This may sound a bit cheezy, but after reading this UT article, I want to send out a special thank you to those of you on this blog – and especially Rich – for convincing me to sell my North County home that I could not afford back in early 2006. Your insight and analysis brought me to the realization that the market would likely fall, and that even though I was breaking even financially each month and able to make my 7-yr IO loan pmt., this was a risky way to live and I was putting my family’s finances in jeopardy. You also helped bring me to the realization that my home equity was my biggest asset, not to be treated like Monopoly money, and I realized how long it would take us to save an equal amount of money given our incomes and rate of savings – 40 years. We cashed out and moved east last year, and that equity is now sitting in the bank earning interest. To be more specific, I want to thank you because based on current prices, had I kept the house, I would be underwater in an IO loan I could not afford and would have lost all of equity. Instead, I am debt free, have two cars that I bought with cash, have fully funded my 401k, set up 529 plans for my children, have a significant cusion of savings and am considering starting my own business. Ironically, I have never met any of you, but I have you to thank for the most significant financial advice I have ever received, and for saving my family from financial ruin. Everyone else, including family, encouraged us to keep the house, and showered us with guilt for leaving, and your’s was the only voice of reason throughout the past couple of years!
