The Biden - Harris Era.

[old salt]

So only wealthy folks like us can own homes ? Got it, but where's the equity in that ?

Yes, it's harder for middle class and poor people to own homes today vs 20 and 40 year ago. Basic math, even for naval academy grads.

Naw. Socialism makes it easy.

[cradleandshoot]

So only wealthy folks like us can own homes ? Got it, but where's the equity in that ?

Yes, it's harder for middle class and poor people to own homes today vs 20 and 40 year ago. Basic math, even for naval academy grads.

Are you aware of what the interest rates were on a 30 year mortgage 35 years ago?? I bought my first house 35 years ago and the interest rate on my mortgage was just under 10%. Basic math should tell you that is not cheap money. So explain to me why it was so easy for me 35 years ago? Our house is paid off now. We refinanced it around 5 years ago at 2.8% I would be interested in your explanation why it was so easy for me 35 years ago. It sure as hell was not easy in the least. Basic math came into play with a mortgage at almost 10% interest. FTR, these were 2 different houses.

[MDlaxfan76]

So only wealthy folks like us can own homes ? Got it, but where's the equity in that ?

Yes, it's harder for middle class and poor people to own homes today vs 20 and 40 year ago. Basic math, even for naval academy grads.

Are you aware of what the interest rates were on a 30 year mortgage 35 years ago?? I bought my first house 35 years ago and the interest rate on my mortgage was just under 10%. Basic math should tell you that is not cheap money. So explain to me why it was so easy for me 35 years ago? Our house is paid off now. We refinanced it around 5 years ago at 2.8% I would be interested in your explanation why it was so easy for me 35 years ago. It sure as hell was not easy in the least. Basic math came into play with a mortgage at almost 10% interest. FTR, these were 2 different houses.

These articles may help:
https://listwithclever.com/research/hom ... cal-study/
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads ... n-the-u-s/
https://dqydj.com/historical-home-affordability/

Basically, the median cost of home ownership has grown 4X faster than the median income of households since 1960. Affordability is indeed impacted by mortgage rates, but prices are more important.

[cradleandshoot]

So only wealthy folks like us can own homes ? Got it, but where's the equity in that ?

Yes, it's harder for middle class and poor people to own homes today vs 20 and 40 year ago. Basic math, even for naval academy grads.

Are you aware of what the interest rates were on a 30 year mortgage 35 years ago?? I bought my first house 35 years ago and the interest rate on my mortgage was just under 10%. Basic math should tell you that is not cheap money. So explain to me why it was so easy for me 35 years ago? Our house is paid off now. We refinanced it around 5 years ago at 2.8% I would be interested in your explanation why it was so easy for me 35 years ago. It sure as hell was not easy in the least. Basic math came into play with a mortgage at almost 10% interest. FTR, these were 2 different houses.

These articles may help:
https://listwithclever.com/research/hom ... cal-study/
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads ... n-the-u-s/
https://dqydj.com/historical-home-affordability/

Basically, the median cost of home ownership has grown 4X faster than the median income of households since 1960. Affordability is indeed impacted by mortgage rates, but prices are more important.

When you cross over into the land of statistics and percentages MD you are trying to obfuscate my point. It was not " EASY" for me to get a mortgage on my first house. I had to QUALIFY for that home loan at almost 10%. It was not easy in any sense of the word. Since you clearly forgot, let's get back to my point. NATTY argued how easy it was to get a mortgage 30/40 years ago as opposed to today. It was not EASY and it was not CHEAP I can boldly say that MD from something you might understand as something called first hand experience. Out of curiosity MD... How many times in your life have you had to stress out being approved for a mortgage???

[NattyBohChamps04]

When you cross over into the land of statistics and percentages MD you are trying to obfuscate my point. It was not " EASY" for me to get a mortgage on my first house. I had to QUALIFY for that home loan at almost 10%. It was not easy in any sense of the word. Since you clearly forgot, let's get back to my point. NATTY argued how easy it was to get a mortgage 30/40 years ago as opposed to today. It was not EASY and it was not CHEAP I can boldly say that MD from something you might understand as something called first hand experience. Out of curiosity MD... How many times in your life have you had to stress out being approved for a mortgage???

LMAO you think it's easier or cheaper now? Need 20% down for axing PMI. Need amazing credit for a halfway decent rate. And when rates were low for a few years, good luck getting a place at asking.

$60k loan at 10% interest rate is $527 per month. (1980 median home price)

$460k loan at 7.2% is a $3122 per month. (current median home price) That's just the loan. Insurance, taxes, etc are much more too.

