Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

graphicguy

kyfdx said:

graphicguy said:

@kyfdx ...was looking at houses in Covington and Newport yesterday. Pretty seriously thinking of moving to your side of the River.

Older stuff? Mansion Hill District?

Yeah....there...and around 8th St. Kicking around the idea of moving to where I can get out of the sprawl of the Liberty, West Chester, Fairfield OH area I’m in now. Hope to go smaller in the process....maybe find an abode that allows me to walk to and fro.

kyfdx

graphicguy said:

kyfdx said:

graphicguy said:

@kyfdx ...was looking at houses in Covington and Newport yesterday. Pretty seriously thinking of moving to your side of the River.

Older stuff? Mansion Hill District?

Yeah....there...and around 8th St. Kicking around the idea of moving to where I can get out of the sprawl of the Liberty, West Chester, Fairfield OH area I’m in now. Hope to go smaller in the process....maybe find an abode that allows me to walk to and fro.

Newport/Mansion Hill: Nice neighborhood. Walkable distance to DT Cincinnati, without living in an entertainment district.(like OTR). Of course, if you've been to Newberry's, you are familiar with the area.

Covington: More likely to be adjacent to commercial areas. Some nice stuff, though. Also, walkable to DT Cincinnati. A little more of an urban environment (IMO). My son lived in OTR for a year. Now, in MainStrasse, which he likes a lot better.

One caveat: The property tax rate is relatively high, because each city has a lot more low value properties than nice ones. So, a $400K house in Newport will have a lot higher property taxes than a $400K house in Fort Thomas (for example).

I'm always impressed with how the East Row/Mansion Hill district has been almost completely renovated. You have to get south of 9th street to see anything in need of major work.

More dining options in Covington, than Newport. But, you can just hop in the car, either way.

graphicguy

kyfdx said:

graphicguy said:

kyfdx said:

graphicguy said:

@kyfdx ...was looking at houses in Covington and Newport yesterday. Pretty seriously thinking of moving to your side of the River.

Older stuff? Mansion Hill District?

Yeah....there...and around 8th St. Kicking around the idea of moving to where I can get out of the sprawl of the Liberty, West Chester, Fairfield OH area I’m in now. Hope to go smaller in the process....maybe find an abode that allows me to walk to and fro.

Newport/Mansion Hill: Nice neighborhood. Walkable distance to DT Cincinnati, without living in an entertainment district.(like OTR). Of course, if you've been to Newberry's, you are familiar with the area.

Covington: More likely to be adjacent to commercial areas. Some nice stuff, though. Also, walkable to DT Cincinnati. A little more of an urban environment (IMO). My son lived in OTR for a year. Now, in MainStrasse, which he likes a lot better.

One caveat: The property tax rate is relatively high, because each city has a lot more low value properties than nice ones. So, a $400K house in Newport will have a lot higher property taxes than a $400K house in Fort Thomas (for example).

I'm always impressed with how the East Row/Mansion Hill district has been almost completely renovated. You have to get south of 9th street to see anything in need of major work.

More dining options in Covington, than Newport. But, you can just hop in the car, either way.

Thanks, Walt. Very helpful!

stickguy

this is an interesting place, if you wanted to share (could be great if you had older parents say). the property taxes listed, made me cry out loud.

just don't like that subterranean garage and steep driveway. Can't be good in the rain, or snow!

