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You are here: Home / Homeownership / Kibanda: Mr. Anti-house buys his dream house

Kibanda: Mr. Anti-house buys his dream house

by jlcollinsnh 101 Comments

Well, beach shack anyway…

Kibanda cha Ziwa

Of course, it is not about the house. It is about this:

Ziwa

Having the occasional Bald Eagle drop by doesn’t hurt…

But wait. Aren’t I the guy who preaches against owning houses? Well, I guess when you publish posts like…

Why Your House is a Terrible Investment

or videos saying…

 “Don’t buy a F***ing house…”**

people might get that impression.

**You also attract comments like this most recent one from fff:

“For someone who’s made enough money to buy his freedom from employers, he looks terrible. The opposite of Dorian Gray.”

(Ouch. Unkind. True perhaps, but unkind. Ah well, props for the literary reference there, fff.)

My real opinion is somewhat more nuanced, as readers who go beyond that one post already know. It is, for instance, worth contemplating where you are regarding Roots vs. Wings and you should always Run the Numbers. Later I’ll share with you my thinking on both those issues in regards to this place.

In short, I am not against homeownership. I am against blindly believing the real estate industry propaganda that owning is always, or even commonly, a good investment. It might be, but probably not. So run the numbers and see. Most often you’ll find a house is an expensive indulgence. And that’s OK.

I even put my seal of approval on this little gem Mr. 1500 Days picked up recently….

Aided and abetted the process no less, as described here. Or you can listen to him tell it here, where he gives me barely a mention and no credit at all. Not that I’m sensitive.

No, I am not opposed to expensive indulgences. Indeed, the whole point of reaching FI is to expand our options. And, as I say in my Manifesto:

“Life choices are not always about the money, 

but you should always be clear about the money choice you are making.”

So this beach shack is my indulgence. And what a personal fit it is:

Since I have no skills or interest in doing home repairs…

…of course I bought a place with a bad foundation. And septic system. And roof. Not to mention the plumbing and electrical issues and the beautiful field stone fireplace that is about to fall down. Along with some other stuff.

Since I have no skills or interest in running an Airbnb…

…of course I bought a place ideally suited to being an Airbnb.

But, did I mention it is on the beach?

That’s Lake Michigan right there.

It is like being on the ocean sans the hurricanes and tidal waves, and nothing in there will eat you. Plus, you can drink it.

How we came to be looking

Back in the early 2000s, my wife’s sister, Jo, and her husband bought a house on the beach just about a mile south of this one. A couple of years later they bought the one next to it, along with the empty lot between. The result was a lovely compound they generously shared with family and friends. They call it Shamba.

We went up for stays a few times in those early years, but we never lived conveniently close and so fell out of the habit.

Then, about seven or eight years ago we returned. Driving back home we both agreed that this was one of our favorite places in the world and wondered why we didn’t take more advantage of it. Since that time, we have returned every year for stays ranging from 3 to 5 weeks depending on what we could get consistent with the other family members who wanted to use it.

Every year we left wishing we could stay longer and return more frequently. But as graciously generous as my in-laws have been, when we start talking about staying there 2 months in the spring and two months in the fall they start to balk.

I know, right? Damn unreasonable of them. But there you are.

Finding the house

A couple of years back we started looking at houses on the lake in a very casual, well-maybe-someday-but-we-really-don’t-want-to-own-a-house-again, sort of fashion. Many were beautiful, most were more money than we wanted to tie up.

Of course, we explored the rental option. But those were all only short-term vacation-style arrangements and stupid expensive.

This past spring we were back in residence and took up the search once more. As always, with the idea this was just market research and amusement for some future possibility. After all, when our lease runs out at the end of August, we were looking forward to our “year of hotel living” and reducing our belongings to our old jalopy and a couple of suitcases.

We spent an amusing few afternoons looking at beach-front property, further getting to know the market and speculating how this one or that one might work. If and when the time came that is, which would be at least a year from now. Likely more.

Then Jo sent us the listing for this one. At 350k it was the lowest priced place on the beach we’d yet seen, and by 150k at that. We called Mike, our long suffering realtor, and asked about it.

“You don’t want to bother with that one,” he said. “It has a bad roof, a bad foundation, a bad septic system; and that’s just to start.”

“Sure we do,” we said, thinking only it would be useful to see what the bottom of the market looked like.

Kibanda cha Ziwa…

…roughly translated means “shack on the lake” and is our working name for the place.

It has been said you should buy a house that looks bad but that has good bones. This one, other than the disaster of a roof, looked fine – move in condition actually – but with seriously bad bones.

On the other hand, while the lot was on the small side at 1/3 of an acre, it was nicely situated and fairly private. Plus there was 75′ of beach frontage and access to miles more in both directions.

The house itself is nicely laid out with two bedrooms, two baths, an open living area and lots of windows taking in the view, all in ~1200 sq. ft.

Behind the house, next to the dirt road it is on, is a detached garage. On top is a finished loft with a compact, but full, kitchen. It is reached up a short stairway just inside a door on the side of the garage. On the first level, immediately upon entering and to the right, is a full bath.

