Texas Land

Texas Veterans Land Board In Texas, call us Toll Free:1-800-252-VETS (8387) Outside Texas? Call 1-512-463-5060 (long distance charges apply) (PDF) -- • State Veterans Home Resident Awarded Bronze Star (PDF) • VLB is accepting nominations for naming the Texas State Veterans Home being built in Amarillo. Read the Press Release (PDF) and the Policy for Naming Texas State Veterans Homes ( Word2000 ) ( PDF ) and complete the Nomination Form ( Word2000 ) ( PDF ) • Corpus Christi awarded next Texas State Veterans Cemetery (PDF) • The Results of the October 25, 2005, FLS are now available on-line (PDF) • Watch the archived edition of the October 25, 2005, FLS Web cast • First Texas State Veterans Cemetery dedicated in Killeen (PDF) • Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery Dedication Information • James Baker III to help dedicate first Texas State Veterans Cemetery (PDF) • Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery Groundbreaking Information • Work begins on Valley's first Texas State Veterans Cemetery (PDF) The October Type I Forfeited Land Sale Handbooks are now available online (PDF) -- • Chairman Patterson visits veterans in Iraq • VLB Board Member, Mike Ussery, passes away after attending the dedication of the Texas State Veterans Home in McAllen, scheduled to open July 1, 2005. (PDF) • "Where Honor Lives" • "Voices of Veterans" Oral History Program • "Defending Freedom" A new TV Announcement honoring Texas Veterans from 1836 to today. Play Video 60 seconds High | Low Play Video 30 seconds High | Low Broadcaster Information (PDF) • Texas Veterans Voice Fall 2005 Veterans Voice Newsletter (PDF) Archived Editions of the Veterans Voice Newsletter • Media and Press Releases • Financial help available for activated Texas Reservists and National Guard members (PDF) ATTENTION-Loan Program Changes!!! VLB Land Loan maximum now $60,000. Land Loan now available for one-acre tracts. VHAP Changes Effective March 4, 2005: New-Construction housing loans must meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star ® rating as an energy efficient home. The Greenbuilding and Troops to Teachers Programs will no longer be available. The interest rate discounts previously associated with these programs will be re-directed to reducing the overall base rate for the Housing and Home Improvement Programs. The veterans with Disabilities Program discount will be available only to veterans with a VA compensable disability rated at 50% or higher. • Federal legislation filed to end discrimination in veteran loan eligibility • Convert your semiannual land loan payments to monthly payments (PDF) Message from Chairman Patterson Chairman Jerry Patterson Speaks to Veterans About the Veterans Land Board. (run time: 10:15) Play Video High | Low Land Loan Account Status Free Public Seminars and Educational Events • For Veterans • For Lenders • For Real Estate Professionals--view our upcoming events . Contact your nearest Outreach office for training opportunities. Registration for Veterans, Real Estate Professionals, and VLB Participating Lenders • Registration for Veterans to receive VLB program updates • Registration for Real Estate Professionals to receive VLB program updates • Web listing updates for VLB Participating Lenders Veterans' Resources • The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) now accepting requests for some military records via the Internet • The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) for information on VA benefits Laws and Rules • Laws and Rules PDF Files require the free Adobe Acrobat reader. Video media require the free Real Player . Privacy Policy Links/Accessibility Policy For our customers who are hearing impaired: The VLB TDD number is (512) 463-6367 or contact any of our program areas through Relay Texas at 1-800-735-2988. For more information, contact us .

