All Forum Posts by: Susan Maneck

 We already have down payment programs in Mississippi that require you to go through a training program. It is only for 10K, not Harris' 25K but since you can still buy homes for 70-100K that should be sufficient. But the way it can work with Section 8 is that the same portion that would go towards your rent now goes towards your mortgage. As your situation improves they would be paying less of your mortgage. This program already exists, but it is too little used, maybe because Section 8 vouchers are so difficult to get in the first place. We need to revive Home Economics courses in our high schools that teach *economics* instead of cooking and sewing. And it should be taken by girls and boys. One thing I learned after all these years of renting properties is just how little my tenants understood how money works. I can't tell you the number of times I've had to persuade them not to rent furniture or go to these payday loan places. 

Every other borrower has the right to declare bankruptcy when they find they can't repay a debt but the ones who signed a paper back when they were 19 years old. How does that make sense? May I remind you that Trump declared bankruptcy 6 times, yet he gets praised as an astute businessman but this kid is a moron? The crime rate of immigrants is far lower than that of citizens of the same socio-economic class. Illegal immigrants are not eligible for most any form of federal aid. They can't get food stamps, Section 8 housing vouchers, welfare, or Medicaid. They pump 13 billion a year into Social Security but will never be able to collect it. They pay 30 billion a year in other taxes. 

 The world's largest suppliers of gypsum are Oman, Spain, and Thailand. 

Nonsense. The current cost of housing has nothing to do with the economic policies of the Biden Administration. And you know as well as I that the VP has only as much power as the President chooses to give her. The cost of housing rose largely as a result of the pandemic. People stuck at home suddenly decided they needed a bigger one. Furthermore, they moved out from urban areas to more rural ones since they could work remotely, pumping up the cost of housing in those areas. This happened at time when we were not in a position to increase the housing supply. 

 I suggest you read Adam Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments. Yes, the same Adam Smith who laid down the principals of Free Trade Capitalism. Capitalism was intended as a rejection of Mercantilism and the imperialism and tariffs that went along with it. He did not oppose social welfare legislation. 

 I've never seen any Dem suggest government ownership, except for the handful who identify themselves as Democratic Socialists. 

I have to agree. I like Kamala Harris but I'm not sure I agree with her economic plans. Either the economy is good as Dems have been saying or it is not. If it is good then why are we messing with it? Just raise the minimum wage and let the Fed do the rest. 

I can tell you to avoid 39209 zip code because it's a war zone. 39204 and 39213 aren't much better. The best neighborhoods are Bellhaven, Fondren and the Northeast side (39211) but they are more expensive. I tend to favor 39212 and 39206 because properties are still relative cheap and the ROI is high. If you have questions about specific properties contact me privately and I'll tell you what I think. I'm in California now myself but I lived in Mississippi for 20 years and bought all my properties during the recession and nearly all were in walking distance from my own house.

 Hi Carlos, 

In terms of cash flow, Jackson can't be beat. In terms of appreciation, not so much. All of my properties are in C neighborhoods. Chris is right about it varying from street to street. But in the neighborhoods where I invest and have lived, you can still buy a 3/2 with a two-car garage on a 1/4 lot for less than 80K. Taxes and insurance are somewhat high relative to the value of the properties. There is no Prop. 13 here! Also, much of Jackson is in a flood zone, so you need flood insurance as well. Unless you are buying in the Fondren District or Bellhaven, I would avoid duplexes. They don't attract the best tenants and are often overpriced. If you want a small-multi look for a larger house with a guest house (or ADU has they call them in California) and then try to rent it to an extended family.

warmest, Susan