Despite these new buyer programs, we aren't interested in buying a new home in this economy. We're fairly happy in our current digs, and no one's job is really secure these days. The latest Minnesota tax news gives us the willies, and if we move anytime soon, it will be to a more tax-friendly environment like Nevada or Texas, I guess there are plenty of places available in the mobile home parks down there.

Elderly people from mostly lower income and minority communities are losing their homes. Rather than trying to give yet another "leg up" to those sitting at or near the top of the heap, why not use some of these funds to help keep people in their homes? I swear to God, we're all going to hell...

Start the auction at $1 and only allow potential homesteaders to bid (sorry flippers/speculators). Every single one of these homes would sell same-day, be occupied by a taxpayer, and go for genuine market value.

Thats a great suggestion....but the banks would take some big losses on those, and you know the bank lobby would never stand for that.

now they up the ante by offering free money and websites to pump up home ownership again. Households should wait until they are financially sound and mature before they buy a home -- not respond to gov't social programs. Why does the gov't want to re-inflate this bubble? Minnesota is starting to make me feel like Alice in wonderland.

However, until the buying public changes their perception of the safety of the neighborhoods where the majority of these properties are located don't look for any great increase in the number of new homeowners. Unfortunately for Minneapolis that requires more than a new website.

I find it interesting that first time homebuyers are given extraordinary incentives and low interest loans while the legislature is bent on taking away mortgage interest deductions and in fact the property tax deductions. This will also affect taxable income - increasing it! Needless to say, the underlying incentive for home ownership has been the tax write-off. Where are we heading with this? Will we be perpetuating the current mortgage loan failures with a new twist? Also, why is government accommodating Muslims who do not believe in paying usuary by purchasing homes and allowing them to pay "rent" toward ownership? Doesn't that put the state in a position of holding devalued properties and being a landlord, which includes liabilities? In other words, why is the state taking on being a landlord with its expenses when we are in a budget shortfall? and at the taxpayers' expense?

Has there ever been a link made between delinquent mortgage payments and astronomic credit card percentage rates? I hear with a 'Main Office' in Deleware the sky is the limit and it's still climbing. Some have tried to rough out tough times with improper cousel and ended up loosing the farm. Don't get me started on legalized slavery - please.

FOR EACH STATE OR CITY, WHY NOT LEASE OUT EACH HOME, INSTEAD OF LOSING OUT COMPLETELY AT MODERATE PRICES. AT LEAST THE MONEY WILL BE COMING IN AND WHO EVER OWNS THEM WILL GET MORE THAN WHAT THEY WERE MORTGAGED FOR AND KEPT OUT BY WHO'S RENTING. IF THE CITIES BOUGHT THEM, THEY'D HAVE A REGULAR INCOME YEARLY. MY URL: http://www.inventube.com/ooojay/ HAVE A NICE DAY. MIKE

We are sinking fast in America! Nothing is worth much anymore, moral values in decline. Take away my income tax incentives and I will walk away from my house. Bad enough we are all paying too much for houses that are worth less. I am ready to leave the oucntry. Can't go south because of swine flu. Does our downfall ever end?