Saturday, January 19, 2008

Family Medical Emergency

Hello All,
I'm sorry to have been away for a while, but I've been dealing with a family emergency. I thank you for all the support and promise to get back in the swing of things and start posting again this week-end.
Again thank you for your e-mail and support,
Richard

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Cows as Art? I Am Not Fixated


While searching for cow pictures for my post the other day about the herd mentality, I came across this image. It is from the Glen Wexler Studio in California and I think they are just terrific. There is more about the Secret Life of Cow's here.

But you don't have to leave DC to find interesting galleries. One of my favorites is the Aaron Gallery on Connecticut Avenue. Don't forget to check out all the cool stuff downstairs, it's like a treasure trove down there, and Annette Aaron is great. I personally like the Alderman sculptures.

PMI Still Deductible

PMI can be treated as deductible interest on your taxes for another three years, till 2010. This little proviso made it through as part of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act that passed into law late December '08.

My question is, who decided on three years and why? Do the powers that be expect that values will rise significantly in three years - or - is it that they plan to make it easier for purchasers to ask the lender to remove the PMI premium. The later can be quite difficult, it's a a great source of income for them.

Whatever the crazy thought process's of congress, you can still deduct those PMI payments until 2010.