Dream House or Nightmare?

Sorry- But I have to re-post what I sent earlier: Newsweek- This is not a sad story! Please go to this link and read a real sad story! You might consider doing a story about a real injustice in our country!! http://www.dontmakehermad.com/forum/index.php?topic=38.0 Even if the guy in this story is even half well off, I don't think you can compare the nightmare this guy is living!! Read this story Daniel and do your job, you might take less criticism!

Newsweek should remove Daniel's story about the Elliot's!!!

This owner sounds more like a house flipper than a real owner. If you have built a house that you love and it more than meets your needs, I don't understand the rush to get an ROI out of it. Like all marketing corrections in the history of this country, eventually things turn around. Sounds like they built a great house, so just enjoy it. Since it doesn't seem they need more house, where do they plan to go in 2-3 years and why? I am not saying stay for 30 years, but why not 5-10?

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This is the sort of thing that's ruining my nice little college town. I was born and raised here, love it, expected to buy a nice modest house here, and then about four years ago everone started speculating. Now, no one is satisfied not making a whopping profit off their house. Houses that, four or five years ago were $180,000 (fairly expensive for the area) are now being sold for $400,000. Though they sit on the market for ages, and few families from the area can afford them, more and more houses are being viewed as short-term investments and get-rich-quick schemes.

Is this article being posted on msn.com as a featured article a joke from some editor at the studio? Nice one!! I wish I could work at one of the largest news websites in the world and post ridiculously idiotic articles for the world to think about as a prank. Hahaha, very nice indeed. You got all of us!!!

I can't believe anyone would write this article. These people are sickening. With all the people who are losing their homes in this country, people like this make me want to throw up. A "nightmare" home, give me a break!

Try living in subsidized housing that isn't big enough to fit your family. I am a full time student with children and work a part time job. I don't even have health insurance let alone think of purchasing a house. I would scream if I lived in a house half the size of the one you have...get over yourself. \There are people out there who can't even afford to feed themselves and it's not that their lazy it's just sometimes bad things happen to good people sometimes.

My son is diabetic and we devote everything we have to his care. We live in a home built in the 1800s and I get to drain water from my basement after every rain. Not to mention the old wiring, old pipes, etc but I feel fortunate to have a home to call my own. I agree with m.lowden..money isn't everything and these people should appreciate what they have instead of whining about trying to sell their dream home. Give me a dream home and you'd hear nothing but appreciation and NO talk of trying to sell it after one year!

At first blush it may be hard to have sympathy for someone who is well off. But his situation is unfortunate regardless, because of his timing. However, in his comments, he has indicated no urgency to sell. So I suggest that he be patient. But Roger should be a little more considerate of his prudent moves. As I understand it, not all of his upgrades were frivolous aesthetic features. And I understand that disaster insurance is difficult in Florida. How about getting the house evaluated for how much insurance is saved with those upgrades ie. hurricane proof windows. If there are standards for some of those upgrades for example LEED for energy efficiency, get the house certified to boost it credentials. Lastly, with regard to the financial situation. I suggest talking to an investment advisor and truly considering the house as an investment (with both its risks and rewards). If you have sufficient equity available, you might consider cashing some of them into a hedged position against a declining (bear) housing market.

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It's amazing that this stupid guy makes so much money

The problem with real estate is that people expect an overnight return on their investment. They may have to sit on it for ten years before the market corrects. That's the one good thing about land: they're not making any more if it (unless you're in Hawaii)

does he want a house or equity?
That's my only question.
It's amazing that such a stupid makes so much money

this is pretty pathetic, there are people in this country who won't make $750k in a lifetime, never mind those who are now losing their homes ... truthfully, I live comfortably but I spend my free time helping others maybe the Elliotts should re-evaluate their life problems.

This is what happens when you let greed rule your life. What ever happened to simply living in and enjoying your home?

You poor man. First lose your job, then your wife lose her job. Then lose your car. Then lose your house thats a nightmare dear sir