If you go back later and ask for priced reductions based on things they told you about before you wrote your offer, then you aren't acting in good faith & any half-way decent listing agent will tell you to pound sand without even going back to their client. 4) Hire a thorough inspector.

You might try TarrantPropertyTax.comThey protested my last year tax and got a good reduction and they operate on contingency so you only pay them 25% of saved dollars.

@Nichele Richardson,Not being an agent or broker, I'm not sure what "active-o" means.My take would be that since you saw a price reduction, the status may be meaningless (failed to update?)

Taxes being a major cost item.When the assessments rise that is the time to get out.List at the appraised value, do not waver on the price, when it does not sell you go back to the county and use the non sale to force a reduction in the appraisal and a tax refund.

@Keli A.It would take a bit more analysis and a discussion with your CPA or financial planner would be a good idea.The advantage of the 401k contributions is tax reduction and essentially an initial return on investment in the amount of the employer match and your marginal tax rates at the state and federal level.  

Thank god that my school backed me up 100% and my coworkers carried my weight as much as I needed.

Thank god that my school backed me up 100% and my coworkers carried my weight as much as I needed.

Slow and steady, the rents have risen, and positive cash flow has developed over time, not to mention the equity built through appreciation & loan balance reduction.  

@Russell Brazil  go to the TESLA.COM site there are pictures they actually look very good.. and will last forever because they are glass they don't dent or wear out.. and they are super light weight so might be some savings in the framing and truss designs.

@Josh Sabourin Run the numbers man.Total rent cost scenario = rent due every monthTotal own cost scenario = PITI due every month, + utilities, - interest tax deduction, - principal reduction, - avg YoY appreciation/12, - forced appreciation (if you fix it up.)For example, a completely made-up scenario where the numbers are made-up but demonstrate a very real principal:Total rent cost scenario = ($1500) Rent = $1500 true internal monthly costTotal own cost scenario = ($2300) PITI + ($250) utilities - $150 interest deduction - $450 principal reduction - $300 [2% YoY/12months] - $150 [Assuming $9,000 of value added from improvements divided over five years living in home] = $1500 true internal monthly costOnce you've calculated your total liability for each scenario, then you should weigh out the non-tangible benefits of each:Renting - increased mobility, limited responsibility for repairs and things, lower up-front out-of-pocket cost.Owning - Net worth of owners across the US has been shown to be much greater than renters.