Discover the Power of the Flat Rate Realty Group Blog: Your Ultimate Guide

Understanding the Fair Market Value is an everlasting tussle and key balancing act. The reason is that buyers need a house to appraise on the low side—to keep the buying price down. While sellers, on the other hand, need the same house to appraise on the high side—to make the sale price go higher. And then you’ve got the house owners —who likewise need the appraisal to be on the low side, so as to keep the estate taxes down.

So with these different goals and viewpoints, how is the fair market value of an estate property really determined?

Once every year, your district sends all area homeowners official notifications that put a dollar worth on their property. And estate property taxes are based on those dollar values. But before those notifications are sent out, a long, detailed procedure usually happens. First, the land is valued as if it’s empty—that is to say, a vacant lot. Then any maintenance is defined and measured. Maintenances consist of the house and any other edifices, sheds, pools, garages, and etc. secondly, most districts check the Marshall Valuation Service Cost Guide. It’s a standardized nationwide guide for defining the price of the cost per square foot to erect a building that fits the description of the maintained property. Next, in case the house isn’t brand new, the replacement cost is measured, and also the depreciation; the year the house was built and the condition of the property are elements here. Appraisers then must take the serious step of matching the value of the house with the latest selling prices of comparable homes in the area. Then, the appraisal might stand “as is”—or it might be reviewed downward or upward.

Market Value is a theory that is to say— not an unchanging fact.

In a seamless world, you have to have a buyer willing to buy and a seller willing to sell. None is under pressure. Both are in a position to capitalize on profit and are trying to do this. However, in the real world, things are hardly that simple and equally balanced. This is why people feel differently about the appraisal value of a house. It actually depends on how strong their position is as a buyer or seller.

Does the local economy come into it at all? You bet it does.

Ask a successful Realtor about that! He or she will inform you that they’ve seen that the Rio Grande Valley’s fast-growing economy is drawing people from other neighborhoods who consider real estate here a deal. That assists fuel rises in property values.

So—now you know where that Grand Total originates from.

You’re armed with the information you need to make a better house-buying decision. For example, you can know how two almost identical houses that are in two different areas could be very far apart in price and appraised value. And the reason your choice of the right house in the right neighborhood could be value a not-so-small fortune to you right now—and years down the road.

Apartments! Usually, somebody's first home after getting married. Can't really say they're relatively cheap anymore. Depending on where you live, apartments can run you anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars a month.

So what does one do when looking for an apartment? Believe it or not, there are many different types, styles, and pay plans involved. We'll try to cover the basic types in this article and what you can expect to find with each.

Starting off small there is your basic studio apartment. A studio apartment is usually 1 room with a kitchen and bath. Let's first off define what a room is when getting an apartment. A room is any room other than your kitchen and bath. Bathrooms do not count as rooms at all because they are required by law. Kitchens are a little different. Most walk-in kitchens are considered a half a room. If the kitchen is simply an area in the apartment that is not cut off from the other rooms then it is not counted as a room. So a studio 1 room would have a kitchen area that's part of the 1 room, meaning it probably comes with just a refrigerator and a stove and sink. A studio 1 1/2 room would have a kitchen that is actually separated from the rest of the apartment by a wall and has a doorway. Most studio apartments are 1 room.

Studio apartments, contrary to what most people think, are not cheap. A studio in New York City can cost you $1000 a month. In some areas, you can get a studio for about $500.

Then there are your basic apartments that are normally 3 or 4 rooms.

A three room apartment has a living room, dining area, and 1 bedroom. Again, the difference between a 3 and a 3 1/2 room is the kitchen being either part of one of the rooms or cut off.

A four-room apartment usually has a living room, dining area, and 2 bedrooms. If a family needs a third bedroom the dining area is usually converted. The problem with dining areas is that they don't normally have doors to separate them from the other rooms. So to ensure privacy some kind of sliding door is usually installed. Actually most 4 room apartments, because of the extra room are really 4 1/2 rooms because in almost all cases the kitchen is cut off from the other rooms.

In apartments, there is seldom a basement. Most apartments are assigned a basement area in the main basement used for the entire complex. In some scenario, every apartment group or section of apartments has a basement nearby.

