All Forum Posts by: Joseph Shaw

Hi @Kevin Ochs! I'm in a similar situation to you. Married, living in Noblesville (Moved here in 2018), and I've spent 5 of my last 10 years working in Insurance/Financial Services. Currently I am working as a media director (I know, wide swing, but I've also worked in media as a self-employed individual for the other 5 of the last 10 years of work.)

I lived in Western NY (Not the fun part of NY) prior to moving here, and bought what I considered a live-in flip while I was out there. Sanded and stained the hardwood floors, laid tile in the bathroom and kitchen, installed recessed lighting in the living room, switched out all the outlets, painted everything, refinished the bathroom completely. Was able to learn a lot through the process.

The house we bought here was in great shape, just had no updates to it at all. We've installed recessed lighting throughout the house (hired that out this time), installed LVP flooring (did it ourselves), and replaced the entire HVAC (hired out). The neighborhood has appreciated a lot even in the short time we've been here so we haven't felt bad on the time/money tradeoff of hiring some of that out.

My goal is to purchase 2 rental properties in 2021. Would love to connect sometime! Best of luck!

Are there any mortgage underwriters in the group? I’d be interested in discussing what that job entails. I have insurance underwriting experience and am interested in what it looks like from a day to day perspective. Thanks in advance for reaching out!

@Mike McCarthy

Thank you, do you have a link to a specific one with a fleck valve so I can do some reading to help understand the difference?

As far as sizes go, are there any rules of thumb to go by? If it helps, the house has 2.5 baths, it’s just me and my wife for now (likely 1 child, possibly 2, but no more than that for the future).

Basically if $2,000 is what it costs to do it right I don’t mind doing that, I just want to avoid paying $2,000 for a $700 job if that’s all it really takes!

I recent bought a personal residence in Hamilton County, IN after moving from upstate NY this summer. This entire area is riddled with hard water (I have not had it tested, but judging by my research of the area it is in excess of 17 gpg).

While I have plumbing experience (gutted and replaced an entire bathroom in my prior residence last year) water softeners are not something I’ve encountered.

If anyone has insight into what the major differences between these two units are I would be very thankful for an explanation and recommendation of why I would spend $1,500 more for the second one.

$500: 40,200 Grain Water Softener https://www.homedepot.com/p/203219780

$2,000: 10 GPM Whole House Water Filtration and NaturSoft Water Softener Alternative System https://www.homedepot.com/p/205423703

I believe I understand the installation process and could manage that on my own, but I do want to ensure I’m choosing right the first time I buy. Comments and advice is welcomed.

Thank you!

@Jim Cummings I just contacted my attorney and the paralegal was able to advise me specifically to my situation, thank you.

For my specific case, county taxes were paid up front in January for 2019 while school taxes for the year begin on July 1, but are only billed in October, so with a closing date of July 26, I will receive the county tax back for the dates of July 27-Dec 31 and I will have to pay the school taxes for July 1-July 26, resulting in a net return for me.

Thanks everyone who commented for helping me get to this understanding!

@Jim Cummings thanks for the heads up there. From my research it seems some areas in NY collect taxes up front and others in arrears. I believe it looks like our county collects it up front, which should result in a rebate at closing, but I will follow up here after closing for anyone that is interested!

@Renay Reese Thanks for your insight! I’m hoping NY is the same, but with New York being New York it’s always hard to tell!

Thanks again!

Long time listener, first time poster.

This should be a simple question, but because it is my first time selling a home it is something I haven’t run into yet.

I pay my property taxes personally without going through escrow and am about to sell my first home (4 offers on the table to sort through today!) and I was curious, will I be rebated for the property tax I have paid for the remainder of the year, or do the buyers just benefit from that? If anyone knows what the specifics of that process looks like I’d be interested to understand as well.

Thank you everyone for your insights! If it makes a difference I am in Upstate NY and have owned the house for 3.5yrs and it has been owner occupied that whole time.