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/511-Park-Ave_Newport_KY_41071_M45330-40540#photo28

this is a neat house. if you don't mind being surrounded by highway ramps. Nice big garage. I think I see why they refer to this area as the "island"

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/635-E-3rd-St_Newport_KY_41071_M39718-89978?view=qv

kyfdx

@graphicguy Also, if you aren't sure about the city environment for your home, check out Fort Thomas, or even new stuff they are building on the hills in Bellevue. You are still just five minutes from the bridge, by car. (or, Covington or Newport)

Although, nice stuff for under $500K might be hard to come by.

xwesx

jmonroe1 said:

I also have a friend who is a structural engineer. We worked at the same place for many years. He's an avid all around DIYer and he doesn't like the idea of placing jack stands on the concrete floor of his garage. Says the corners of the jack stands resting on the concrete floor places too much concentrated load at the points of contact on a typical concrete floor found in houses which can lead to hairline cracking that will grow over time. So, one day at lunchtime he got one of the welders at our place to weld 1/4 inch steel plates to the bottom of his jack stands. He says it's all about load distribution. I say it's overkill. Nice job but you better eat your Wheaties when you plan to use those beasts.

jmonroe

Yes, overkill for sure! Each stand is already distributing the load at 3 or 4 points. It would need to be a really crappy slab. So, yeah, probably a good idea for much of the construction out there!

explorerx4

Is that first house looks like it's a duplex? I saw 2 kitchens.

xwesx

stickguy said:

this is an interesting place, if you wanted to share (could be great if you had older parents say). the property taxes listed, made me cry out loud.

just don't like that subterranean garage and steep driveway. Can't be good in the rain, or snow!

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/511-Park-Ave_Newport_KY_41071_M45330-40540#photo28

Oy. For that price, I hope it comes with all of that furniture, and maybe a hidden chest of treasure in the basement.

fintail

I like that old house, would be thrice the price in a modestly decent area of Seattle. I don't care for that steep driveway leading to a Model T garage though, and the pics stink of a quick flip (maybe even a coddled hipster flipper with the dumb picture on the living room wall).

The chalet style house next door is much cooler, looks like a pleasant neighborhood on Google Earth.

28firefighter

Was thinking the same. Double the cost outside the city (eg Shoreline, Kenmore, Bothell,Edmonds). Triple within a decent neighborhood in the city.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

this is an interesting place, if you wanted to share (could be great if you had older parents say). the property taxes listed, made me cry out loud.

just don't like that subterranean garage and steep driveway. Can't be good in the rain, or snow!

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/511-Park-Ave_Newport_KY_41071_M45330-40540#photo28

this is a neat house. if you don't mind being surrounded by highway ramps. Nice big garage. I think I see why they refer to this area as the "island"

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/635-E-3rd-St_Newport_KY_41071_M39718-89978?view=qv

Yeah, you don't want to live in the island. That would be extremely noisy, and the walk out of there is not pleasant.

511 Park is situated among some commercial buildings. Wouldn't want that one, either.. though, there are plenty of great houses within a block of there.

Those property tax estimates are wildly inaccurate.
With city, county and school district property taxes, the total tax bill if assessed at the asking price would most likely be around $6000-$7000 per year.

kyfdx

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/NKY/536412/632-Park-Ave-Newport-KY-41071

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/NKY/535793/728-Linden-Ave-Newport-KY-41071
(no garage)

explorerx4

Makes me wonder is the 'burbs are going see an upswing due to having some separation room.
Here there has been a big push toward city living, lots of new apartments/condos in Hartford, but that's where most of the COVID cases are.

graphicguy

Thanks @stickguy and @kyfdx....

I really like the brownstones in both Newport and Covington. Size isn’t much of a concern as it’s just me and the dog.

imidazol97

kyfdx said:

Yeah, you don't want to live in the island. That would be extremely noisy, and the walk out of there is not pleasant.
.

I had thought about life in those "island" homes when ramping off to go to Hofbrauhaus and the Rides on Monmouth.

kyfdx said:

stickguy said:

Those property tax estimates are wildly inaccurate.
With city, county and school district property taxes, the total tax bill if assessed at the asking price would most likely be around $6000-$7000 per year.

I am not sure how much different from the taxing in Ohio that Kentucky is. Do the taxes vary from year to year based on what the county commissioners find they need to operate? Are there separate taxes on autos based on value of the vehicle?