Apart from the number of rooms, there is also the problem of layout. Many apartments are single level, which means all the rooms are situated on one floor. However, in some scenario, there are apartment complexes that are what they call duplexes. These are two apartments beside each complex and each apartment is two floors different from the 4 apartment complexes where each apartment is on a single level. In two-level apartments, the living room and dining area are usually downstairs with the bedrooms upstairs. Most two-level apartments are 4 1/2 rooms.

Then there is the issue of what services come with the apartment and what services have to be paid for separately.

In some apartments, your gas and electricity and water utilities are included in the cost of the rent. In other apartments, only the water is paid for and your gas and electric are paid to your local public service company. Some apartments don't cover any of your costs. So when you get an apartment make sure you find out just what your rent covers. The motive for this is that an apartment for $900 per month with all facilities paid may really be a better deal than an apartment for $750 a month if the latter apartment has no facilities at all.

Finally, in securing an apartment many require a security deposit equal to the rent of the apartment. Some require one-month security and some require two months. This is paid back to you when your lease expires if you decide to leave. Breaking a lease will usually mean forfeiture of your deposit.

This brings us to apartment rules. This is why there is nothing like owning your own home. Most apartments allow no pets. Playing music after a certain hour will bring complaints from your neighbors. The list goes on and on but I'm sure you get the point. Your freedom to do what you want in an apartment is limited.

Some people love the idea of not having to worry about repairs, as the super usually takes care of that, and live in apartments their whole life. Others can't wait until they can get into their own home. That's the wonderful thing about this world. One man's dream is another man's nightmare.

As soon as you do a search on a Search Engine for "apartments" you are going to come across two types of Website resources; apartment locator sites and apartment database sites. Which is the best for you? Well, that depends on what your needs and circumstances dictate. It also has a great deal to do with your privacy comfort level.

The Apartment Locator Site:

In case you are moving to an area of the country that is completely new for you, somewhere where you don’t know much about the neighborhoods, job centers, transportation, schools, etc., then the apartment locator may be your best pick. These folks answer to your question by making telephone contact with you. You will define your conditions, budget, needs, and other preferences. The apartment locator is typically very conversant about the area and the local rental market.

They will be very useful in finding your rental home that fits your specific needs. In many cases, this will be a fully free service. The apartment locator is normally given a commission or “finder’s fee” from the rental agent or landlord. With respect to your privacy, however, remember that you are required to share your telephone number with the apartment locator and be open to the notion of personal contact. You need to decide if, or how much, that is adequate to your sense of privacy.

The Apartment Database Site:

Not like apartment locators, apartment database sites provide a broad selection of online apartment listings. They give you complex descriptions of apartment complexes comprising, though not limited to, amenities, maps, rent ranges, contact information, etc. Images of the apartment units, inside and out, are usually added. An excellent amount of information helps you choose if any specific rental unit meets your satisfaction and needs. When you are relocating to an apartment that is located within your present living area or when you are relocating to an area that you are totally familiar with, an apartment database site might be the one for you. Most require a simple registration process which usually asks for name and email address. You don’t need to submit your telephone number and you will not be contacted personally by anybody. Like the apartment locator, many apartment database sites are free to use. Sometimes you are even offered a bonus of $100.00 or more if you list their site as your referring source when you sign your apartment lease.

Thus, which is preferred by you, the apartment database site or the apartment locator site? The answer to that question is answered by your own unique needs, desires, situation, and limits of personal privacy.

Good luck with your apartment search and good luck in your new apartment.

When you are searching for an apartment, make a rental search plan. Ensure to understand in advance what you need an apartment and where you can live without. Make a choice in advance what areas of the city you could stay in and write down all apartment buildings within that perimeter.

Be sure to consider how far and how convenient it will be for you to travel to your job or your school or your family and friends. Also, how far is the apartment from stores, banks, hospitals, the Church (if you attend) etc? If you have a car, make sure that there is adequate and convenient parking space 24/7. If you don't drive make sure that there is close by public transportation.

Narrow your apartment locating to the size of rental unit you need. Studio apartment or one bedroom apartment or 2 BR apartment or more. Are you considering a furnished apartment or do you possibly need a short term rental? If you are renting an apartment with a cat, dog, or other pet, you need to find out which apartments allow renting with pets and which do not. And, if they do allow pets, is there an additional security deposit required and if so, how much it is. Do you need an apartment complex with an exercise room or tennis courts or a pool or a recreation room, etc. or do you just need and want a nice clean and quiet pad.

