Search found 220 matches

by hafjell
Thu Mar 23, 2023 11:56 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inheritance & Income Strategies
Replies: 22
Views: 2055

Re: Inheritance & Income Strategies

Stay away from the whole life dude with the website.
Read about T-bill ladders. Half of your inheritance laddered in 6 mo. treasuries can get you your desired $150K almost on the nose. I am NOT suggesting this, just using this as an an example to show you how much money you have for your conservative needs. No need to get fancy. Many smart roads to Dublin in your case.
Pay a fee-based advisor and an accountant to help you understand the tax consequences.
by hafjell
Wed Mar 22, 2023 7:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would you buy a house for 615k if you were us? UPDATE: under contract
Replies: 99
Views: 11033

Re: Would you buy a house for 615k if you were us?

Read about half of the responses. We are older but have two young children, earn about the same and live in 1750 sq'. I would buy your house tomorrow for non-financial reasons. Buying this house now is a huge bummer with rates so high, but you'd be running to purchase if rates had decreased to 6.5%. You face a problem of perspective and increased costs. I appreciate how you think in terms of annual saving. As others have noted, this move-up will be more expensive than projected. That's ok. You are locking the wife into employment, imo, but that's ok if the wife is ok. You are locking the husband out of "reinventing himself" as a rock guitarist but that's ok. Here's what I've found: We have great neighbors but I still would love a ...
by hafjell
Mon Mar 13, 2023 1:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: T-Bills Buying
Replies: 38
Views: 6923

Re: T-Bills Buying

Kevin M wrote: Mon Mar 13, 2023 12:53 pm
hafjell wrote: Mon Mar 13, 2023 12:32 pm I just bought a 6-month t-bill at Fidelity for, I thought, a 5% yield. They charged me $976.24, so that means my rate is <2.4%? What did I do wrong?

(I figured out the auto enroll feature, so baby steps.)

Activity & Orders deails the transaction as Mar-13-2023 YOU BOUGHT UNITED STATES TREAS BILLS ZERO CPN 0.00000% 09/14/2023 (Cash)
The yield is an annualized number. So, for a 6-month bill, you will earn about half the yield during the 6 month term. If you were to be able to roll it into another 6-month bill at the same yield, you would end up earning about the original 5% for the year.
Ah, I am a moron. Thank you!
by hafjell
Mon Mar 13, 2023 12:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: T-Bills Buying
Replies: 38
Views: 6923

Re: T-Bills Buying

I just bought a 6-month t-bill at Fidelity for, I thought, a 5% yield. They charged me $976.24, so that means my rate is <2.4%? What did I do wrong?

(I figured out the auto enroll feature, so baby steps.)

Activity & Orders deails the transaction as Mar-13-2023 YOU BOUGHT UNITED STATES TREAS BILLS ZERO CPN 0.00000% 09/14/2023 (Cash)
by hafjell
Fri Mar 10, 2023 9:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 13th Month Mortgage Payment or Emergency Fund
Replies: 14
Views: 1566

Re: 13th Month Mortgage Payment or Emergency Fund

KlangFool wrote: Mon Mar 06, 2023 7:16 pmF) You can use your Roth IRA to store your emergency fund too.
https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Roth_IR ... gency_fund
KlangFool
Dumb question: is there a way to transfer the actual t-bills in the CMA / taxable to the Roth or do I have to liquidate, transfer cash, and then repurchase? Thanks.
by hafjell
Thu Mar 09, 2023 2:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 13th Month Mortgage Payment or Emergency Fund
Replies: 14
Views: 1566

Re: 13th Month Mortgage Payment or Emergency Fund

KlangFool wrote: Mon Mar 06, 2023 7:16 pmF) You can use your Roth IRA to store your emergency fund too.
https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Roth_IR ... gency_fund
KlangFool
Thanks for this link and the discussion of income tax vs. mortgage interest payments. All are helpful.
by hafjell
Thu Mar 09, 2023 2:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 13th Month Mortgage Payment or Emergency Fund
Replies: 14
Views: 1566

