I have already posted documented sales statistics debunking the claims that cash buyers are accounting for many sales.

Can be found. Basically find the homes that were purchased with cash, then look at the tax roll to see if there are any mortgage liens that were recorded after the sale.

I think it does happen, but not to the degree that people claim. Additionally it is alot harder then it used to be. For at least a few now, lenders have stopped giving cash out refi’s on rental properties. This is a huge blow to that strategy because alot of the rentals were purchased with cash. So that leaves owner occupants to get 80% cash out refi’s but usually the lender will require at least 6 months seasoning.

[quote=spdrun]Uh, what? It’s definitely possible to get cash out on an investment property, first position loan. Talking conventional loans, not GSE-backed, of course.[/quote]

I’m pretty sure he didn’t say it’s not possible, only that it is harder now than it once was. I also strongly suspect it’s not near as common as some think it is.

Beyond that, I’m pretty sure if this is done for rental property, the interest is not deductible. There’s a 90 day grace period after acquisition for interest on a personal residence. I don’t think there is any such grace period on investment property. There may be a 30 day look-back period that applies, though the IRS rules on tracing are pretty specific, and I’d speculate that these rules are rarely met.

[quote=spdrun]You’d be incorrect.

Cash-out interest on a rental property isn’t deductible IF it’s used for personal use. If it’s put into a business, another rental property, or a different category of investment, it can be deducted just fine.

Essentially, you deduct it AS IF it were the mortgage on the next rental, bought with cash pulled out, or business loan interest.

If you cash-out refi’ed and used it to buy a shiny new car, you’d be an idiot anyway (car loan rates are cheaper than home loans these days) and deserve to pay through the nostrils.[/quote]

“deducted just fine” is an exaggeration. First, the investment has to be traceable to an investment. And there are limitations on investment interest deductions. No income, no deduction.

It’s just not near as simple as buying for cash, then financing and pulling 80% cash out, and deducting the interest it as if it was purchase money debt. You can’t, for instance, borrow cash from a 401K, use it to buy a property for cash, subsequently finance the property, and then repay the 401K loan and deduct the interest.

[quote=spdrun]Why the blue fark would you buy an investment property that doesn’t produce income? Dumbest idea ever, and those who do deserve what they get.[/quote]

For investment interest deduction purposes, rental income doesn’t qualify. If the money is borrowed for rental property, the interest is deductible against that property. If some other type of investment is made with the proceeds (like stock, non-income producing land, gold, debt), then the interest deduction is limited to investment income. “Investment Interest” has a very specific meaning”.

[quote=spdrun] Talking conventional loans, not GSE-backed, of course.[/quote]

What do you think a ‘conventional loan’ is ???
they ARE GSE backed.
Who else in their right mind will loan money for 30yrs in the 4%+/- range?

“Conventional loan” is the term for a non-GSE loan, at least locally to me. They won’t lock 4% for 30 years, but they’ll lock 4-4.5% for 10 years, which is enough in my book.