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Buying Property in Mexico: from The Peoples Guide to Mexico: People's Guide Homepage • Copper Canyon • Live & Retire • Carl's Mexico Notebooks • Letters • Favorite Books • Visit our Sponsors • Table of Contents • The Best of Mexico: Favorite Places • Search This Site Live & Retire in Mexico Buying Property in Mexico •Building in Puerto Vallarta "Could you tell me what one would would expect to pay for new construction per sq ft in Nuevo Vallarta today?..." .... ( more ) Q&A: Charles Sloan & Robert Foster • Buying Property in the Lake Chapala Area In the last decade or so, it is estimated that more than 10,000 foreigners have purchased property on the Northshore of Lake Chapala. Long prized as a weekend retreat by wealthy Guadalajarans, the villages from Lake Chapala to Jocotepec now boast an expatriate community said to be the largest in the world. Ajijic has become the prime location for foreigners because of its infrastructure of services, such as internet access, and the existence of the Lake Chapala Society, an English-speaking resource for newcomers and residents .... ( more ) by Tony Harries & Teresa A. Kendrick • Buying Restricted-Zone (Coastal and border zone) property First, as most folks are aware, Mexican residential property in the coastal or border zones can be legally purchased by foreigners, but only through the fideicomiso (bank trust) method set up expressly for this purpose by the federal government....( more ) by Robert Foster • Budget Living in Puerto Vallarta by Robert Foster (Jennings) • Dobie and Sergio are homesteading in a former coconut plantation on Mexico's Pacific Coast. Top of Page Homepage Table of Contents Site Map Write to us, Carl & Lorena http://www.peoplesguide.com ©1972-2004 by Carl Franz & Lorena Havens Copper Canyon • Live & Retire • Table of Contents • Book Reviews • Letters • Carl's Mexico Notebook • Search This Site

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Adbusters Culturejammer Headquarters Sharon Is Terrorist Number 2 by Avi Shlaim George W. Bush may claim that Ariel Sharon is a “man of peace,” but his track record suggests a different title. Over a 50-year military and political career, Sharon has been responsible for incalculable civilian trauma. from Adbusters #63» Moral Midgets of the Year We say farewell to 2005 with a look at four of the year's most embarrassing newsmakers: stars of less-than-stellar virtue whose shenanigans got them little more than a stern finger-wagging. from Adbusters #63» Putin is Terrorist Number 1: by Boris Berezovsky Humble Economists: by Paul Ormerod more magazine features » more Adbusters.org exclusives » Buy Nothing Day 2005 A big congrats to all those who (did not) participate! Finds out what went on in the name of nothing in our 2005 wrap up. Kick it Over! Students — join your Campus JammerGroup and jam your Econ. department. -- Red Dot Contest September and October winners – come and get your free shoes! Blackspots & Paris Fashion » Shareholder Discounts » Win a Pair of Blackspots » Select One TV Turnoff Unbrand America Antipreneur Drugtaker Blackspot Sneaker Blackspot Music True Cost Eco Media Carta Corp. Crackdown Buy Nothing Day CURRENT TOPICS: Does Media Activism have a future? Is the world becoming more precarious? Is environmentalism dead? more forum topics» Visit the gallery » | what is RSS? The Adbusters newsletter connects you with 84541 other cultural creatives. Watch our punchiest videos » France Norway Japan BAP France Sweden Subscribe | About Us | Contact Us | Submissions | Reprints | Media | Donate

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Sarasota Real Estate-Siesta Key Real Estate-Sarasota Homes and Condos Florida Sarasota Real Estate Siesta Key Real Estate Siesta Key Condos for Sale Florida Real Estate Sarasota Realtor MLS Sarasota Real Estate Searching for Sarasota Florida real estate? You've come to the right place! Luxury Homes and Condos on Siesta Key , Longboat Key , Casey Key , St. Armands , Lido Key - all Florida real estate needs including buying, selling, information, free MLS listings available on this site. Search like a realtor with no sign up unless you want more info! T ravel and home magazines describe Florida as a tropical paradise, and financial and investment publications feature lengthy articles about real estate and its rich economic vitality -- the height in luxury living! See why Money Magazine named Sarasota as one of the Best Places to Live . July 2005: Sarasota is experiencing a strong real estate market and soaring prices. A recent article in the H erald-Tribune refers to " the rising price of 'white gold'". The scarcity of premium beachfront land -- sand is the white gold of the real estate