Hey CheapRVers! I just joined a few days ago!!! Rebel Yell!!! (I like Billy Idol music!!!)<br /><br />I have always thought that buying a house is a really stupid idea. That's my opinion, and I'll tell you why. I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but here are my thoughts.<br /><br />BUYING A HOUSE/RENTING AN APARTMENT<br />Our entire society revolves around houses and apartments and fixed addresses. There are entire industries built around the fact you should shut up, and stay at one address. Someone (a real estate appraiser) told me once that real estate was a good investment. I asked him, "Is it a good investment for me or for you?" Seems like buying a house was a good investment for him, I didn't make much money from buying my house, it cost me money. Now obviously, some people have done well with real estate, but the problem is that it ties you down, and is a risk.<br /><br />My homeowner's insurance agent called me last summer to tell me that I have to paint my house due to the paint flaking off. I guess termites might feast on it. I asked the insurance agent what would happen if I didn't paint it. She said I would have to get a forced policy and my premium would go from $600 a year to $2300 a year. So, I after getting painting bids from $1800 to $12,000...I finally chose a guy that would do it for $3600. I mean....who really owns this house? Me? Or the bank? Or the insurance agent? Try missing a payment, and then see who owns the house. I also pay $4800 a year in property taxes, and I don't even have any kids going to school. From my perspective, having a house sucks!<br /><br />Ok, now you say, I'll just rent an apartment so I don't have to pay property taxes and homeowner's insurance. If the owner didn't have to pay those fees, your rent would be lower, so indirectly you do pay even if you are renting. I do like renting better than buying because you can move at minutes notice, you know what your fixed expenses are every month, and if something breaks, the landlord fixes it.<br /><br />YOU ARE STILL TIED TO REAL ESTATE, AND THEY HAVE YOU!<br /><br />MOBILE HOMES and RVs in MOBILE HOME PARKS<br />Hey, I got an idea, I'll get a mobile home and have low rent. Some of the mobile home rents out here i California are $400 to $1000 a month. For that price, you may as well get an apartment or rent a room and skip the expense buying a mobile home. The mobile home park manager can evict you, and make you follow rules. You are not mobile and you can't go anywhere with your mobile home or RV.<br /><br />YOU ARE STILL TIED TO REAL ESTATE, AND THEY HAVE YOU!<br /><br />TINY HOUSES<br />Ok, you watched Oprah and learned about this guy Jay Schafer and his great TumbleWeed tiny houses. I like these houses, but these suckers are expensive $25,000-$50,000!!! You can transport them, but then you have to rent or buy a truck to pull you Tiny House. A lot of towns don't even want tiny houses in their town because if people found out about them, everyone would do it, and what would happen to the property tax base. These tiny houses really aren't that mobile, unless you want to move, which is rarely. You still have to pay someone $100-$300 a month to park in their backyard. Plus, it could take about 1 year to build it. For my money, I'd rather buy a used RV that is already depreciated. I don't know, doesn't make sense to me, but I'm sure it works for some people. <br /><br />YOU ARE STILL TIED TO REAL ESTATE, AND THEY HAVE YOU!<br /><br />THE ONLY REAL OPTION TO BEAT THE SYSTEM (THE MATRIX) IS TO BUY AN RV OR VAN AND LIVE IN THAT!!! WHY? BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT TIED TO REAL ESTATE!!!<br /><br />