Simple math. Yes, it was a lot easier to buy a cheap house at a higher interest rate than a massively expensive house at a low to medium interest rate.

[MDlaxfan76]

So only wealthy folks like us can own homes ? Got it, but where's the equity in that ?

Yes, it's harder for middle class and poor people to own homes today vs 20 and 40 year ago. Basic math, even for naval academy grads.

Are you aware of what the interest rates were on a 30 year mortgage 35 years ago?? I bought my first house 35 years ago and the interest rate on my mortgage was just under 10%. Basic math should tell you that is not cheap money. So explain to me why it was so easy for me 35 years ago? Our house is paid off now. We refinanced it around 5 years ago at 2.8% I would be interested in your explanation why it was so easy for me 35 years ago. It sure as hell was not easy in the least. Basic math came into play with a mortgage at almost 10% interest. FTR, these were 2 different houses.

These articles may help:
https://listwithclever.com/research/hom ... cal-study/
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads ... n-the-u-s/
https://dqydj.com/historical-home-affordability/

Basically, the median cost of home ownership has grown 4X faster than the median income of households since 1960. Affordability is indeed impacted by mortgage rates, but prices are more important.

When you cross over into the land of statistics and percentages MD you are trying to obfuscate my point. It was not " EASY" for me to get a mortgage on my first house. I had to QUALIFY for that home loan at almost 10%. It was not easy in any sense of the word. Since you clearly forgot, let's get back to my point. NATTY argued how easy it was to get a mortgage 30/40 years ago as opposed to today. It was not EASY and it was not CHEAP I can boldly say that MD from something you might understand as something called first hand experience. Out of curiosity MD... How many times in your life have you had to stress out being approved for a mortgage???

Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest that it was easy for you.

Just that it's even harder today for the 'cradle' of today's generation doing so. Assume same background, same relative income, same size home, etc...Significantly harder today.

To your point, that means really hard.

Re me, 3 times on home mortgages.

My son would like to be in the market right now...prices are absolutely brutal, though starting to soften a bit given higher rates.

[cradleandshoot]

When you cross over into the land of statistics and percentages MD you are trying to obfuscate my point. It was not " EASY" for me to get a mortgage on my first house. I had to QUALIFY for that home loan at almost 10%. It was not easy in any sense of the word. Since you clearly forgot, let's get back to my point. NATTY argued how easy it was to get a mortgage 30/40 years ago as opposed to today. It was not EASY and it was not CHEAP I can boldly say that MD from something you might understand as something called first hand experience. Out of curiosity MD... How many times in your life have you had to stress out being approved for a mortgage???

LMAO you think it's easier or cheaper now? Need 20% down for axing PMI. Need amazing credit for a halfway decent rate. And when rates were low for a few years, good luck getting a place at asking.

$60k loan at 10% interest rate is $527 per month. (1980 median home price)

$460k loan at 7.2% is a $3122 per month. (current median home price) That's just the loan. Insurance, taxes, etc are much more too.

Simple math. Yes, it was a lot easier to buy a cheap house at a higher interest rate than a massively expensive house at a low to medium interest rate.

you are deliberately misleading. In your opinion it was easier to get a mortgage 30/40 years ago. now your moving the goalposts as to how cheap or expensive a house was 30/40 years ago.

[cradleandshoot]

So only wealthy folks like us can own homes ? Got it, but where's the equity in that ?

Yes, it's harder for middle class and poor people to own homes today vs 20 and 40 year ago. Basic math, even for naval academy grads.

Are you aware of what the interest rates were on a 30 year mortgage 35 years ago?? I bought my first house 35 years ago and the interest rate on my mortgage was just under 10%. Basic math should tell you that is not cheap money. So explain to me why it was so easy for me 35 years ago? Our house is paid off now. We refinanced it around 5 years ago at 2.8% I would be interested in your explanation why it was so easy for me 35 years ago. It sure as hell was not easy in the least. Basic math came into play with a mortgage at almost 10% interest. FTR, these were 2 different houses.

These articles may help:
https://listwithclever.com/research/hom ... cal-study/
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads ... n-the-u-s/
https://dqydj.com/historical-home-affordability/

Basically, the median cost of home ownership has grown 4X faster than the median income of households since 1960. Affordability is indeed impacted by mortgage rates, but prices are more important.