market -- is what drives the value . . . It's the land values and the scarcity that are driving this market. Prices are going out of sight! Real estate developers and realtors in Sarasota alike believe it won't be long before prices in Sarasota are as high as Naples and Boca Raton. Real estate listings referred to in the article sited waterfront luxury properties in Sarasota ranging from $5.4 million to rapidly approaching $20 million. Investors are flocking to Sarasota to view listings, buy condos and luxury waterfront property with views of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Golfers want to retire here. Baby boomers are picking out properties before retirement -- Sarasota is hot, hot, hot!!! Neighborhood Update Sarasota's neighborhoods are tropical in nature and offer an outstanding Florida lifestyle. Some popular neighborhoods to check out: Forest Lakes and the Lakes Estates. Real estate owners in mainland Sarasota , appreciate what an extraordinary place Sarasota Florida is. A vital community, each facet of of our tropical city is just as exciting as the next. Special - Sarasota Lot for Sale - Waterfront on Phillippi Creek $695,000 Bubble Update P rices in Sarasota have increased considerably in the last few years but keep in mind, Florida prices are a bargain when compared to other areas such as Naples, San Diego, Boston and Washington, DC. For a chunk of white gold, give us a call today! Please enjoy our website and see why Sarasota is the best place to live in Florida! And good news for buyers, prices seem to be stabilizing with lots of new and resale homes on the market in October just in time for the 2006 season. Also news you should know - in October, the National Association of Realtor Research Group released studies of 130 U.S. cities including Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice market, to refute media claims that a housing bubble exists. Annette Smith REALTOR , e-PRO RE/MAX Properties 2000 Webber Street Sarasota, FL 34239 941.308.3814 941.954.5455 annette@annettesellssarasota.com www.AnnetteSellsSarasota.com Home Page Sarasota Real Estate and MLS Search Featured Homes for Sale Sarasota Prices About Sarasota Florida About Siesta Key-Florida About Other Florida Communities Home Buyer and Home Seller Resources Sarasota Community Information & Real Estate Resources Blog About Annette Contact Annette Sarasota Statistics November 2005: Looks like Sarasota prices are leveling off and a buyer's market could be just around the corner! Read More-Real Estate Prices in Sarasota! The crown jewels of Sarasota neighborhoods will always be its barrier islands of Siesta Key , Longboat Key , Casey Key , St. Armands , Bird Key , and Lido Key . With world-class championship golf courses , gourmet restaurants, quaint antique stores, live theater , sport fishing, boating, tennis, performing arts, beach walking, galleries, fine dining, collecting seashells and watching spectacular sunsets on the Gulf of Mexico or buying real estate. . . Sarasota has it all! Read an extensive list of Sarasota's accolades. Beaches, boating, golf, dining, shopping, theater -- there's always something exciting going on in Sarasota. Sophisticated or casual, upscale or economical activities and real estate, it's all just minutes away. Each area of Sarasota County has its own personality, and our visitors are delighted to find more vacation variety here than they ever expected. The City of Sarasota is home to gourmet restaurants and chic shops featuring the best items from around the world. Once known primarily as a vacation or retirement destination, today's Sarasota is home to diversity from mansions, distinctive waterfront properties, private waterfront estates to old Florida cottage charm. A great year-round climate, expanding employment opportunities, abundant leisure time activities and excellent schools attract creative entrepreneurs, real estate investors, skilled workers and professionals who want to thrive in a community where life is sun and fun. Almost half of Sarasota County's population is in the prime working age range of 25 to 64. No matter what your age or stage, there's always something interesting to do. Free Sarasota Information . Sarasota Condos - Information Come visit Sarasota and give Annette a call for a list of Sarasota homes for sale in the MLS and other Sarasota real estate information. Map Your Sarasota Florida Trip , view Find Siesta Key-City Data . For best gas prices in Sarasota, check out GasBuddy.com. - Send us an email: annette@annettesellssarasota.com if you have a question. The MLS Search for Florida Homes Sarasota Golf Communities For the golfer, Sarasota offers spectacular golf course homes in the communities of Lakewood Ranch, Prestancia, the