In Ohio the plates for our cars are about $50 or $60 which includes a county tax of $10 for bridge repair IIRC.
Indiana long ago had a tax on the value of the vehicle.

jmonroe1

corvette said:

Did a little garage organizing this morning and was able to get enough stuff off the floor that I can fit the Tundra inside. It’s a tight fit. The extra two feet of length versus the Tahoe really make it tough, and I also have a wheelbarrow that I have to move out of the way to make it fit. Fortunately, I can just put the wheelbarrow in the bed of the truck.

Good idea. Afterall it is a pick-em-up. And ain't that what you did? Picked it up off the floor and put it in your truck, right?

jmonroe

stickguy

that one on Park Ave is really nice. I could work with that!

stickguy

graphicguy said:

Thanks @stickguy and @kyfdx....

I really like the brownstones in both Newport and Covington. Size isn’t much of a concern as it’s just me and the dog.

well, your fleet of cars, so definitely want one with the 2 car garage!

stickguy

got an update from my sister. she went out car looking today after all. Visited Subaru. Turns out they were in fact open today (she is in NoVa). ended up driving a Forester, her primary interest from some online research. Certainly a fine option for her needs. Seems that she liked it. Got a price quote from them (without a trade in estimate though). Seemed pretty strong since I know she had no idea about what it should be going for, and they made first offer.

sticker was ~$35K with the accessories Subes always have. Discount of ~$4,300. Plus tax, dmv, etc. Seems like a pretty strong offer. Might be able to go full grinder, but I know she won't do that. So even taking that first pencil, no one is getting hurt (too bad). That is about 2K back of invoice.

plus, she would get 0% financing for 63 months. which of course would save quite a bit over the term of a loan.

will be interesting to see if she goes for it. I suggested she look at a few other options. At least a CX5. And maybe an XC40 in case she wants to stretch the budget. But if she liked the drive, the Subaru would be hard to argue with. I assume she will get a lousy trade offer, but unless I want to buy this one from her too (I don't) she will likely just take it anyway.

kyfdx

imidazol97 said:

kyfdx said:

Yeah, you don't want to live in the island. That would be extremely noisy, and the walk out of there is not pleasant.
.

I had thought about life in those "island" homes when ramping off to go to Hofbrauhaus and the Rides on Monmouth.

kyfdx said:

stickguy said:

Those property tax estimates are wildly inaccurate.
With city, county and school district property taxes, the total tax bill if assessed at the asking price would most likely be around $6000-$7000 per year.

I am not sure how much different from the taxing in Ohio that Kentucky is. Do the taxes vary from year to year based on what the county commissioners find they need to operate? Are there separate taxes on autos based on value of the vehicle?

In Ohio the plates for our cars are about $50 or $60 which includes a county tax of $10 for bridge repair IIRC.
Indiana long ago had a tax on the value of the vehicle.

Real estate property taxes in the suburbs tend to be higher in OH than KY. But, KY also has property tax on vehicles. (based on value). Both states have payroll taxes, but only OH has local income tax. I’ll guess that state income taxes are similar, but not sure about that. Sales tax rate isn’t much different, but Ohio allows local sales tax add-ons, which aren’t allowed in KY.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

got an update from my sister. she went out car looking today after all. Visited Subaru. Turns out they were in fact open today (she is in NoVa). ended up driving a Forester, her primary interest from some online research. Certainly a fine option for her needs. Seems that she liked it. Got a price quote from them (without a trade in estimate though). Seemed pretty strong since I know she had no idea about what it should be going for, and they made first offer.

sticker was ~$35K with the accessories Subes always have. Discount of ~$4,300. Plus tax, dmv, etc. Seems like a pretty strong offer. Might be able to go full grinder, but I know she won't do that. So even taking that first pencil, no one is getting hurt (too bad). That is about 2K back of invoice.

plus, she would get 0% financing for 63 months. which of course would save quite a bit over the term of a loan.

will be interesting to see if she goes for it. I suggested she look at a few other options. At least a CX5. And maybe an XC40 in case she wants to stretch the budget. But if she liked the drive, the Subaru would be hard to argue with. I assume she will get a lousy trade offer, but unless I want to buy this one from her too (I don't) she will likely just take it anyway.

