I have a town house in southern California. It is 1650 square feet, 3bd/2.5 ba, has a yard and 2 car garage.

I want to do some light remodeling: new kitchen cabinets, granite countertops in kitchen and bathrooms, update bathroom tubs, and other things. My whole project will cost about $27,000 for materials. No labor costs.

My wife and I plan to remain living in the town home for at least another 5 years because starting a family. We will have our place paid off (& will be debt free) in a few months and may possibly sell it one day if our neighborhood gets bad. But we may never move because real estate is SUPER expensive near the beach where we live.

Is $27,000 too much to invest in my town house? My reason for the updates is not for resell but to make our home more custom.
I want us to be happy with what we have so we don’t go house poor buying a fancier house.

Also, should we save our money for 18 months to pay for the project in full, or should we get a loan?

I own a 2 bedroom 1 bathroom house and I was wondering if it would be worth the time, effort, and money to add on another bathroom and another bedroom making it a 3 Br 2 Ba. I would be turning the garage into the bedroom and the breezeway into the bathroom so I don’t have to add on any rooms or pour any concrete, I just have to put up wiring, insulation, flooring, and walls ect. Any experts in Real Estate or Construction, I would like your input please. I’m in the Florida Panhandle in an area with reasonable growth and about 35 minutes to the beach.

I know friends who are heirs to real estate – beach front property with powdery sand and crystal clear water as well as other real estate.Yet they do not have money becuse legal battles have zapped the time.They are in a meery-go round situation because they have to pay the lawyer and sell some of the property before they come into their inheritance.The earth is the LORD’s… yet they are living in poverty through no fault of their own.They had no control over litigations initiated by others. Isn’t this ironic?

If you do, I have some oceanfront property in Arizona for sale!!! LOL Sweetie, not to bash you, BUT just because you don’t spend a LOT of money on a product, doesn’t mean it’s no good (DUH) I used to work in cosemetics (Lancome) for a major dept store. The fact is, 99.9% of the time you’re gettin the EXACT same ingredients as a drug store version. (Loreal IS Lancome anyway, Sweetie!) In the dept store, you’re paying for the fancy packaging, sheek magazine advertising, sales girl commission, “gifts with purchase”, educating “schools” for the cosmetologists, expensive store rent, etc, etc. Don’t be so naieve! How about actually COMPARING the ingredients of your precious department store versions to the drug store version. I bet you own everything that carries a name brand—AND you tell everyone you do, too!
MS. SHANTEE seems to be the only person with a brain! Littlemac, fwdancer & Cyanne may be too uneducated or young to understand the concept of how spending more money on something doesn’t make it better quality. I do understand it makes most people feel good to shop in a flashy store because that’s what the flashy stores are betting on…egos! Don’t get me wrong, I shop in Neiman’s, too, but when it comes down to finding the same product for less, I’m not going to be stupid and pay more for it just so I can tell people I shop at Neiman’s! You GO Shantee Girl!

My wife and I have a strong desire and the determination necessary to make this work but we are not sure how to proceed. Essentially, we are looking to purchase a oceanfront property in Jamaica and either build or renovate an existing structure to serve as a boutique hotel. I have researched the laws in Jamaica regarding owning/running this business as a foreigner. Now I don’t know how to proceed. Should I try to find property first, secure financing (If so, how and through whom- we will have about 100k to invest of our own money) or create a business plan. As you can guess, we are new to small business ventures of this type. Thanks for your help in advance.

DeeGreen asked:


There are tons of ads for homes that have been defered to the lender. How does one detect a scam? I know the current market is crazy, but is $2000/mo. for a 3 bedroom, rent to own, no credit check, no money down likely to be BS? I want to be in a loft within 2 miles of the beach in LA. Is it possible for a working student? Should I believe what I am seeing?

property for sale

SG asked:


I was recently confronted in regard to my FL condo (I owe $213) to exchange w/ a Myrtle Beach condo ($150). I am trying to sell/get rid of it to avoid future foreclosure. I have a permanent tenant lined up in SC, whereas I can’t even rent out on mine right now in FL–so I’m currently taking a big loss regardless.

How does a 1031 work, specifically when I owe more? Will I lose tremendously or does it wash even in the exchange process? I guess I’m confused as to how the titles & money owed are exchanged.

I’m trying to make it out of this unfortunate investment without drowning in the current slump! Would this exchange be beneficial to me?

investing real estate