Author Topic: Big Income, Big Consequences  (Read 29047 times)

Dancin'Dog

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #50 on: October 26, 2020, 11:12:30 AM »
One of the local NASCAR drivers has a 35,000 sq ft home and there are a number of homes with helipads on the docks.  One of our places had a double-wide and a 10,000 sq ft home with an elevator & 4 car garage was constructed nextdoor (by a FIRE'd couple).  Most houses under 2000 sq ft are considered "tear downs" on that part of the lake. 


Lake Norman borders 4 counties, and the areas closest to Charlotte are the most expensive. 


There are still small homes & mobile homes available in the less expensive areas, on less desirable water (poor views and/or shallow water) for about $250K   

talltexan

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #51 on: October 26, 2020, 11:37:24 AM »
$250,000 sounds like it'd be...bare bones!

jinga nation

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #52 on: October 30, 2020, 08:17:54 AM »
Wow - this is amazing.  What is a 5 bedroom master suite?  I would assume a master suite would be a bedroom plus an en suite bathroom and maybe a walk in closet.  But they have 5 bedrooms for their bedroom?  Makes so sense but maybe I'm just too much of a plebe.

main bedroom; reading area/study; walk in close I; walk in close II with dressing, jewelry area; bathroom.
I learned something new today!

Me too.  "Jewelry area" - wow!

Me thinking "jewelry area" is like that scene in "Coming to America" where Prince Hakeem is getting his royal jewels cleaned in a massive tub/jacuzzi. My wife would not approve of this bathroom "feature".

talltexan

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #53 on: October 30, 2020, 08:37:59 AM »
Jewelry area means the cabinet for jewelry is built into the center of the closet, with clothing hanging assemblies all around.

GuitarStv

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #54 on: October 30, 2020, 09:33:15 AM »
Jewelry area means the cabinet for jewelry is built into the center of the closet, with clothing hanging assemblies all around.

I took inventory of my total jewelry collection last night:

1 x stainless steel wedding band


Still not sure a room is necessary.

zolotiyeruki

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #55 on: October 30, 2020, 10:28:45 AM »
I took inventory of my total jewelry collection last night:

1 x stainless steel wedding band

Still not sure a room is necessary.
LOL!  Does my IronMan watch count?  If it does, my collection is twice the size of yours!

talltexan

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #56 on: October 30, 2020, 11:09:16 AM »
You people with one ring are going to be throwing it into the fire to see if writing in an evil language appears, now, aren't you?

Just Joe

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #57 on: October 30, 2020, 12:10:27 PM »
On a whim I tested my jewelry collection in my lunch box for storage. It rattles around too much. So, I tried a smaller container. Altoid container works pretty well but that's far too expensive. I think the right size container may be a tic-tac dispenser if I can find one for free... And no, no diamonds in my collection. Just a singular wedding ring that I never wear anyhow (dangerous in the shop).

IRL I haven't seen my wedding ring in years. I think DW has it put away with some of her things. I have a couple of ancient pocket watches that I like to look at but never carry.

zolotiyeruki

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #58 on: October 30, 2020, 12:13:59 PM »
You people with one ring are going to be throwing it into the fire to see if writing in an evil language appears, now, aren't you?
Is Elvish evil?  (Is that what the inscription was in?  I'm not much of a LoTR fan...)

talltexan

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #59 on: October 30, 2020, 01:10:39 PM »
Pretty sure it was in the language of Mordor.

True LOTR fans can correct me, I barely know the difference between the Noldor Elves and the Sindar Elves.

GuitarStv

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #60 on: October 30, 2020, 01:13:24 PM »
Language of Mordor, written in Elvish.



You nerds. . .

maizefolk

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #61 on: October 30, 2020, 02:43:05 PM »
Language of Mordor, written in Elvish.

Is that like trying to read English language written in Devanagari script?

Because if so I'm amazed they ever figured out what the ring actually said.

havregryn

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #62 on: October 30, 2020, 02:57:00 PM »
Sounds like these people aren't happy and tried to paper over their life dissatisfaction with spending.

