Trump's 50-Year Mortgage: Insane or Smart? Plus Ethical Landlording

Erin Spradlin and James Carlson tackle Trump's 50-year mortgage proposal with real numbers, then discuss whether "ethical landlording" is an oxymoron.

🏠 The 50-Year Mortgage Reality

Trump's team showed him a poster with FDR and Trump labeled "Great Presidents" to pitch this. James admits it's "not automatically batshit crazy"—low bar.

The Math ($500K home, 6% rate):

• 30-year: $3,000/month, $579K interest, $1.079M total
• 50-year: $2,632/month ($366 saved), $1M+ interest, $1.5M total

Pros: Lower monthly payments. Harvard/UChicago economists say it's "not that much crazier than 30-year mortgages." Cons: Delays equity building, you're renting from the bank. Doesn't address root cause—need more housing units. Local ADU regulations likely more effective.

⚖️ Ethical Landlording Framework

See tenants as customers, not employees. Fix things promptly. Communicate early—both sides hate surprises. Keep rents below market for quality long-term tenants.

The $650 Couch Lesson: Ignored stained couch, two renters complained, one walked out. Replacing it ended all issues. Fix problems before they escalate.

On Rent Increases: Fixed mortgages mean costs don't rise while market rents do. Is charging market rate ethical? Open question—though lower rents reduce turnover.

Colorado Laws: Tenant-friendly but "not ridiculous unless you're an asshole." Requiring receipts for deposit deductions? "Completely acceptable."

📧 Contact:
[e-mail] for landlord consulting
[e-mail] for Colorado real estate