What a difference a year makes!
Last year at this time, my portfolio was up about 14.5% over the previous year! Joy!
This year, it is down about 13.5% over last year. Wow!
I guess I shouldn't feel to bad tho, it could be worse, since the S&P500 is down about 35% over last year.
Also, house prices here have fallen about 30% over a year ago: so I could actually buy a house if I
could ever get myself to take the plunge.
I've kept about $300k on the sideline for that purpose, so I might actually to it within the next year.
It is hard to decide tho: some economists says house prices could still drop another 20% around here.
So I'll be making low-ball bids, trying to get that 20% off the asking price.
Another thing I'm trying to decide is whether to get something fairly nice for $600k, and then get a $300k loan,
or if I should get something that is not as nice and/or fancy, for about $300k, and either pay
cash or get a smaller $150k loan.
Since I might be working another 3 or 4 years until they offer me early retirement, I could make
the payments on a 300k loan. However, a smaller 100k loan I could make the payments on
whether I'm working or not: in case they offer me early retirement much sooner. But unfortunately,
I'm go valuble to THEM, and I don't think they're going to offer me it for a while.
Another thing is: I've gotten very comfortable where I'm at. The bay area is such a darn good place to be!
The only thing I miss is a nice house where I can garden and do other "stuff" that home owners are
always able to do.
Decisions, decisions!
This year, it is down about 13.5% over last year. Wow!
I guess I shouldn't feel to bad tho, it could be worse, since the S&P500 is down about 35% over last year.
Also, house prices here have fallen about 30% over a year ago: so I could actually buy a house if I
could ever get myself to take the plunge.
I've kept about $300k on the sideline for that purpose, so I might actually to it within the next year.
It is hard to decide tho: some economists says house prices could still drop another 20% around here.
So I'll be making low-ball bids, trying to get that 20% off the asking price.
Another thing I'm trying to decide is whether to get something fairly nice for $600k, and then get a $300k loan,
or if I should get something that is not as nice and/or fancy, for about $300k, and either pay
cash or get a smaller $150k loan.
Since I might be working another 3 or 4 years until they offer me early retirement, I could make
the payments on a 300k loan. However, a smaller 100k loan I could make the payments on
whether I'm working or not: in case they offer me early retirement much sooner. But unfortunately,
I'm go valuble to THEM, and I don't think they're going to offer me it for a while.
Another thing is: I've gotten very comfortable where I'm at. The bay area is such a darn good place to be!
The only thing I miss is a nice house where I can garden and do other "stuff" that home owners are
always able to do.
Decisions, decisions!
