MovieChat Forums > Ghostbusters (1984) Discussion > Ok, please explain this joke to me

Ok, please explain this joke to me

posted 7 years ago by Morphindel (9)
4 replies | jump to latest

As a kid I didnt understand it even was a joke, and as an adult i know there is a joke in there - but ive never been quite sure what it means.

Im talking about the mortgaging of Ray's house scene 'at 13% you didnt even bargain with the guy' - I know there is a joke in here, but im a bit thick when it comes to this kind of thing. I dont really know anything about mortgages and all that stuff. I know its probably super obvious to most people, but these sort of references always go way over my head.

Can someone explain this is laymans terms for me?

[–] somesunnyday (2078) 7 years ago

I'm guessing 13% would be the interest on repayments on the mortgage. If you're unsure of what interest is, it's when you borrow money from the bank or some other shady organisation and when paying it back they add a percentage on top of your repayments so they make money out of it.

[–] JestersDead (485) 7 years ago

They borrowed money from the bank, using Ray's house as collateral.

The joke is that 13% is incredibly high, and the repayments to the bank will be exorbitant.

Plus if their Ghostbuster business fails, and they can't make the repayments, Ray will lose his house.

[–] JLeland (118) 7 years ago

I think he also says something like, 'everyone has 3 mortgages on their house', which means he owes the bank way more than the house is worth.

[–] GreenGoblinsOck8 (7401) 7 years ago

Want to make a correction to everyone. It's 19%. Not 13. Also it's funny cause Peter is the one who talked to the guy and Ray complains he didn't bargain with the guy. Also Egon mentions that in 5 years they'll pay $95,000 of extra interest.