Re: 13th Month Mortgage Payment or Emergency Fund

mikeyzito22 wrote: Tue Mar 07, 2023 10:09 pm Common advise if to keep 6 months liquid. https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Emergency_fund is a great place to start. Good work on laddering the treasuries. If you have no large taxable account, I would do as other posters have mentioned. Yes, do not payoff the mortgage in excess at this time. Get to four to six months and keep it liquid. Have you laddered these treasuries in a taxable account or in retirement accounts? :D
They are in my CMA at Fido.
by hafjell
Mon Mar 06, 2023 7:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 13th Month Mortgage Payment or Emergency Fund
Replies: 14
Views: 1566

Re: 13th Month Mortgage Payment or Emergency Fund

mega317 wrote: Mon Mar 06, 2023 2:53 pm Agree--no reason to tie up more money in the house, at the expense of a sufficient emergency fund.

Now, if you have mentally separated an "emergency fund" of cash from the rest of a very large taxable account I guess that would be different. But that doesn't seem like your situation.
We have no large taxable account. If retirement is scheduled to begin ten years ahead of mortgage payoff, does that change the discussion? Iow, I get the math, but I was trying to pay off the mortgage to coincide with the start of retirement. Doesn't mean it's the right strategy.
Thank you.
by hafjell
Mon Mar 06, 2023 6:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 13th Month Mortgage Payment or Emergency Fund
Replies: 14
Views: 1566

Re: 13th Month Mortgage Payment or Emergency Fund

KlangFool wrote: Mon Mar 06, 2023 2:49 pm hafjell,

1) Do you max up all your tax-advantaged accounts? If not, why pay 20+% taxes in order to save 3+% mortgage interest?

2) IMHO, unless someone is financially independent, do not pay down or pay off the mortgage.

3) Your emergency fund is too small to tie up more money into the house.

KlangFool
No.
We're not.
Agreed.

Thank you.
by hafjell
Mon Mar 06, 2023 2:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 13th Month Mortgage Payment or Emergency Fund
Replies: 14
Views: 1566

13th Month Mortgage Payment or Emergency Fund

2 months emergency fund.
$460,369.27 left on mortgage at 3.625% 30 year fixed. 28 years to go assuming 12 payments/year.
Currently paying an extra payment per year of $2,647.
Although the extra ~$200/month isn't a huge accelerator, should I divert the 13th payment from the mortgage to the emergency fund (currently laddered in t-bills at close to 5%) until I reach 6 months of expenses? This would not be my only/major source of growing the emergency fund.
Are the numbers so small that it doesn't really matter?
by hafjell
Sun Mar 05, 2023 12:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to park 200k+ Cash? Advice
Replies: 17
Views: 3110

Re: Where to park 200k+ Cash? Advice

OP, I just paid off a proportionately similar amount of debt. The increased cash flow has been a godsend. Not only in Dave Ramsey's "sleep better at night" but in real financial flexibility. As others have noted, you can deploy the student loan payment amounts in a variety of ways--maybe just plug into your AA. A tbill ladder at Fido while you get your head around it will get you more than the 4.25% you're paying for the loans.
We have run into some unexpected high-for-us costs and I've been able to manage them without breaking stride because of the increased cash flow and piled up savings. (Take the advice here from others on tbills. I'm just getting started and many here know a lot.)
by hafjell
Mon Feb 06, 2023 1:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Dumb Question about T-Bills
Replies: 12
Views: 1265

Re: Dumb Question about T-Bills

Thank you, all. Next question might be, as these T-Bills mature, is there a reinvestment strategy to grow the ladder from quarterly (4) to monthly (12)? Should I reinvest the proceeds into a certain month of maturity to maximize dollars and turn around time? Probably overthinking this.
by hafjell
Mon Feb 06, 2023 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Dumb Question about T-Bills
Replies: 12
Views: 1265

Dumb Question about T-Bills

I bought a quarterly ladder of US Treasury T-Bills (zero coupon) in "$1,000" increments. They cost between $955 and $985. The value fluctuates minimally day to day.
The dumb question is: will these redeem at $1,000 on their "due date?"
by hafjell
Wed Jan 11, 2023 12:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to park some CASH?
Replies: 79
Views: 12937

Re: Where to park some CASH?

Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund (VMRXX) currently has an SEC yield of 4.25% with ER = 0.10%. Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund (VMFXX) currently has an SEC yield of 4.22% with ER = 0.11%. Vanguard Treasury Money Market Fund (VUSXX) currently has an SEC yield of 4.07% with ER = 0.09%. You can ACH, wire the money for $10, or write a check. Yes, and surprised the thread took so long to flag Vanguard’s money funds. One member above suggested a Fidelity fund without stating its current rate; historically Fidelity’s money fund offerings don’t compare favorably to Vanguard’s, probably bc Fidelity charges a significantly higher ER. Here are some comparable Schwab offerings: Schwab Government Money Fund (SNVXX), SEC yield = 3.91%,...
by hafjell
Tue Jan 10, 2023 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to park some CASH?
Replies: 79
Views: 12937

Re: Where to park some CASH?

rkhusky wrote: Tue Jan 10, 2023 9:54 am
av111 wrote: Tue Jan 10, 2023 9:46 am If money is invested in Fidelity or vanguard funds, is the earning free of state tax? Avoiding state taxes was one reason I bought treasury on ML
State specific muni funds are tax exempt from both state and federal taxes, but are only available for the largest states. And there are MM versions of these for safety of principal.
What's the recommendation for Idaho? (Not among the largest states unless you're counting elk...)
by hafjell
Fri Jan 06, 2023 1:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: IDeal Experience with Idaho 529
Replies: 2
Views: 550

IDeal Experience with Idaho 529

Hi, does anybody have any experience with IDeal as both a college savings program and a way to avoid ID state tax? Currently on the hook for ~$11K to the state. If I invested that with IDeal, would that knock my state tax bill down to zero or just reduce my AGI? Sorry for the beginner questions; couldn't find much here by searching.
by hafjell
Sun Jan 01, 2023 8:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1036944

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

I am ready to keep and build an emergency fund. First deposit will not fill the three-month-of-expenses/income tier. Where should I keep that partial 3-month tier in Fidelity? CMA? If yes, in SPRXX? If not in CMA, where and in which fund?

This money is earmarked as boiler/furnace replacement so I shouldn't be dipping into it to cover or float my monthly cash flow. I have sold an expensive vehicle and am selling more of my overhead so my monthly carry is getting easier.

Sorry for the questions. I was a devoted reader of this thread and then took my eye off it for a few months.
by hafjell
Sun Jan 01, 2023 8:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High down payment or pay car off?
Replies: 4
Views: 607

Re: High down payment or pay car off?

I'd go into the house purchase with as much cash as you can pile up. Minimum payments on the car. Do everything you can to put 20% down and avoid PMI. As soon as you close and have paid a month or two or the mortgage, square your shoulders to the car loan. Now is not the time to get cute. Unless I'm not understanding your sequence (your post is a bit vague) and paying off the car can be done quickly and the subsequent cash flow can instantly accrue to the house fund.
by hafjell
Sun Aug 21, 2022 10:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1036944

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

leland wrote: Sat Aug 20, 2022 5:17 pm Q: For FZDXX, SPRXX or any of the Fidelity money market mutual funds is there a minimum holding period? At ML I know there's a 90 day minimum to avoid a fee. I didn't see that referenced in the prospectus and wanted to ask here for confirmation.
Not for SPRXX.
by hafjell
Wed Aug 17, 2022 5:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: robo-advisor (Betterment) tax loss harvesting vs. manual
Replies: 15
Views: 1613

