@Patrick Hancock let's touch base next week

Based on the prices, now seems like it's probably a pretty good time to buy in Galveston. 

Loan interest is deductible based on it's use-not the asset securing it. 

These are just guidelines and may need to be adjusted based on your property's location and class.

I'm Kristie Nguyen, a CPA based in NYC.

Hi Wendy,Coming from a Banker in most cases the Heloc is a Line of credit you only pay on the amount you use and a Heloan is the bank/lender gives you all cash.Lets say you borrow $10K as a heloc and in the first few months you take out $1500.00 your payment is only going to be based off the $1500 and not the $10K because the rest in the line of credit (LOC) not being used - Same as a credit card.

I've paid for a handful of programs over the years from cheap to expensive and narrow-focused to broad-based. 

Usually they are city or region based in your state.

If you do decide on MN, did a similar analysis as you a few months back in St Paul with rent-to-price ratios based on median price and median rents for each neighborhood in St Paul.

In many cases - properties sell for MORE if there is a vacant unit (especially if it's ready to rent) as you can market the property based off market rents as opposed to lower, inplace actual rents.