mariner5555
03-04 01:33 PM
I was 37 years old when I arrived on H1b in 1999, I had owned properties back home and I had a fair amount of equity.
In 1999 my wife and I could see the Southern California real estate market was growing. Our initial idea had been to rent for 6 months, and get to know the area, then decided where we wanted to buy. My employer applied for H1b in November 1998 and it was approved in May 1999. We came over in January 1999 to look for property to rent but also with a view to maybe purchase.
Within 2 weeks of my H1b approval my wife and I came over and because of the property price increases since we began looking at the market we felt renting was going to be dead money and we need to buy for economical reasons.
So in June 1999 we purchased a 1,950 sqft house for $280,000.
In September 2003 we sold that house for $535,000.
Using the increased equity my wife who is H4 chose another house (as she couldn’t work it was important to me that she be happy in the house). The next house we purchased was 4,550sqft, and in December 2003 it cost $835,000.
I know the market for real estate is shrinking, but according to Zillow.com this morning the property is valued around $1,230,000 albeit was worth considerably more a year ago.
I’m not looking to brag, I am sharing my experience.
1 my wife and kids were on H4 they needed a home to be happy in.
2 it made economic sense to buy
3 we got the right funding
4 had we waited for GC we could never have afforded the home we currently live in.
The timing of immigration approvals had no bearing on whether I decided to purchase property.
good luck to all
I agree with Singh who said those were different times .. and you are lucky too (And qualified I guess)..many in california could not afford to keep their cars during last slowdown (my friend brought brand new mustang and then had to sell it for 12 k ..4 month old car - 3000 miles on it) in a hurry. people left their cars in parking lots (thats what I heard). buying a house makes sense if you know you will be in that place for a long time - and the price is right..(last few years it was like crazy speculation) see the link I had posted in my prev posting ..it is a horror story now.
does it make sense to buy in california now ? it would be sheer stupidity (in my view) ..maybe after price comes down another 20 percent would be right time to buy.
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/tragedy-recession-its-bad-ending/story.aspx?guid=%7B5D72D7E3%2D76BB%2D4CAB%2DB4D0%2 D60F87DA734B7%7D
in the end it is supply and demand ,....supply is huge for housing and is growing ..there is no (negligible) demand ..and hence even small increase in demand helps ..this is economics 101 !!!
the other point(and the main point) is to use this to highlight our problems(and to keep on trying ) ..and hope that someone listens. the other option ofcourse is to let things drag on ....
these are first few main points of the article
----
1. Home prices will fall 20% to 30% from the peak
Roughly $4 trillion to $6 trillion of household wealth will vanish. Large home builders may go bankrupt, triggering further declines in home-builder stocks. Even Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke admitted last week that housing prices could fall into 2009.
2. Prime and near-prime mortgages losses
"This is a generalized mortgage crisis and meltdown, not just a subprime one," warns Roubini. "About 60% of all mortgage origination from 2005 through 2007 had these reckless and toxic features. And losses among all sorts of mortgages will sharply increase as home prices fall sharply and the economy." Add another $300 billion in losses
In 1999 my wife and I could see the Southern California real estate market was growing. Our initial idea had been to rent for 6 months, and get to know the area, then decided where we wanted to buy. My employer applied for H1b in November 1998 and it was approved in May 1999. We came over in January 1999 to look for property to rent but also with a view to maybe purchase.
Within 2 weeks of my H1b approval my wife and I came over and because of the property price increases since we began looking at the market we felt renting was going to be dead money and we need to buy for economical reasons.
So in June 1999 we purchased a 1,950 sqft house for $280,000.
In September 2003 we sold that house for $535,000.
Using the increased equity my wife who is H4 chose another house (as she couldn’t work it was important to me that she be happy in the house). The next house we purchased was 4,550sqft, and in December 2003 it cost $835,000.
I know the market for real estate is shrinking, but according to Zillow.com this morning the property is valued around $1,230,000 albeit was worth considerably more a year ago.
I’m not looking to brag, I am sharing my experience.
1 my wife and kids were on H4 they needed a home to be happy in.