When you cross over into the land of statistics and percentages MD you are trying to obfuscate my point. It was not " EASY" for me to get a mortgage on my first house. I had to QUALIFY for that home loan at almost 10%. It was not easy in any sense of the word. Since you clearly forgot, let's get back to my point. NATTY argued how easy it was to get a mortgage 30/40 years ago as opposed to today. It was not EASY and it was not CHEAP I can boldly say that MD from something you might understand as something called first hand experience. Out of curiosity MD... How many times in your life have you had to stress out being approved for a mortgage???

Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest that it was easy for you.

Just that it's even harder today for the 'cradle' of today's generation doing so. Assume same background, same relative income, same size home, etc...Significantly harder today.

To your point, that means really hard.

Re me, 3 times on home mortgages.

My son would like to be in the market right now...prices are absolutely brutal, though starting to soften a bit given higher rates.

I would say it was difficult for me 35 years ago just the same as it is difficult for young people today. When you find yourself on the business end of a six figure mortgage that is scary. It is not like debt forgiveness from the government will ever be available to you.

[MDlaxfan76]

When you cross over into the land of statistics and percentages MD you are trying to obfuscate my point. It was not " EASY" for me to get a mortgage on my first house. I had to QUALIFY for that home loan at almost 10%. It was not easy in any sense of the word. Since you clearly forgot, let's get back to my point. NATTY argued how easy it was to get a mortgage 30/40 years ago as opposed to today. It was not EASY and it was not CHEAP I can boldly say that MD from something you might understand as something called first hand experience. Out of curiosity MD... How many times in your life have you had to stress out being approved for a mortgage???

LMAO you think it's easier or cheaper now? Need 20% down for axing PMI. Need amazing credit for a halfway decent rate. And when rates were low for a few years, good luck getting a place at asking.

$60k loan at 10% interest rate is $527 per month. (1980 median home price)

$460k loan at 7.2% is a $3122 per month. (current median home price) That's just the loan. Insurance, taxes, etc are much more too.

Simple math. Yes, it was a lot easier to buy a cheap house at a higher interest rate than a massively expensive house at a low to medium interest rate.

you are deliberately misleading. In your opinion it was easier to get a mortgage 30/40 years ago. now your moving the goalposts as to how cheap or expensive a house was 30/40 years ago.

Nope, affordability is the key issue.

Tougher to buy the same house today than it was then, given same relative income bracket etc.

If you can't "afford" it, you don't get the mortgage.

[NattyBohChamps04]

you are deliberately misleading. In your opinion it was easier to get a mortgage 30/40 years ago. now your moving the goalposts as to how cheap or expensive a house was 30/40 years ago.

READ THE WORDS I WROTE: "it's harder for middle class and poor people to own homes today vs 20 and 40 year ago"

Moving the goalposts? That's what you're trying to do with your pedantry.

[MDlaxfan76]

So only wealthy folks like us can own homes ? Got it, but where's the equity in that ?

Yes, it's harder for middle class and poor people to own homes today vs 20 and 40 year ago. Basic math, even for naval academy grads.

Are you aware of what the interest rates were on a 30 year mortgage 35 years ago?? I bought my first house 35 years ago and the interest rate on my mortgage was just under 10%. Basic math should tell you that is not cheap money. So explain to me why it was so easy for me 35 years ago? Our house is paid off now. We refinanced it around 5 years ago at 2.8% I would be interested in your explanation why it was so easy for me 35 years ago. It sure as hell was not easy in the least. Basic math came into play with a mortgage at almost 10% interest. FTR, these were 2 different houses.

These articles may help:
https://listwithclever.com/research/hom ... cal-study/
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads ... n-the-u-s/
https://dqydj.com/historical-home-affordability/

Basically, the median cost of home ownership has grown 4X faster than the median income of households since 1960. Affordability is indeed impacted by mortgage rates, but prices are more important.

When you cross over into the land of statistics and percentages MD you are trying to obfuscate my point. It was not " EASY" for me to get a mortgage on my first house. I had to QUALIFY for that home loan at almost 10%. It was not easy in any sense of the word. Since you clearly forgot, let's get back to my point. NATTY argued how easy it was to get a mortgage 30/40 years ago as opposed to today. It was not EASY and it was not CHEAP I can boldly say that MD from something you might understand as something called first hand experience. Out of curiosity MD... How many times in your life have you had to stress out being approved for a mortgage???

Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest that it was easy for you.

Just that it's even harder today for the 'cradle' of today's generation doing so. Assume same background, same relative income, same size home, etc...Significantly harder today.

To your point, that means really hard.

Re me, 3 times on home mortgages.

