Our home will be five years old in May. We have a country porch, with brick up to the second level, two car garage; three bedrooms, full unfinished basement, small kitchen and eating area, dining room, parlor, and living room. We are at the top of a hill in a development with 68 other homes. Very conveniently located, with all stores, doctor, dentist and hospital within three miles.
Because the builder used untreated lumber when he built the porch, we are in the midst of "having" to replace it ourselves. This time we are using the new plastic stuff which will never need replacing or painting. The builder isn't responsible because no matter what, they are protected; rotten and decaying wood is not affecting the structure of the home unless it would absolutely callapses. As it is, it is only the wood on the posts and all the railings that are actually crumbling to the touch. We certainly didn't count on this expense. Painting the inside of the house will have to be put off, as well as the deck for the back, and extending the garage. Despite all of this, our house is assessed right now more than $100,00.00 over the price we paid for it. More assessed value means higher taxes. You just can't win.
We like it here, but wonder what will happen when we retire. Usually a persons equity in their home guarantees that they can move to a condo or an adult housing unit and have enough to live on. Not so around here. Condo's start at $150,000. Things need to change for sure, but don't know if we will be here to see it.
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