The Single-Family Home Tax Shelter Myth

Does it pay to purchase a house for a tax shelter?

  • Yes, thanks uncle sam

    Votes: 18 35.3%
  • No, better off investing

    Votes: 33 64.7%

  • Total voters
    51
Quote from Maverick74:

Banks usually require a mortgage to stay above a certain equity line (loan to value ratio). In other words, your loan value cannot exceed usually 100% or 90% of the value of the home. If it does, you are then required to pay up and get the ratio back in line. If you can't, you are forced into foreclosure.
:confused: Never seen or heard such a thing.
We are talking about a residential mortgage right, not some sort of investment loan?
 
Just wonder how many people have the discipline to invest the difference three hundred and sixty times straight. Would be hard for a disciplined trader, for the average person a virtual pipe dream. I think that's why they call housing a "forced investment".
 
I don't understand this thread. What's the argument here? If renting and owning is about the same, by all mean, owning it. Consider part of your "renting" money go back to your own pocket when you own a house. That is not include any duduction you might get from the interest payment. This is assumption the house is your primary resident.

The market is too hot now in most area, and it just doesn't make sense of buying now.
 
Quote from thecalip:

I don't understand this thread. What's the argument here?
There really isnt an argument. The OP put up a false statement "that people buy a single family home strictly as a tax shelter" and then proceeded to discredit the same. This is the classic definition of a strawman argument.

No one I know bought their home only because of the mortgage interest deduction...they bought their home to live in and the mortgage int deduction makes it a better deal then it otherwise would be...that is all.

It would have been better if the thread was titled, "comparison of the financial aspects of buying vs renting a home" since that is what it has boiled down to and I remain unconvinced that long-term renting vs owning of your primary residence (all else being equal, e.g. same property) is smart given the favorable tax treatment of mortgage interest.
 
Quote from winter:

There really isnt an argument. The OP put up a false statement "that people buy a single family home strictly as a tax shelter" and then proceeded to discredit the same. This is the classic definition of a strawman argument.

No one I know bought their home only because of the mortgage interest deduction...they bought their home to live in and the mortgage int deduction makes it a better deal then it otherwise would be...that is all.

It would have been better if the thread was titled, "comparison of the financial aspects of buying vs renting a home" since that is what it has boiled down to and I remain unconvinced that long-term renting vs owning of your primary residence (all else being equal, e.g. same property) is smart given the favorable tax treatment of mortgage interest.

As, the 'OP', I agree -- but "comparison of the financial aspects of buying vs renting a home" isn't a very arresting title.
 
Quote from OldTrader:

Completely incorrect. The terms of an existing mortgage cannot be rewritten, regardless of what the underlying security does or does not do. You are NEVER required to "pay up and get the ratio back in line" on an existing mortgage.

By the way, I lived in Orange County in 1992. I bought several houses there that year, and surprise, I did not go bankrupt. That year was a great year to buy some upside down real estate. Wish I had bought more.

Sounds like you need to study up on real estate my friend.

OldTrader

I never said the terms of a mortgage can be re-written. The terms are IN the mortage! Yes, check out some of the new interest only products and you will see them. I have friends in the sub prime lending business and there are many provisions in the loans that will require the borrower to make higher payments to compensate for any number of factors.

I'm glad you lived in orange county in 92. But you only proved my point. That you bought mortages from those that had their lives ruined and had to sell and were forced into bankruptcy. Good for you.
 
Quote from OldTrader:

You're right. No loan is ever called as long as you make timely payments. Loans can only be foreclosed in accordance with laws in the state where it is located.

PMI is the insurance a lender has (paid for by the borrower) insuring that portion of the mortgage that exceeds 80% LTV. In connection with Mavericks erroneous remarks it really doesn't come into play.

OldTrader

Many borrowers pay zero PMI. If you put up at least 20% downpayment by law you are not required to pay PMI. Also, it's possible if you are paying PMI to remove it once you have sufficient equity in your home. Another erronous post by oldtrader.
 
Quote from Maverick74:

I never said the terms of a mortgage can be re-written. The terms are IN the mortage! Yes, check out some of the new interest only products and you will see them. I have friends in the sub prime lending business and there are many provisions in the loans that will require the borrower to make higher payments to compensate for any number of factors.

I'm glad you lived in orange county in 92. But you only proved my point. That you bought mortages from those that had their lives ruined and had to sell and were forced into bankruptcy. Good for you.

All you have stated is the obvious... that inerest only loans can and do have their payments change. You have not produced any evidence that someone would have to put up more collateral when they are upside down on their loan.
 
Quote from fhl:

All you have stated is the obvious... that inerest only loans can and do have their payments change. You have not produced any evidence that someone would have to put up more collateral when they are upside down on their loan.

No, not because of higher rates. Look, I have a buddy that wrote a provision into a loan that he can call in the loan for any reason. Not just because of higher rates. Have you actually seen some of the contracts on some of these sub prime lending deals? You need to take a deeper look into some of the creative financing deals out there.
 
Quote from Maverick74:

No, not because of higher rates. Look, I have a buddy that wrote a provision into a loan that he can call in the loan for any reason. Not just because of higher rates. Have you actually seen some of the contracts on some of these sub prime lending deals? You need to take a deeper look into some of the creative financing deals out there.
Previously you wrote:
Banks usually require a mortgage to stay above a certain equity line (loan to value ratio).
To me, "usually" requires more than a few special cases; at the very least I think you stretched the truth to make your point when you wrote that.
 
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