Concession and Forest Lakes. Browse our Sarasota Golf Communities for the ultimate in golf course living and find the informationon all the courses on - Sarasota Golf Info! New! Downtown Sarasota Condos! Downtown Living! Water front Real Estate in Sarasota Our investment property professionals are available to assist you in the sales of ocean front condos,beachfront vacation condos, and luxury beach houses - in the most desirable locations and best neighborhoods throughout Sarasota, Siesta Key, Casey Key, Lido Key, St. Armands and Longboat Key. We specialize in finding you the perfect vacation home, whether it be as a private year round residence, or as rental investment property. The Sarasota real estate market and ocean front real estate sales are soaring, and we offer unique guidance in the purchase or sale of beach resort property. Spend some time with us on our website and our new blog and let us show you what the Sarasota lifestyle is all about. If you are just discovering our city, take a photo tour and then send us an email or give us a call for more information! e-mail Annette Smith, your Sarasota Realtor Sarasota Real Estate Sarasota homes Sarasota accolades Sarasota condos Sarasota downtown condos Sarasota Golf Course Homes Sarasota real estate values Choosing a Sarasota Realtor Sarasota new homes info Sarasota home buying tips Sarasota home selling tips Sarasota luxury homes for sale Sarasota luxury real estate Hot Neighborhood Sales Neighborhood Descriptions Sarasota Lifestyle Real estate related sites Sarasota real estate agents Sarasota preconstruction ___________ Siesta Key real estate Siesta Key waterfront condos Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce _________________ Longboat Key real estate Longboat Key waterfront condos Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce Lido Key real estate Lido Key waterfront condos _________________ Bird Key real estate Casey Key real estate Casey Key waterfront homes St. Armands real estate Sarasota featured homes Sarasota schools Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Realtors in other states Sarasota tour ________________ RE/MAX Properties C ommunity information links Selling for top dollar Your Quick Guide to Sarasota real estate ! Real Estate News Articles Preconstruction Real Estate Investments - Buy Now, Pay Later Waterfront Property - Four Hurricanes Haven't Slowed Sarasota Real Estate Sales Sarasota Condos -Waterfront Luxury Homes for the Stars Sarasota Hot Neighborhoods For the boater or just a water lover, Sarasota offers spectacular waterfront homes in the communities of Golden Gate Point . If water is not the priority, Forest Lakes Country Club has new zoning plans for the golf course, new condos and single-family homes in the forecast for this Sarasota gem. The Sarasota Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the project, and demolition of the existing Club House facility could begin as early as the second week of December 2005. For the best West of the Trail location, check out the area close to Morton's Gourmet Market. Another charming neighborhood is The Lakes Estates . Real Estate Relocation and Referral Resources Learn about this Relocation and Referral Network Real Estate Roster -- End Code -- "Web-Savvy" Relocation Realtors Relocating to another area? Please contact one of the real estate agents listed below to assist you with realty, relocation, MLS (multiple listing service), and city information in any of these areas. Or, we'll make the introductions for you as our relocation network is global. Please contact us regarding real estate professionals in another country, state or city . Los Angeles Real Estate The Real Estate Blog Bali Villas Boca Raton Homes for Sale Palm Beach Real Estate Boca Raton Florida Real Estate Southern California Real Estate Myrtle Beach Vacation Condo Rentals Miami Beach Real Estate Las Vegas Real Estate Clearwater Florida Real Estate Scottsdale and Phoenix Real Estate Metro Denver Relocation Nashville Real Estate Relocation Referral Network Myrtle Beach Condos Tenerife house for sale Santa Clarita Real Estate Sudbury MA Real Estate Millsboro Real Estate Boca Raton Real Estate Witchita Kansas Real Estate Lake Travis Real Estate Washington DC Real Estate Denver Real Estate La Crescenta CA Real Estate Leesburg VA Real Estate Hopkinton MA Real Estate Phoenix Real Estate Boca Raton FL Real Estate Myrtle Beach Vacation and Real Estate Guide Myrtle Beach Real Estate Tucson Real Estate Tucson Luxury Homes Calgary Canada Real Estate Tulsa and Oklahoma City Metro Real Estate Temecula Real Estate Hawaii Real Estate Hawaii MLS Homes Northern Illinois Real Estate & MLS Round Rock Realtor Las Vegas Condos-Las Vegas High Rises Myrtle Beach Preconstruction