The Home Mortgage Interest Tax Write Off Is Under Assault - What Should Investors Do?

U.S. home ownership is declining and with foreclosureseconomic effects are likely the following.  Vacation
in the pipeline racing forward, this trend will acceleratehousing values will fall sharply and the immediate
in the coming months.  This more precipitous dropimpact will be a negative impact on all home values. 
should slow to a stead trend of declining ownership forAfter this effect fades, with homeowners / buyers
the remainder of the decade and possibly beyond. having no incentive to purchase a second home,
This trend is going to effect homeownership benefitsprimary home values basic value will rise and related
and regulations.industries will gain long term momentum because
When the nation sees changes in demographic linesconsumers will be prone to invest more in their primary
political fallout is not far behind.  In this case, fewerhomes.  In effect, the cities and communities where
home owners means less support for the homethese consumers live will benefit.
interest write off.  There are proposal to reduce theFor investors, after the vacation home areas suffer
write off to as low as $417,000 or thereabouts.  Ithe ill effects of this event.  Values will settle at a
don't think this is likely to prevail.  In my estimation, thelower level.  Investors will become the principal
first home mortgage is likely safe.  However, if not,owners.  Moreover, access to these areas will be
the worst case is limiting the write off to $750,000.enhanced by the lower cost point investor business
On the other hand the write off for second homes isdriven goals.  So, while values will fall vacation / get
at risk and is likely to become a victim of this crisisaway attraction will not be impacted.  Investors
eventually.  While many  won't be happy, this is likelyplacing capital in these areas should benefit from solid
a positive event for first home values and for mostsustained demand for the product.
consumers.  The  reason this is the case is the