2 it made economic sense to buy
3 we got the right funding
4 had we waited for GC we could never have afforded the home we currently live in.
The timing of immigration approvals had no bearing on whether I decided to purchase property.
good luck to all
I agree with Singh who said those were different times .. and you are lucky too (And qualified I guess)..many in california could not afford to keep their cars during last slowdown (my friend brought brand new mustang and then had to sell it for 12 k ..4 month old car - 3000 miles on it) in a hurry. people left their cars in parking lots (thats what I heard). buying a house makes sense if you know you will be in that place for a long time - and the price is right..(last few years it was like crazy speculation) see the link I had posted in my prev posting ..it is a horror story now.
does it make sense to buy in california now ? it would be sheer stupidity (in my view) ..maybe after price comes down another 20 percent would be right time to buy.
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/tragedy-recession-its-bad-ending/story.aspx?guid=%7B5D72D7E3%2D76BB%2D4CAB%2DB4D0%2 D60F87DA734B7%7D
in the end it is supply and demand ,....supply is huge for housing and is growing ..there is no (negligible) demand ..and hence even small increase in demand helps ..this is economics 101 !!!
the other point(and the main point) is to use this to highlight our problems(and to keep on trying ) ..and hope that someone listens. the other option ofcourse is to let things drag on ....
these are first few main points of the article
----
1. Home prices will fall 20% to 30% from the peak
Roughly $4 trillion to $6 trillion of household wealth will vanish. Large home builders may go bankrupt, triggering further declines in home-builder stocks. Even Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke admitted last week that housing prices could fall into 2009.
2. Prime and near-prime mortgages losses
"This is a generalized mortgage crisis and meltdown, not just a subprime one," warns Roubini. "About 60% of all mortgage origination from 2005 through 2007 had these reckless and toxic features. And losses among all sorts of mortgages will sharply increase as home prices fall sharply and the economy." Add another $300 billion in losses
wallpaper PHOTO: Vandalized car in
vin13
11-13 12:27 PM
The 1st quarter ends Dec 31. So technically, USCIS has until that to allocate the total of 35,000 visas. Now, let's assume they have only approved 5000 visas across all categories thus far, then that doesn't mean they can go and allocate the remaining 30,000 in December to the retrogressed countries.
I think the way the spillover works (except for the last month of last quarter) is at the end of the quarter (technically Jan bulletin is published around Dec 15) based on the demand for the last 2 weeks for that quarter, USCIS will spillover visas. So I think we should wait until the Jan bulletin that comes out in December before we push for a lawsuit. If you want to send letters to people, then so be it, but I am pretty sure USCIS is well within its operating procedure wrt spillover. If spillover doesn't happen in the Jan bulletin, then we have ground for a strong case.
I guess we will be fine if they are not able to complete the spillover within the calandar quarter and issue them the month after (except when it is end of fiscal year). I hope you are right that the spillover happens in January for the 1st quarter.
But look at previous visa bulletins. Do you see major movements 4 times a year. Its always the end of the year. So we are asking for clarification on following the law which seems to say that spillover need to happen during the remainder of the calander quarter.
(5) 2/ RULES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED IMMIGRANTS
(A) EMPLOYMENT-BASED IMMIGRANTS NOT SUBJECT TO PER COUNTRY LIMITATION IF ADDITIONAL VISAS AVAILABLE- If the total number of visas available under paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) of section 203(b) for a calendar quarter exceeds the number of qualified immigrants who may otherwise be issued such visas, the visas made available under that paragraph shall be issued without regard to the numerical limitation under paragraph (2) of this subsection during the remainder of the calendar quarter.
I think the way the spillover works (except for the last month of last quarter) is at the end of the quarter (technically Jan bulletin is published around Dec 15) based on the demand for the last 2 weeks for that quarter, USCIS will spillover visas. So I think we should wait until the Jan bulletin that comes out in December before we push for a lawsuit. If you want to send letters to people, then so be it, but I am pretty sure USCIS is well within its operating procedure wrt spillover. If spillover doesn't happen in the Jan bulletin, then we have ground for a strong case.