Be truthful on what you can pay for. Most apartment renting guides suggest that your rent should not be more than 25% to 30% of your income. This can differ depending on the income range, but make sure to be "real world" when making a budget for extra apartment expenses like air conditioning and heating  and other utilities. In case you can’t afford to pay for the apartment that you desire, you might choose to share an apartment with a roommate(s). Remember that living with roommates can assist you to be able to pay for an apartment or maybe, in some circumstances, luxury apartments, however it likewise has great limitations to your privacy.

In case you are conversant with the region and its environs that give you a different advantage for your apartment search. But If, you are moving to a new city or are not specifically familiar with the city, you may want to contact an Apartment Finder or an Apartment Locator.

After you narrow down your search for apartments down to apartments which fits your desires and needs you must be well prepared and ready for your visits to the apartment complexes. When reviewing the rental premises be watchful for dangerous conditions, extreme noise from traffic or playgrounds or neighbors. Visit the apartment building at night and also the daytime hours. This will give you a complete knowledge of the total space you will be living in.

When you see the apartment complex that fits your renting desires and needs, you must be prepared to put your "best foot forward" when you see the apartment's rental agent. This person sometimes may be the apartment building manager or just a renting agent for the apartments. You should be ready for this apartment renting interview in an intelligent and professional manner. Be warned that you are going to be asked to show proof that you are a dependable prospective tenant. You are most likely will need references from former landlords. You may likewise be mandated to show that you are gainfully employed and can pay the rent. A lot of landlords may need a credit report. If you are a first time renter and/or you have limited credit history you may be asked for references from family, friends, employer, professionals, etc. Also if you are renting and have bad credit you will definitely want to come to the interview with a solid selection of references.

You are not essentially limited from apartment renting with credit less than perfect; however you may be required to put up an extra security deposit and perhaps have a worthy person with good credit score to co-sign the apartment lease with you. Don't unprepared for by requests for any of these things. Be sure to fill out a 100% truthful apartment rental application and come to the interview with references, proof of employment, credit information and any other renting resources at the ready. But if you do have a bad credit history or renting history that may be disadvantageous, going through an apartment finder or apartment locator may be the best option. They will present your history to the landlord on your behalf, (ensure they are 100% honest about it) and they can also be quite helpful and save you a lot of time because they most likely will know which landlords and apartments are more lenient in these circumstances. They can also advise you as to exactly what kinds of references and documents you might need to prove that you can be a responsible tenant.

You Have Located Your "Dream Apartment"

Once you have located your "dream apartment", or as close to your perfect apartment as possible, now it is necessary to pay extremely close attention to the particulars of the rental agreement. An Apartment Lease is a contract between you and the landlord. Once agreed upon and signed by the tenant and the landlord, the rental lease creates obligations and restrictions for both parties. The most recognizable covenants of the apartment lease are the duration of the rental, (6-month lease, 1-year lease, 2-year lease, and so on.) The amount of the security deposit, when the rent expired, who is answerable for what utilities. Likewise in that apartment lease, on the other hand, are conditions, (most times in small print) that can cover a good range of landlord and tenant responsibilities and limitations.

They can include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Maintenance of the apartment
• Care of the premises
• Cleanliness
• Insurance
• Governmental regulations
• Eminent Domain
• Nuisance and noise clauses
• Stipulations as to the circumstances whereby the landlord can enter the premises
• Use of Common Areas
• Keys and locks
• Loss or damage
• Parking
• Pets
• Plumbing
• What the landlord may do if the rent is in arrears
• What the tenant can do to bring the rent current before any kind of action might be started
• Nonperformance or breach of the contract by the renter
• Renter's penalties in the event of early termination
• Circumstances which might cause the tenant or the landlord to break the lease prior to the end of the term
• Heat and other utilities
• Removal of goods
• Surrender or Non-Surrender of the premises
• Waivers of various obligations
• Prohibited reprisals
• Garbage disposal
• Recyclables
• And the list goes on and on and on.

Prospective tenants should read an Apartment lease thoroughly. Potential apartment renters should comprehend everything that is listed in that lease and make a good judgement to be 100% compliant of all the provisions for both the landlord and tenant, that you are positive that you can live up to your end of the bargain and that you are comfortable with the provisions on the landlord's end.