I know a lot of medical professionals, and ironically, I see this type of rampant spending most among those who deep down realize that they hate the job.

Now that my husband and I found ourselves on what are well paid career tracks in a soulcrushingly materialistic place I kind of get it - you start spending like that so that you "have to" keep running after money, it gives you a more tangible sense of why you simply have to do it, even if it feels wrong.
We looked at a house today, listed at 1,35 million €, a completely basic townhouse with no backyard (the green area behind it belongs to the 2-3 million € house next door), it made me sick to my stomach and we once again decided that no, this is not for us, but the pressure out there is very real...I hate what and where we are professionally and we currently still have the freedom to just walk away. But we don't, mostly because anxiety and inertia keep us in. Still, it feels like a moral weakness, doesn't it.
But if I buy one of these houses...well...then I can no longer just walk away. So I can keep being miserable, but in a more socially acceptable, mainstream way.
It's first world sad, but it's sad.

ixtap

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #63 on: October 30, 2020, 02:57:50 PM »
Language of Mordor, written in Elvish.

Is that like trying to read English language written in Devanagari script?

Because if so I'm amazed they ever figured out what the ring actually said.

When phonetics are involved its easy: you just start sounding it out and suddenly realize "Hey, I understood that!" It's those other scripts that really mess with your mind.

GuitarStv

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #64 on: October 30, 2020, 04:39:25 PM »
Language of Mordor, written in Elvish.

Is that like trying to read English language written in Devanagari script?

Because if so I'm amazed they ever figured out what the ring actually said.

Couldn't tell you, I'm barely fluent in English.  :P

Travis

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #65 on: October 30, 2020, 08:12:38 PM »
On a whim I tested my jewelry collection in my lunch box for storage. It rattles around too much. So, I tried a smaller container. Altoid container works pretty well but that's far too expensive. I think the right size container may be a tic-tac dispenser if I can find one for free... And no, no diamonds in my collection. Just a singular wedding ring that I never wear anyhow (dangerous in the shop).

IRL I haven't seen my wedding ring in years. I think DW has it put away with some of her things. I have a couple of ancient pocket watches that I like to look at but never carry.

Been wearing mine on my dog tags for about 13 years. I'm in trouble when I retire and stop wearing them. I don't eat Altoids or Tic Tacs.

Metalcat

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #66 on: October 31, 2020, 06:47:34 AM »
Sounds like these people aren't happy and tried to paper over their life dissatisfaction with spending.

I know a lot of medical professionals, and ironically, I see this type of rampant spending most among those who deep down realize that they hate the job.

Now that my husband and I found ourselves on what are well paid career tracks in a soulcrushingly materialistic place I kind of get it - you start spending like that so that you "have to" keep running after money, it gives you a more tangible sense of why you simply have to do it, even if it feels wrong.
We looked at a house today, listed at 1,35 million €, a completely basic townhouse with no backyard (the green area behind it belongs to the 2-3 million € house next door), it made me sick to my stomach and we once again decided that no, this is not for us, but the pressure out there is very real...I hate what and where we are professionally and we currently still have the freedom to just walk away. But we don't, mostly because anxiety and inertia keep us in. Still, it feels like a moral weakness, doesn't it.
But if I buy one of these houses...well...then I can no longer just walk away. So I can keep being miserable, but in a more socially acceptable, mainstream way.
It's first world sad, but it's sad.

This is exactly what mustachianism is all about, recognizing that this type of behaviour is not only incredibly toxic, but voluntary.

Don't downplay what a big deal this is.

You also hit the nail on the head of what your problem is, you see choosing not to financially prosper as much as you can as moral weakness. Meanwhile, mentally healthy people see prosperity as far more dynamic than that, they include a deep sense of moral responsibility to be happy and healthy if they have that option.

What's immoral, and frankly embarrassing, is having all the means you need available to be happy and healthy, and still choosing a path you don't enjoy because you've *decided* to primarily perceive pressure to earn and spend.

