All Forum Posts by: Jesse Fatula

@Michael Lewis Lee Hi Mike, thank you for sharing your story.  You are one tough SOB for sure!  Brain surgeries are definitely nothing to scoff at.  My father had a brain fistula operated on shortly after his forced "retirement" (police officer for 32 years) about 12 years ago.  He had non stop complications and passed in February at 69 from an extremely fast acting Alzheimer's.  Life is definitely short and has its twists and turns and ups and downs.  I envy your support system and your will power through it all.  I also want to thank you for bringing up these points because it puts some new light into the thought process that doesn't fit the on-paper mentality.  

I am fortunate enough to have a great employer that values my work along with a good support system in my wife.  I also have a small business backup that could be possible to work on full time if needed.  It would be a time until its making the money I am now though.

Thank you!

@Keith Leckey thanks for the input.  I am located in Richland, you are correct. We are house hunting and have missed two due to how quick they are selling and not much input from our current realtor in a timely fashion.  Gut feel on the property is to sell and use my equity on another potential duplex we know of at this point, but I wanted to use this as an opportunity to introduce myself on this forum and also get input from other with more experience than I have.  

Do you have any recommendations on other realtors to talk to for purchasing locally?

Using the rental calculator on here it seems to not make sense to rent.  The calculator assumes part of expenses is all utilities though.  Typically I see most rentals in my area not include utilities.  Is this a good safety factor to practice in case of no tenant available?

Mortgage including taxes and insurance: $660

Utilities: $201

Rental Expenses: $120

Estimated rent (including utilities): $1,100

Cashflow: $119

Hello!  I am new to this forum so please bear with me.  

I am 31, married with 2 children and we are currently living in a 1100 sqft 2 story home in a residential neighborhood.  We are planning to move to a larger house to make room for our family.  My current home is valued approximately $115k with $86k remaining on the mortgage.  The house is old (1918) but completely updated and has no major issues other than an old furnace which still in perfect working condition and the need for a new roof soon.  We have a large cash payment ready to cover 20+% on our new home.

I have been debating with myself whether to sell this house for the little bit of equity we have, or to make it a rental.  We live in a lower income area (Johnstown, PA) but plan on staying here based on my current employment situation.  My wife and I have our first rental property in our 3 year plan, but are not sure if it should be this home.  I am currently reading the beginners guide book but am not complete with it yet.  It has been some great information but I am hoping someone can point me in a good direction for my current situation. Thanks!