Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

I told a friend at work I thought DH and I found "the one" last weekend!

She asked how much we are paying for it, and started spitting out numbers... she goes "What are you paying $500,000?"....... Unless I am forgetting something, I NEVER mentioned prices to her... and I felt that was rude.

Would you also find that rude? I responded by saying "We are paying a lot, I'd rather not think about it!" and then changed the subject!

Message edited 11/16/2009 6:16:20 PM.

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

If it were a friend, I wouldn't think it's rude. I probably wouldn't ask someone, but wouldn't mind if they did.


ETA: Good Luck

Message edited 11/16/2009 6:18:01 PM.

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

I definitely think its a rude question, I would never ask someone that.

But considering that you can very easily find out what someone paid for their house online, on a site such as Zillow or even Newsday, that information isnt really a secret.

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

I am numbers girl, i wouldn't think it is rude

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

Honestly, people who want to know what you paid for your house can find out really easily.

Plus, like a PP said, I'm a numbers girl so things like that wouldn't faze me.

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

close friends and family i would tell but other than that its nobody's business.....

i do tell people that we had competition on the house where they were about to accept another offer so we ended up just offering list price,

and some people freak out on that and i tell them when its the one its the one and i didnt mind paying list price bc it was a great deal for the area according to the comps,

when they see we did our research they shut up about it

maybe they just dont want you to get a bad deal.....

good luck

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

It depends on who asks it and how it is asked. Whoever asked us, I told them because its public knowledge and they can find that out on their own.

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

That wouldn't bother me at all, what you buy your house for is public record, so it's not personal like someone asking what you have in your bank account or what you make in a year. But I get that some people are sensitive to anything that has to do with money, so I'd never ask.

Although I do have a friend who asks numbers on everything and even more annoying, she always ends the question with what she suspects the answer is. For example: "What did that vacation cost? 10,000?" or "How much did you pay for your house? $750,000?" The hilarious part is her numbers are always so way off.

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

It wouldn't bother me too much as I work with high school students and I am used to people speaking before they think.

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

OOHHH where? details!

To answer your question, it would depend who was asking, why, how close we are, etc. When we were buying our house, there were a couple of families we are friends with who were, too, and in the same area, so we compared notes. If you give them your address, they can find out, as that stuff becomes publicly listed, but if they were just an annoying person you didn't want to tell, it was nervy..good luck! If you need anything, let us know!

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

VERY rude!!! If someone wants to offer that information that is their business but I think it is very rude to ask anyone what they paid for something. That is just nosy.

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

the first thing people said to me when I bought my SUV was what are the payments

so with my friends- common question

I am 100% sure I will be asked the same questions when I buy a house- wouldn't bother me

all my friends are in the business

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

I think it's rude. Yeah, if you really want to know what I paid for my house look it up on the Internet.

What I really love is when people ask how much my car was, how much DH makes, etc.. I just find it rude. I don't like talking about money with people at all, regardless of who they are.

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

If it was a friend then I wouldn't mind but if someone at worked asked- I'd think it was rude.

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

I wouldn't really care...I mean if its someone I don't know at all, yeah its weird, but if its someone I know, I don't see the harm. Like the PP's said they'll figure it out eventually.

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

It's actually funny because I would think that wouldn't be something that I would ask someone (although I would totally go to the internet and check), I've noticed that a lot of people have been asking me. I don't mind and I answer them but it is weird.

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

I think we've become very open about money and it doesn't matter to me if I could find out on my own, why would I bother? It's none of my business what anyone pays for their home and I would never ask that question.

I realized years ago how stuck people are on money and have been asked how much I paid for rent, car payment, how much money I put down on my car, my house, what financing rate I got, what my credit score is, and even how much money my husband and I make!

So I've gone the complete other way and usually don't answer. I've said how much we paid here on LIF and what we put down because it was in the spirit of helping new home buyers. I just think it's become acceptably tacky to ask these questions for no good reason and I'm not taking part in it.

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

If someone else is looking and wants to know what I paid, what rate I got, etc., that's fine.

But if they are just curious? No, that's not cool with me.

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

I personally think it is rude when family or friends (other than our parents) ask how much something was/is on large items such as a house or car. I usually respond with "I will tell you if you want to help me make payments." Then change the subject.

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

i never ask people, but i do give out what we pay for things, i am very open with that stuff.

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

Depends on who was asking. Friends of mine were looking for houses around the same time we were. When they asked what we paid, I didn't have a problem telling them. But a random stranger? Heck no.

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

People always ask me what I pay for things.

I think bc I am open, talk a lot ..they are just comfortable doing so? I have felt UNCOMFORTABLE at times.

I DO NOT ask that, friends have TOLD me what they paid for their homes but I wouldn't ask

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

If it were a friend, or someone else that I knew was looking for a house and therefore knowing about prices would help them search, then I wouldn't mind at all. If it was just a random person or someone that didn't need to know the price for any real reason,I would think it was rude.

ETA: Whenever someone asks me the price of something and I feel uncomfortable answering, I answer "five dollars." And i say it very seriously, then turn around and walk away.

Message edited 11/17/2009 2:23:51 PM.

Re: Do you think it's rude to ask what someone is paying for a house?

Yes I find it rude whether it's family or friends. If you're that nosy about it, look it up.

I did have one friend who bought fairly recently too and I didnt mind sharing info with her.