Re: robo-advisor (Betterment) tax loss harvesting vs. manual

Does anybody have experience with VG? My 81 year old father recently had auto-TLH recommended to him by his advisor at VG. He is very pleased with their service, fyi.
by hafjell
Fri Aug 12, 2022 11:06 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Income Limits for Trad. IRA
Replies: 8
Views: 589

Re: Income Limits for Trad. IRA

Thank you, all. Roth it is.
by hafjell
Fri Aug 12, 2022 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Income Limits for Trad. IRA
Replies: 8
Views: 589

Re: Income Limits for Trad. IRA

the_wiki wrote: Fri Aug 12, 2022 10:43 am Cutoff for tax deduction is $129k for joint filers with a 401k, etc. at work.
Thanks. So, stupid question, Roth makes the most sense?
by hafjell
Fri Aug 12, 2022 10:40 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Income Limits for Trad. IRA
Replies: 8
Views: 589

Re: Income Limits for Trad. IRA

BogleTaxPro wrote: Fri Aug 12, 2022 10:33 am Are either you or your wife covered by a retirement plan at work? The limits vary depending on your answer.

https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/ir ... ion-limits
Both covered. Editing original post to reflect that.
by hafjell
Fri Aug 12, 2022 10:24 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Income Limits for Trad. IRA
Replies: 8
Views: 589

Income Limits for Trad. IRA

Sorry if this has been covered. When I search, I get big, headline articles that don't cover my question.

If wife and I file jointly and make >$218K/year but with MAGI of ~$165K, can I still contribute max to trad IRA? We are both covered by retirement plans at work.

And, as I'm cash light currently, and looking like I'll be in lower bracket upon retirement, can I deduct this $7K even if taking the [Politician's name by admin LadyGeek] standard deduction at $24K?

Thanks, and apologies to admins if this has been covered before. I read https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Traditi ... and_Limits as claiming my MAGI, not pre-tax salary, as binding on deductions for trad IRAs.
by hafjell
Mon Aug 08, 2022 8:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1036944

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

It makes a big difference depending on what purpose you plan to use the money for. If you're transferring the money to Fidelity to withdraw the cash at an ATM, or pay a bill, then you'll want to "push" the money from the other institution. It may take a day or two for it to show up, but it will be immediately available to withdraw (or pay bill, etc..) as soon as it arrives (a day or two later.) If you're transferring the money to Fidelity to "trade" or buy securities with, you'll probably want to "pull" the money instructing Fidelity to move it from the other account, that way will allow you to trade or buy securities immediately, and being able to withdraw the cash quickly (it will take about a week before it...
by hafjell
Sat Aug 06, 2022 7:01 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How much cash (beyond emergency fund) do you keep on hand?
Replies: 60
Views: 8155

Re: How much cash (beyond emergency fund) do you keep on hand?

To those recommending the HELOC, how does that work? You have an emergency, you withdraw money from the home equity loan, the next month your mortgage payment goes up? That makes me nervous.
by hafjell
Thu Aug 04, 2022 10:20 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Buying T-Bills at Fidelity vs Treasury Direct
Replies: 34
Views: 11397

Re: Buying T-Bills at Fidelity vs Treasury Direct

stocknoob4111 wrote: Thu Aug 04, 2022 10:06 am I use TD only for iBonds... T-Bills I buy new issues at Fidelity
Can yu recommend a good source to read up on the difference / application of Tbills and iBonds?
by hafjell
Tue Aug 02, 2022 8:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Which Car Loan to Overpay
Replies: 17
Views: 1861

Re: Which Car Loan to Overpay

It sounds like you are working toward getting your financial house in order. Good for you. To be clear, you shouldn't be drawing from your portfolio except in the case of a true emergency - like the loss of primary breadwinner's job. It's not an additional spending reserve. If you're aways "cash-light" you're spending too much relative to income and need to cut back. Sounds like selling the 2nd car is mandatory for your financial health, regardless of what others in the family might think. There are two excellent books that provide some perspective on this. Consider reading "The Millionaire Next Door" and "Your Money or Your Life." Thanks for this. I've been over-complicating the question. We can barely afford...
by hafjell
Mon Aug 01, 2022 10:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Which Car Loan to Overpay
Replies: 17
Views: 1861