I guess we will be fine if they are not able to complete the spillover within the calandar quarter and issue them the month after (except when it is end of fiscal year). I hope you are right that the spillover happens in January for the 1st quarter.
But look at previous visa bulletins. Do you see major movements 4 times a year. Its always the end of the year. So we are asking for clarification on following the law which seems to say that spillover need to happen during the remainder of the calander quarter.
(5) 2/ RULES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED IMMIGRANTS
(A) EMPLOYMENT-BASED IMMIGRANTS NOT SUBJECT TO PER COUNTRY LIMITATION IF ADDITIONAL VISAS AVAILABLE- If the total number of visas available under paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) of section 203(b) for a calendar quarter exceeds the number of qualified immigrants who may otherwise be issued such visas, the visas made available under that paragraph shall be issued without regard to the numerical limitation under paragraph (2) of this subsection during the remainder of the calendar quarter.
pmb76
03-18 04:58 PM
Link is here: http://immigration-information.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4285&page=26
Ron Gotcher said on his reply to some readers questions:
The mystery is solved. I have corresponded with Charlie Oppenheim in the Visa Office. He confirmed that the 27% limit does apply. He explained that during this fiscal year, the CIS consumed an unusually large number of Indian EB2 visas, thus making the category unavailable despite a retrogression in the cuoff date which was intended to hold number use within the limit.
He said that based on his discussions with the CIS, he was informed that the CIS did not feel that the current amount of pending Indian first preference demand would be insufficient to use all available numbers under the limit. Therefore, he allowed some of those numbers to fall down into Indian second preference.
So, the Indian second preference numbers used to establish a cutoff date for April are coming from left over Indian first preference, not worldwide numbers.
__________________
Your statement about 27% limit holding does not make sense ! As per the visa bulletin if numbers are not filled up in a particular category they will go to unsubscribed countries. Here is the excerpt from the April Visa bulletin:
D. INDIA EMPLOYMENT SECOND PREFERENCE VISA AVAILABILITY
Section 202(a)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act provides that if total demand will be insufficient to use all available numbers in a particular Employment preference category in a calendar quarter, then the unused numbers may be made available without regard to the annual �per-country� limit. It has been determined that based on the current level of demand being received, primarily by Citizenship and Immigration Services Offices, there would be otherwise unused numbers in the Employment Second preference category. As a result, numbers have once again become available to the India Employment Second preference category. The rate of number use in the Employment Second preference category will continue to be monitored, and it may be necessary to make adjustments should the level of demand increase substantially.
Ron Gotcher said on his reply to some readers questions:
The mystery is solved. I have corresponded with Charlie Oppenheim in the Visa Office. He confirmed that the 27% limit does apply. He explained that during this fiscal year, the CIS consumed an unusually large number of Indian EB2 visas, thus making the category unavailable despite a retrogression in the cuoff date which was intended to hold number use within the limit.
He said that based on his discussions with the CIS, he was informed that the CIS did not feel that the current amount of pending Indian first preference demand would be insufficient to use all available numbers under the limit. Therefore, he allowed some of those numbers to fall down into Indian second preference.
So, the Indian second preference numbers used to establish a cutoff date for April are coming from left over Indian first preference, not worldwide numbers.
__________________
Your statement about 27% limit holding does not make sense ! As per the visa bulletin if numbers are not filled up in a particular category they will go to unsubscribed countries. Here is the excerpt from the April Visa bulletin:
D. INDIA EMPLOYMENT SECOND PREFERENCE VISA AVAILABILITY
Section 202(a)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act provides that if total demand will be insufficient to use all available numbers in a particular Employment preference category in a calendar quarter, then the unused numbers may be made available without regard to the annual �per-country� limit. It has been determined that based on the current level of demand being received, primarily by Citizenship and Immigration Services Offices, there would be otherwise unused numbers in the Employment Second preference category. As a result, numbers have once again become available to the India Employment Second preference category. The rate of number use in the Employment Second preference category will continue to be monitored, and it may be necessary to make adjustments should the level of demand increase substantially.