The original cottage was built in 1939. Back in those days this was all farm land and the lakefront was considered wasted space as it became too sandy for crops. Every once in a while, some farmer would throw up a shack on the lake as a getaway. Such places never had heat, let alone AC, and their builders probably figured if it lasted 20 years they were doing well.

This might be the reason they didn’t bother to sink the original foundation below the frost line.

Fast forward ~80 years thru a series of owners and you wind up with a place that has had multiple fixes and additions, mostly just to keep it going another decade or so, and not always done to the highest of standards.

Over the years, this place had the lakeside porch enclosed for all season living, an addition built over the well (!) that is now the spare bedroom and an addition expanding the master bedroom built on a wooden (!) foundation that is now bowing in.

Someone also added a heating system, a very good thing. In the process, to run the ductwork, they cut out a three foot chunk of the beam running the length of the house and supporting the floor joists. A considerably less good thing.

We left with the listing sheet, an estimate to fix the bowing foundation wall for ~37k, a letter from the county warning that the septic system had been reported as “deteriorating” and an inspection report done for a previous potential buyer who ran screaming for the exits. It reads like a Stephen King novel; only scarier.

Lying in bed that night I realized, at the right price, this was a great opportunity for somebody.

Somebody who knew how to do, or get done, construction work.

Somebody looking for a lucrative part-time job running an Airbnb.

In short, somebody other than me.

*******************************************************

Stay tuned:

In the next couple of posts I’ll share with you how the negotiations went down, what the plan is going forward and we’ll run the numbers.

Plus, I’ll reveal the real reason we bought the place.

******************************************************

Here’s the newest, and very cool, addition to the jlcollinsnh calculator page:

Inflation calculator

******************************************************

Originally published in 1933, this is the story of the mythical Shangri-La.

And, of course, my own work is now available as an Audio book

 

 

Related

Important Resources

  • Talent Stacker is a resource that I learned about through my work with Jonathan and Brad at ChooseFI, and first heard about Salesforce as a career option in an episode where we featured Bradley Rice on the Podcast. In that episode, Bradley shared how he reached FI quickly thanks to his huge paychecks and discipline in keeping his expenses low. Jonathan teamed up with Bradley to build Talent Stacker, and they have helped more than 1,000 students from all walks of life complete the program and land jobs like clockwork, earning double or even triple their old salaries using a Salesforce certification to break into a no-code tech career.
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  • Betterment is my recommendation for hands-off investors who prefer a DIFM (Do It For Me) approach. It is also a great tool for reaching short-term savings goals. Here is my Betterment Review
  • NewRetirement offers cool tools to help guide you in answering the question: Do I have enough money to retire? And getting started is free. Sign up and you will be offered two paths into their retirement planner. I was also on their podcast and you can check that out here:Video version, Podcast version.
  • Tuft & Needle (T&N) helps me sleep at night. They are a very cool company with a great product. Here’s my review of what we are currently sleeping on: Our Walnut Frame and Mint Mattress.
  • Vanguard.com

Filed Under: Homeownership

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Comments

  1. Steel says

    July 11, 2017 at 4:01 pm

    Gratz on the house, champ. Im happy for you!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 11, 2017 at 4:04 pm

      Thanks, Steel…

      Could be condolences are more in order once the dust settles. 😉

      Reply
      • Steel says

        July 11, 2017 at 4:05 pm

        Hahaha! Nah, you will come out on top. Things always work themselves out. Hope you post renovation updates as well.

        Reply
  2. Mike says

    July 11, 2017 at 4:29 pm

    Hi Jim, love the humor in this post! A welcome distraction from doing my taxes (I’m right on time I know…). Looking forward to the ‘numbers’ post. Good luck with the refurbishment and if you have some time for a fiction read I recommend ‘Stand on Zanzibar’.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 11, 2017 at 7:38 pm

      Thanks Mike…

      Glad it came thru. I’m never sure when I go for humor. 🙂

      Stand on Zanzibar sounds like my kind of read, but my library doesn’t have it. 🙁

      But, I’ve been there so that’s something 😉

      Reply
  3. Jon says

    July 11, 2017 at 4:39 pm

    As the “Godfather” of the FI(RE) Family…you can do whatever the f*#! you (money) want! Sorry…got carried away in the moment. 🙂
    The beauty in all that you preach/teach/ believe in is that you are afforded to do the things that bring you great joy. On the “housing” issue…you simply “pivoted” ( corporate buzzword ) and made what appears to be a great decision. Congrats!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 11, 2017 at 7:40 pm

      LOL!

      “… you preach/teach/ believe in is that you are afforded to do the things that bring you great joy”

      Yes! That’s it exactly

      We’ll see if it is a great decision, but it won’t be boring 🙂

      Reply
  4. FIRECracker says

    July 11, 2017 at 4:48 pm

    Traitor! All credibility lost!!! 😛

    HA HA, on an unrelated note Wanderer JUST wrote a post about how much owning shit SUCKS compared to renting.

    Shall we count down to the home boners coming to boast about being right all along?
    In 3….2…1…

    Reply
    • Steel says

      July 11, 2017 at 4:50 pm

      LOLOL!

      Reply
    • Vorlic says

      July 11, 2017 at 5:13 pm

      Ignore her, Godfather. She’s just jealous.

      Reply
      • jlcollinsnh says

        July 11, 2017 at 7:41 pm

        FIRECracker is not one to be ignored!

        Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 11, 2017 at 7:46 pm

      Nah.

      I think all the home boners gave up on me a long time ago and moved on. 🙂

      Reply
      • FIRECracker says

        July 11, 2017 at 10:14 pm

        Really? Normally, all you have to say is “houses AREN’T the best things ever” and they immediately come running.

        Maybe they’re at a bidding war, punching each other’s lights out over granite counter tops.

        Reply
        • jlcollinsnh says

          July 11, 2017 at 10:26 pm

          They haven’t given up on you yet.

          In fact, to re-join the cult, I’ve had to promise to lure you in.

          Houses are a bargain in Toronto – you’re getting sleepy…

          Houses are a bargain in Toronto…

          Reply
          • FIRECracker says

            July 11, 2017 at 11:46 pm

            HELLO?! Did you forget that in terms of cults, I’m already spoken for? It’s called “Chautauqua”? You may have heard of it? 😛

            Why would I join any other cult, when I’m already part of the biggest, baddest, cult of all. #supervillains #illuminati

            Crap. I’ve said too much again, haven’t I? Stupid brain!

    • Mr. 1500 says

      July 13, 2017 at 4:40 pm

      Home boner, ha!!! I’m not sure if boner has a different meaning in Canada, but I don’t think so, so let’s assume it’s the same.

      Owning a home does excite me, but I wouldn’t go as far as to say boner. I mean, I’ve done some work on my home and seeing the house does stir something deep inside me, but not below the belt. Well, maybe just a little bit. Little! This is the wrong word to describe anything going on under the belt. Sh*t, what have I got myself into?

      OK, I admit it, I get a HUGE BONER when I see my house! I am a HUMONGOUS HOME BONER!!!!

      Time for a cold shower.

      Reply
      • jlcollinsnh says

        July 13, 2017 at 4:57 pm

        So, what does an NSX do to you?

        Reply
        • Vorlic says

          July 13, 2017 at 6:41 pm

          Helps him get around!

          ????

          … as in Lumberg, “O” face, Office Space.

          Reply
        • Mr. 1500 says

          July 13, 2017 at 10:15 pm

          It’s nsXXX rated and this blog is a hard R, so I won’t tell.

          Reply
  5. Mrs. Picky Pincher says

    July 11, 2017 at 5:04 pm

    I mean, it’s hard to communicate complicated feelings in a blog; it’s much easier to have strong, immovable feelings against things. 😉 But congrats on the house! That view is incredible. 🙂

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 11, 2017 at 7:43 pm

      Thanks Mrs PP…

      For all the time I have spent at Shamba over the years, I’ve never once gotten tired of the view and the big lake is endlessly changing.

      Reply
  6. Vorlic says

    July 11, 2017 at 5:05 pm

    The only rules badasses have to break are those of their own making.

    Other people’s rules are merely guidelines.

    Yours, Mr and Mrs. Ikea Couch

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 11, 2017 at 7:45 pm

      Of course to become a badass one must start by making their own rules.

      Well, that and Ikea couches 😉

      Reply
  7. Oldster says

    July 11, 2017 at 5:37 pm

    Good read. I’ll be interested to see how this works out. And using Swahili in your post is just cool.

    – Oldster

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 11, 2017 at 7:47 pm

      Thanks Oldster…

      ..I was wondering if the Swahili would be detected. 😉

      Reply
      • Kevin says

        July 25, 2017 at 10:30 pm

        Out of curiosity, do you have a particular connection to Swahili?

        Reply
        • jlcollinsnh says

          July 26, 2017 at 12:37 pm

          Mrs. jlcollinsnh is from Zanzibar.

          Reply
  8. nadir says

    July 11, 2017 at 6:25 pm

    Congrats! The view looks amazing. Although a little disappointed about the sale of the bike. Time for a snowmobile instead?
    Maybe MMM will do a working stay-cation and help with the renovation.

    Enjoy the new digs!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 11, 2017 at 7:50 pm

      Yeah, I’m disappointed in the bike sale too. I love that bike. Not just
      Triumph Scramblers, but that particular bike itself.

      Maybe once things settle down I’ll look for another.

      Mr. MM has already told me he thinks I’m nuts to have even considered this, so not likely. 😉

      Reply
      • Vorlic says

        July 12, 2017 at 7:57 am

        You sold your bike? What the HECK?!

        Your membership of this cult was the ONLY thing available to me to use to soften my good lady up to the idea of getting one again, so we can relive our courtship era! Damn you and your changing ways! ????

        Reply
  9. Robert Finch says

    July 11, 2017 at 6:45 pm

    Today I have spent a wonderful afternoon reading just about everything you and others have published including buying another book for another Granddaughter.
    I am retired and 86 and have a small FI to help my pensions.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 11, 2017 at 7:52 pm

      Thanks Robert…

      …glad you found it worth your time, especially with the wisdom of your age.

