You lost me here. We were discussing property taxes, then you go off on a tangent and say "You know little about construction methods". This is a prime example of why I find it so difficult to hold a debate with you. You just can't stay focused on the topic at hand, then you accuse or ridicule the person on something totally unrelated to the original topic.

One of my first jobs out of high school was framing houses (big expensive ones), and it just so happens that I did a lot of work on my new house as well (rocking the basement and making half into family room), hell I even did my own electrical work (it much easier these days with circut breakers and all), you just have to know what the latest building codes are.

Oh, and as for property taxes, they are based on square footage and assessed value. The town/city doesn't give two shits how much "Love" went into it.

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My home was built in the 1930's and over the years I re-did almost everything myself. It is solid as the rock of gibralter. You can't beat the old style framing and construction methods.

Look, I'm not ranking on your home, I'm sure it's nice and all (I like the design of older homes myself), but owning a home built in the 1930's can be a liability as well. Three things come to mind right off the bat: Lead Paint, Lead in the plumbing, and Asbestos (it was even in linoleum flooring up until 1973). It's good to hear you upgraded the electrical work, remember the old "Penny" trick when one blew a fuse? I can remember when I would demo parts of older homes, and seeing the electrial wiring having no insulation on it.



As for the construction, sure some of the material itself may be more "durable" (thickness of supporting beams, flooring, trim work), but today's codes for home building is far superior than it was back then, especially when it comes to safety.

But what I will give to the older homes is they have style. I especially like the wood work, they spent much more time and effort back then to make a home look and feel like a home. My home, even though it's new, is just another "Cookie-cutter Mold" split Gambriel. The nice thing about owning a new home is hopefully I won't have have to put a lot of repair & maintenance into it (in the near future), and since I have a kid, I don't have to worry about lead paint and the likes.

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I'm very surprised that your sales taxes are as low as you say. I guess this is not Boston rates? I am not familiar with your area so I am assuming you are not part of the greater Boston area.

I live about 18 miles N.W. of Boston proper, and it takes me about 35 minutes to make it to work in the "Peoples Republic Of Cambridge" (next city over).

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One of my sisters in Westchester has a similar home and lot and pays $10,000. That's a crime in my opinion.

I was born in that area, it sure has changed in the last 30 years.