[bob007]

problem with H-1b program is that most of the visas are given in india to substandard software engineers working for fourth rate companies.

highly talented foreign students who study in USA are locked out of the process.

[bob007]

what is the probability that govt will make Roth IRAs taxable in 2030 or 2040 ?

[bob007]

vrudny summarized the rules well. I have a problem with 45% of my net worth in 401ks/IRAs. I hope to convert them into Roth IRAs. One of the potential reasons for postponing my home purchase.

[bob007]

hopefully iraq is a short term issue.

[bob007]

mass media that broadcasts Hard Copy, Jerry Springer etc. can be hardily be responsible. Newspapers are declining in market share. A large portion of their articles are from AP, Reuters etc.

People have to use simple logic to figure out house prices. A lot of well educated engineers have bought homes on ARMs and interest only loans gambling on continued appreciation of houses. They may be making financially stupid decisions in this case. But they are neither stupid or naive.

[bob007]

i agree with perrychase

[bob007]

if the real economy does badly real estate will never recover from the slump.

[bob007]

I know David Lereah thanks to his numerous quotes. I said I would not know Alan Gin if not for this board. I do not live in San Diego and do not read the San Diego area newspapers.

If an individual listened to David Lereah the individual has to check his head. Individuals have responsibility for their own finances and their own decisions. Unless someone is committing fraud or misrepresenting facts you are responsible if you are buying an overpriced property.

[bob007]

why are folks on this board beating up on Alan Gins and David Leerahs of the world ? I would not know Alan Gin unless I read this board. If Bush can be President how bad can these guys be ? Do I detect a little bit of hatred ?

[bob007]

real estate is not tech stocks. The only way I see a 50% loss in housing prices is a combination of interest rate hikes (hikes would be contain inflation), bad employment situation and actions by foreign countries. It is simply too hard to predict macro-economics. I can see 10% interest rates sometime between now and 2020. I couldn’t tell you when. Real estate is safer than stocks if you do not have any leverage.

[bob007]

if southwest doubles air fares it would put a number on these air commutes

[bob007]

i like stock market crashes. it gives me a chance to load up on great companies at bargain basement prices.

[bob007]

housing is a social need not a financial asset.

trying to predict the bottom is as silly as the folks trying to buy a house because they will be priced out of the market when prices were increasing.

if prices in san diego fall 30% and you can afford a home at the reduced price you should buy. if it falls another 20-30% you are going to have to suck it up.

[bob007]

i think it is foolish to predict the bottom.

Telecom/wireless/broadband/Internet/cable boom powered the 1990s. Southern California was going to benefit sooner or later.

Unless you have something to power the economy you might not see anything to prop up prices in Southern California.

The only givens for So Cal economy
1. San Diego will be a major naval base in the Pacific given the riseof China.

2. LA will be a major port for Asia commerce.

3. lot of low skilled Mexican immigrants

4. Hollywood will be a major player in global entertainment business

[bob007]

it is not the job of the realtor to educate the buyer on macro-economics, what the buyer can afford. They should not misrepresent anything.

Beyond that if the buyer is stupid they deserve what they get.

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