Meanwhile, that pressure is mostly in your head. It's not actually really out there, if you stopped doing what you are doing, you might get a few comments now and then for awhile, but truthfully, nobody really gives a flying fuck what you do with your career and housing choices. Honestly, it's just not that important to anyone, and people just get used to whatever you choose to do.

Seriously, no one cares beyond mild gossip. They're too busy obsessing about how their own lives are being perceived.

The real source of pressure is how you imagine people will perceive your decisions. That's where people really get stuck.

I'm not kidding, it's almost all in your head, and you have the option of confronting it instead of papering over it with purchases to try and salve the dissatisfaction.

So, if pressure is what you respond to, then let me put some pressure on you: it is a moral failing and a HUGE waste of resources to not live a healthy and happy life when you have no excuse not to.

I've given the above speech to many a young professional seeking financial advice, and it's liberated quite a few of them.

talltexan

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #67 on: February 02, 2021, 08:57:36 AM »
For those of you interested in an update.

The legal divorce is grinding on, although we have enjoyed several visits as each side positions itself to try to win post-divorce loyalty from our family. The ex-husband appears to be in a new relationship. He swung by the weekend before last to give me a ride to the hardware store in his new Tesla. Damn that's a nice car.

The ex-wife invites my wife and her mother up to visit the palatial new house. They've now had several of these visits (I do not take part, I think this makes her feel more comfortable sharing her ongoing separation frustrations with an all-female group). A frequent pass-time during these visits is my wife trouble-shooting problems with temperature control that seem to be happening in this new house as well. Apparently being exposed to water and far-removed from the grid carries its own set of issues that must be managed.

former player

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #68 on: February 02, 2021, 09:53:18 AM »
Sounds like these people aren't happy and tried to paper over their life dissatisfaction with spending.

I know a lot of medical professionals, and ironically, I see this type of rampant spending most among those who deep down realize that they hate the job.

Now that my husband and I found ourselves on what are well paid career tracks in a soulcrushingly materialistic place I kind of get it - you start spending like that so that you "have to" keep running after money, it gives you a more tangible sense of why you simply have to do it, even if it feels wrong.
We looked at a house today, listed at 1,35 million €, a completely basic townhouse with no backyard (the green area behind it belongs to the 2-3 million € house next door), it made me sick to my stomach and we once again decided that no, this is not for us, but the pressure out there is very real...I hate what and where we are professionally and we currently still have the freedom to just walk away. But we don't, mostly because anxiety and inertia keep us in. Still, it feels like a moral weakness, doesn't it.
But if I buy one of these houses...well...then I can no longer just walk away. So I can keep being miserable, but in a more socially acceptable, mainstream way.
It's first world sad, but it's sad.

This is exactly what mustachianism is all about, recognizing that this type of behaviour is not only incredibly toxic, but voluntary.

Don't downplay what a big deal this is.

You also hit the nail on the head of what your problem is, you see choosing not to financially prosper as much as you can as moral weakness. Meanwhile, mentally healthy people see prosperity as far more dynamic than that, they include a deep sense of moral responsibility to be happy and healthy if they have that option.

What's immoral, and frankly embarrassing, is having all the means you need available to be happy and healthy, and still choosing a path you don't enjoy because you've *decided* to primarily perceive pressure to earn and spend.

Meanwhile, that pressure is mostly in your head. It's not actually really out there, if you stopped doing what you are doing, you might get a few comments now and then for awhile, but truthfully, nobody really gives a flying fuck what you do with your career and housing choices. Honestly, it's just not that important to anyone, and people just get used to whatever you choose to do.

Seriously, no one cares beyond mild gossip. They're too busy obsessing about how their own lives are being perceived.

The real source of pressure is how you imagine people will perceive your decisions. That's where people really get stuck.

I'm not kidding, it's almost all in your head, and you have the option of confronting it instead of papering over it with purchases to try and salve the dissatisfaction.

