Assumptions?

Hi...I thought I'd poll the gallery for some input. I've been playing with the NY Times Rent/Buy Model: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/10/business/2007_BUYRENT_GRAPHIC.html?_r=1&oref=slogin ...and the results of the model are heavily dependent on certain economic inputs. What do you think are the appropriate assumptions over the next 30-years? 1) Annual home price appreciation 2) Annual rent... [more]

Hi...I thought I'd poll the gallery for some input. I've been playing with the NY Times Rent/Buy Model: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/10/business/2007_BUYRENT_GRAPHIC.html?_r=1&oref=slogin ...and the results of the model are heavily dependent on certain economic inputs. What do you think are the appropriate assumptions over the next 30-years? 1) Annual home price appreciation 2) Annual rent increase/decrease 3) Rate of return on investments 4) Inflation rate If you know of any other good housing calculators out there, please share. I've also been playing with: http://www.housemath.us/ ...but I haven't had as much time to explore. The NY Times model seems more robust. [less]