Aventura Real Estate Preconstruction Real Estate Myrtle Beach Golf Packages St. Augustine Beach Real Estate Garden City Real Estate Rehoboth Beach Real Estate Ulster County NY Real Estate Boston Real Estate Atlanta real estate San Jose Real Estate REMAX Columbus Ohio Real Estate Las Vegas Golf Homes-Las Vegas Country Clubs San Clemente Real Estate Naples Real Estate Henderson Real Estate Tampa Real Estate Utah Real Estate Pensacola Homes for Sale Westlake Village Real Estate and Calabasas Real Estate Sarasota Condos Sarasota Real Estate RELO-EXPERTS - Directory of Real Estate Agents New Resort Partners - Myrtle Beach South Carolina Myrtle Beach Preconstruction Condominiums Home and Garden Show exposwest.com: Producers of quality Public Events. Specializing in Home and Garden Shows and Pet Expo s. Homes In Other Cities LinkPartners.com The Easy Way to find Link Swap Partners DownPayment Assistance Florida Real Estate Real Estate Agents and Home Resources Alabama | Alaska | Arkansas | Arizona | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Iowa | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Massachusetts | Maryland | Maine | Michigan | Minnesota | Missouri | Mississippi | Montana | Nebraska | North Carolina | North Dakota | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | Nevada | New York | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Virginia | Vermont | -- Washington | Wisconsin | West Virginia | Wyoming International Other Resources Business Services Financial MoveToFlorida Vacation & Travel Home, Health & Garden Web Services Real Estate Awards and Directories e-PRO certified real estate agents New Construction Beach-Golf-Vacation Information Myrtle Beach Golf Packages Tiki Poles-Tikis-Myrtle Beach Hand Carved Wooden Signs Myrtle Beach Condos Myrtle Beach Vacations Arizona Golf Vacations - Las Vegas Golf - New Orleans Golf Packages Costa Rica Vacation Rentals Myrtle Beach Golf Discounts Once Upon a Child-Myrtle Beach Bay View Resort Condos Prince Resort North Myrtle Beach Condos Pre-Construction Condos Anderson-Resort Aqua-Bay Holden Beach NC Real Estate Holden Beach Realty Ocean Isle NC Real Estate Sunset Beach NC Real Estate Sunset Beach Condos Oyster Harbour at Holden Beach River Bluff Estates at Holden Beach SeaScape at Holden Beach Calabash NC Real Estate Carolina Shores Real Estate Shallotte NC Real Estate Oak Island Realty Estate Sunset Harbor Real Estate Oak Island NC Real Estate Caswell Beach Homesites Southport NC Real Estate Boiling Springs Lakes Real Estate Leland NC Real Estate St James Plantation Real Estate Bald Head Island Real Estate Brunswick County NC Real Estate Real estate design consultation by Myrtle Beach Web Site Designs by Jan Contact NuImageGroup.com for web design and Real Estate Marketing Real estate web design by Marketing & Design Services, Inc. Sarasota Real Estate is featured in Agent-Pro Real Estate Directory Homes For Sale Listings Homes for sale listings, including multiple listing services (MLS), for sale by owner (FSBO), foreclosed houses and new homes Awarded Top 10% in the Nation for Consumer Satisfaction by the Internet Consumer Group Directory Real Estate - Meta-Directory for Real Estate Real Estate Link World Web www.annettesellssarasota.com Your online source for real estate, real estate agents, and homes for sale in Sarasota communities! Investment Real Estate Information in this site about Sarasota property for sale is collected from various resources and deemed to be reliable but not guaranteed. This site contains MLS real estate listings and resources on Siesta Key homes, mainland real estate in Sarasota , St. Armands, Bird Key , Casey Key luxury property, Lido Key, and Longboat Key Florida . Search the MLS in this site for information about Sarasota homes for sale, Buyer Tips and seller tips , mortgage info and other resources available also. AnnetteSellsSarasota.com offers a wide range of residential properties for sale. Annette and her network of realtors want to be your Sarasota Realtors and your online resource for information about homes listed in Sarasota, Florida -offering you housing info in our relocation website and a search of properties in the multiple listing service (mls listings). This comprehensive site offers direct MLS access to the latest properties for sale, homes, condos, condominiums, investment properties, Gulf Front, waterfront, beach properties, golf course communities in Sarasota, FL including community information, consumer resources, school information , free reports, answers to commonly asked real estate questions. Site updated daily. Our goal as your Sarasota Realtor is to help you be an informed home buyer or home seller in today's changing real estate market. When looking for homes