Excellent points Schleprock... except "Tempted to sell it all and buy an amazing condo somewhere"

IMHO, Condos are a complete waste of money especially for investments. A good rule of thumb is, if you ain't buying dirt, it ain't Real Estate. The association fees will kill ya. If it's not for an investment, save up until you have a 25% deposit for your dream home where you want to die. It's really that simple.

As per Fudd, the real estate guy:D

3 years ago I took everything and put it in an auction and received about 30% more than I hoped for. Took the money and brought a house at the Jersey shore on the water.

didn't buy anything for a year, then started again but was more specific to what I am buying

NICE TOUCH Murph!

Too simplistic of an answer.....if it weren't, I wouldn't have sold my Toronto condo 8 years after I purchased it for a $75K profit after legal/closing costs etc.

In addition, to some (like a City boy such as myself) a high rise condo in a cosmopolitan city is a dream home location. Ticky-tack suburban homes...no thanks! Country living? Nice to vacation to, but to live...no thanks.

To each their own of course, and every market is different.

Absolutely correct... it all depends on the geography and specific real estate market in question. Seattle is "gold" right now, and a majority of condo owners are thriving and/or realizing big profits.

It all depends on where/how you want to live. You aren't going to buy 'dirt' in Manhattan or central San Francisco, for example. Also, when you reach a certain point in life having to maintain a house loses its charm. My wife and I have about had it after nearly 20 years. The last major repair [sewer main line at $10K] is the last one I ever want to do.

I hear ya Exhibit, I spent 60K with remodeling 3 bathrooms, 7 Patio doors, shutters and Blinds already this year...and that's before anything has broke....and you know that's coming..:D:mad: A house is hardly an investment, but a place to put down roots, hence the word Real Estate. I made $250,000 on a condo that I sold in 2004 near the height of the market. The poor bastard that bought it from me is still struggling to make his money back, so how did that "investment" go for him? I put the money back into where I live now and have never regretted it, despite making 150,000 then losing 300,000, now back up again. I really don't care about the money, It's almost paid. I will reiterate. A condo is NOT an investment. Neither is a home, it's simply a place to live and put down roots. Many people have made 1000's and millions in the "game". They have also lost everything, wit 2007-2009, so I guess I just choose to play it safe. Obviously, there are different opinions on the matter, but this has allowed me to sleep just fine at night, while knowing I'll leave a prime piece of real estate to my heirs.

I love my condo in downtown Seattle. I know this is an un-American thought, but life is about more than making money.

How did this become a real estate discussion? Lol

It's the Real Estate with Fudd Hour (The man who knows the most about nothing), after Bam Bam sells his entire collection:D:D

I'll be taking you questions right here. Leon will open up a new category it will be so popular....NOT

Over the last few years I have narrowed my card/autograph down significantly and started prioritizing quality of collection instead of wide scope. It has been good for me.

Though, I have more stuff I'd like to sell, but its stuff that isn't worth the effort (lots of $10 autographed photos or personalized stuff)

You and my girlfriend would get along well. She is all about permanence and making money on investments. Real estate and investments are her hobby. I get it, but it's not for me.