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EconProf
ParticipantYou are so right. The Home Depots and Lowes have really gotten greedy, and you can do a lot better by shopping alternatives for some items. With 35 apts and a bunch of commercial tenants, I’ve come to value HD Supply (HDSupplySolutions.com), a catalogue-only seller of everything the big boxes have and more. They will send you a 2-inch thick catalogue, take orders by phone, and deliver the next day or two (free for over $150 orders) right to your house or business. They are not affiliated any more with Home Depot. Generally cheaper prices, more in-depth inventory, and free returns, including shipping, if you are not happy.
Also, go to WalMart for commonly-used items, as a cheaper alternative to Home Depot and Lowes. Even Dixieline is competitive price-wise now, and offers far better service and presentation than the frustrating Home Depot.ParticipantYou are so right. The Home Depots and Lowes have really gotten greedy, and you can do a lot better by shopping alternatives for some items. With 35 apts and a bunch of commercial tenants, I’ve come to value HD Supply (HDSupplySolutions.com), a catalogue-only seller of everything the big boxes have and more. They will send you a 2-inch thick catalogue, take orders by phone, and deliver the next day or two (free for over $150 orders) right to your house or business. They are not affiliated any more with Home Depot. