[matt04]

My husband’s company recently told everyone that massive layoffs are coming, and they should start looking for other jobs.

Do those count as jobs created or saved in Obama math.

[jiggyboy]

That first letter probably has a typo in it — if you need a kitchen remodel so bad that it’s crucial to selling the house, it would be a $20,000 job not $2,000.

That said, it’s not necessary IMO. Even if it returns twice what you paid, you’re gambled the price of the return that you couldn’t have sold the house at all. I don’t believe that.

[ZOOKER]

What a surprise - the Real Estate agent would love for you to spend your own money to make his job easier.

If you improve your home, the agent won't have to work as hard to make the sale.
If he can sell it at a higher price (due to YOUR investment), then he gets that much more commission.
If the house still doesn't sell he's not out anything, those improvements came out of YOUR pocket.

I'm not saying don't fix up your house, I'm saying weigh the costs of improvements against the increased value/appeal of the house. If you spend 30K for an increase of 20K in sale price, you LOSE (and your agent still wins).

[douginthearmy]

Let me summarize this and every previous and subsequent "Dear Dave" letter.

Dear Dave,
   Should I borrow money for X.

No.