In case you do not comprehend all the clause of that apartment lease then don’t sign it until you do. If required and if possible, demand help in interpreting the lease from a trusted person like a knowledgeable family member or friend, employer, professional, or anyone else who can understand and explain it to you. If required get legal advice. It can cost additional funds if you do not qualify for free legal assistance, but that additional cost might save you a ton of money and save you a ton of heartache and aggravation down the road.

In case you do not concur with any of the provisions of that apartment lease and/or you sense that you can't live up to the tenant's responsibilities, or you are not in agreement with any of the landlord's rights under the agreement, then don’t sign the lease until/or unless it can be improved to your satisfaction. If the rental agreement cannot be modified to meet your desires and needs and comfort level then don’t sign the lease and don’t rent that apartment. The Apartment Rental agreement that you sign as a prospective tenant will not change once you become the actual tenant of that apartment.

At the time you are selling your home, expect many people to “encroach” on your privacy. In case your home is being handled by real estate agents, then many of the calls and inquiries would be controlled by them. If you are selling your home yourself, (FSBO) then you’ve got a huge job in your hands.

As an independent home seller, you may be swamped by a long queue of emails and endless phone calls from possible buyers. Replying emails will not pose much of an issue because you have time to write your thoughts and you can do those at your own private time. Answering phoned inquiries is a different matter completely.

One major thing to remember about handling your business through the phone is that, contrary to what you may believe, you are not invisible. The person on the other end of the line can sense your mood at that particular time. If you are livid, irritated or bored, even though they can’t see your facial expressions, they can sense your feelings through the quiver of your voice. With this in mind, try to be warm and friendly. No matter how inane their questions are, do not show your irritation.

Additionally to this, you have to know every little detail about your home. It would be safe to accept that you already know the basics (how many toilets, bedrooms, how many cars can the garage take), however, you should likewise be ready to answer other unexpected questions (i.e. when was the last time you had the house treated for termites). Nothing will trouble a buyer more than somebody who does not understand much about what they are selling.

It would be nice if you could join all phoned-in inquires yourself. However, in the eventuality that you can’t stay at home, make sure that you leave specific instructions with someone who would be capable of taking these calls. If no one can do the job well, then make sure you can be reached through your cell phone.

Selling a haunted house is a difficult proposition if the ghosts are particularly noisy or violent. Several homebuyers avoid atmosphere for the dull life of the bungalow or bright house vacant by a disturbed spirit. So, fixing up your house to sell may include many preparations to lessen the impact of ghosts, spirits, weird emanations and other supernatural occurrences.

Exorcism is one method of ridding oneself of a nuisance supernatural presence. However, it could be seen as discrimination and "supernaturalism", which could lead to the ghost's right to seek legal redress. Be aware that through adverse possession processes, the spirit may actually have legal rights to the house and mediation (as well as a medium) may be in order to resolve the conflict.

One must be sensitive to the fact that many ghosts come from diverse religious belief systems that would make using a priest from a Christian background extremely offensive. More importantly, it may not work if there is a lack of belief. In the case of an atheist ghost, you may have to resort to a copy of "The Origin of Species" to help form your exorcism rite.

Do not despair if exorcism does not work or, in the interests of equality, is not an option. There are other routes for the home seller with an inconvenient spirit. Many spirits are open to communication, but steps may have to be made to accommodate them. Rapping on the walls, table or doors may be the only mode of communication a spirit has and it is imperative to take all necessary steps to aid the corporeally-challenged in their quest for equal access to communication. It may help to engage the services of someone versed in Morse Code, as "yes" and "no" may not be precise enough to convey the particulars of a ghost's concerns.

Try to have a seance with the ghost and attempt to impress upon it the importance of not creating an uncomfortable atmosphere until the sale is concluded. Mention the fact that if the house is not sold quickly, a reputation very quickly develops that makes it difficult to find buyers, not to mention the easily possessed or precocious children. If you can, have a copy of current real estate laws and related information for the specter to peruse; ensure that it knows that "pre-approved" does not mean "sold" and that it is wise to refrain from frightening new owners until it is certain that the house is transferred fully into their possession.

If the spirit is resistant to all forms of communication and/or exorcism, extreme steps must be taken. If the house is exceptionally well-appointed and in a smallish community with a low crime called "Sunnyvale" or "Friendlyville", there will usually be no problem finding a couple from the big city seeking a nice house in the suburbs or a bedroom community for their children and dog. The only problem with this strategy is that you will probably have to lower the price to some ridiculously low amount that would make any other home buyer suspicious. Don't worry. The family from the city probably won't even have a home inspection done.