for sale or if you need to sell a house, selecting your Realtor is an important decision. You will benefit from Annette and her relocation network of realtors combined real estate experience. When the time is right to buy or sell, call or e-mail Annette for a smooth transaction or a sophisticated internet marketing presentation to get your house listed in the MLS immediately. Call Annette Smith, your Sarasota connection, for all your Sarasota Florida real estate needs. We can refer you to a Naples Florida real estate agent if Naples is your dream. South Florida Realtors are in our network of partners as Naples is only 90 miles south on I-75- give us a call for a referral. Google | Yahoo | Altavista | MSN | AOL | Lycos | Ask Jeeves | Excite | Netscape | All The Web

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MSN Money - The hazards of some home-equity loans MSN Home Hotmail My MSN Sign In Money S earch MSN Money: Help Home News Banking Investing Planning Taxes My Money Portfolio Loans Insurance Banking Home My Accounts Bill Pay Mortgages/Loans Services Credit Reports Financial Tools Track your bills Resources Decision Centers Home Buying Guide Home Financing Your Credit Rating Financial Privacy Better Banking Credit Card Smarts Bankruptcy Guide Commentary Index Related Links Manage Debt More on Budgeting Print-friendly version Send this to a friend See where rates stand Calculate your debt burden here Find a home-equity loan Find books on home buying Find It! Article Index Finance Q&A Tools Index Site Map Don't get fooled by the "special programs" offer mentioned in advertisements. Today's homeowners have forgotten -- or never learned -- the lessons of their grandparents. Recent articles by Terry Savage: • How to limit divorce's financial sting , 1/5/2003 • 5 financial steps to help your aging parents , 1/5/2003 • Prepare for the unthinkable: long-term care , 1/5/2003 More... The Basics The hazards of some home-equity loans advertisement What looks like an easy way out of debt could one day put your family out on the street. Get the facts behind those enticing ads for 125% home-equity loans before you put your home on the line. By Terry Savage What looks like a great deal, but could turn out to be the most devastating financial decision of your life? It's when you consolidate credit-card debt by taking out home-equity loans for more than the value of your house, sometimes for up to 125% of the home's value. Unlike traditional home-equity loans that rely on the equity you've built up in your home, these loans aren't tax deductible and usually carry higher interest rates. Find a loan that's right for you at the Loan Center By television, direct mail and now by e-mail, lenders are pushing you to consolidate your credit-card debt by borrowing on your home. Here's the text of an actual e-mail I received recently: Consolidate Debt, Refinance Your Home or Put Cash In Your Pocket! We Have Special Programs with rates starting as low as 2.5% APR 7.22% Special Programs for Self-Employed Borrowers Previous Bankruptcies or Foreclosures OK!! Debt Consolidation - pay off high-interest debts and get the cash you need Second Mortgages - get 125% of your home's value. The television commercials make it look easy and enticing. A top athlete, like quarterback Dan Marino, offers you the chance to cut your monthly payments, pay off your credit cards and take out extra cash to remodel your kitchen or go on a vacation. But think twice. It's important to understand the risks, as well as the attraction, of those lower monthly payments. For some, this is the way to go For many people, a home-equity loan is indeed the smart way to borrow. The interest rate is typically lower, and the interest is tax deductible. Plus, home-equity loans are amortized over about 15 years vs. about four years for credit cards. That means the monthly payment on a home-equity loan is far lower than a minimum required credit-card payment. For example, if you owe $10,000 on your credit card at 15%, you'll probably have a monthly payment of $278. But the same amount owed at 15% on a home-equity loan that's amortized over 15 years results in a monthly payment of only $140. The more you owe, the more enticing a home-equity loan looks. At $20,000 in debt in the same scenario, the home-equity loan costs $280 a month, while the credit card and/or auto debt requires a $557 monthly payment. The trouble comes when people borrow all their home equity to pay off their debts, but they haven't learned how to manage their money well enough to avoid running up credit-card debts and auto-loan debts again. In fact, the lenders have a name for this process: It's called "reloading." Then, if the economy slows or one of the breadwinners loses a job, the