Deflation Never Happens, Except Right Now

https://lemmy.world/post/15765373

Deflation Never Happens, Except Right Now - Lemmy.World

people put off buying homes and other big purchases because they know it will be cheaper later

What absolute drivel. This myth was obviously formulated by some wealthy economist who had only ever worries about purchasing vacation homes.

People put off buying homes UNTIL THEY CAN AFFORD IT. How many people does the author think are currently in the streets or renting for years just so they can save a bit on their mortgage? Completely garbage.

I mean - I could afford a home now, it’s just stupid expensive and I’d be leveraged up to my eyeballs. You do usually need to have the deposit in on-hand cash (though if you’re sneaky and an utter idiot you could probably find some way to borrow for the down payment).

I understand where you’re coming from but it’s accurate language to use because a lot of people technically could afford to buy homes right now they just know it’s dumb and realize the market is about to collapse and they’d end up underwater on like an 8% mortgage.

(though if you’re sneaky and an utter idiot you could probably find some way to borrow for the down payment).

I borrowed for my down payment. It was in 2009, and I bought a 3bed/2bath house in a major city for ~$100k that is worth probably close to $500k now.

Am I an utter idiot, or are there circumstances where borrowing for the down payment is the right move?

There are circumstances when it’s appropriate but it’s really risky. It’s extremely easy to find yourself underwater in debt if you’ve borrowed the full amount. In 2009 when the housing market had fully crashed it was probably an acceptable level of risk.