      Reply
  10. John @ The Millennial Plan says

    July 11, 2017 at 7:42 pm

    Looks like a great getaway for you guys. Like you’ve written above it’s not “owning” that’s the problem – it’s owning without really doing the work and understanding whether or not something is a good investment or not (I’ve been working on a little series myself on how to go about buying your first investment property). My aunt and uncle bought a similar fixer-upper on a lake in Minnesota a few years back which was also priced way under anything else on the lake given its condition. They spent a good year fixing it up themselves and now they’ve got a beautiful lake cabin which they got at a steal of a price. Looking forward to seeing your numbers and reading more about it!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 11, 2017 at 7:53 pm

      Thanks John…

      ..if this works out for us as well as your aunt and uncle’s place as worked out for them, we’ll chalk it up as a win!

      Reply
  11. Tim Kim @ Tub of Cash says

    July 11, 2017 at 8:11 pm

    Congrats! I don’t think it’s a bad choice. Don’t listen to the naysayers! It’s not all that black and white when it comes to real estate. There are very valid pros and cons going for both sides of the argument.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 11, 2017 at 10:07 pm

      Thanks TK…

      I can do that!

      Reply
  12. sfmitch says

    July 11, 2017 at 9:06 pm

    A cliffhanger!?!

    I want to hear about the negotiation and the rest of the story.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 11, 2017 at 10:07 pm

      You noticed how I did that, eh? 😉

      Reply
    • Monica says

      July 12, 2017 at 8:53 am

      I am anxiously awaiting that post, as well!

      Reply
  13. Mrs.Wow says

    July 11, 2017 at 10:42 pm

    Being a firm believer in Renting is God and you being the Godfather, I don’t even know what to think anymore.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 12, 2017 at 2:19 pm

      The world is just going to hell in a hand-basket these days…

      https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjUzt3ErYTVAhVIPz4KHaeoCyUQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftvarner.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F01%2Fgoing-to-hell-in-handbasket.html&psig=AFQjCNFliNZlrbpJ7Le6PJ6lsldsBcVsTw&ust=1499969761727242

      Reply
  14. MrWow says

    July 11, 2017 at 11:44 pm

    Selling the Triumph?!? Buying a house?!?!? Is this April fools?

    But really congrats, I think, on the house. Sad to see you’re leaving RAT. I guess I’ll have to keep the torch burning.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 12, 2017 at 2:20 pm

      How the mighty have fallen, eh?

      Reply
  15. Lisa says

    July 12, 2017 at 5:00 am

    Good for you and thanks for sharing the details, but please hurry with the follow-up articles!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 12, 2017 at 2:21 pm

      I would, Lisa…

      ..but I have all this house work these days.

      Reply
  16. Saad says

    July 12, 2017 at 7:38 am

    Alright, I’m gonna say something controversial 😉 and would like an honest answer. I know you always say that never look at market prices and buy VTSAX as much as you can all the time.

    Did the high valuation of markets currently had any impact on your decision to buy a house?

    Logically, I think that when markets are as high as they are right now, if you can find a good investment other than stock market, now would be the time to switch. If you don’t have a better option, then stock market is still better than cash (which is my case sadly).

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 12, 2017 at 2:29 pm

      Nah Saad…

      That’s not controversial. It is a good question.

      The short, and honest, answer is: no.

      When I write the post on running the numbers I’ll discuss my take on the future appreciation possibilities for the house vs. the market.

      Once it started looking like we were serious about making an offer, I did move the money from VTSAX to bonds. The market, as I’ve said many times, is not the place for money you are planning to spend in the near future. Had the deal fallen thru, and it almost did, I just would have put the money back in VTSAX.

      I will say that, had the market been in one of its major slumps and had I faced selling VTSAX at very low prices to raise the money, that would have given me serious pause.

      Reply
  17. Gwen @ Fiery Millennials says

    July 12, 2017 at 8:23 am

    As a home owner currently mired in both tenant and contractor drama, you have my full and sincere condolences. The lake looks really pretty though! Can’t wait to hear “the rest of the story” and see pictures when it’s done!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 12, 2017 at 2:31 pm

      And my condolences to you!

      Pictures? Hell no.

      When it’s done I expect you to visit and see for yourself.

      Reply
  18. The Bob's says

    July 12, 2017 at 8:43 am

    You know I’m here for the comedic and roasting value. ; )

    Seriously though, congrats on the house and everyone is entitled to change their minds, even you. I’m sure Mrs. JLC will enjoy it as well. You picked a beautiful location for many years of enjoyment.

    You better get that jlcollinswi.com asap.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 12, 2017 at 2:35 pm

      Nah.

      I’ll just continue to confuse people with jlcollinsnh

      Mrs. JLC asked in the process, What if I hate it?

      I said, Then we move on and rent it full time. Or just sell.

      We are too old at this point to waste any time in places we don’t love. 🙂

      Reply
  19. Monica says

    July 12, 2017 at 8:58 am

    Are you closer to Grand Haven or Leelanau? This is my dream and I’m just curious about the location of such a great buy!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 12, 2017 at 2:38 pm

      Neither.

      We looked a bit in MI, but most places were high on bluffs with long flights of stairs down to the lake.

      We are on the WI side, between Sheboygan and Port Washington.

      Time will tell if it is a great buy 😉

      Reply
  20. Vicki@MakeSmarterDecisions says

    July 12, 2017 at 9:06 am

    Looking forward to the rest of the story (and the numbers!) In a few months, we are hoping to downsize into a 1940’s foreclosure I bought when I was 26. It is right across from a beautiful 18 mile lake. Finding contractors has been a real challenge (it’s gutted right now…) Mr. 1500 Days even chatted about coming to do some work on it next summer (LOTS of craft breweries sold him – can you believe it?) I was wondering if you were concerned about flooding at all. It has been horrible in Lake Ontario this year. Houses falling into the lake, villages flooded for weeks…. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/05/30/lake-ontario-flooding/353818001/

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 12, 2017 at 2:44 pm

      In my experience, Spotted Cow and NSXs are the keys to luring in Mr. 1500 Days.

      Right now, like all the Great Lakes, Lake Michigan is near its historic highs and it is still down a pretty good slope from the house. Plus, it is not on a bluff like those places in the link.

      So, I think we’re good.

      That said, with all the issues, having it wash out to sea might be the best solution of all. 🙂

      Reply
  21. Travis says

    July 12, 2017 at 9:27 am

    Heresy!!! But at least now I don’t feel so bad about spending so much on a safari–which was totally worth it. 🙂 Pongezi!!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 12, 2017 at 2:48 pm

      Asante sana rafiki yangu!

      Reply
  22. swedg says

    July 12, 2017 at 10:09 am

    Congratulations! Welcome to money-pit ownership! As the owner of a (now) beautiful home in the woods near Yellowstone Park, I could tell you horror stories about non-existent foundations and septic systems that really aren’t. Have fun! Enjoy the view! 🙂

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 12, 2017 at 2:49 pm

      We know it’s a money pit. The only question is: How deep 🙂

      Reply
  23. Amy says

    July 12, 2017 at 10:21 am

    Oh Jim, we did the same thing six years ago. The real estate market was pretty low back then, so we too got sucked in by some beautiful waterfront. The parallels to your situation abound. We bought a 1928 shack on the St. Croix River in Minnesota staring down Wisconsin. The shack’s septic was a cesspool (literally), the river stone chimney was crumbling and bug infested, the roof was awful, and there actually wasn’t a good way to get down to the river (river bluff, no stairs), so of course we bought it. All while I was pregnant with our first son, and had been planning to be a stay at home mom. Shortly after finalizing the sale my husband was absolutely sure we had just financially ruined our future selves. Fast forward to 2013, we had our major repairs done and I am staying at home with the kid and the second one is on the way. On a road trip to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving we listened to podcasts and learned of this wonderful financial independence thing you preach and immediately made plans to turn up the savings to 11. Today, I work just a bit outside of the home (just for fun, of course), and the Mr. works (kinda) from home. We are on path to financial independence; right now life is pretty good. My motto through all this was “it always works out in the end.” Thank you Jim and all your FI friends, you have changed our lives! I know your shack will be a wonderful gathering spot for family and friends for years to come and will change the lives of all those that visit.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 12, 2017 at 2:53 pm

      Hi Amy…

      Glad to hear the house and your FI journey have worked out well.

      During the negotiations a friend asked if we’d be disappointed if we didn’t get it.

      I said:

      “We’ll be disappointed if we don’t get it and horrified if we do.”

      Reply
  24. Physician on FIRE says

    July 12, 2017 at 10:39 am

    Making Wisconsin your new home base? I guess that makes us neighbors. So… Howdy, neighbor! Or should I say Boy, Howdy?

    Either way, welcome to the neighorhood!
    -PoF

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 12, 2017 at 2:55 pm

      Thanks!

      We’ll see you down there sometime.

      Not really a home base, more a vacation place for a few months each year.

      But, who knows. Maybe it will grow into something more permanent.

      Reply
  25. Techwiz says

    July 12, 2017 at 11:43 am

    Wow, home ownership I didn’t see that coming! I will be following with interest. I enjoy your writing and always like your story telling style and humour.

    P.S. Just finished reading your book, it was a great read (good job hopefully you are writing more…)

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 12, 2017 at 2:56 pm

      Me either!

      There I was, innocently looking at houses for sport…

      Glad you liked the book!

      Reply
  26. QCI says

    July 12, 2017 at 1:10 pm

    1. Welcome (officially) to Wisconsin – happy to have someone so legendary in our midst! (Besides The Wealthy Accountant of course)
    2. As someone who both lives on a lake and has access to a vacation home on a lake (although not quite as large as Lake Michigan) I know you’re going to love it despite the headaches. Looking forward to hearing the real reason for the purchase. Can’t imagine it is the low taxes 🙂

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 12, 2017 at 2:58 pm

      Thanks!

