Traditional Fannie or Freddi will only go to 80% on a 2 unit.

I know I am a bit younger and the idea of owning gold bars/coins is a more traditional and old school safe haven or hedge.But, I contest, that when/if the preverbial "crap" hits the fan, a gold bar is not going to be worth much.

That's like trying to win the lottery.

This is not only my favorite Real Estate site but my favorite site period and has helped me learn so much more about real estate beyond the traditional buying and selling of one's personal residence.

A card you give your banker should probably be more formal and traditional.

Typically these are more costly loans with higher rates and points than more traditional type loans.

Take a look at how just two percentage points can change your payment: Loan $165,000 Rate: 3.5% Term: 30 years PAYMENT: $740.92Loan $165,000 Rate: 4.0% Term: 30 years PAYMENT: $787.74Loan $165,000 Rate: 5.5% Term: 30 years PAYMENT: $936.85You would be better off locking in a rate on a 15 or 30 year mortgage rather than having the worries that as interest rates increase your return decreases.To see if a HELOC will be better, make sure you calculate how much interest your will pay on this loan (higher interest rate + fluctuating) over lets say 5 years compared with a traditional 15 or 30 year mortgage.

Felt like a lottery winner getting the free press!

topps baseball cards, where you could peek behind the grey (scratchers lottery type) and see which ones were the winners?

Traditional "Guru" training teaches that second mortgage holders will be happy with a pay-off 10% of loan amount.