OF course it isn't educational, it is a Hollywood film. From Hollywood. That's in the LaLa land of entertainment.
Not true. Some of life's greatest truths are captured by Hollywood. They do have one handicap-- they have to entertain.
I thought the film was good. I think it is a good reminder of exactly how screwed we all were. Our memory is short and a reminder of what happened is good for most. Home owning is viewed as an investment by many. As a person (a fault of my own ignorance) that was one of the many that got seriously screwed and is still underwater I think it is important. I have lived here 9 years and I might break even after I finish putting about $15,000 into it this year. Maybe I can squeeze $10,000 out of it if the housing holds up-- maybe. Worst investment ever. Lesson learned and reinforced several years in a row. I will probably just live here until its paid off.
For the record, I wanted to live here maybe 3 years build up a little equity to move to somewhere I really wanted to live and make it more affordable. That was my intention. I was a first time ignorant buyer who swallowed the non-sense that I didn't need to put much down and that I would be able to leave in a couple years with money.
Repairs for "investment"
new dishwasher
new washing machine
new refrigerator
new water heater
new gate to back yard-- electric company broke to read the meter
new toilet
garage ceiling repair x2
new garage door opener and two repairs-- it derailed "sprung" once
several cracking drywall repairs
new kitchen floor-- installed by me
new carpet
removing wallpaper everywhere
two pluming repairs
a new front door
this year:
all new windows-- the ones from 1971 suck
stucco-- the wood paneling is rotting
paint
grass/sprinklers
ac-- my furnace took a dump this winter and its the original
I need to replace the bathroom fans they stopped working about 5 years ago.
I also need to replace another squeaky whirlybird
and my back patio door will eventually need to be replaced. It has been repaired and it opens to the outside.
I forgot to mention I replace a ceiling fan that was humming really loud and a ceiling florescent light fixture and that the kitchens will probably need to be replaced because it kills bulbs and I have already replaced the balast(kick starter/ whatever you call it.)
You get the idea
Im actually at peace with it now and do love my neighborhood but I will not sugar coat the reality. Maybe it could save somebody the hardship.