      1. Part-time anyway

      2. Yeah the RE taxes are pretty breath taking. But then, they are here in NH too.

      Reply
  27. Kris Kramer says

    July 12, 2017 at 2:06 pm

    Super congrats 🙂 Personally I own a home–no mortgage–and realize far too much of my savings is sunk into it, but I get great joy in nesting and landscaping and knowing that other than town restrictions–like no goats–I can pretty much do what I want.
    Financially smart? No.
    Emotionally smart? Hell, yeah!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 12, 2017 at 3:00 pm

      Wait. I can’t have goats? Whose gonna mow the grass??

      Well said, Kris!

      Reply
  28. Jeremy says

    July 12, 2017 at 3:05 pm

    I lived for a time in Port Washington. Nice part of the world

    If you need somebody to throw a hammer around, I know a 2 year old who loves that sort of thing.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 12, 2017 at 4:28 pm

      Really?

      What took you to Port Washington?

      Get back to me after he’s completed six years as a carpenter’s apprentice. And let him know it is his honor and responsibility to work for his kindly old uncle jlcollinsnh for free. I’ll be waiting….

      Reply
  29. Mr. 1500 says

    July 12, 2017 at 8:35 pm

    There is nothing like living by the water. I could listen to the waves roll in all day with a good book. The End.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 12, 2017 at 10:16 pm

      Amen.

      Reply
      • Mr. 1500 says

        July 13, 2017 at 2:19 pm

        Oh, and I’m sad to see the Scrambler go. Maybe you can pick up a cheap motorcycle off of Craigslist in the fall when everyone is trying to get rid of them? You know, those Wisconsin roads are wonderful…

        Reply
  30. Markola says

    July 13, 2017 at 9:12 am

    “… and nothing in there will eat you”.

    Hi Jim, Here you captured one of the fundamental, yet often neglected, considerations during the vacation home selection process and one of the many pleasant and reassuring aspects of Midwest living in general. Welcome to the region. Did they issue you a cheese head yet?

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 14, 2017 at 11:25 am

      Nah.

      Cheese heads are reserved for full-time residents.

      Maybe. Someday….

      Reply
  31. Tom Erceg says

    July 13, 2017 at 1:55 pm

    Welcome (back) to the homeowners club! Well Jim, here’s what you have to look forward to. Welcome to the last two weeks of my life…

    https://www.facebook.com/tom.erceg/posts/10213649176411620

    Seriously though, I’m sure you’ll love the location, and maybe even enjoy the process of making the house into your home.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 13, 2017 at 2:38 pm

      reading your FB message, more like condolences!

      We’ll definitely love the location. Maybe I’ll get a tent…

      Reply
  32. Dharma Bum says

    July 13, 2017 at 9:26 pm

    The view of the ziwa alone is worth the US$350K!
    Enjoy!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 14, 2017 at 11:26 am

      Not that we paid 350k 🙂

      Reply
  33. Jason says

    July 14, 2017 at 12:20 pm

    …sigh…what a view…

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 14, 2017 at 1:04 pm

      That bad septic system, that crumbling roof, that collapsing foundation…

      sigh 🙂

      Reply
  34. Kevin says

    July 14, 2017 at 12:43 pm

    Great pics, great post, home boners and VtsaXXX…. What more could a humble reader ask for. Congrats

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 14, 2017 at 1:04 pm

      and you were there when the deal went down 🙂

      Reply
  35. wendy says

    July 14, 2017 at 11:26 pm

    The whole point of FYou$ is freedom to do the things that are important and fulfilling to YOU, regardless of what anyone else thinks…
    You’ve at the very least set yourselves on an interesting adventure!

    (On purely selfish note, please don’t fall down the well, get trampled by termites, or carried off by rouge eagles until we can all meet you IRL down in Ecuador.)

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 15, 2017 at 10:34 am

      Well, the well is capped with the pump, termites are the one problem this place doesn’t seem to have and all our eagles are white headed, not red 😉

      So, you are coming to Chautauqua? Cool beans, see you there!

      Reply
      • wendy says

        July 15, 2017 at 10:41 am

        Spellcheck trauma! rogue, rouge!
        I’ll be at the first week’s session in Ecuador, looking for to it!
        Cheers

        Reply
  36. Ava says

    July 18, 2017 at 9:56 pm

    Congrats on the house! I could deal with living with that view. We live in Arizona and it kills me being so far from the water :o)

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 18, 2017 at 10:12 pm

      We’ve thought about moving to New Mexico and we love it when we visit. But I do wonder how much we’d miss the water and rain.

      Reply
  37. Jeremy says

    July 24, 2017 at 9:21 pm

    Curious but what are your thoughts on owning property (or multiple properties) for the purpose of buy & hold rental income?

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 26, 2017 at 12:31 pm

      Real estate can be a fine and very profitable investment. If done well and carefully.

      However, it is not easy and requires specialized knowledge. Too many get drawn in by popular TV shows and the like that makes it seem a cake walk.

      The book I reviewed at the end of this post…

      https://jlcollinsnh.com/2012/09/26/stocks-part-xi-international-funds-2/

      …is a great start.

      Reply
      • Jeremy says

        July 26, 2017 at 1:21 pm

        Thanks but I don’t see the book you’re referring to – what’s the name of it?

        Yea, Real Estate is tough to grasp, especially with all the ways to go about it: fix and flip, notes, buy & hold, private lending, etc…

        If you were to become more active in any sort of REI, where would you focus your efforts? Buy & Hold for the longer term?

        Here in CA fix and flip is the “recommended” way to go but it just seems really risky and scary (if you’re a noob). Even if you partner with a “seasoned” investor (which in of itself is an incredibly difficult task to stumble upon), it still seems risky but perhaps not as scary. Seems a lot of people go this route to build capital (ultimately for buy & hold) as well as to manage something “locally” without having to go out of state. Many of them say that they’ll consider buying and holding during the next downturn or correction. But a lot of these investors seem to avoid even going out of state. Everyone talks about flipping but I suppose most of them have greater tolerances for risk.

        To me, out of state buy & hold sounds appealing but only if you can establish trustworthy teams that require minimal to no babysitting wherever you are considering investing.

        Reply
        • jlcollinsnh says

          July 26, 2017 at 2:27 pm

          it is at the very end of the post:

          “Set for Life”

          If you are serious about REI, start hanging out here: biggerpockets.com

          Reply
          • Jeremy says

            July 26, 2017 at 4:12 pm

            Thanks,

            Yep, have been on Biggerpockets but not as active as of late. I’ve been attending a couple local monthly REI meetups in my area and am also trying to build relationships with some local investors. I’m a little interested in the larger apt syndications as well.

  38. BabyGrand says

    July 25, 2017 at 10:03 pm

    I’m up in Traverse City. Wondering if you’re somewhere nearby. Maybe we could have coffee someday.

    Interesting to read this since I’ve been looking at posts on this topic. Just prior to this, I read your house=horrible investment blog. But I am still unsure. While there are a list of horrible investment criteria, isn’t the question: what is your alternative? You see, housing isn’t something we can just opt out of. We either have to own or rent.

    Yes, there is a horrible expense profile with property taxes, maintenance, etc. And maybe we can agree that it isn’t a good investment. Let’s say, rather, that it’s a cost. But maybe there is a question about whether the cost is more or less than the cost of renting. I mean, do you really think that most landlords are losing money? In general, aren’t all the bad costs of a “house investment” embedded in the rent?

    Yes, there are other bad things than just the expenses, including illiquidity, etc. But, at a minimum, it is a smaller list, and there may be a list of pros to consider versus the cons.

    And, as you’ve perhaps found, for certain homes, like vacation rentals on Lake Michigan, there may be a big cost savings for owning versus renting. ie., the rental landlords are making serious money there?

    I’d be interested in taking this conversation further along these lines. Eventually, I’d like to talk with my husband about whether we should be homeowners or not (we are now), but I don’t feel like this question has been fully fleshed out yet.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 26, 2017 at 12:34 pm

      Hi BG…

      While I’d be happy to have a coffee with you, we bought in WI on the lake’s west coast.

      But Traverse City is a beautiful area.

      I’ll be writing more about it in future posts. Stay tuned!

      Reply
      • BabyGrand says

        July 27, 2017 at 10:24 pm

        Great! I look forward to it. Too bad about the coffee tho. 🙂

        Reply
  39. Georgia Boy says

    July 26, 2017 at 10:30 pm

    Sounds like you are excited about the buy, Jim, and the story so far is a fun read. I bet it works out well.
    Lost Horizon is a great book. There is a quote in it that I have remembered since I first read the book 35 or 40 years ago.
    I don’t have a copy nearby to dig out the exact quote, but Chang tells Conway something like “There is nothing happening in the world today that could not have been foreseen ten years ago and that will not be better understood ten years from now.”
    They took the long view in the Valley of the Blue Moon, a view I certainly think you share.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 27, 2017 at 8:29 pm

      My copy is back at the library, but I think you nailed that great quote very closely…

      Reply
  40. ZJ Thorne says

    August 19, 2017 at 5:02 pm

    With being that close to family, you can run over when the septic system tanks!