My son would like to be in the market right now...prices are absolutely brutal, though starting to soften a bit given higher rates.

I would say it was difficult for me 35 years ago just the same as it is difficult for young people today. When you find yourself on the business end of a six figure mortgage that is scary. It is not like debt forgiveness from the government will ever be available to you.

"difficult", sure. "Same" no.
Even harder today.

[cradleandshoot]

So only wealthy folks like us can own homes ? Got it, but where's the equity in that ?

Yes, it's harder for middle class and poor people to own homes today vs 20 and 40 year ago. Basic math, even for naval academy grads.

Are you aware of what the interest rates were on a 30 year mortgage 35 years ago?? I bought my first house 35 years ago and the interest rate on my mortgage was just under 10%. Basic math should tell you that is not cheap money. So explain to me why it was so easy for me 35 years ago? Our house is paid off now. We refinanced it around 5 years ago at 2.8% I would be interested in your explanation why it was so easy for me 35 years ago. It sure as hell was not easy in the least. Basic math came into play with a mortgage at almost 10% interest. FTR, these were 2 different houses.

These articles may help:
https://listwithclever.com/research/hom ... cal-study/
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads ... n-the-u-s/
https://dqydj.com/historical-home-affordability/

Basically, the median cost of home ownership has grown 4X faster than the median income of households since 1960. Affordability is indeed impacted by mortgage rates, but prices are more important.

When you cross over into the land of statistics and percentages MD you are trying to obfuscate my point. It was not " EASY" for me to get a mortgage on my first house. I had to QUALIFY for that home loan at almost 10%. It was not easy in any sense of the word. Since you clearly forgot, let's get back to my point. NATTY argued how easy it was to get a mortgage 30/40 years ago as opposed to today. It was not EASY and it was not CHEAP I can boldly say that MD from something you might understand as something called first hand experience. Out of curiosity MD... How many times in your life have you had to stress out being approved for a mortgage???

Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest that it was easy for you.

Just that it's even harder today for the 'cradle' of today's generation doing so. Assume same background, same relative income, same size home, etc...Significantly harder today.

To your point, that means really hard.

Re me, 3 times on home mortgages.

My son would like to be in the market right now...prices are absolutely brutal, though starting to soften a bit given higher rates.

I would say it was difficult for me 35 years ago just the same as it is difficult for young people today. When you find yourself on the business end of a six figure mortgage that is scary. It is not like debt forgiveness from the government will ever be available to you.

"difficult", sure. "Same" no.
Even harder today.

It should be difficult. I'm not a financial wizard but I understand any financial institution has to qualify anyone seeking a home loan. If your making 40K a year and you want to buy a 200K house @ 6% I don't think you will get the loan. My entire point was getting a mortgage was not easy for me 35 years ago. That is what Natty implied. Perhaps I'm nit picking the terminology here defining easy to easier. I'm guessing that if you apply for a home mortgage today that you still have qualify based on a formula related to your income in relation to home you wish to purchase.

[SCLaxAttack]

When you cross over into the land of statistics and percentages MD you are trying to obfuscate my point. It was not " EASY" for me to get a mortgage on my first house. I had to QUALIFY for that home loan at almost 10%. It was not easy in any sense of the word. Since you clearly forgot, let's get back to my point. NATTY argued how easy it was to get a mortgage 30/40 years ago as opposed to today. It was not EASY and it was not CHEAP I can boldly say that MD from something you might understand as something called first hand experience. Out of curiosity MD... How many times in your life have you had to stress out being approved for a mortgage???

LMAO you think it's easier or cheaper now? Need 20% down for axing PMI. Need amazing credit for a halfway decent rate. And when rates were low for a few years, good luck getting a place at asking.

$60k loan at 10% interest rate is $527 per month. (1980 median home price)

$460k loan at 7.2% is a $3122 per month. (current median home price) That's just the loan. Insurance, taxes, etc are much more too.

Simple math. Yes, it was a lot easier to buy a cheap house at a higher interest rate than a massively expensive house at a low to medium interest rate.

you are deliberately misleading. In your opinion it was easier to get a mortgage 30/40 years ago. now your moving the goalposts as to how cheap or expensive a house was 30/40 years ago.

You can't discuss one without the other. Gross income requirements of 28% for housing costs, i.e. principal, interest, taxes, HOA, PMI, and 36% for total debt haven't changed over these decades. What has changed is the amount of housing stock that could/can be purchased at the interest rate at the time. You and I didn't like the interest rate we had to pay back in the 70's or 80's, but there was still available housing that could be purchased given your income, the mortgage rates, and house prices at the time. You just had to buy less house than you desired. Back then the average income earner could buy an average house in most of the country. The same can't be said today.

