I am leasing to own an 8,200sqft Luxurious home that appraised at 1.2mil. The owner has decided that he needs to open up credit and sell the home. However, I can’t finance even the reduced price of $715,000. I make $84,000 a year and have a credit score of 715. I can’t afford anything over $2,500 per month. I really want this home badly. I am hoping there are a couple of geniuses here that can offer some ways I may be able to get this home and keep it at $2,500 per month. Please help my dreams come true and prevent me from Loosing what I’ve paid in to this. Our initial agreement was owner financing but the agreement had a clause for the owner to sell if I could not obtain a mortgage. I do have $35,000 in savings I could use as well. Any advice and ideas would be more than appreciated.
Investor · NJ · Member since 2018 · 869 posts · 921 votes
6y
This is gonna sound mean but your only making 84k/yr then why do you need to live in a 8200sq foot house? Use the 35k you have saved as a down payment on a duplex or something. Cut your living expenses as low as you can man.
Have you heard the saying "he's all hat and no cattle"?
People that live within their means or better yet "below" their means have a better chance to attain financial independence.
Its simply mind boggling how cheap you can buy some of these trophy houses.. Far far below replacement value .
this is a big money pit.. that kind of house will cost a ton to maintain and run and keep in good shape..
unless your going to run it as a boarding house thats an idea might work in that regard.. and i got to think about that one.
that could be a good HBU for some of these big white elephant houses you see in certain parts of the country.
And i knew another guy that was turning these into senior homes.. those that are still able to walk and get out in a fire.. hire a few nurses to be there 24 7.. thats an idea too. who would not want to live in a mansion :)
Lender · Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 653 posts · 313 votes
6y
I would repurpose this house and rent it out to drug rehabilitation company or something man. hahaha sounds like a money pit situation as Jay mentioned. You're buying for far below what it actually costs to build the structure new.
Investor · NJ · Member since 2018 · 869 posts · 921 votes
6y
This is gonna sound mean but your only making 84k/yr then why do you need to live in a 8200sq foot house? Use the 35k you have saved as a down payment on a duplex or something. Cut your living expenses as low as you can man.
Rental Property Investor · New York City · Member since 2019 · 90 posts · 122 votes
6y
@John Price I would love to tell you that I have an idea, unfortunately I don't lol. This project may be a bit too steep, I would also agree with the above comments. It sounds like it could be a money pit for you.
I live here with my wife, (owns her own business) can’t use her income in financing. Long story. I can and have maintained the property costs and maintenance no problem. My two sons 18 and 24 live here as well. 24 year can’t use his income because he is just getting back to work from getting shot by someone trying to rob him on the street. They want to stay as well. My 18 year old is just getting out of high school. They both would like to live here as well as there is enough room. I prefer no comments unless you have a possible solution. So many opinions can easily take this over and over shadow my initial question. where there is a will there is a way. T&I is 8,000
I live here with my wife, (owns her own business) can’t use her income in financing. Long story. I can and have maintained the property costs and maintenance no problem. My two sons 18 and 24 live here as well. 24 year can’t use his income because he is just getting back to work from getting shot by someone trying to rob him on the street. They want to stay as well. My 18 year old is just getting out of high school. They both would like to live here as well as there is enough room. I prefer no comments unless you have a possible solution. So many opinions can easily take this over and over shadow my initial question. where there is a will there is a way. T&I is 8,000
OK so you already live there ?? gotcha then its simply a math problem.. one were you don't have enough capital or income unless the owner finance's it and everyone chips in ??
Figure out how much you need per month to afford the home and work backwards. Is it a single family or is there a small cottage on the property? If that latter, you could do short term rentals in the main house and live in the cottage while the big house is rented. Even at a 30 year mortgage and 3% interest, you're gong to need over $3K per month just for the mortgage. This doesn't include maintenance, taxes, repairs, etc.
Investor · Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2017 · 95 posts · 130 votes
6y
Clearly the owner knew you wouldn't be able to get financing.
Sorry, but you're throwing hail maries. This is a "dream" home that, even if you could somehow magically afford it, will inevitably turn into a nightmare. Guaranteeed.
If you really want this house, the only realistic route to success is:
1) Move someplace cheaper
2) Save
3) Increase your income
4) Buy the house at full market value when you can actually afford it
Short of that, I suppose you could always win the lottery or just put it on a credit card.
Rental Property Investor · Navarre, FL · Member since 2019 · 913 posts · 640 votes
6y
Sounds like you have squatters rights now.
Either house hack, increase your income or move to an affordable situation. I hope your wife is not pressuring you to find a way to pay for it like mine does. Those taxes are going to crush you.
Do yourself a favor. Get an affordable property that will allow you to start investing in real estate (rentals, BRRRRs, flips, you name it). Then someone will be paying for you to build a far superior house.
Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
6y
I work around these houses all the time , they are my bread and butter as a contractor . Repairs of $1000 a month are the norm . When its time to replace the heat pumps its 3 of them . New roof , there goes $38K . When its time to sell , you wait and wait and if lucky you break even . Those big homes have a limited buyer pool .