Cutting Edge, Your problem is you work hard and try to do the right thing. You should have joined a public sector union and got a government job with a platinum retirement plan. Trying to run a business in an over regulated environment and government related high cost business property makes a small business iffy at best. Buying a house in a financial system that has been toyed with and corrupted by the federal government is and has been since the 90s risky indeed. But we all have to live somewhere. Educate yourself and roll the dice hope for the best. Cutting Edge having worked hard since age 16 I'm happy to count you as a fellow American.