She could sell her car to Carvana. They’re probably not as good as they were but might get a few more pennies.

qbrozen

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

got an update from my sister. she went out car looking today after all. Visited Subaru. Turns out they were in fact open today (she is in NoVa). ended up driving a Forester, her primary interest from some online research. Certainly a fine option for her needs. Seems that she liked it. Got a price quote from them (without a trade in estimate though). Seemed pretty strong since I know she had no idea about what it should be going for, and they made first offer.

sticker was ~$35K with the accessories Subes always have. Discount of ~$4,300. Plus tax, dmv, etc. Seems like a pretty strong offer. Might be able to go full grinder, but I know she won't do that. So even taking that first pencil, no one is getting hurt (too bad). That is about 2K back of invoice.

plus, she would get 0% financing for 63 months. which of course would save quite a bit over the term of a loan.

will be interesting to see if she goes for it. I suggested she look at a few other options. At least a CX5. And maybe an XC40 in case she wants to stretch the budget. But if she liked the drive, the Subaru would be hard to argue with. I assume she will get a lousy trade offer, but unless I want to buy this one from her too (I don't) she will likely just take it anyway.

She could sell her car to Carvana. They’re probably not as good as they were but might get a few more pennies.

Nope. They aren’t buying right now, unless you are buying one from them.

corvette

Kentucky also doesn’t tax retirement income up to $40k or so (pension or IRA/401k distribution). Not sure about Ohio.

stickguy

looks like a nice place to live. My wife would never consider moving out there however. I have about given up hope of even moving down south where the weather is nicer and cost of living much cheaper! My last hope might be snowbirding.

kyfdx

corvette said:

Kentucky also doesn’t tax retirement income up to $40k or so (pension or IRA/401k distribution). Not sure about Ohio.

That dropped a couple years ago to $31K p/p. for KY, unfortunately.

Income tax rate dropped in KY, but they've done away with a lot of itemized deductions (like medical).

My 92 yr old uncle, who gets home care, hadn't paid KY state income taxes in years, but now owes $200-$400 each year. His Federal income tax is now $0, though. It's weird.

stickguy

the change a couple years ago to the fed standard deduction and itemizing really screwed over some people, but greatly helped others.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

the change a couple years ago to the fed standard deduction and itemizing really screwed over some people, but greatly helped others.

I'm sure it really hurts in NJ, and other states with high local taxes. We did some things the last year of the lower standard deduction to save on taxes that year, when we knew we couldn't going forward.

We sold a long-term real estate investment in 2018, that resulted in a large state income tax payment in 2019. But, with the $10K SALT limitation, I still couldn't itemize.

A friend was just saying the other day: It figures that now money is cheap, we don't need to borrow any. And, now that we have cash, we can't earn anything on it.

graphicguy

kyfdx said:

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/NKY/536412/632-Park-Ave-Newport-KY-41071

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/NKY/535793/728-Linden-Ave-Newport-KY-41071
(no garage)

Thanks! Those are more of what I’m looking for. I’ll check them out.

graphicguy

stickguy said:

graphicguy said:

Thanks @stickguy and @kyfdx....

I really like the brownstones in both Newport and Covington. Size isn’t much of a concern as it’s just me and the dog.

well, your fleet of cars, so definitely want one with the 2 car garage!

Fleet of two, perhaps one in the future....plus a bike!

I’m not in a hurry, until I am (like if I get a knock on my door and someone offers me over what I think my house is worth).

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

got an update from my sister. she went out car looking today after all. Visited Subaru. Turns out they were in fact open today (she is in NoVa). ended up driving a Forester, her primary interest from some online research. Certainly a fine option for her needs. Seems that she liked it. Got a price quote from them (without a trade in estimate though). Seemed pretty strong since I know she had no idea about what it should be going for, and they made first offer.

sticker was ~$35K with the accessories Subes always have. Discount of ~$4,300. Plus tax, dmv, etc. Seems like a pretty strong offer. Might be able to go full grinder, but I know she won't do that. So even taking that first pencil, no one is getting hurt (too bad). That is about 2K back of invoice.

plus, she would get 0% financing for 63 months. which of course would save quite a bit over the term of a loan.

will be interesting to see if she goes for it. I suggested she look at a few other options. At least a CX5. And maybe an XC40 in case she wants to stretch the budget. But if she liked the drive, the Subaru would be hard to argue with. I assume she will get a lousy trade offer, but unless I want to buy this one from her too (I don't) she will likely just take it anyway.

She could sell her car to Carvana. They’re probably not as good as they were but might get a few more pennies.

Nope. They aren’t buying right now, unless you are buying one from them.

There’s always Craigslist. You could negotiate out your second floor window.

BTW, when did Carvana stop buying? I assume the rest of those type of dealers are the same.

Michaell

Member needs help picking out the right RAV4:

https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/60972/toyota/x/buying-a-used-toyota-rav4-with-17k-budget-want-it-to-last-me-200k-more-miles#latest

stickguy

In the middle of this mess. Likely ran out of room to store, and people to go get them! And of course buyers.

kyfdx

@graphicguy

Condo? with a view? 2 minutes from DT Newport?

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/NKY/531340/15-Tower-Dr-Newport-KY-41071

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/NKY/535724/16-Tower-Dr-Newport-KY-41071

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/NKY/534369/5-Tower-Dr-Newport-KY-41071

graphicguy

kyfdx said:

@graphicguy

Condo? with a view? 2 minutes from DT Newport?

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/NKY/531340/15-Tower-Dr-Newport-KY-41071

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/NKY/535724/16-Tower-Dr-Newport-KY-41071

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/NKY/534369/5-Tower-Dr-Newport-KY-41071

Great Views. Not a condo guy. If I have an adjoining wall/floor, I'm afraid my neighbors aren't going to like me playing "Saving Private Ryan" at reference levels.

I did see a real fixer upper yesterday with views as good as the ones you point out. House needed to be gutted and totally redone. But, it was priced at $99K. Would take $250K to get it to where I'd want it, though. Found that kind of interesting...not sure about the neighborhood, though.

mjfloyd1

Location, location, location

stickguy

If the location is good, it’s a reasonable move. At least you will (largely) know how the work was done, and will get everything just the way you want it.

If it’s a bad location, you pipes will probably get stolen.

stickguy

Those condos seem nice. 2 car garage, and great views. I could deal with that.

nyccarguy

graphicguy said:

kyfdx said:

@graphicguy

Condo? with a view? 2 minutes from DT Newport?

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/NKY/531340/15-Tower-Dr-Newport-KY-41071

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/NKY/535724/16-Tower-Dr-Newport-KY-41071

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/NKY/534369/5-Tower-Dr-Newport-KY-41071

Great Views. Not a condo guy. If I have an adjoining wall/floor, I'm afraid my neighbors aren't going to like me playing "Saving Private Ryan" at reference levels.

I did see a real fixer upper yesterday with views as good as the ones you point out. House needed to be gutted and totally redone. But, it was priced at $99K. Would take $250K to get it to where I'd want it, though. Found that kind of interesting...not sure about the neighborhood, though.