So, if pressure is what you respond to, then let me put some pressure on you: it is a moral failing and a HUGE waste of resources to not live a healthy and happy life when you have no excuse not to.

I've given the above speech to many a young professional seeking financial advice, and it's liberated quite a few of them.
Both havregryn and their other half have the sort of jobs that are envied and sought-after all over the EU.  It's a bit like winning the lottery (although with more merit involved).  I can understand what that involves to a certain extent: I had a somewhat similarly sought-after job (although at national rather than EU level).   There's a lot of "I can do this important thing well" as much as "this is an enviable job to have".  The truth is that in any big organisation the waters will close in over your space there as soon as you leave, and the next person might be better or worse at the job but in the big scheme of things it's only the vanishingly rare extreme situation in which it makes a difference.  But that is hard to see from the inside.

Chris Pascale

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #69 on: February 03, 2021, 10:10:43 AM »
Wow - this is amazing.  What is a 5 bedroom master suite?  I would assume a master suite would be a bedroom plus an en suite bathroom and maybe a walk in closet.  But they have 5 bedrooms for their bedroom?  Makes so sense but maybe I'm just too much of a plebe.

main bedroom; reading area/study; walk in close I; walk in close II with dressing, jewelry area; bathroom.

In the home I'm buying, that might be the entire upstairs.

Chris Pascale

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #70 on: February 03, 2021, 10:11:59 AM »


Me thinking "jewelry area" is like that scene in "Coming to America" where Prince Hakeem is getting his royal jewels cleaned in a massive tub/jacuzzi. My wife would not approve of this bathroom "feature".

You have to give her a chance. After all, you can always stop using it once you really know.
« Last Edit: February 03, 2021, 03:20:49 PM by Chris Pascale »

Taran Wanderer

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #71 on: February 03, 2021, 07:31:07 PM »
I used to think I wanted a giant house like that. Of course, that was back in the days of progressing from dorm room to apartment to 750sf house to 1500sf house. Now we have a 3000sf house, and I’ve realized that this is a lot to take care of. Go bigger, and you start adding specialists just to help you clean and maintain it. Specialists means not just money, but people to manage, and for me, that makes life harder,  not easier. I have no desire to have a giant, fancy house.  Except for our giant, moderately fancy 3,000sf house, of course. 

talltexan

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #72 on: February 04, 2021, 06:34:28 AM »
There are a couple of premium features I'd like:

  • It will be nice to have a guest room for whenever COVID ends; lately, that room has become a wrapping/gift management area that has gotten us through having Christmas and both kids' birthdays in a six week period.
  • We have a telescope that used to belong to my wife's uncle. I'd love to have an observatory for that (yes, it's a big telescope).
  • Turns out having a school area in the house has been really valuable. Who knew?
  • I'd like the bike storage to be a little better worked out. Right now, they're in front of my car in one side of the garage, but when I start working on-site again, I won't be able to just move the car around the bikes. For those anxious to take away my Mustache-card, let me point out that moving farther away from work created the situation where the kids could bike to almost all activities and their grandparents' house).
  • When we bought our current house--in Fall of 2019--it was the less expensive option, where spending an extra $100,000 could have gotten us a basement that included a bar and wine cellar. If I'd known that all the bars would be closed, obviously I would have valued the bar/wine cellar more highly and probably chosen the other option.

Taran Wanderer

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #73 on: February 04, 2021, 10:53:58 AM »
Ah, first world challenges!

talltexan

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #74 on: February 04, 2021, 01:01:55 PM »
Regarding that basement bar, I will add that this Mr. Money Mustache blog post -- https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2018/07/25/the-twenty-dollar-swim/comment-page-2/ -- really was persuasive in me not buying the more expensive house.

It just seemed like I could go to the bar a lot of times for $100,000. We're in a very different world today as it turns out.

ysette9

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #75 on: February 04, 2021, 09:28:15 PM »
I used to scoff at large houses and was very happy in my 1100ft^2 house.