2011 am by Any of stupid went to you guys find my personal Portwoods vandalized
CSPAvictim
07-09 07:55 PM
I feel that they did not violate any clause. Till June 30 which is end of third quarter, they are authorized to approve (3*27%*140K) 113,400. However they approved only 66,400 till May 31. That yields about 47,000 for June alone(10%+any number not used in previous months). The reamining visas are eligible for Jul 1, which is 13,000. Put together June and July1, it comes 60,000. Therefore they did not violate any law. The remaining number was splitted for Consular porcessing.
my 2 cents...
Well, I didn't think Sunday, JULY 1 counted as a business day for USCIS. Isn't there a law prohibiting government employees from working on weekends? If there isn't any such law and if it really is a working day, maybe people should have hand delivered applications at the service centers on sunday. I read in some other thread that someone had his/her application delivered via USPS on sunday night :confused: No wonder this is all such a horrible mess!
my 2 cents...
Well, I didn't think Sunday, JULY 1 counted as a business day for USCIS. Isn't there a law prohibiting government employees from working on weekends? If there isn't any such law and if it really is a working day, maybe people should have hand delivered applications at the service centers on sunday. I read in some other thread that someone had his/her application delivered via USPS on sunday night :confused: No wonder this is all such a horrible mess!
more...
Canadianindian
02-04 09:33 AM
Recently got Laid off. Here are my details:
-485 has been pending >180 days
-PD: Feb 2006
-Last day of work is 6th March, 2009
-EAD valid for another 6 months or so.
-I am working on H1-B, which is valid till 2010.
I understand that I can use AC21 and work on my EAD as long as the job is similar or same. I also understand that it is a good idea to get the H1-B transferred rather than using the EAD.
My questions are:
-Can one stay unemployed on EAD without jeopardizing the GC process?
-Do I have to inform USCIS that I am unemployed as of March 6th, 2009 in case I do not find a job?
-Do I inform the USCIS in case I find a job and work on my EAD or my H1-B.
I mean when do I have to inform USCIS if at all?
Also, I live in Windsor, Canada, and used to commute everyday to work to Detroit. Can I stay in Windsor subsequent to March 6th in case I don't find a job. Will it affect my 485 process?
Contributions: $350 +
Led various fund raising efforts for Tristate Area
Was in the DC rally
Priority Date: Feb 2006
-485 has been pending >180 days
-PD: Feb 2006
-Last day of work is 6th March, 2009
-EAD valid for another 6 months or so.
-I am working on H1-B, which is valid till 2010.
I understand that I can use AC21 and work on my EAD as long as the job is similar or same. I also understand that it is a good idea to get the H1-B transferred rather than using the EAD.
My questions are:
-Can one stay unemployed on EAD without jeopardizing the GC process?
-Do I have to inform USCIS that I am unemployed as of March 6th, 2009 in case I do not find a job?
-Do I inform the USCIS in case I find a job and work on my EAD or my H1-B.
I mean when do I have to inform USCIS if at all?
Also, I live in Windsor, Canada, and used to commute everyday to work to Detroit. Can I stay in Windsor subsequent to March 6th in case I don't find a job. Will it affect my 485 process?
Contributions: $350 +
Led various fund raising efforts for Tristate Area
Was in the DC rally
Priority Date: Feb 2006
Vysh
01-18 11:27 AM
I contributed 20$ this month again. I will contribute 20$ every month. I have not signed up but I will contribute every month. I have so far contributed 140$.
Vysh
Vysh
more...
hopefulgc
03-16 10:04 PM
awesome parallel... very clear thinking.
It's like asking Martin Luther King a few decades ago "Slavery has been there for centuries, why do you need equality now?". Your tone is exactly like that. It's just an analogy, we have definitely not suffered as much, but I am just trying to tell you that a wrong should not be prolonged, it needs to be corrected.
It's like asking Martin Luther King a few decades ago "Slavery has been there for centuries, why do you need equality now?". Your tone is exactly like that. It's just an analogy, we have definitely not suffered as much, but I am just trying to tell you that a wrong should not be prolonged, it needs to be corrected.
