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Getting back to the goal of reducing taxes in 2009, what are some ideas for W2 earners? USCtrojanman listed some good ones. Any other ideas? 1. Maximize 401k contributions 2. Charitable contributions 3. Buy a primary residence 4. Buy a rental property 5. Have some kids 6. Make...

Have to disagree with tenmagnet and others suggesting that the pros can help. I think internet research including posting in forums is part of due diligence before shelling out $1000s on the so called pros. My wife and I have no kids and are W2 earners and fall in the same category as OP...

You have one more daily reader BlackVault.

Great thread. I wish I had a big investment mistake. I know I know...that sounds crazy but the truth is, I come from a super conservative family and am unable to take financial risks. I want to invest my money in more than CDs but I always seem to be too scared to buy stock or buy a mutual...

I recommend everyone bookmarkinghttp://bankdeals.blogspot.com- the entire blog is dedicated to CD and MM rates. Also, I highly recommend the WAMU liquid CD. Its giving 4.25% and you can withdraw money any time. I figure its a good place to park some downpayment funds. And like others...

Good thread MR - wife and I have been debating this same thing for months now. Here is a twist to your question: what if your downpayment fund gets to the point that it covers the entire purchase price of the house? What would you guys do? Still pay only 20% and invest the rest...

Trooper is right. It is common practice and they will need to run a credit check and a rental history check. If you are really concerned, you can always ask if you can provide your social directly to the company doing the back ground check vs. providing it to the landlord.

While the move up house is cheaper, how exactly do you sell your current house if it fell 50% since you bought? Basically, you would have to bring cash to the lender to settle your mortgage and then bring more cash for a downpayment. Even in your 20% falling example, the seller would need to...

I agree with CalGal that karma will get them. I shared this story about one of my co-workers in a past thread but will share again. My co-worker decided to jump into the RE ponzi scheme in 2006 and bought a small junk of a house for $500k+ in San Diego. She had never owned a house by herself...

IAC definitely doesn't allow rent to be charged. That would be awesome though. We also got the $100 off deposit but no discount in rent.

Regarding redfin, I think it would be ideal if you are buying a new home from a builder. You negotiate with the builder and they do all the paperwork and you get back a nice check. If you aren't buying new and its your first time, a traditional good buyers agent would be better. They can...

Thats a great link. Thanks Anonymous. I am confused though by the minimum bid. On the 112 Stepping Stone property, its listed for $505K in the MLS but shows a minimum bid of $728K. Why?

Not sure there is anything really illegal happening. The lender shouldn't be lending 100% right now and if they do and lose it all, its really their own stupidity. I agree that it sucks for all of us but not sure there is anything your can do about it.

As long as the landlord didn't buy the place in the last 5 years, you should be fine signing a 5 year lease. I know my father-in-law would love tenants like you. He bought the rental house years ago and its 100% paid off. He likes good long term renters. I would recommend his place but...

IR - thanks for sharing the history. I didn't realize the 30 year loan has been around since the great depression. My point isnt that the 40 year is a good product or anything like that but that very few people will ever own the same house for the full 30 years. Yet 30 is still the safe...

I don't think rents are going down heavily because of flippers becoming floplords. Private property rentals are a very small portion of the rental market and I just dont see it affecting the general apartment market that aggressively. Rather, I think its IACs own aggressive building and...