Customarily, any person with a house to sell in the US would make use of an Estate Agent. As they were ranked 2nd in a Radio 4 poll of “least respected workers” (M.P.’s were 1st!), for many people they are seen as a necessary evil.

A small number of people manage to sell their house in private by handling their own advertising and placing up their own For Sale board, however as their property does not show in the Estate Agent’s press adverts or sites; this is very much an unpredictable affair.

Despite when a sale is held, the legal system in the state means that until contracts are swapped – normally many weeks later – the sale can go through. Actually, one in three settled sales does not complete, which implies that the sale procedure has to start over again.

For anyone moving or migrating this is annoying and frustrating as plans have to be pause. For individuals with financial problems or in danger of having their house reclaimed, it can be very serious indeed.

A realistic alternative to Estate Agents

Eventually, there is an alternative to using a Real Estate Agent. Making use of an expert property-buying company provides the speed and confidence lacking if selling on the open market through a Real Estate Agent.

Companies like A Quick Sale are presently offering a service that the public see as a good alternative than waiting and expecting for an elusive buyer. They will usually make an offer to buy a property in a few days, completing at a date beneficial to you, so that people can carry on with their lives.

So, what’s the point? Well, the main one is that they will be considering buying the property at a reduced price from the open market value. How much of a reduction always depends on the type and size of property but is expected to be at least 10%.

The other thing to look out for is that most of these companies charge an upfront evaluation fee of several hundred dollars. Whilst this is typically refundable if you end up selling to them, it is fairly possible that their offer on your property will be unacceptable to you, leaving you out of pocket!

Questions to Ask

If the rate and certainty of selling to a property-buying company delight you, what do you need to watch out for?

Probably the first question to ask is – will it cost me anything to get an offer on my property? A national house buying company included on Watchdog last year after many criticisms from people who had paid an assessment fee and then offered much less than their property was valued.

You wouldn’t expect to pay an Estate Agent for a valuation, so why pay these companies?

The next question most people need answering is – can I rely on this company? Can they fit around me? These businesses should be asking you about your deadline and schedules and providing a solution around these. Carefully take a look at their literature and website to see if they are flexible and provide a range of answers. It is also a good idea to ask them for examples or testimonials from previous customers.

So, in case you have a property to sell, before calling a Real Estate Agent, it might be worth it to check out a couple of these companies who can give you a quick sale.

Here's moving news: According to the National Association of Realtors, "home sales remain at historically high levels." This means address changes filed with the United States Postal Service will likely also remain high: about 45 million a year, Postal Service officials report.

If you'll be among those moving Americans anytime soon, you should know that many consider the fastest, easiest and most convenient way to file a change of address is with the Postal Service at usps.com. Other change-of-address options include Telephone Change of Address at 1-800-ASK-USPS and the Mover's Guide found in Post Offices.

In addition to letters, statements and advertising mail, many movers want to make sure they keep getting their favorite catalogs at their new home. For them, there's the optional Catalog Request Card Service that is available online with the Change of Address form.

Once customers filled the Internet Change of Address form, they can choose a particular retail catalogs-current or new-or select "No Thanks."

Since the program's inception last falls, participants have chosen to receive an average of six retail catalogs after they move. And most of these are catalogs they were not previously getting. Evidence, Postal Service officials say, that more and more people like to shop via the mail.

Indeed, the Direct Marketing Association expects print catalog sales to hit $158 billion in 2009, up from $152 billion in sales this year. The Association also says that nearly six out of 10 catalog shoppers keep a catalog they order from for at least three months.

"We're providing this service so that people can have their favorite catalogs on hand when they're needed most, to organize their homes quickly and easily when it's convenient for them," explained Charlie Bravo, senior vice president for Intelligent Mail and Address Quality.

The Postal Service, which gets no taxpayer dollars for routine operations, is an independent federal agency that delivers more than 44 percent of the world's mail volume-some 212 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year-and visit 145 million homes and businesses every day, six days a week. It's the world's top provider of mailing and delivery services, offering most of the affordable postage rates in the world.