2010 Amber Portwood Pregnant Again
optimystic
03-17 03:36 PM
What I am saying is spill over from ROW goes to EB2 first. It does not split to EB2 and EB3 evenly. So more people from EB2 gets visa granted and thus people who joined EB2 bandwagon from EB3 and had earlier PD, they get Visa quickly. Now generally this spillover does not go to EB3 from EB2 having high demand from EB2 and thus EB3 get stuck with conventional numbers with 7% country limit and thus EB3 numbers move slowly. But if that spillover happens for both EB3 and 2 equally than EB3 can also move little bit quickly which is not the case. Thus shortening the queue by switching over to EB2 does not give full advantage to remained lot of EB3.
Bottom line, people moving away from EB3 to EB2 queue does provide relief to people remaining in the EB3 queue. Since now there's 'x' less number of people competing for the 7% visa numbers.
Its a different matter that the spillover from ROW is going to benefit EB2 queue more than it does EB3. But that's a different point. And in fact, if EB2 starts moving faster because of this spill over, hopefully more Eb3 people jump ship to Eb2 queue . In that case the ROW spillover is indirectly going to help people who stay back in Eb3 queue.
As for myself, I have Eb3 India PD of May 2001, which is very close to the front of the queue. So none of this queue jumping or spillover will affect my status much :) . On the other hand the USCIS' ability to sanely act in a FIFO order does ! But thats impervious to any external factors :)
Bottom line, people moving away from EB3 to EB2 queue does provide relief to people remaining in the EB3 queue. Since now there's 'x' less number of people competing for the 7% visa numbers.
Its a different matter that the spillover from ROW is going to benefit EB2 queue more than it does EB3. But that's a different point. And in fact, if EB2 starts moving faster because of this spill over, hopefully more Eb3 people jump ship to Eb2 queue . In that case the ROW spillover is indirectly going to help people who stay back in Eb3 queue.
As for myself, I have Eb3 India PD of May 2001, which is very close to the front of the queue. So none of this queue jumping or spillover will affect my status much :) . On the other hand the USCIS' ability to sanely act in a FIFO order does ! But thats impervious to any external factors :)
more...
sugaur
08-21 11:01 PM
Have the chubby guy u take care of contact the local congressman/senator/newspaper and tell them a sob story about how no one will take care of him except you and maybe you will get lucky.
One thing you can do, when you are deported, take the porky along. Less expense for the US health care.:D
One thing you can do, when you are deported, take the porky along. Less expense for the US health care.:D
hair have been vandalized!
McLuvin
03-09 12:27 PM
Anyone for May 09 predictions???
more...
kopguy
10-20 03:15 PM
Obama is leading in polls over Maccain by almost ten points. Unless Obama makes some stupid mistake his lead will only increase. We got to come up with a strategy assuming Obama becomes president.
hot vehicle vandalism index,
tikka
07-03 09:37 PM
In all 400$ to date.
so much for your contribution...
so much for your contribution...
more...
house Nadya Suleman#39;s Car
snathan
06-10 04:11 PM
Done...
tattoo +of+vandalized+cars
qesehmk
02-12 02:29 PM
I disagree. This thread is not about some immigration lawyer. This thread is about visa numbers wasted due to USCIS inefficiency. That's what the title of the thread says. Why do I or anybody else care about some immigration lawyer? Why is he/she relevant if its specifically proven with facts that there is no wastage of visa number. You continue to advertise the name of the immigration lawyer. The reason I say this is because in my experience immigration lawyers comment on these issues as if they have direct access to USCIS Director or god. Even after disproving the visa wastage theory with facts you still continue to over analyze immigration body shop instead of discussing the issue. I am just wondering, why would you that? Are you that immigration lawyer or employee of his law firm? Just curious.
It's a pity to be desperate. But it's requires supreme stupidity to achieve this kind of cynicism. No I am not "That Lawyer" or his employer.
Before emptying the garbage in your mind, you wouldve done well to read my posts carefully.
It's a pity to be desperate. But it's requires supreme stupidity to achieve this kind of cynicism. No I am not "That Lawyer" or his employer.
Before emptying the garbage in your mind, you wouldve done well to read my posts carefully.
more...
pictures Photo featured cars, the day
GCanyMinute
08-02 02:42 PM
Hey BumbleBee ! Thanks a lot!!
