How to decide whether to rent a house or apartment or purchase a home or condo. What has been the financial return from owning a house? Topics covered include: How much have home prices increased in major cities since 1980 What drove the greater than 50% jump in home prices in some U.S. cities since 2020 Why there aren't more new starter homes What will it take for the housing shortage to abate so houses can be more affordable Why now could be a more advantageous time to … [Read more...]
404 Plus: More on Bonds, Interest Rates, Monetary Velocity, and Inflation
In Plus Episode 404, we discuss paying down a mortgage early now that interest rates are higher. We answer a member's questions on how to invest college savings to be used in seven years or less. We revisit selling intermediate-term bond funds and ETFs. We revisit David's decision to buy and sell PFIX. Finally, we look at what monetary velocity is, why it is increasing and does that suggest inflation will stay high for longer. … [Read more...]
349: Forward and Reverse Mortgages: When To Take Them Out and When to Pay Them Off
How to decide when to take out a home mortgage and whether to pay it off early. How reverse mortgages can be a helpful retirement tool. Topics covered include: Why it is more difficult to get a mortgage todayHow federal government mortgage guarantees lead to lower mortgage ratesHow to analyze whether to pay off your mortgage earlyThe differences between personal risk, market risk, and aspirational riskHow reverse mortgages work and how they can be useful as a retirement income toolWhat … [Read more...]
329 Plus: Robinhood, Mortgages and ETF Transparency
In Plus Episode 329, we review why Robinhood and other brokers suspended trading in certain stock shares this past week. We walk through a numerical example of how a home mortgage fits into an overall asset allocation and how the portfolio mix could be adjusted if the mortgage is paid off to maintain a similar risk profile. Finally, review the difference between transparent and non-transparent ETFs for actively managed ETFs such as those by Ark Invest. 329 Plus View and Listen To … [Read more...]
317: How To Buy In A Hot Housing Market
U.S. home prices are on fire and sales are skyrocketing. Here are 8 rules of thumb for buying a house in a hot housing market when there are multiple bidders over the asking price. Topics covered include: What are the latest metrics on U.S. home sales, prices, and valuations Why are homes sales increasing and prices soaring and how likely are they to fall Why David is buying a different house (again) in a hot housing market What are rules of thumb that can help us find the … [Read more...]
238: The U.S. Is More Socialist Than Denmark Regarding Home Mortgages
How the U.S. mortgage market differs from the Danish mortgage market. Danish mortgage rates and defaults are lower than the U.S.. and unlike the U.S., the Danish government is not involved in protecting investors against mortgage defaults. This episode also explores how the mortgage broker industry has evolved since the housing crash. Photo by Nick Karvounis In this episode you’ll learn: How mortgages are securitized in the U.S. by government-sponsored enterprises and investors are … [Read more...]
235: What If Home Prices Always Declined
How to evaluate the purchase of a depreciating asset such as buying a house in Japan where prices have declined 23 out of the past 29 years. Photo by Manki Kim In this episode you’ll learn: There are no magical solutions to dealing with a housing bubble.Why Japanese home prices have declined for decades and why the houses are so cold in the winter.Why buy a house even if it will fall in price and how to go about doing so. Show Notes Designing Your Life: How To … [Read more...]
167 Plus: Shiller P/E’s, The Dow Theory, and Paying Off Mortgages
This week August 5, 2017 on Money For the Rest of Us Plus we look at how the U.S. stock market has returned when its cyclically adjusted price-to-earnings ratio is high versus low. We look at whether the Dow Theory, which involves analyzing the trend in the Dow Jones Industrial Average versus the Down Transportation Index has be useful at predicting stock returns. We answer questions from two members who are considering paying off their mortgage. Finally, we review a member's retirement … [Read more...]
136 Plus: Emerging Market Bonds, Private Equity, Home Purchases and Household Debt
This week December 10, 2016 on Money For the Rest of Us Plus we look at emerging market bond investing in the current environment, we analyze a low minimum private equity fund of fund, explore current household debt balance and delinquency trends and discuss whether to get a home mortgage when purchasing a first home. Audio duration: 26:45 … [Read more...]
130: Should You Buy A Vacation Home?
How changes in financial circumstances, property markets, zoning rules and personal taste can make owning an illiquid vacation property a risky proposition, but why we bought our dream place anyway (and then sold it). Photo by J.D. Stein In this episode you'll learn: What do consider when buying a vacation property. How owning a second home can be both an asset and liability. The importance of prototyping your life by having a bias to action. Show Notes Airbnb Sues … [Read more...]
