It takes an additional five years, seven total, to get back to the same nominal price.Unfortunately, seven years from now, $150K is equivalent to only $108K in today's dollars.Since Real Estate only appreciates at the rate of inflation, over the long term, (see Case-Shiller data), you'll never make up the loss over then next few years, on a post-inflation basis.Then, you sell.

Its more just the lesser of two evils.We need to get back to the roots of what made this country great....but we are so far from them now it's as if the roots are totally decayed and the tree is going to fall.Its really just a cycle of the world.

i agree totally with what warren said.

Maybe I am young (25) and naive but this seems like drastic overeaction.I seriously doubt with every bone in my body we need to be stocking up on guns, ammo, food, safes...etc.It's almost laughable.I think we are heading into tough times with a depression looming but come on....Maybe I am just to sheltered in the nice rural town I am living in right now.All you guys are fairly logical and to my understanding aren't total wack jobs.

Costs for an exchange are minimal (my company charges a total of $695, for instance); it's hard to find a RE deal where taxes won't be at least that much.

There are 2 properties each pricedat $45K, there is a 2fam and a 3famLet me know what you think:[/u]Purchase Price: 45,000Appraised value - $80KLot Size:3,630Living Area: 2,160Taxes 899/yrInsurance 700/yrTotal 1,599/yrIncome: $1,100 x 12mos = $13,200/yrNet Income = $13,200 - $1,599 = $11,601 Annual return: $11,601/45,000 = 25% return[b]·Purchase Price: 45,000·Appraised value - $80K·Lot Size: 4,160 sq. feet·Living area 2,654 sq. feet·Taxes 1,594/yr Insurance 700/yr Total 2,294/yr Income: $1,367 x 12mos = $16,404/yr·Net Income = $16,404 - $2,294 = $14,110·Annual return: $14,110/45,000 = 30% return

This would mean that 45, of the 193 total, are still going through the foreclosure process?

But the RTC sold a grand total of 19 packages.

I went to a local bank, got a commercial loan for a "Cheap" house + improvement loans total $20k interest 7.34% fixed - 15 years.

It's all totally ridiculous because there is no secret to real estate investing.If you really want to be successful in this business, keep your money in your pocket.