I've had credit cards with well over 30% utilization for at least a year with minimal negative impact on my credit score.

When the dinosaurs went extinct it was due to a punctuated climate change from a meteor impact that released dust and debris that blocked the sun.

That is of course if the lender will even offer a long term loan.A rate in the 5s versus a rate in the 7-9% range can really impact a deal.

I guess the bbq has had an impact too!

http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/article/107508/4-signs-your-home-is-about-to-lose-value.html Besides the fact that this article fortells a boom in REO inventory, it gives intereting insight into how an REO could negatively impact the value of your investment properties, so I shared it.

TIP of the DAY: One thing that I had to do now to close the transaction is to secure an acknowledgement from forclosure lender for the TITLE COMPANY as its requirement ... "...immediate re-sale of the property purchased in the short-sale transaction has no impact on the current approval..."...they all repied "no impact on current short-sale letter approval...or we' don't care...just send us the money ASAP..."

The impact of higher taxes is simply too much to ignore in one's expense assumptions.

(I think you have to have a filter on your ears on what you will 'store' in your mind or 'throw away')- Strategize on what you want, make a list, plaster pictures all over your fridge, mirror, car steering wheel and visualize it all the time.I definitely agree with RIch that Money isn't everything & in the end its really going to come down to 'How have you Positively Impacted other people with your Actions or Money?'

It is just a comfort to see my fellow investors say, Yes, you may feel fear, but don't let that impact your destiny for financial freedom. 

There is literally no new building in the area and those that were in construction have disappeared from the area along with their families, no jobs, and HD and Lowes are not hiring.Combination of stupidity, arrogance, and just plain bad advice made the situation even worse when the local politicans decided to raise the impact fees for new construction and for converting office space to new usages.Results are of course, empty commercial buildings,and we mean completely empty buildings, whole strip malls with not one tenant, and no new home construction.As far as home improvement and repairs, that is far less then it used to be, as people seem to be afraid to spend the money, causing again less work and talent leaving the area.