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Old 05-14-2015, 07:20 AM
 
87 posts, read 80,926 times
Reputation: 49

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Yeah I've never believed in making other people rich and paying rent. But I can see buying in Houston is not that easy due to the high property tax.
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Old 05-14-2015, 12:14 PM
 
Location: Houston, TX
2,052 posts, read 5,871,270 times
Reputation: 1298
The one benefit of not having a state income tax and paying property taxes is YOU get to decide how much you pay in taxes by how expensive of a house you buy, not based on how much you earn. So you can make $250K, state income tax free, and buy a $150K house and only pay property taxes on the cheaper house (~$4000), if you so choose. While in state income tax states, you pay the tax on what you earn. Now if you buy a $1M mansion on that $250K salary, you might be paying more in property taxes than income taxes. But that is your choice.
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Old 05-14-2015, 12:39 PM
 
182 posts, read 350,334 times
Reputation: 132
Quote:
Originally Posted by predatorprey View Post
Buying a home can be a great blessing to you and your family, or it would be an absolute nightmare if you're financially unprepared.

Means paying down and eliminate debt, increase your credit score, save min 10% down payment (20%) ideal, and save 3-6 months of expenses before buying a home.
Great advice. Absolutely.
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Old 05-14-2015, 02:58 PM
 
18,129 posts, read 25,278,015 times
Reputation: 16835
I'm buying my house right now, so if you want extra information feel free to send me a PM

3.75% Conventional (30 year)
3.65% FHA

820 credit score
The guy doing our loan said that I have the 4th highest credit score he's seen in all the years he's being working there.
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Old 05-14-2015, 10:44 PM
 
87 posts, read 80,926 times
Reputation: 49
Very good info...especially coming from a foreign country I will have to get all the information I possibly can so I don't walk into all of this blind-eyed.
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Old 05-14-2015, 10:53 PM
 
33 posts, read 49,269 times
Reputation: 44
730 credit score, 3.875% rate, FHA30%
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Old 05-14-2015, 11:02 PM
 
87 posts, read 80,926 times
Reputation: 49
So as a new resident and no history, what would my credit score start at?
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Old 05-15-2015, 05:30 AM
 
958 posts, read 2,573,626 times
Reputation: 827
0
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Old 05-15-2015, 07:39 AM
 
Location: Houston, TX (Bellaire)
4,900 posts, read 13,734,008 times
Reputation: 4190
I think they have special programs for expats, might want to talk to your company HR assuming you are moving with a company, if not search the forum there are some threads on it.
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