Home Ownership

I was just reading money.CNN.com and there's an article about mortgages and negative equity. I read it and I don't understand the point. Take a moment and read it so we can relate on the same level. I purchased a home in June of 1990, by October of that year the value had dropped about 30%. In July of 1997 I sold the property for the same price that I purchased it. That's 7 years of tax deductions, 7 years of fixed living expenses, 7 years of my home being maintained to my standards AND I built equity. When I sold the property I was so convinced that it was the right thing to do that I purchased another one! Am I upside down? Am I underwater? Does it matter?

I'm now 12 years in my current home, it will be mine soon. I just put in a new boiler, it's running at twice the efficiency of my last one, actual numbers I've used 48% of the fuel this year as compared to the same time period last year. That has translated into a savings in my heating bill which will pay for the new boiler in 11 years. So, in 11 years I will be in a postive cash flow situation for having replaced my boiler. Oh did I mention that I put insulation in my attic last year.. reduced my heating bill by 21%. If I were renting, paying to heat someone else's building, someone who doesn't care how efficient their heating system is running?

Can I help you own a home? Own your own financial future?