Old days
Good times I remember
Fun days
Filled with simple pleasures
Drive-in movies
Comic books and blue jeans
Howdy doody
Baseball cards and birthdays
Take me back
To a world gone away
Memories
Seem like yesterday
Old days
Good times I remember
Gold days
Days Ill always treasure
Funny faces
Full of love and laughter
Funny places
Summer nights and streetcars
Take me back
To a world gone away
Boyhood memories
Seem like yesterday
Old Days — Chicago
Link to Music Video
I wrote this in Brio New World “Previous generations had a formula for a “normal,” happy life. You used to save your money until you had a 20% downpayment, then you bought a house, and if you had increases in income, you could move up to a nicer place. Home ownership was a symbol of success. It proved you could save to reach a goal; it proved you were responsible; it made you happy. It was also a ticket to financial security as your home equity would become a savings account you could use to fund your retirement when you downsized to smaller accommodations. These were the rules of old.”
Today’s property is an example of someone living by the old formula.
Asking Price: $799,000
Income Requirement: $199,750
Downpayment Needed: $159,800
Purchase Price: $112,500
Purchase Date: 8/23/1979
Address: 9 Williams, Irvine, CA 92620
Beds: 4
Baths: 2.5
Sq. Ft.: 2,101
$/Sq. Ft.: $380
Lot Size: 6,030 sq. ft.
Type: Single Family Residence
Style: Contemporary
Year Built: 1979
Stories: Two Levels
Area: Northwood
County: Orange
MLS#: S457142
Status: Active
On Redfin: 407 days
Unsold in 90+ days
From Redfin, “HUGE CULDESAC LOT! Northwood charmer! Spacious home, well located, in quiet neighborhood. Downstairs den can easily be converted to 4th bedroom. Cathedral ceilings! New Appliances. Tons of storage space. Two fireplaces (Living Room & Master Bedroom). Walk-in closets in Master & guest rooms. Ceiling fans throughout. Over-size living area! Balcony off Master bedroom! Huge back and side yards with Gazebo style Jacuzzi! Close to shopping, schools, and freeways. NO MELLO ROOS AND NO ASSOCIATION FEES!!”
INTERMITTENT caps LOCK!
Exciting EXCLAMATIONS!!!
Tons of storage space? Mixing measures, weight and volume?
.
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This is the quintessential example of an owner who does not need to sell. The house was purchased in 1979 for $112,500. There is a first mortgage for $62,400 that is probably nearly paid off. The owners have a mailing address in Grants Pass, Oregon which is likely where they are living in their retirement.
They have two choices:
- They could rent this place for an easy $3,000 a month, or
- They could sell the place and put the proceeds in the bank at 5%.
Surprisingly enough, either choice nets about the same income depending on the amount of capital gains taxes. It does make me wonder if they have a renter in the house now. You would think that if they decided to sell the place, they would lower the price to sell it immediately or take it off the market and get a renter in there. Sitting empty, this house makes them nothing.
If this were your retirement nest egg, what would you do?
