Brief Blog Break

Posted by jrosenhouse on August 3, 2006
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Sorry for the lack of blogging lately. I’m in the process of buying my first house, which means most of my time lately has been spent either dealing with that, or sitting around worrying that I’m making some terrible mistake. Making matters worse, the math department here at JMU is about to move in to a new building, which means I’m going to be without a computer for a while during the transition.

So as satisfying as it would be to gloat about Mel Gibson’s recent travails, or to thank the sane people in Kansas for producing an impressive election victory, I think I will have to take some time off for a while. As always, thanks to everyone who has stopped by lately.

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Comments

  1. #1 John Lynch
    August 3, 2006

    Jason,

    Good luck with the house thingie. Having done it twice I have some idea of what you are going through. It’ll all be worth it in the end!

  2. #2 Robert O'Brien
    August 4, 2006

    Jason:

    I would recommend buying some books on the topic. That is what I did when I bought my condo.

    PS Be sure to get an inspection

  3. #3 David D.G.
    August 4, 2006

    Yes, you sound pretty well preoccupied. Best of luck on the moves, and especially on the new house. Take care!

    ~David D.G.

  4. #4 DRR
    August 6, 2006

    Buying my first house made me feel old.

    Well, maybe just more like an adult. Is there a difference being feeling like an adult and feeling old?

    (good luck, by the way)

  5. #5 Male Enhancement
    August 6, 2006

    Good Luck with the new house, Jason! :)

  6. #6 Ingrid
    August 6, 2006

    Congrats! I will admit that I’m fairly jealous… I’m moving into a dorm room this autumn, only one roomate thankfully and a closet for each of us. The main reason I’m envious is because you are entitled to a fantastic shopping trip at Ikea.

  7. #7 djlactin
    August 7, 2006

    Think about it this way Jason: when you pay rent, you’re paying SOMEONE ELSE’s mortgage, plus a premium to cover repair expenses, plus a bit of profit. And you don’t benefit from the equity build-up.

    Your house is yours and although it comes with responsibility, it also comes with (monetary) benefits.

    Tip 1: (as O’Brien said) get a professional inspection.

    Tip 2: Most banks take out the first payment at the end of the first month. “Woo-hoo!” you say, “Bonus!” Not! make a payment on the first of the month and save yourself about 7x (!!) that amount on reduced interest costs over the term.

    Tip 3: Put anything you can spare into supplementary payments. They go straight onto the principal. $100 here and there will add up to BIG savings.

    Been there. Still doing it.

  8. #8 Joe Shelby
    August 8, 2006

    Math’s moving? across the interstate to CISAT?

    makes me wonder what’s going to be left behind. is Burruss just going to be Biology now?

  9. #9 J. G. Fellow
    August 15, 2006

    Nice to see you blogging on this issue! I’m currently reading “Of People and Pandas” and hoping to post my thoughts on the subject in the near future.

    -Blast from the Past

  10. #10 kfnyc
    August 15, 2006

    “Nice to see you blogging on this issue! I’m currently reading “Of People and Pandas” and hoping to post my thoughts on the subject in the near future.”

    I thought one read that book in an hour or less….

    although I’ve never read it myself.

  11. #11 peter
    August 17, 2006

    congrats and good luck ;)