One of my goals is to eventually be able to purchase a house. Many of my nursing colleagues are purchasing homes that are worth $450,000, $500,000 or even more. Sadly, my budget is about half of that or even less, which means the houses I have to choose from are not appealing. Most of them are small, old, or both.
I am just curious how other nurses manage to purchase decent houses? I've been looking through my income, and I just can't find a way to make it possible to incorporate such a house into my budget. I am salary, so there are no opportunities for overtime.
What are other nurses' experience with buying houses? How did you make it work? Did it require switching jobs? Inquiring minds want to know!
Yes, they are technically still roof over one's head. Realistically, the types of houses I'm dismissing might actually be better fits, at least at this time. I still fail to see how my ex's new partner is more deserving of a house than myself or any other person really
It is not about being more deserving, rather that she has the practical need of having a home for her baby. Most parents prefer a permanent home in a good school district for their child if they can afford it. The competition for homes in good school districts is part of the reason for housing inflation.
Since you are single and also much younger than her there is no need or rush to buy a home. Renting is actually preferable if you are young, mobile and unsure of where you want to settle down and where your job is located.
As many of us have mentioned before, your job is not ideal. I would at the very least get myself set up with a better paying, hourly job before I bought a house. You seem to be very resistant to finding a better job, even though you are being overworked and taken advantage of. I'm guessing the real reason has to do with your "high standards" and the seeming prestige you take in being called a manager.
Personally I would prefer a good paying job with good working conditions and only voluntary overtime where I am well paid for it! In many hospitals nurses aren't just paid OT, they are paid bonuses as well from $10 to up to $40/hr during this past year of Corona. You could have been making bank and saving toward your 1/2 million dollar dream home instead of working all that OT for free on salary!
Yes, they are technically still roof over one's head. Realistically, the types of houses I'm dismissing might actually be better fits, at least at this time. I still fail to see how my ex's new partner is more deserving of a house than myself or any other person really
If she and your ex live together, that's 2 incomes. It sounds like she's been a nurse longer and more education, meaning she may be making more. Again, you don't know specifics. You don't need to
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
36 minutes ago, SilverBells said:
Yes, they are technically still roof over one's head. Realistically, the types of houses I'm dismissing might actually be better fits, at least at this time. I still fail to see how my ex's new partner is more deserving of a house than myself or any other person really
2 minutes ago, SmilingBluEyes said:
who said ANYthing about being more "deserving"? More practical, maybe. Theirs is a family to house whereas you have only yourself. Trust me it is easier to house oneself than a family. I have done both.
A nice apartment would do for you for now---- (and it did for me, for YEARS until I could afford more)----- until you can save up for that dream home. You are not homeless are you? Then you have a roof over your head. You are "entitled" to nothing else. Just like the rest of us, a "nice" home is earned, not a given. Good heaven's lady, where is your gratitude?
Yes, they are technically still roof over one's head. Realistically, the types of houses I'm dismissing might actually be better fits, at least at this time. I still fail to see how my ex's new partner is more deserving of a house than myself or any other person really
Your ex "may" be getting his new SO a house because they "require it" and or he/she is in a better situation to do so. Also, condo's do have some disadvantages verses homes including:
a. Ongoing fee's that can increase the cost of ownership.
b. Less control of "building" conditions than if the home and property were entirely in your name.
c. Traditionally, less appreciation verses homes.
d. Less control over things like "working out a 2AM" to music or having a six foot fence for your 200 pound Mastiff's or practicing target shooting in your back yard (all of which are things that I've done in the past when we lived in rural Indiana).
Having said that they often have advantages such as greater affordability, better location (especially in resort and urban areas) and shared cost of repairs and ground maint. I'm still a fan of the "nomad lifestyle" if only I could find a way to make it work doing a tele-med job (with my SO doing the same) and the need for a stable internet connection.
As a side note, in four weeks, I will be finishing my master's degree. What is funny is that I've been more consumed with house buying, babies, and the situation with my ex/his new partner is that I just found out that I forgot to submit my application/intent to graduate. This was due a couple of months ago. ??
I would think that most people would be excited to graduate. However, I'm experiencing no excitement on my end because I really haven't given it much thought. I had class tonight and we discussed graduation and the upcoming ceremonies, but that didn't really have much of an impact on me. It's hilarious that things that have no relevance to my life right now (such as buying a large house, getting married, having kids) are consuming my mind way more than anything that actually is relevant. LOL ??
As a side note, in four weeks, I will be finishing my master's degree. What is funny is that I've been more consumed with house buying, babies, and the situation with my ex/his new partner is that I just found out that I forgot to submit my application/intent to graduate. This was due a couple of months ago. ??