Become a house flipper and get your own show on HGTV: Flippin' Kentucky

rayainsw

I see oil prices [ already down a lot ] have fallen of a cliff -
down over 90% TODAY.
Currently WTI is at $1.58 / barrel.
- Ray
Wow...

qbrozen

trying to see if this would tempt my wife. no response yet, so probably ignoring me. ha.

https://www.japaneseclassics.com/vehicle/1992-toyota-land-cruiser-80-series/

28firefighter

My Mom had a white 1993 land cruiser and a green 1997 land cruiser 40th anniversary edition - at the time they were incredible leases. One of my favorite trucks ever.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

Those condos seem nice. 2 car garage, and great views. I could deal with that.

Most of them have one car attached, and another garage opposite the condo. Not bad, though.

kyfdx

rayainsw said:

I see oil prices [ already down a lot ] have fallen of a cliff -
down over 90% TODAY.
Currently WTI is at $1.58 / barrel.
- Ray
Wow...

MINUS $25/bbl, last time I looked.

It is a futures contract, specific to WTI. It isn't relevant to the actual cost of oil Oil futures contracts aren't cash settled. If you hold the contract at expiration, you have to take delivery of the oil. The May contract expires at 2:30 tomorrow.

Actual oil prices are down about 10%. Check the June contracts.

kyfdx

graphicguy said:

kyfdx said:

@graphicguy

Condo? with a view? 2 minutes from DT Newport?

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/NKY/531340/15-Tower-Dr-Newport-KY-41071

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/NKY/535724/16-Tower-Dr-Newport-KY-41071

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/NKY/534369/5-Tower-Dr-Newport-KY-41071

Great Views. Not a condo guy. If I have an adjoining wall/floor, I'm afraid my neighbors aren't going to like me playing "Saving Private Ryan" at reference levels.

I did see a real fixer upper yesterday with views as good as the ones you point out. House needed to be gutted and totally redone. But, it was priced at $99K. Would take $250K to get it to where I'd want it, though. Found that kind of interesting...not sure about the neighborhood, though.

Address?

explorerx4

Nice views from those condo's, but the front have some strange styling, with those big gable vents and the window that looks at the back of the garage roof.

kyfdx

explorerx4 said:

Nice views from those condo's, but the front have some strange styling, with those big gable vents and the window that looks at the back of the garage roof.

I think the gables are meant to be decorative.. go figure.

The windows are just to capture light from the back side of the house, I think. Other than the entry door, that's the only place to put a window on that side of the house. (which is south facing) The window may open to a two-story foyer, though that's just a guess. It's been years since I've been inside one of those.
No windows to either side, so you only have front and back.

stickguy

My wife ignores most the links and hare brained schemes I send her too.

stickguy

On our daily family walks I often point out cars and discuss what I’ll get next. Daughter enjoys it. Wife just rolls her eyes. Or says don’t expect me to ever ride in it (to some of them). So I remind her, she has her nice car already, and tell her that I won’t bother her next time. She will just be surprised when it arrives home!

graphicguy

nyccarguy said:

graphicguy said:

kyfdx said:

@graphicguy

Condo? with a view? 2 minutes from DT Newport?

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/NKY/531340/15-Tower-Dr-Newport-KY-41071

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/NKY/535724/16-Tower-Dr-Newport-KY-41071

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/NKY/534369/5-Tower-Dr-Newport-KY-41071

Great Views. Not a condo guy. If I have an adjoining wall/floor, I'm afraid my neighbors aren't going to like me playing "Saving Private Ryan" at reference levels.

I did see a real fixer upper yesterday with views as good as the ones you point out. House needed to be gutted and totally redone. But, it was priced at $99K. Would take $250K to get it to where I'd want it, though. Found that kind of interesting...not sure about the neighborhood, though.

Become a house flipper and get your own show on HGTV: Flippin' Kentucky

LOL! Love it! I'd rather be a car flipper. I don't have the patience, nor the style eyeball to flip houses. My colors and textures would be all wrong. It would be a disaster.

But, Flipping Kentucky does have a nice ring to it.

graphicguy

Then, there's this guy....

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1e7o39iNBeLke6tDaykN2A