Then I had a third baby and we had visitors over ALL THE DAMN TIME. I found myself sleeping on the couch every other week. Then covid hit and all five of us are home all the time. Even now that we are in a larger place (1800 ft^2 over three levels) it is still hard on my nerves. The oldest kid doesn't really have a quiet spot to do her school away from the baby playing/screaming. I don't have a place to escape to and I desperately want quiet, alone time. I think when this covid thing is over I'm going to get an Airbnb by myself for a week so I can just listen to my own breathing.

In an ideal world I'd like:
  • a yard for the kids to play in and for us to garden
  • a garage for a car and bike storage
  • at least 4 bedrooms so I can separate some kids at night if they start screaming and I can share a room with my husband again
  • a SEPARATE guest suite space so having family over doesn't put such a strain on my mental health

You know what is awesome? In floor radiant heating. This place we are renting now has it in 2 of 3 levels and it is awesome sauce. 5/5 would recommend.

talltexan

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #76 on: February 05, 2021, 03:49:44 AM »
my wife had that in-floor heating growing up in Colorado in the 1990s. said she's never been happy and warm in another building.

RetiredAt63

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #77 on: February 05, 2021, 07:08:52 AM »
my wife had that in-floor heating growing up in Colorado in the 1990s. said she's never been happy and warm in another building.

We had it in the ensuite bathroom in one house.  So great to have a warm room and a warm floor after a shower in winter, when the house is at 19C/66F.

reeshau

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #78 on: February 09, 2021, 02:58:54 PM »
.
WTH would we do with 8500 sq ft of space?

I'll see your 8500, and go to 14,600.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/23-Grand-Regency-Cir-The-Woodlands-TX-77382/96577635_zpid/

This house is one zip code away from me, maybe a 30 minute walk.  Of course, I'm sure It's gated to keep the riff-raff out.  It came up in my Zillow neighborhood report.  I have no idea how whacked a search engine has to be to have hit on that, unless it really is just for ogling.

Note the display cases for the designer handbags, in the walk in closet.

They real funny thing is, the house is so damn big that they still are very close to their neighbors.  I guess you can't have everything.

YttriumNitrate

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #79 on: February 09, 2021, 03:07:46 PM »
I'll see your 8500, and go to 14,600.
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/23-Grand-Regency-Cir-The-Woodlands-TX-77382/96577635_zpid/

5 point something million, 14,000 square feet, and they still doctored the photos to make the place look better than it actually does (and didn't do a very good job since the same golf TV image is used for two different shots).

ysette9

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #80 on: February 09, 2021, 04:25:42 PM »
.
WTH would we do with 8500 sq ft of space?

I'll see your 8500, and go to 14,600.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/23-Grand-Regency-Cir-The-Woodlands-TX-77382/96577635_zpid/

This house is one zip code away from me, maybe a 30 minute walk.  Of course, I'm sure It's gated to keep the riff-raff out.  It came up in my Zillow neighborhood report.  I have no idea how whacked a search engine has to be to have hit on that, unless it really is just for ogling.

Note the display cases for the designer handbags, in the walk in closet.

They real funny thing is, the house is so damn big that they still are very close to their neighbors.  I guess you can't have everything.
After the number of McMansion Hell posts I've looked at I find myself thinking "it looks pretty nice, actually". Funny how 2 acres looks like a regular suburban plot from the air due to the sheer size of the building. At least it is symmetrical and has reasonable choices of interior finishes and furnishing. A lot of the spaces looked like they were big for the simple sake of being big, without it being useful. Like why all the extra space in the home theater?

Kierun

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #81 on: February 09, 2021, 04:46:55 PM »
Like why all the extra space in the home theater?
Acoustics!

Taran Wanderer

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #82 on: February 09, 2021, 05:49:25 PM »
Wow, I wouldn’t know how to live in that. And after all that, where’s the shop and the gear storage room and the yard storage shed?  And why leave so much room in the front and so little backyard for croquet or playing catch or fetch? Plus, think of the staff you’d need to clean, garden, and maintain it.

