highly than just about anything else: My mobility and freedom. I bought this damn house, and now it feels like I'm stuck here in the middle of nowhere.

Don't get me wrong. I love nature. I'm a country boy at heart, and believe me, I can survive. But this house has even prevented me from getting a freaking date! I can't tell you how many conversations with girls have ended when they find out that I live 45 minutes from either Atlanta or Athens.

Don't get me started on my job.

Suffice to say, the only way that I feel like my life can actually continue in any sort of measurable capacity is if I get out of this house and mortgage. I refinanced earlier this year, but I'm still in this house.

So, dear reader, I come to you, a humble teacher, writer, philosopher, artist, brewer, what-have-you, imploring you for assistance and expertise.

I've attempted to read some on real-estate myself, and have even posted this similar question on the Mr. Money Mustache blog (they sent me to you guys). Unfortunately, most of what I have read on real-estate looks like a foreign language to me.

I don't even really know where to start.

And I'm fumbling.

So, yeah. Help!