Now I clearly understand even though it is not good news :( since people from the backlogs centers are getting their LC approved with a PD prior than mine !!!
Anyways I can't complain right? i still can renew my EAD and travel documents so I guess my turn will come soon...hopefully!! :D
Thanks for helping me.
Now I clearly understand even though it is not good news :( since people from the backlogs centers are getting their LC approved with a PD prior than mine !!!
Anyways I can't complain right? i still can renew my EAD and travel documents so I guess my turn will come soon...hopefully!! :D
Thanks for helping me.
dresses Ramon, calif Vandalized Thewhat i dont know where else
royus77
07-09 04:45 PM
I hope this lawsuit fails. Looking ahead this lawsuit, if it succeeds might do us more damage than good. Law of unintended consequences states that something can happen we haven't thought of.
Supposing, if lawsuit goes ahead and wins, one outcome might be - USCIS might start adhering to strict interpretation of 7% per country, or curtail spillovers drastically. Then we are in deep shit.
what made you think so ?Do you think they are violating the law and allocating more than 7% to other countries?
Supposing, if lawsuit goes ahead and wins, one outcome might be - USCIS might start adhering to strict interpretation of 7% per country, or curtail spillovers drastically. Then we are in deep shit.
what made you think so ?Do you think they are violating the law and allocating more than 7% to other countries?
more...
makeup White house paint down on of gazette whose car take Patrol ticketed the
matreen
10-28 11:42 PM
PD = Jan 29, 2007
I40 = Aprroved = April, 2007
485 = Receipt Date, July, 12 2007
I40 = Aprroved = April, 2007
485 = Receipt Date, July, 12 2007
girlfriend that your Amber+portwood
MDix
02-07 10:28 PM
Very good point for removing country cap.
Some questions to those who are supporting country cap.
Why not put a country cap on foreign students� visas since many of them get into the green card line eventually?
Why not put a country cap on H1B visas since many of them get into the green card line eventually?
Why not put a country cap on labor certifications?
Why not put a country cap on I-140s?
Why not impose a country cap at the port of entry?
Why not put a country cap on visitors� visas?
Why not put a country cap on business visas?
Why not put a country cap on US trade with other countries?
Why not put a country cap on amount of US $ reserves that each country can have?
Why not put a country cap on children that foreigners in the US can bear?
Why not put a country cap on the foreigners� earnings in the US?
.
.
.
And the list can go on.
Putting country cap on greens cards serves a hidden racist agenda of not letting the people of one particular ethnic group grow in number and become strong.
Some questions to those who are supporting country cap.
Why not put a country cap on foreign students� visas since many of them get into the green card line eventually?
Why not put a country cap on H1B visas since many of them get into the green card line eventually?
Why not put a country cap on labor certifications?
Why not put a country cap on I-140s?
Why not impose a country cap at the port of entry?
Why not put a country cap on visitors� visas?
Why not put a country cap on business visas?
Why not put a country cap on US trade with other countries?
Why not put a country cap on amount of US $ reserves that each country can have?
Why not put a country cap on children that foreigners in the US can bear?
Why not put a country cap on the foreigners� earnings in the US?
.
.
.
And the list can go on.
Putting country cap on greens cards serves a hidden racist agenda of not letting the people of one particular ethnic group grow in number and become strong.
hairstyles and vandalized (egg and
xela
07-13 08:09 AM
I know most of you are EB2 but hey I am happy that EB3 finally moved to 2004 now I just am waiting for it to go to june 2005 and I just might get my card ;-)
Grats to all that became current and good luck guys! I know being current doesnt always mean you get your crad right away, so I wish you all the best!
:)
Grats to all that became current and good luck guys! I know being current doesnt always mean you get your crad right away, so I wish you all the best!
:)
mpelland
03-02 04:00 PM
i am going to have to sadly bow out of this . got a lil done but don't have the time. have fun everyone
ajju
03-19 11:40 AM
Urgh.. Here come the red squares...Why do I even bother posting comments!
Same here...
Same here...