GuitarStv

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #83 on: February 09, 2021, 06:12:19 PM »
Like why all the extra space in the home theater?
Acoustics!

What you want in a home theater setting from an acoustic point of view is to reduce reflections and wave interference.  Multiple acoustic panels made of 4+ inch thick rockwool will achieve that.  It'll actually be harder to do this well enough for good acoustics in a very large room.

Travis

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #84 on: February 09, 2021, 06:51:13 PM »
Plus, think of the staff you’d need to clean, garden, and maintain it.

SIL lives in a neighborhood where the starting price for homes is $1million (she said she got hers for a steal at $700k).  We came to visit after they moved in and walked around Zillowing each house along the way. I asked her how they could possibly maintain these homes, they were so large. She quipped "Travis, the people who buy these homes don't actually clean or garden them themselves."  That's also my wife's measurement for when a house is too big if she can't do these things by herself.

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #85 on: February 09, 2021, 07:23:16 PM »
Like why all the extra space in the home theater?
Acoustics!

What you want in a home theater setting from an acoustic point of view is to reduce reflections and wave interference.  Multiple acoustic panels made of 4+ inch thick rockwool will achieve that.  It'll actually be harder to do this well enough for good acoustics in a very large room.

I used GIK Acoustics for my stereo room - very reasonable but you’re right it’s just batting on the inside

GuitarStv

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #86 on: February 09, 2021, 07:44:45 PM »
Like why all the extra space in the home theater?
Acoustics!

What you want in a home theater setting from an acoustic point of view is to reduce reflections and wave interference.  Multiple acoustic panels made of 4+ inch thick rockwool will achieve that.  It'll actually be harder to do this well enough for good acoustics in a very large room.

I used GIK Acoustics for my stereo room - very reasonable but you’re right it’s just batting on the inside

I've spent a lot of time building acoustic panels for people with studios.  It's unreal how much better you can make the average room sound for music with a little bass trapping.

:P

ysette9

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #87 on: February 09, 2021, 08:30:19 PM »
Like why all the extra space in the home theater?
Acoustics!
The McMansion Hell lady actually did a degree or something in acoustics and she mentions occasionally how terrible these big homes are for noise.

reeshau

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #88 on: February 09, 2021, 08:46:29 PM »
I'll see your 8500, and go to 14,600.
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/23-Grand-Regency-Cir-The-Woodlands-TX-77382/96577635_zpid/

5 point something million, 14,000 square feet, and they still doctored the photos to make the place look better than it actually does (and didn't do a very good job since the same golf TV image is used for two different shots).

Whenever I start to think they are absolutely cookoo, I remember that they are paying property taxes into my school district.  Then I think, "Welcome, neighbor!"

I am very happy that I am on "the wrong side of the tracks" here, with plenty of luxury, but no chance for property or covenant disputes with the likes of them.  I also find it hilarious when a Bugatti, Ferrari, or Lambo pulls into the HEB or Kroger.  Or maybe a Jag or Maserati, if they're slummin'.

Just Joe

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #89 on: February 09, 2021, 08:53:58 PM »
I'll see your 8500, and go to 14,600.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/23-Grand-Regency-Cir-The-Woodlands-TX-77382/96577635_zpid/

This house is one zip code away from me, maybe a 30 minute walk.  Of course, I'm sure It's gated to keep the riff-raff out.  It came up in my Zillow neighborhood report.  I have no idea how whacked a search engine has to be to have hit on that, unless it really is just for ogling.

Note the display cases for the designer handbags, in the walk in closet.

They real funny thing is, the house is so damn big that they still are very close to their neighbors.  I guess you can't have everything.

I know the intent is to elicit the feeling of a castle but to me it reminds me more of a hotel. We have several bigger than life homes in our town too. One has a full size baseball field with bleaches and lighting. And a tennis court.