next time you get into credit-card trouble, you could actually lose your house. Statistics from the Mortgage Bankers Association underscore the problem. The percentage of homes foreclosed in 1998 was 1.16%, about double the rate of the terrible recession years of the early 1980s, when 0.59% of homes were in foreclosure. The rising foreclosure rate comes even as bankruptcy rates remain high, with 1.2 million filings in 1999. But as people try to avoid bankruptcy, they're increasingly taking out home-equity loans to pay off their other bills. As a result of those home-equity loans (and new mortgage programs designed to help people buy homes with down payments of less than 5%), Americans have a lower percentage of equity in their homes than at any time in history. Essentially, an unsecured loan The real kicker comes if you borrow past the value of your home. Unlike home-equity loans, these loans usually are not considered tax deductible. The law says that all interest on a first mortgage (of up to $1 million) is deductible. And interest on up to $100,000 of a second mortgage or home-equity loan also is deductible. By law, interest on any part of a loan that exceeds 100% of the value of your home is not deductible. In addition, lenders typically charge higher rates, because you've essentially taken out an unsecured loan. An unsecured loan means there is no collateral in case you default on the loan. A mortgage for up to the value of your home is "secured" by the home itself. Many lenders charge interest rates seven or eight percentage points higher than traditional mortgages. In some cases, that's twice what you'd pay for a regular mortgage or home-equity loan. Don't get fooled by the "special programs" offer mentioned in advertisements like the one I mentioned earlier, either. They're either introductory loans, which require large "balloon payments" several years later, or adjustable rate loans in which the rates -- and the payments -- can increase every year. As long as the loan is repaid, it's very profitable. And the lenders know that paying off mortgage or home-equity loans takes a high priority in a consumer's mind, so the default rate is far lower than on unsecured credit-card lending. SMR Research, a financial industry market-research firm, reports that about 30% of all home-equity loans are sub-prime. That is, these are loans made to borrowers who are considered a poor credit risk -- the very people most likely to be caught in the crunch when the economy turns down. Bankruptcy: the only escape The greatest danger for those who fall for this pitch is the fact that they've put their home on the line. If they fail to make the payments, the lender can force the home to be sold in a foreclosure proceeding. The grantor of the original mortgage must be paid off first; then the home equity lender collects what's left from the sale price. And if there's not enough equity to repay the home equity lender, a default judgment will be entered against the borrower for the difference. The only escape is bankruptcy. The generation that went through the Great Depression of the 1930s learned the hard way not to borrow against the family home. So many people lost their homes that by 1935, banks categorized 20% of all mortgages as "real-estate owned" -- that is, foreclosed. But today's homeowners have forgotten -- or never learned -- the lessons of their grandparents. Rising home prices have tempted homeowners to count home equity as a source of ready cash. But that kind of home equity borrowing should only be done as part of an overall financial plan and a disciplined approach to money management. Otherwise, today's easy way out of debt could one day put your family out on the street. Editors' choice Don't get scammed by your mover Safeguard your Social Security number 5 ways to tap into the onshore drilling boom Your checkbook just became obsolete Turn $1 a day into $67,815 Readers' choice Ratings Top 5 Articles 9.30 Zombie debt collectors dig up your old mistakes 9.24 Keep thieves out of your bank account 9.22 Credit reports now free for entire U.S. 9.19 10 ways to avoid outrageous hospital overcharges 9.17 Tax breaks for Katrina victims -- and all of us View all top rated articles More Resources · E-mail us your comments on this article · Post on the Your Money message board · Get a daily dose of market news S earch MSN Money tips advertisement MSN Money's editorial goal is to provide a forum for personal finance and investment ideas. Our articles, columns, message board posts and other features should not be construed as investment advice, nor does their appearance imply an endorsement by Microsoft of any specific security or trading strategy. 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