Edit to add: In the recent decade there's also been two percentage creeps to assist mortgage attainment. Some lenders will increase the 28%/36% guidelines on a case-by-case basis, others allow >28% housing debt as long as total debt is within the guideline.

[jhu72]

... Biden announced his candidacy for 2024. Given what he has accomplished economically, even considering the inflation problem he has had, he will have a very very strong economic message and history for the middle class come election time. A republiCON party that campaigns on decreasing rights for the American people, lies about gays, transgenders, blacks, hispanics, women and drag queens ( ) can't win. Trump can't win. DeSanctimonious can't win. Maybe you guys should try Tuckyo Rose.

[cradleandshoot]

When you cross over into the land of statistics and percentages MD you are trying to obfuscate my point. It was not " EASY" for me to get a mortgage on my first house. I had to QUALIFY for that home loan at almost 10%. It was not easy in any sense of the word. Since you clearly forgot, let's get back to my point. NATTY argued how easy it was to get a mortgage 30/40 years ago as opposed to today. It was not EASY and it was not CHEAP I can boldly say that MD from something you might understand as something called first hand experience. Out of curiosity MD... How many times in your life have you had to stress out being approved for a mortgage???

LMAO you think it's easier or cheaper now? Need 20% down for axing PMI. Need amazing credit for a halfway decent rate. And when rates were low for a few years, good luck getting a place at asking.

$60k loan at 10% interest rate is $527 per month. (1980 median home price)

$460k loan at 7.2% is a $3122 per month. (current median home price) That's just the loan. Insurance, taxes, etc are much more too.

Simple math. Yes, it was a lot easier to buy a cheap house at a higher interest rate than a massively expensive house at a low to medium interest rate.

you are deliberately misleading. In your opinion it was easier to get a mortgage 30/40 years ago. now your moving the goalposts as to how cheap or expensive a house was 30/40 years ago.

You can't discuss one without the other. Gross income requirements of 28% for housing costs, i.e. principal, interest, taxes, HOA, PMI, and 36% for total debt haven't changed over these decades. What has changed is the amount of housing stock that could/can be purchased at the interest rate at the time. You and I didn't like the interest rate we had to pay back in the 70's or 80's, but there was still available housing that could be purchased given your income, the mortgage rates, and house prices at the time. You just had to buy less house than you desired. Back then the average income earner could buy an average house in most of the country. The same can't be said today.

Edit to add: In the recent decade there's also been two percentage creeps to assist mortgage attainment. Some lenders will increase the 28%/36% guidelines on a case-by-case basis, others allow >28% housing debt as long as total debt is within the guideline.

Your over complicating the point I am trying to make. Natty implied it was easy/easier to qualify for a mortgage 30/40 years ago than it is today. I don't know how easy it is to qualify for a mortgage today. I'm willing to bet it is not that much different than it was for me 35 years ago. If the argument is that houses have appreciated in value thus making it harder to qualify for a mortgage well then you start at the bottom and work your way up. It is called buying a starter home that needs sweat equity and some TLC. Those folks at Home Depot know that drill very well. I know in 1990 my first house was a small 2 bedroom cape cod with an unfinished attic and basement. I believe I paid 65 thousand for it with a 10 thousand dollar deposit. I added 2 bedrooms and a bathroom while converting the attic space and was in the process of finishing the basement when I went through a divorce. I'm certain in today's market that home is easily worth around 200K. The process of finding qualified buyers can't be that problematic. I walk Roxy every morning and I notice all of those brand new for sale signs on the houses where I live. Most of them have SOLD signs on them in 2 or 3 weeks. Apparently folks are able to secure mortgage loans fairly quickly and on a regular basis.

[NattyBohChamps04]

Natty implied it was easy/easier to qualify for a mortgage 30/40 years ago than it is today.

This is what I wrote: "it's harder for middle class and poor people to own homes today vs 20 and 40 year ago"

Which is absolutely true.

[cradleandshoot]

Natty implied it was easy/easier to qualify for a mortgage 30/40 years ago than it is today.

This is what I wrote: "it's harder for middle class and poor people to own homes today vs 20 and 40 year ago"

Which is absolutely true.