I would think that most people would be excited to graduate. However, I'm experiencing no excitement on my end because I really haven't getting it much thought. I had class tonight and we discussed graduation and the upcoming ceremonies, but that didn't really have much of an impact on me. It's hilarious that things that have no relevance to my life right now (such as buying a large house, getting married, having kids) are consuming my mind way more than anything that actually is relevant. LOL ??
You definitely should wait to consider buying. Who knows your best job opportunity might come in Plattsburg New York or Fort Collins Colorado, or Flaggstaff Arizona (I ended up taking a job in Seattle and moving back to Florida after Covid hit). Buying will decrease your flexibility. Indeed, renting shorter term "vacation" properties or using AirBnb on a month to month might be more optimal since it would further increase flexiblility.
Don't tell us you are trying to find the address of your ex's baby mamma so you can do a drive by! God forbid. Just stop it now!
Thing is, anyone could end up driving by anyone's house without knowing it. I have no idea what her address is. But by taking car transportation anywhere, you could drive by anyone's house. Sometimes driving a car means driving in neighborhoods to get some place.
Who knows, maybe I've already seen their house but wouldn't know it since I have no idea of the address. It's not possible to know the address of each and every person you know or have ever met
Zillow is a good site for looking up home sales data.
Except it is not always accurate info. For at least two years it had that my house sold in foreclosure for pennies on the dollar, when I had been the owner the whole time and making my payments on time. Ironically when you look at my house info on Zillow they even have the wrong house picture instead of mine. Of course I told them to correct the info. It took a couple years to fix the false foreclosure and they still have my neighbor's house pictured. But hey at least it will throw off any would be stalker. LOL
As a side note, in four weeks, I will be finishing my master's degree. What is funny is that I've been more consumed with house buying, babies, and the situation with my ex/his new partner is that I just found out that I forgot to submit my application/intent to graduate. This was due a couple of months ago. ??
What did you do your MA in? Healthcare Admin or an MBA? Either of those would have coursework on budgeting and finances that could be utilized to help with your own personal budget and planning for home ownership.
Hopefully you will still be able to graduate on time. I'm sure they will understand when you tell them the long hours you've been working. While you are upset and distracted now, hopefully in the long run you will be glad you got your MA and it will help you get a better job, both pay wise and hours!
While no one knows the future, letting go of the past will at least open up the possibility for the life you long for.
Except it is not always accurate info. For at least two years it had that my house sold in foreclosure for pennies on the dollar, when I had been the owner the whole time and making my payments on time. Ironically when you look at my house info on Zillow they even have the wrong house picture instead of mine. Of course I told them to correct the info. It took a couple years to fix the false foreclosure and they still have my neighbor's house pictured. But hey at least it will throw off any would be stalker. LOL
You may be correct about individual accuracy (lacking). However, with regard to estimates of "market value" Zillow is usually quite good. I also find Trulia quite helpful. Also keep in mind that you have to consider "comparibles" in terms of home age, bedrooms, condition, and most importantly neighborhoods that are similar. Sometimes especially in cities someplace might be less than a mile apart, but that mile can have a tremendous impact on home value.
Specializes in Community Health, Med/Surg, ICU Stepdown.
Another option for saving money is moving in with family to save. Or living in a cheap/minimal space situation while you save. My partner and I are moving in with her mom for a year or two to save since her mom's house is paid off. If you have family who would be willing to let you stay with them or pay a discounted rent that is an option. I've had friends who lived in a studio or a tiny apartment while they saved. Sometimes we have to sacrifice temporarily to achieve future goals. Luckily I don't see living with my mother in law as a sacrifice, she is very nice! Grateful for the opportunity
brandy1017, ASN, RN
2,910 Posts
It is not about being more deserving, rather that she has the practical need of having a home for her baby. Most parents prefer a permanent home in a good school district for their child if they can afford it. The competition for homes in good school districts is part of the reason for housing inflation.
Since you are single and also much younger than her there is no need or rush to buy a home. Renting is actually preferable if you are young, mobile and unsure of where you want to settle down and where your job is located.
As many of us have mentioned before, your job is not ideal. I would at the very least get myself set up with a better paying, hourly job before I bought a house. You seem to be very resistant to finding a better job, even though you are being overworked and taken advantage of. I'm guessing the real reason has to do with your "high standards" and the seeming prestige you take in being called a manager.
Personally I would prefer a good paying job with good working conditions and only voluntary overtime where I am well paid for it! In many hospitals nurses aren't just paid OT, they are paid bonuses as well from $10 to up to $40/hr during this past year of Corona. You could have been making bank and saving toward your 1/2 million dollar dream home instead of working all that OT for free on salary!