Another big opportunity for first-time homebuyers is on its way

Kevin E.
Kansas City, KS     11/07/2009 10:03 AM

Casey- Yes, it's my dad that is ill. He's doing fine. The radiation treatments make him very tired. Only 8 more treatments to go.

Report a Violation

Jim K.
Willmar, MN     11/06/2009 10:42 PM

Let's see, how many dumb people thing its ok to get people into homes with other peoples money.

Report a Violation

Casey O.
Kerkhoven, MN     11/06/2009 8:07 PM

Thanks Joe, I have always read your post, including your account of the tornado. You usually post late, so I read them in the morning.

Report a Violation

joe r.
Willmar, MN     11/06/2009 6:42 PM

Casey Amen, homeowner ship is not all it is bragged up to be, and like you, I cannot wait till I can retire, and just rent. We also talked about buying a mobile home, and travel to different states such as Florida, and Alabama, where relatives live, then come back to Minnesota during the summer. Property taxes, water, utilities, garbage, homeowner insurance, and up keeps can really hit you hard in the pocket book. Several Teachers I read about purchased boats, and lived on them year round, and traveled down the coast to relatives.

Report a Violation

joe r.
Willmar, MN     11/06/2009 6:08 PM

Actually Ted if people are out looking for a home odds are they can afford to do it. Eight thousand dollars for a tax credit for first time home buyers will allow a couple to remodel or pay off other bills. If the mortgage loan is granted it will have to do with the ability of the consumer to be able to afford monthly mortgage payments, the eight thousand is gravy after the fact. Banks and lenders are looking closer at borrowers, and are not too quick to approve loans. This time around you have to show your ability to pay on the mortgage, and are placed in a home they can afford. Ted the problem is the people who have purchased homes and lost their jobs. There is a small percentage of those who people who brought property that was above their income level. Also there were mortgage lenders, or predatory lenders who inflated income levels, along with job earning to put some of these people into homes that they could not afford Things have changed, and banks are looking over applications several times, and are doing their own appraising of the property. No one can predict a job loss, or medical problems, which contribute to foreclosures. These incentives for people to buy homes pay as much as they would or more renting.

Report a Violation

Casey O.
Kerkhoven, MN     11/06/2009 5:51 PM

Rebecca, I see your point. Many times I've heard it would be so much "nicer" to rent because you don't need to foot the bill. I have heard during this foreclosure madness that people have said their landlord collected their checks and didn't pay for anything and now they were sitting without heat, elec, water, and whatever else was broken.(yes, landlords were foreclosed on too). I look to the day when we retire to rent and finally live carefree of being homeowners. My college daughter is a renter and has told me about things that aren't working right and I keep telling her that they aren't mad at her for letting them know because if she didn't, their whole building would be in trouble, especially from a leaky toilet, or faulty heater. We do live in Minnesota and not the correct temp could freeze pipes when the temps get bitter.

Report a Violation

rebecca m.
Kerkhoven, MN     11/06/2009 5:32 PM

Denise-you're correct that the monthly bills are about the same renting or owning-especially if you don't go overboard in regards to the type of house you buy. However, if something goes wrong while you are renting you call the landlord. If the fridge dies, you call the landlord, rather than shell out $400 for a new fridge. If the furnace quits, you call the landlord. Plus, you don't have to shovel snow in the winter or mow in the summer. For people like me it's a blessing to rent.

Report a Violation

Casey O.
Kerkhoven, MN     11/06/2009 4:39 PM

Kevin, was it your dad that is ill? If so, is he doing better? It's gotta be tough being so far away from your folks.

Report a Violation

Kevin E.
Kansas City, KS     11/06/2009 4:11 PM

Casey- I am home. Be back up there in a week.

Report a Violation

Casey O.
Kerkhoven, MN     11/06/2009 3:57 PM

Boy Kevin, that was a SHORT weekend. This will be my youngest third time hunting, he could have gotten the other years, but held back, so I hope he gets one soon. This year he bought the scent killer deodorant, shampoo, and soap.... I keep telling him he's obsessive. He does the same thing with fishing. I don't eat it and I hate the smell when I cook it. I have mixed the ground with hamburger and that works. If he gets, my oldest wants it and he would have taken it anyother time too. My hubby will be in the fields so he can't go, maybe Sunday, if we do get more of that four letter word, rain. You must be home and not up here.

Report a Violation