Re: Which Car Loan to Overpay

If you have other assets and two stable jobs, you may not need a separate, low-yielding emergency fund. I haven't had one in years. I keep plenty cash on hand for spending needs with a sizable cushion, but other than that, everything is invested per my 70/30 AA. In a true emergency, I'd spend down the portfolio. There are multiple sources of immediate funds if I need them, including credit cards, Ibonds, 401K loans, home equity line, etc. You might consider buying Ibonds, which are currently yielding 9%, but can't be cashed for a year. I'd prefer ibonds vs. paying down either of the car loans, and you'd effectively have a healthy emergency fund after the year is up. I had money "stashed" in my portfolio but hated withdrawing it e...
by hafjell
Sun Jul 31, 2022 8:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Which Car Loan to Overpay
Replies: 17
Views: 1861

Re: Which Car Loan to Overpay

Thanks, everyone for your thoughtful and helpful advice. We have two incomes, stable jobs in stable industries, but I haven't done enough to steer income into a solid emergency fund. I'll refocus until I'm at 6 months of expenses and then reconsider the loans. Hopefully one of the cars has sold by then.
by hafjell
Sun Jul 31, 2022 8:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Which Car Loan to Overpay
Replies: 17
Views: 1861

Re: Which Car Loan to Overpay

randybobandy wrote: Sun Jul 31, 2022 1:18 pmHow many people are you trying to convince?
-RbB
Three but only one of them is over 9 years old.
by hafjell
Sat Jul 30, 2022 10:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Which Car Loan to Overpay
Replies: 17
Views: 1861

Which Car Loan to Overpay

$32,215 at 4.64% with minimum payment of $548.
$40,897 at 3.74% with minimum payment of $637.

I am trying to convince the family to sell the car with $32K left on the loan. I suspect by summer's end, they'll agree to unload it.

Should I move all "extra" money to pay off the $40K car? We should drive that car until it dies. I cannot see us selling it. Or should I just go Dave Ramsey and throw all extra funds at the smaller loan amount with the higher interest rate?

Our emergency fund is low. Should I just pay minimum payments while re-funding the emergency fund?
by hafjell
Fri Apr 29, 2022 1:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: CD Ladder Discipline
Replies: 48
Views: 6327

Re: CD Ladder Discipline

It depends on what your objective is for the CD ladder. I have historically used CD ladders in two ways: In my rollover IRA, to cover "Must" expenses between my retirement date and when I start taking SS at age 70. Most of this ladder consists of individual 10-year TIPS maturing in the corresponding year, but I included some CDs to boost return in case inflation remained low. In hindsight, I wish I'd have used only TIPS, given current inflation rates -- but the CD portion of the ladder averages ~2.5%, so I'm not really losing that much purchasing power to inflation. Going forward, I probably won't add CDs, but will continue buying new issue 10-year TIPS for the remaining ladder rungs. It'll be painful to buy the 2032 rung next ye...
by hafjell
Wed Apr 21, 2021 11:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I want to buy cash with my credit card. Will the IRS allow this adventure of mine?
Replies: 74
Views: 10692

Re: I want to buy cash with my credit card. Will the IRS allow this adventure of mine?

