All Forum Posts by: Ethan Bennett

We have no HOA here. My concern over this whole thing is keeping my property clean/safe. There are also neighbors behind us that rent and have large sticker bushes that grew so much it crawled up my fence. We had it removed every year, but between them and the next door neighbors it can be costly.

Neighborhoods around the country are being brought down with the fall in real estate prices.

Our area is constantly trying to improve but unless you change/uplift the people, it will remain the same. I have seen it the six years living here.

A good example is a house down the street used to be owned by people who took really good care of it. They moved on and a realty company put it up for rent. Lower income people moved in. Now the yard is destroyed, fence is missing sections(torn down by them), landscaping items are removed etc. we have waved to them every time we ride by and get nasty looks or they turn away. Recently they started throwing parties until 3am.

They don't want to be better or even try. It slowly creeps in and ruins the area like a disease.

Then there were the neighbors next door that cursed out the guy on the other side that cut their grass. It had grown up high over 5 months during the summer. He simply cut the front in a attempt to help, but they cursed him up and down.

So when the grass grew up again, the city was called and they were stuck with a $150 bill for the cities lawn service.

Anyway, my plan is to move in 2-3 years and be rid of this declining area. My wife and I used to volunteer, help others, do charities etc. most people here don't care and only want a handout. We have to move on.

Sad part is.... We want to help others and make them stronger. But the old saying stands true "you can bring a horse to water, but can't make him drink it".

The people I feel sorry for the most, are the ones that have no choice but to live with the idiots.

As a disabled veteran, I have to pay someone to take care of my own lawn. I contacted the rental company and they have given me 4 different answers each time.

Took pictures earlier today and will be keeping a detailed log of everything. Hate to do it, but there is too much time/money invested into my property.

I appreciate everyone's input. We have refrained from reporting anyone because it can be quite a hassle and cause bad blood.

In all fairness we have waited long enough. First step is to take pictures and write a letter to the realty company. Hate to do that, but we have spent so much time/money/effort in keeping our property up.

Anyway thanks for the advice.

I purchased my home in 2006 because its in a quiet dead end cul de sac. The past 2 years a few of the homes around me have gone up for rent and brought in "interesting" people.

Unfortunately the people next door to me lost their home in foreclosure and now it's being rented out. The first set of renters never cut the grass and let the bushes/trees grow through my fence, which I paid to have replaced(not due to the growth recently).

When I mentioned the problems to the neighbor he said "ok, we'll just get a lawn service to call me".

They have moved out a week ago and now others are starting to view the property. I took a look at the real estates selection of homes and they are all lower income homes. Most rent on them is $500-$700 a month.

I also brought the problems to the attention of the real estate company and was told "we have over 700 properties, it will take some time to address these issues". That was almost 1 1/2 years ago.

As you can see I have been very patient with the situation, but now after paying a lot of money for the fence repairs I'm leery.

I don't want to go the court route. What else can be done to remedy the problems?

I was reviewing my payment statement from the mortgage company and have always been confused at the interest rate etc.

Right now it shows: Payment-$1350.55, interest-$937.17, Escrow-$78.55
We have a interest rate of 5%
Bought the property march 2006
Currently owe a total of: $224,585.62

We would like to move within 2 years. But the principal is only $334.83 which after 2 years is $8035.92.

We could technically wait a couple of more years, but are scared the interest rates will jump back up before we move.

I know there are professionals on these forums. What are your thoughts on the interest rates in the next few years and are there any tips besides paying more overall or at closing to reduce the principal.

Any tricks or advice on getting the most for your house while selling?

Thank you for the information! This makes me less stressed now!

Yeah I do think the value will go down in 4 years because of the area.

There is no hardship here, we are able to pay the mortgage with no issues. Unfortunately the schools are not the greatest for our son.

He started kindergarten in a nice one, but in 4 years he will move to a crappy school.

The option we have been thinking is to save all we can for the next 5 years or longer and pay the difference. At this point I dont see any other way.

I have a home in Hampton VA and currently owe $227,872.10. We are planning on moving in 4 years.

Current market value is around 195,000.

Is there anyway to get out from under this house without paying the entire difference?

As a disabled veteran, trying to find 27k is a little hard these days!

What are some good suggestions/ideas to explore?