Comments on: Renters happier than owners?

By: Bilbo Bloggins

Bilbo Bloggins — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:49:59 +0000

That's a generalization -- owning is NOT painful. Owning UNAFFORDABLE properties or problem properties IS painful. Anecdotally, we invited this couple to go out for dinner with us a few times. Each time they declined. I stopped inviting them after the guy grumpily blurted out that they were trying to save money because of the mortgage. Mind you this was not a high-end restaurant that we wanted to try out. Entrees were $18 to $25 tops. Also, they're spending a lot of time and money right now trying to fix up the basement so that they can have their little mortgage helper. New flooring, appliances. It's all adding up. As for us, we're planning out next vacation probably to Spain and a Mediterranean cruise. We take about 3 vacations per year. This poor couple (actually their combined income is not that far off from ours) hasn't taken a holiday anywhere in 2 years. The wife wants to travel badly, but they only managed to run down to Seattle for the weekend a couple of of times.

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By: read on

read on — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:51:41 +0000

^^ good luck selling an "investment" that bleeds cash.

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By: Vancouverite

Vancouverite — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:51:31 +0000

I own a Condo in Lower Lonsdale which I rent out. After maintenance fees & taxes $620. PER MONTH Costs me $546 per month to be a ????? To own considering 4-8% per year depreciating market? I will/can sell immediatelly!

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By: Boombust

Boombust — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:30:26 +0000

Dumb.

Current score: -4 (to vote for this comment, please visit the site)

By: read on

read on — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:23:34 +0000

The house forclosure diet! Some one call Oprah!

Current score: 6 (to vote for this comment, please visit the site)

By: MrBear

MrBear — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:59:17 +0000

"My analysis relies on the responses from about 500 women from Franklin County, OH." The author claims to control for a large number of factors including age (which is what led me to download the article - older people are more likely to own houses and presumably also more likely to be heavier) but given the number of things supposedly controlled for I'm surprised there was any data left in the end to draw conclusions from. Not that I discount the study. I'd describe it as interesting but possibly not the strongest evidence one could hope for. Hmm, I should save this away just in case my wife should ever go crazy and insist on buying a house. "But dear, we'll get fat!"

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By: TUT

TUT — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:22:50 +0000

I do not know about others but it is true for me.

After paying three full mortgages in my life peace of mind may be the underlining reason.

Current score: 5 (to vote for this comment, please visit the site)