8foot7 wrote: Sat Apr 17, 2021 5:47 pmI would not go looking to potentially increase the amount of contact I have with the IRS or their motivation to examine my account. Rule of thumb.
Ha! Genius. I have read a lot of wise words on this forum, but this is close to the top of the list.
by hafjell
Tue Apr 20, 2021 9:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Closing Costs
Replies: 22
Views: 2227

Re: Closing Costs

rascott wrote: Tue Apr 20, 2021 9:49 pmCheck the refi mega thread on here to see what people are paying today and for what rates.
Will do. Thanks.
by hafjell
Tue Apr 20, 2021 9:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Closing Costs
Replies: 22
Views: 2227

Re: Closing Costs

rascott wrote: Tue Apr 20, 2021 8:24 pmWe have been doing 45 day closings here. I used lenderfi for a refi last year and found them awesome to work with (best and easiest mortgage I've done, and I've done a bunch of them)
Off topic: what are you typically expecting to pay for closing costs on a refi?
by hafjell
Tue Apr 20, 2021 8:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Closing Costs
Replies: 22
Views: 2227

Re: Closing Costs

Williams57 wrote: Tue Apr 20, 2021 7:35 pm I recently had to pay an appraisal fee of $700 for a 370 SF studio. I have been told that's the new reality. I heard that in some cases if your net worth is above the amount borrowed the appraisal can be waived.

Closing costs are such a PITA! Next property I'm buying hopefully I'll have enough to self fund (borrow against myself) or cash (if that makes sense in that climate)
Sorry for your pain. That's egregious. Our problem isn't cost; it's time to respond. We had to pull strings within the community. First appraisal date came back 6 weeks from PaS signing...
by hafjell
Tue Apr 20, 2021 8:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Closing Costs
Replies: 22
Views: 2227

Re: Closing Costs

Seems outrageously high..... but you need to shop around. Actually should have shopped around prior to going under contract. Now you're a bit under the gun time wise. Go over to AIMloan.com and pop in your numbers and see what they offer. Or also check Lenderfi. No personal info needed at either to see their costs. Where are you located? I popped in your sales number at Lenderfi and for a 2.75% 30 year fixed, they are offering a $3k lender credit... and with that credit TOTAL closing costs are $121. That's in my area.... your locality could vary. Great tips on the websites. We are in a resort town in the Rockies so facing Covid immigrants from the coasts whacking the market. No complaints; just reality. I did shop around but the company I'...
by hafjell
Tue Apr 20, 2021 8:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Closing Costs
Replies: 22
Views: 2227

Re: Closing Costs

manuvns wrote: Tue Apr 20, 2021 6:41 pm you should negotiate on all of the items below , i don't pay first 3 and 1200$ is lot for appraisal .

Processing fees $999
Underwriting fees $649
Origination charges $1,648
Appraisal Fee $1,200
Appraisal re-inspection fee $200
Credit report $120
Verbal VOE $100
Costs on the appraisal may be as low as $525 but lender pencils in higher #s to make sure we have enough cash at closing. I will ask about the origination charges. Thanks for your help.
by hafjell
Tue Apr 20, 2021 8:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Closing Costs
Replies: 22
Views: 2227

Re: Closing Costs

Cigarman wrote: Tue Apr 20, 2021 6:40 pm Have you shopped this mortgage to a variety of sources including a mortgage broker? I am in NC and have gotten 5 mortgages through my local broker with no closing costs. These were not "no cash out of pocket" loans where the closing costs were rolled in to the mortgage but true "no closing costs". You may pay a slightly higher rate but the payback period is about 8 years. Just something to think about. Of course this does not apply to the prepaids that are required.
Thank you. Yes, I have shopped around, but not thoroughly and not with the right companies I'm learning. More below. Appreciate your insight.
by hafjell
Tue Apr 20, 2021 6:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Closing Costs
Replies: 22
Views: 2227

Re: Closing Costs

MrJedi wrote: Tue Apr 20, 2021 4:16 pmSection A is typically negotiable, these are fees directly charged by the lender.
Thanks. Do they seem in line with a sale price of $602.5K? We did some legwork that the mortgage company could/should have done. Nothing major, but worth noting.
by hafjell
Tue Apr 20, 2021 6:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Closing Costs
Replies: 22
Views: 2227