It is absolutely true IN YOUR OPINION. It was hard for me to get a mortgage 35 years ago. I had to jump through all the hoops to qualify. The real estate market has been on fire for the last several years. There are a whole lot of people finding a way to qualify for a mortgage. If it is as hard as you say how are all of these folks purchasing all of these houses? Your arguing a point that flies contrary to the facts. When real estate is being defined as a sellers market then there is no shortage of qualified buyers. Supply and demand defines the market. Logic tells me if people are unable to secure a mortgage there should be a glut of unsold homes on the market. FTR poor people will almost never qualify for a home mortgage. It's hard to buy a home when you don't have much money to begin with.

[NattyBohChamps04]

Natty implied it was easy/easier to qualify for a mortgage 30/40 years ago than it is today.

This is what I wrote: "it's harder for middle class and poor people to own homes today vs 20 and 40 year ago"

Which is absolutely true.

It is absolutely true IN YOUR OPINION. It was hard for me to get a mortgage 35 years ago. I had to jump through all the hoops to qualify. The real estate market has been on fire for the last several years. There are a whole lot of people finding a way to qualify for a mortgage. If it is as hard as you say how are all of these folks purchasing all of these houses? Your arguing a point that flies contrary to the facts. When real estate is being defined as a sellers market then there is no shortage of qualified buyers. Supply and demand defines the market.

You're not getting the larger picture and you're only thinking about the mortgage application process. Yes it's harder for the middle class and poor people to own homes. And they're not the ones snatching up all those houses.


1. Buying a home today requires a larger portion of people's salary than when you bought. Meaning fewer people can afford to buy a home.

2. A lot of those homes aren't sold to actual people to live in, but investors, rental companies and others. Many who can buy offer cash, driving up prices. It's nearly 1/4 of homes these days.

3. And to your mortage point, yes it's actually harder for poor people to get approved for a mortage these days. It’s bad enough mortgage rates are over 7% – now it’s harder to qualify for a home loan. In addition to that, many middle class and poor people are working gigs/contracts or are self employed where it's harder to prove steady income. That wasn't as prevalent when you were buying.

[cradleandshoot]

Natty implied it was easy/easier to qualify for a mortgage 30/40 years ago than it is today.

This is what I wrote: "it's harder for middle class and poor people to own homes today vs 20 and 40 year ago"

Which is absolutely true.

It is absolutely true IN YOUR OPINION. It was hard for me to get a mortgage 35 years ago. I had to jump through all the hoops to qualify. The real estate market has been on fire for the last several years. There are a whole lot of people finding a way to qualify for a mortgage. If it is as hard as you say how are all of these folks purchasing all of these houses? Your arguing a point that flies contrary to the facts. When real estate is being defined as a sellers market then there is no shortage of qualified buyers. Supply and demand defines the market.

You're not getting the larger picture and you're only thinking about the mortgage application process. Yes it's harder for the middle class and poor people to own homes. And they're not the ones snatching up all those houses.


1. Buying a home today requires a larger portion of people's salary than when you bought. Meaning fewer people can afford to buy a home.

2. A lot of those homes aren't sold to actual people to live in, but investors, rental companies and others. Many who can buy offer cash, driving up prices. It's nearly 1/4 of homes these days.

3. And to your mortage point, yes it's actually harder for poor people to get approved for a mortage these days. It’s bad enough mortgage rates are over 7% – now it’s harder to qualify for a home loan. In addition to that, many middle class and poor people are working gigs/contracts or are self employed where it's harder to prove steady income. That wasn't as prevalent when you were buying.

This is anecdotal and yes I am sorta hung up on the loan application process. My best friend and former neighbor chose to move down south 4 years ago. His asking price for his house was 135K. He sold it in 3 days with multiple offers for 143K. IMO the huge obstacle for many middle class Americans is coming up with the the money to close on a house. Even if your budget is all squared away the expenses involved in buying a home can be a deal breaker.

[runrussellrun]

... Biden announced his candidacy for 2024. Given what he has accomplished economically, even considering the inflation problem he has had, he will have a very very strong economic message and history for the middle class come election time. A republiCON party that campaigns on decreasing rights for the American people, lies about gays, transgenders, blacks, hispanics, women and drag queens ( ) can't win. Trump can't win. DeSanctimonious can't win. Maybe you guys should try Tuckyo Rose.

Glad Biden turned his opinion around on some of his past legislation and overall "morality" takes.

His Defense of Marriage act.....and the coke, minority thingy.......has all been cleared up now. His membership in that cult, the Katholic church, and all it's anti gay history, seems ok with you. Katholics don't dig abortion, do they ?

quick....point to legislation with trumps signature on it, disparaging any of the groups listed. Go on.