[Porsche-O-Phile]

Randy I don't want to drag what started off as a discussion on mortgage delinquencies off into being a discussion on the merits (really the lack of merits) of healthcare reform or whatever else you want to discuss - start another thread. All I'll say about healthcare reform is that yes, it'd be nice to live in a world where everyone had free care - but such a vision is utopian. It can't happen. It's mythical just like unicorns and the Easter Bunny. Healthcare DOES cost money and it is not "free". Someone has to pay for it and you need look no further than Massachusetts than to see what universal healthcare will do to a previously solvent government (now in serious financial trouble and with very dubious prospects for solvency in 2012).

Rick, I never said anything about the bank managers being emotional - if anything I'd absolutely expect the opposite and in dealing with them I'd be exactly the same way... I think trying to squeeze a potential buyer for $6k on a $350k sale when they're undoubtedly sitting on thousands of unsold properties losing value daily, with few if any buyers is a very stupid move. Sorry but I don't play that "give me your best and final offer" or "here's a counter-offer" crap. I make one offer - one. If they don't like it, there are a hundred other houses out there - I could care less, buh-bye. I think that's absolutely the correct attitude to have in mind when buying ANY durable good - real estate, cars, boats, airplanes, whatever. If you fall in love with something and the sales guy or seller gets a whiff of it, you're dead. Therefore I don't allow myself to initiate any sort of conversation while I'm still "excited" about something - I walk away and if I'm still interested in a few days or weeks, I might inquire when it's become a rational rather than emotionally-driven decision.