He came home today after doing some errands, and someone changed all the locks to the home!  

What it said in that book really made sense to me but at the time I thought there was no way I could do anything about it to start changing my financial life while I was in college so I put it aside amid 22+ credit semesters of college and working part-time jobs, while also always being rehearsal for a play or musical as a theater major.

Markets change rapidly.

The rules have changed over the years and you have to be sooo careful nowadays.

HELOCs do have lower closing costs but the rate is adjustable and it changes to a different product after 10 years.  

If they can't steer you right - change your CPA! 

I do not believe I qualify for Section 121 as I have not had any life changes that would fall under this category - they all seem like they are beyond one's control.

So while a Fannie/Freddie loan will be a 30 year fixed rate that is pretty low...a portfolio loan might be an Adjustable Rate (which will make your payment change), or only a 15 year term (which will make your payment higher), or have a higher rate all together...and I have seen many a portfolio loan that has all 3 of those features. 

I've noticed a steady increase in the frequency of unsolicited mailers I receive offering my buy my house ("why worry about repairs, we'll buy you house as is, all cash, quick close" etc., etc.).

Something has to change to increase the value.