    Reply

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      • Betterment: a simpler path to wealth
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      • Republic Wireless and my $19 per month phone plan
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      • Stocks -- Part XIX: How to think about money
      • My path for my kid -- the first 10 years
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      • Stocks — Part XVIII: Investing in a raging bull
      • Dining with the Ghosts of Sarah Bernhardt and Alfons Mucha
      • How we finally got the house sold
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    • ► April (4)
      • Greetings from Prague & a computer question
      • Swimming with Tigers, a 2nd chance on the Chautauqua, a financial article gets it wrong and I'm off to Prague
      • Storage, Moving and Movers
      • Homeless, and a bit on the strategy of dollar cost averaging
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      • Wild Turkeys, Motorcycles, Dining Room Sets & Greed
      • Roots v. Wings: considering home ownership
      • How about that stock market?!
      • The Blog has New Clothes
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      • Meet Mr. Money Mustache, JD Roth, Cheryl Reed & me for a Chautauqua in Ecuador
      • High School Poetry, Carnival, cool ads and random pictures that caught my eye
      • Consignment Shops: Best business model ever?
      • Cafes
      • Stocks -- Part XVI: Index Funds are really just for lazy people, right?
    • ► January (5)
      • Social Security: How secure and when to take it
      • Fighting giraffes, surreal landscapes, dancing with unicorns and restoring a Vanagon
      • My plan for 2013
      • VITA, income taxes and the IRS
      • How to be a stock market guru and get on MSNBC
  • ► 2012 (53)
    • ► December (6)
      • See you next year....until then: The Origin of Life, Life on Other Worlds, Mechanical Graveyards, Great Art, Alternative Lifestyles and Finding Freedom
      • Stocks -- Part XV: Target Retirement Funds, the simplest path to wealth of all
      • Stocks -- Part XIV: Deflation, the ugly escort of Depressions.
      • Stocks Part XIV: Deflation, the ugly escort of Depressions.
      • Stocks -- Part XIII: The 4% rule, withdrawal rates and how much can I spend anyway?
      • How I learned to stop worrying about the Fiscal Cliff and you can too.
    • ► November (2)
      • Rent v. owning: A couple of case studies in Ecuador
      • So, what does a month in Ecuador cost anyway?
    • ► October (4)
      • See you in December....
      • Meet me in Ecuador?
      • The Podcast: You can hear me now.
      • Stocks -- Part XII: Bonds
    • ► September (6)
      • Stocks -- Part XI: International Funds
      • The Smoother Path to Wealth
      • Case Study #I: Putting the Simple Path to Wealth into Action
      • Tales of Bolivia: Calle de las Brujas
      • Stocks -- Part X: What if Vanguard gets Nuked?
      • Travels in South America: It was the best of times....
    • ► August (1)
      • Home again
    • ► June (4)
      • Yellow Fever, closing up shop for the summer and heading to Peru y Bolivia
      • I could not have said it better myself...
      • Stocks -- Part IX: Why I don't like investment advisors
      • Happy Birthday, jlcollinsnh; and thanks for the gift Mr. MM!
    • ► May (6)
      • Stocks -- Part VIII: The 401K, 403b, TSP, IRA & Roth Buckets
      • Mr. Money Mustache
      • The College Conundrum
      • Stocks -- Part VII: Can everyone really retire a millionaire?
      • Stocks -- Part VI: Portfolio ideas to build and keep your wealth
      • Stocks -- Part V: Keeping it simple, considerations and tools
    • ► April (6)
      • Stocks -- Part IV: The Big Ugly Event, Deflation and a bit on Inflation
      • Stocks -- Part III: Most people lose money in the market.
      • Stocks -- Part II: The Market Always Goes Up
      • Stocks -- Part 1: There's a major market crash coming!!!! and Dr. Lo can't save you.
      • You can eat my Vindaloo, mega lottery, Blondie, Noa, Israel Kamakawiwo 'Ole, art, film and a ride on the Space Shuttle
      • Where in the world are you?
    • ► March (7)
      • How I lost money in real estate before it was fashionable, Part V: Sold! and the taxman cometh.
      • How I lost money in real estate before it was fashionable, Part IV: I become a Landlord.
      • How I lost money in real estate before it was fashionable, Part III: The Battle is Joined.
      • How I lost money in real estate before it was fashionable, Part II: The Limits of the Law.
      • How I lost money in real estate before it was fashionable, Part I: Impossibly Naive.
      • You, too, can be conned
      • Armageddon and the value of practical skills
    • ► February (6)
      • Rent v. Owning Your Home, opportunity cost and running some numbers
      • The Casanova Kid, a Shit Knife, a Good Book, Having No Regrets, Dark Matter and a bit of Magic
      • What Poker, Basketball and Mike Whitaker taught me about Luck
      • How to Give like a Billionaire
      • Go ahead, make my day
      • Muk Finds Success in Tahiti
    • ► January (5)
      • Travels with "Esperando un Camino"
      • Beanie Babies, Naked Barbie, American Pickers and Old Coots
      • Selling the House and Adventures in Staging
      • The bashing of Index Funds, Jack Bogle and a Jedi dog trick
      • Magic Beans
  • ► 2011 (22)
    • ► December (1)
      • Dividend Growth Investing
    • ► November (2)
      • The Mummy's head, Particle Physics and "Knocking on Heaven's Door"
      • "It's Better in the Wind" or why I ride a motorcycle
    • ► October (1)
      • Lazy Days and School Days
    • ► July (2)
      • The road to Zanzibar sometimes goes thru Ecuador...
      • Johnny wins the lotto and heads to Paris
    • ► June (16)
      • Chainsaws, Elm Trees and paying for College
      • Stuff I’ve failed at: the early years
      • Snatching Victory from the Jaws of Defeat
      • The. Worst. Used. Car. Ever.
      • Top Ten reasons your future is so bright it hurts my eyes to look at it
      • The Most Dangerous Words Your Customer Can Say
      • How not to drown in The Sea of Assholes
      • What we own and why we own it
      • The Ten Sales Commandments
      • My ever so formal and oh so dry CV
      • How I failed my daughter and a simple path to wealth
      • The Myth of Motivation
      • Why you need F-you money
      • My short attention span
      • Why I can’t pick winning stocks, and you can’t either
      • The Monk and the Minister

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