Buying a house is a big investment. It really puts a dent in your financial resources. Of course, the expenses do not end with the down payment. You still have to contend with the monthly payments for the mortgage. This is a financial situation that you will have to live with for years until you have fully paid off your loan.

However, what happens in case you get behind in paying your mortgage? A delay in mortgage payment can have very severe penalties for your mortgage condition. If the delinquency in payments has become too severe then your home could be in danger of foreclosure. A foreclosure means that your property will be repossessed by the lending institution that gave you your mortgage.

Luckily, even though you have failed on your payments, it does not automatically imply that your property will be foreclosed. There are numerous alternatives to a foreclosure that you can follow. Some of these are:

Paying the Delinquency

Generally, all lending institutions are required to accept all the payments that were delinquent and reinstate the loan. The delinquent payments that you have to pay may also include some legal fees especially if you are already in the foreclosure stage. There are also lending institutions that require certified funds in order to reinstate the loan.

Forbearance and Repayment

One of the most common ways of resolving a delinquent mortgage is to work out a plan with your lending institution wherein you get to pay a part of your delinquency every month on top of your regular monthly payments. If you are in a state where you are not able to reach the monthly mortgage payments, your lender can choose to extend the forbearance by suspending payments for a definite period of time up till you can start a repayment schedule.

Payment Assistance

Some state and local governments and also private charitable organizations have instituted programs that help people with delinquencies pay all or part of their mortgage obligation for a certain period of time.

Reamortization.

In a reamortization, the delinquent mortgage amount is added to the loan balance as a means of getting the mortgage payments up to date. This move increases not only the total loan amount but also the monthly payments. Of course, the increase in payment will not be as large if the life of the loan is also extended.

Private Sale

A private sale of the property affected by the delinquency can likewise be done as it will let you reach your obligations and get any equity that may have accrued. In private sales, it is normal that the amount is higher than the specified amount owed on the loan.

Many of these alternatives believe that you will be able to pay your mortgage payments at some point. But there is also a specific foreclosure alternative known as loss mitigation program. The federal government, as well as the mortgage industry, established this type of program as a way of stopping foreclosures. Under this program, you are given options that will not only assist you in keeping your home even if you do not have the financial capability to pay for the mortgage payments. With these types of programs, it becomes so much easier to address the problem of foreclosures.

What’s the reason for alternative housing? Simply, to save money, to live creatively, to travel - there are numerous reasons why individuals decide on living in tents, cabins, RVs, rental rooms, underground homes, and any place else that's less popular than condos, houses, and apartments that many people call home. The following are few of these housing choices and their advantages.

Alternative Housing That Moves

Camping at a hot springs area, we were seated around the campfire one evening with some young men who live in the desert in their old converted school bus. It cost them absolutely nothing to park and stay in the desert (though on BLM land you have to travel every two weeks), took bath for free in hot spring tubs that were very nice like those in nearby costly resorts, and played guitar around the fire every night. Not such a sad life.

In Arizona for example, there are whole communities that spring up every winter, full of people staying in their RVs. Benefits of RV housing are clear and include relocating with the seasons, not paying property taxes and trying out different places, I've spoken to people living in RVs that cost $200,000 and the ones that cost just $600, so the choice of accommodations is different, to say the least.

My wife and I lived for close to a month in our conversion van as we moved from Arizona to Florida and then to Michigan. Benefits of a van include good mileage than an RV, and being modest. We realize that we could park almost anywhere and sleep.

Other Alternative Housing

In most areas where rents are high, renting rooms has become common. This makes sense for single people. Just pay a set amount each month or week, and (if it includes utilities) you have a predictable and lower cost of living. I rented out rooms in my own home for years, and even put carpet and lighting in a shed so I could get $50 per week for it in summer.

A friend of mine lived in a shack he built for $3,000 on a small piece of land he bought for $7,000. Eventually, he ran into problems with the county because he had no occupancy permit. Apparently, you can't live on your own land in the woods if your home is too small. But, you can camp on it, so a $2,000 used RV parked on your land makes for an inexpensive and legal housing alternative.

Most people live on houseboats and evade paying property taxes. Some live in the jungle close to the beaches in Hawaii, thus they can afford to be in paradise. I know most people who stay in a basement while gradually building the house above for money. People stay in cabins built in the national forest wilderness, moving every few years as they are seen. Actually, your mind is the only obstacle to your alternative housing options.