Sure, that said I do think in such a crazy housing market you have to consider the opportunity cost of delaying your home purchase to save up the necessary down payment to hit 20%. But yes, if you can already afford 20% then there's no reason not to just put down the 20%.

We bought three years ago and put down around 10%. If we had waited to save up for 20%, we'd still be saving and wouldn't be able to buy yet. Meanwhile, the value of our house has increased by $100,000 in that same timeframe and the interest rates have skyrocketed. We simply wouldn't be able to buy this house today, whereas we could three years ago.

Paying $840 per year for ~6 years to be locked into a sub 3% interest rate mortgage on a house that cost $100,000 less than it would today is absolutely worth it. The difference in list price and interest rates if we bought today would easily exceed the $70 per month we are paying in PMI.

Correct.

Most people plead their case themselves in MA unless its egregious. Yours is not that.

I've literally lived in MA for 30 years, kid. Before that, I was in Rhode Island.

Yikes. Thanks for the warning. Considered looking at places there

Is it worth it to hire an attorney or should I try to take this on myself?

Went into one today and had to ask the bakery manager who looked at me like I was crazy

Thank you! I was starting to question my own memory

That's for a Jr operator. Unless they make out of country people do the same. But youcan walk into any rmv take the permit test and if your above 18 and (I believe they lend cars again) have theoney for it right there and get there soon enough, you can do an on road test that day and get your license. They give you a paper one and mail in the card version takes a week or two. That's also from me doing it back in 2010 so it could be different.

Mardi Gras isn't really a thing in New England. I mean, we know what it is and all but the real traditions aren't observed here.

Lay off the skooma...

Take Uber for a week or ask if someone can give you a ride that works there for the week. Someone that reverse commutes also, a car is almost a requirement near 495. Driving from Cambridge is 35 to 50 mins on a Monday without snow.

In 2020, we got snow in mid April and early May as well

Definitely fight it. It's not just the fine. It's the increase on your insurance - up to 30% for 1 to 3 years.

There’s a quote from the Rankin/Bass version: “This hellish Mordor! First it sears you then it freezes you!”

Absolutely appeal that ticket. It'll cost you $25 extortion fee to appeal it. The first time you go to the court you will not be meeting with a judge, you will be meeting with a clerk. The police officers do not show up at this stage. There is a representative of the police department there who reads into the record the police officers version of events.

There really is no work out there

Aw man I forgot the “special” fun the city is when it is a sloppy mess of ice and snow and everyone is a drunken sloppy mess.

Green vomit on ice is something you try to forget.

From someone who’s learning to drive:

1. If you haven’t driven in Massachusetts before your probably gonna have to take a week of classes. Videos, tests, etc. on how to drive properly and safely.
2. You’ll then get your permit which will allow you to drive with other experienced people in the car with you. You’ll need to take a few driving tests. Probably about 10.
3. Finally after all the tests are over, there’s some paperwork and such and then you’ll eventually get your license.

I think if you ordered one from the bakery in Whole Foods they’d make you one. I might be remembering another store though.

My wife and I make a little under that. We were lucky to inherit ~40k, saved another 40k ourselves and bought in the Taunton area in 2019. House was 325k, we put 20% down and refinanced when rates bottomed out at 3%. Now rates are over double that and our home is valued at over 400k. I don't know how young workers are expected to afford houses now.

In essence, it's luck. Luck to have decent jobs. Luck to find a cheap apartment to save money. Luck to be ready to buy (which at the time felt like the top of the market). And luck to refinance afterwards.

We just bought in Ludlow last may. Very close to the pike which is nice for commuting. The town is in the middle of renovating their mi district which gives me a good amount of hope for future value.

I'm in tech and work remotely. We were initially drawn to Northampton and Easthampton, but ultimately found a truly lovely place in Westhampton, which is more rural, but still just 10 minutes away from Northampton and Easthampton, unlike most of the other Hilltowns which are mostly 20 or more minutes away.

If you happen to be part of the LGBTQ+ community, then look no further. You've found your peeps. This is the place you want to be, hands down.

A huge bonus for Westhampton if you have little kids is that the elementary school is ridiculously good (rated 9 on GoodSchools).

Feel free to DM me if you want to chat more about this area.

Go talk to the judge

I'm from northern VA too so I just want to corroborate what you're saying for the other commenters. Every bakery and grocery store has king cakes out the 2 weeks leading up to Mardi Gras.