Happy with Less

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starter house

perhaps it's the fact as a kid we moved almost every year or every other year when my dad was in the army, but the concept of a starter house is completely foreign to me...when my dad left the service we wanted a HOUSE. A house that was ours, and could be ours forever. A house we could put thumb tacks in the walls, and repaint into whatever color we wanted. While the house was not ours FOREVER, I am baffled by people who buy a house and then move in like 3 years...

Maybe it's part of being happy with what you have..but once I become a property owner, I am not going to care about how much nicer the other houses are or if they have more space or more yard, because the property will be MINE! Even if I could in theory afford a nicer house, why would I want to leave the house I bought unless I absolutely had to?

Veronica of NY @ May 22, 2009 14:04:38 PM

Great idea

in a declining market such as the last couple of years. Maybe a great idea for the next couple of years as houses still seem to be declining some.

Would NOT have been a great idea during the average of the last 40 years when houses went mostly up in value.

As for the "Property Virgins" show on HGTV, skip it. It's often silly.

Muser of NM @ May 22, 2009 11:33:54 AM

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Alpha Consumer

Alpha Consumer

Kimberly Palmer, senior editor for U.S. News & World Report, writes about how to save money, avoid scams, manage debt, and be a savvy shopper. Send your personal finance questions to her for expert money advice.


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