Re: Closing Costs

123 wrote: Tue Apr 20, 2021 4:27 pmA lot of the charges will vary based on the purchase price of the property and/or the loan amount. They could be excessive for a property selling for $250K but a bargain for a $10 million property.
Thanks. Under contract for $602,500. We are putting 20% down.
by hafjell
Tue Apr 20, 2021 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Closing Costs
Replies: 22
Views: 2227

Re: Closing Costs

giddyup969 wrote: Tue Apr 20, 2021 11:29 amDid the lender not give you a loan estimate? You should demand one if you have filled out an application. That standard format helps find out where they are trying to sneak in $'s.
Thanks for that tip. I've updated the numbers above from the loan estimate. I wonder if my loan officer is presenting higher costs than expected to keep expectations low.
by hafjell
Tue Apr 20, 2021 10:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Closing Costs
Replies: 22
Views: 2227

Closing Costs

Hi, first time home buyer in contract. Lender is being vague about closing costs. I'm wondering which are negotiable and which are inevitable. He's listing: (Updated with numbers from the loan estimate.) Item Project Cost Processing fees $999 Underwriting fees $649 Origination charges $1,648 Appraisal Fee $1,200 Appraisal re-inspection fee $200 Credit report $120 Verbal VOE $100 Unshopped Services $1,620 Closing Protection Letter $25 Courier Fee $50 Doc Fee $25 E-File Fee $5 Endorsement Fee $50 Lender's Title Insurance $3,160 Settlement Fee $653 Wire Fee $25 Title--Shopped $3,993 Total Loan Costs (4+9+18) $7,261 Recording Fees $60 Transfer Taxes $0 Taxes & Gov't Fees $60 Homeowners Insurance Prem/yr. $3,252 Mortgage Insurance $0 Prepaid...
by hafjell
Thu Feb 18, 2021 12:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to Find Cost Basis at Tiaa-CREF
Replies: 14
Views: 1856

How to Find Cost Basis at Tiaa-CREF

Having a hard time finding cost basis per fund at Tiaa. Fido has this tabulated for funds I've purchased over time. Is the same feature available at Tiaa?
by hafjell
Thu Feb 11, 2021 1:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best Asia or Asia Pacific Fund at Fidelity
Replies: 4
Views: 574

Best Asia or Asia Pacific Fund at Fidelity

I'm looking for a good Asia Pacific fund at Fido but can't find anything but FPBFX. Any others I should look at?
by hafjell
Wed Apr 29, 2020 2:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [One stop shop with BoA / Merrill Edge]
Replies: 34
Views: 3814

Re: [One stop shop with BoA / Merrill Edge]

ARoseByAnyOtherName wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2020 1:25 pmNo, what I’m saying is that moving money FROM an external account TO Fido is fast, for me, when initiated from Fido.

I don’t know if it would be slower if I initiated the transfer to Fido from the external account itself, I never ever do that.

Not invaliding your experience, just sharing that it isn’t slow for me that direction.
Ah, interesting. I always initiate transfer from within Fido too. Slow, inconsistent experiences for me. But they've been great to me. Often get ATM fee rebates on the same day. They don't nickel and dime.
by hafjell
Wed Apr 29, 2020 12:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [One stop shop with BoA / Merrill Edge]
Replies: 34
Views: 3814

Re: [One stop shop with BoA / Merrill Edge]

ARoseByAnyOtherName wrote: Tue Apr 28, 2020 8:44 pmThat’s not my experience with my Fidelity brokerage account. Transfers especially when “pulled” from Fidelity happen quite quickly, typically within a day or so.
Yes, moving money from Fido to my credit union is fast. But from credit union to Fido is slow. Not a deal breaker, just a caveat.
by hafjell
Tue Apr 28, 2020 4:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [One stop shop with BoA / Merrill Edge]
Replies: 34
Views: 3814

Re: [One stop shop with BoA / Merrill Edge]

I am very happy with Fido and the CMA, but would note that it is not technically a bank. So transfers into the CMA take a long time (days). Just a caveat.