Our guests come in ones and twos.

ducky19

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #90 on: February 10, 2021, 08:31:23 AM »
Holy crap, their annual property tax bill is as much as we spent on our first house! Which we still own (outright), and that generates $700/mo rent after expenses! Looks like they originally wanted $6.7mil for it and have dropped the price several times to where we're at today... funny, you'd have thought someone would snatch it up at that price...

zolotiyeruki

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #91 on: February 10, 2021, 09:12:52 AM »
Holy crap, their annual property tax bill is as much as we spent on our first house! Which we still own (outright), and that generates $700/mo rent after expenses! Looks like they originally wanted $6.7mil for it and have dropped the price several times to where we're at today... funny, you'd have thought someone would snatch it up at that price...
The problem with building/owning a house that large is that the pool of potential buyers is very, very small, and those with enough money to buy it also have enough money to be very, very particular about the details.

I've told the story multiple times here about the time DW and I toured this house when it was for sale.  Ok, so it's only a paltry 8,000 square feet, but all the same types of excesses were there.  It had originally been listed at $1.2M, but the price had dropped to $800k at the time we saw it.

talltexan

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #92 on: February 10, 2021, 11:15:49 AM »
This is basically an outsized version of the "don't buy at the top price in the neighborhood" advice.

Just Joe

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #93 on: February 10, 2021, 03:43:48 PM »
Hey $800K is starting to seem reasonable for a house like that. The funny thing is our furniture would look pretty sorry in a house like that. Like first apartment sorry compared to the fancy floors and trimwork.

ysette9

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #94 on: February 10, 2021, 04:22:49 PM »
Hey $800K is starting to seem reasonable for a house like that. The funny thing is our furniture would look pretty sorry in a house like that. Like first apartment sorry compared to the fancy floors and trimwork.
It truly boggles my mind how much RE differs in price across different geographic areas. $800k seems cheap to me.

maizefolk

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #95 on: February 10, 2021, 04:44:43 PM »
It truly boggles my mind how much RE differs in price across different geographic areas. $800k seems cheap to me.

My go-to comparison to drive home how big those differences are:

My house cost substantially less than a friend of mine (who stayed in the Bay Area) needed for her down payment. And our salaries aren't that different at all (she might make 10-20% more than me).

reeshau

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #96 on: February 10, 2021, 05:22:11 PM »
Hey $800K is starting to seem reasonable for a house like that. The funny thing is our furniture would look pretty sorry in a house like that. Like first apartment sorry compared to the fancy floors and trimwork.
It truly boggles my mind how much RE differs in price across different geographic areas. $800k seems cheap to me.

I think that's exactly why Austin and Atlanta are doing so well--geoarbitrage on a corporate scale.

Metalcat

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #97 on: February 10, 2021, 07:15:30 PM »
It truly boggles my mind how much RE differs in price across different geographic areas. $800k seems cheap to me.

My go-to comparison to drive home how big those differences are:

My house cost substantially less than a friend of mine (who stayed in the Bay Area) needed for her down payment. And our salaries aren't that different at all (she might make 10-20% more than me).

Same, my friend in Toronto bought a townhouse the same year my DH refinanced his townhouse. Hers was 6 times the price but doesn't have any parking.

talltexan

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #98 on: February 11, 2021, 06:26:09 AM »
Even within the same metro- area. We changed neighborhoods, getting a house that was about the same size, but had to pay 50% again what the old house was. Oh, and schools are (supposedly) better in the new neighborhood, assuming we can get COVID under control such that operating them is safe.

Villanelle

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Re: Big Income, Big Consequences
« Reply #99 on: February 11, 2021, 12:07:13 PM »
my wife had that in-floor heating growing up in Colorado in the 1990s. said she's never been happy and warm in another building.

This is how I feel about the heated toilet seats.  Had them in our rental in Japan and by butt misses them something fierce every winter.  Our main floor bath is off of our not-insulated sun porch, with a door joining them, so it's often cold enough in there that I can see my breath.  I brace myself every time I'm about to sit on that toilet.