[elmer fudd]

When a house "goes down in value" from $400K to $300K, that is not a big deal? Most people finance 90% so they would have put down $40K, meaning that they have lost 250% of their investment. Even on margin, you can't lose more thant 200% of your investment in stocks.

That was exactly my point. When you lose money in the stock market it may suck, but at least you don't end up in debt and it's not particularly unusual for a stock to lose 25% of it's value. It happens and you try to pick a better stock next time. If housing prices do the same thing however it's a calamity.

[goldstategop]

Same thing: you end up paying more for the house than its worth. Not good.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[nopardons]

Not unless you have to sell into the down market.