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Bernadette E. Kazmarski's avatar

Twenty-nine years old and single I decided the best way for me to save money was to buy a house and in 1990 found a small "carpenter's special" for $31,600. Mortgage payment was one-third of the rent I'd been paying, $455, something I could pay if I lost my full-time job (with the economy here in Pittsburgh at the time something that had happened four times already since college graduation) and was only waiting tables (which I was already doing part time). Note--initial interest rate was 10.5%! County bond money and first-time buyer money each took 1% off that interest rate, but I would have bought the house anyway. I could and did do all the small repairs. This would be my starter home so I could move to the old farmhouse on land that I'd always wanted as I did whatever self-employed work I'd be doing. I've been self-employed as a commercial and fine artist for a few days shy of 25 years, but I'm still in the little house, and that's okay. Those were the days. Not possible anymore.

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Greg Sanford's avatar

My first house, 900 sq ft bungalow, 1974, 36,000.

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