Posted by Christina Huh

For Marketplace Money, Friday, November 11, 2011

On this week’s show, Marketplace Money collaborated with the New York Times to look at where housing is today in the American Dream. A lot of people are struggling to keep home ownership in their lives. We talked to one woman who slogged through the seemingly endless loan modification process to save the home she lived in for more than 30 years. One couple talks about how they’re coping with an underwater house. And we have a few people — including a financial adviser — talk about what it was like to throw up their hands and walk away from their mortgages.

Some people are buying homes with other family members to make it easier to become a home owner. We talk to a daughter-and-mother about what it’s like to live on the same property. Paul Sullivan of the New York Times talks about the debate over the mortgage-interest tax deduction. It’s hard to believe, but there are people still buying second comes — and still consider them as potential investments. The New York Times’ Ron Lieber talks about why a house is still a good investment (but it’s always a home first!). And here are the songs we played:

• In My House – Mary Jane GirlsBuy

• This House is Not For Sale – Ryan AdamsBuy

• The House Song – Peter, Paul & MaryBuy

• One More Payment – Clint BlackBuy

• Foreclosure Blues – Jerry RavenBuy

• Money, Money, Money – ABBABuy

• Come On-A My House – Rosemary ClooneyBuy

• Home – Deep Blue SomethingBuy