RVRoadie

We hold our stocks for income and none of them seem in trouble for any reason. I am currently working on a real estate deal so I sold some Muni bonds today while people were willing to pay more. If the real estate deal doesn't materialize on our terms, we'll put the money back on solid income stocks while they're on sale.'

 

Dick

I think you are right to be looking for real estate. I bought a foreclosed home last year. Built in 2006 and I got it for just under $50 per square foot, after fixing it up. Rental income yields about 13% on my investment. I currently have offers in on 3 more, but 2 are short sales and they rarely work out. My target price is under $50 per square foot in an area that has a strong rental market. Unfortunately, I am out of cash to buy properties and have to use my home equity line of credit to make purchases. Still profitable, but riskier. Could pull cash out of either a Roth or IRA if I got into trouble with rates. Very difficult to get a mortgage on a rental property, and killer fees if you do.

If the Feds would loosen up restrictions on investing IRA money, and make it easier to purchase real estate for rental income, the housing market would bottom overnight. There are a couple of firms out West that will set up the legal framework to create an LLC that can act as a custodian for IRA funds that you can then use for real estate. Big fees, and looks a little questionable.

Like I said, I should have my head examined for adding to TEVA and BAC. Took my lumps today at the open. Still up 5% for the year, and 90% cash. APPL is not down enough to get back in. Hope I don't miss it.

I moved from 30% to 50% cash the middle of last week, then to 70% on Monday at the open. No real insight, just wanted to protect my gains for the year. The one stock I hated to see go was Apple. Will look to get back in around $340. I did put a few percent back into TEVA and BAC late today. Probably need my head examined, they are both stinking up the place.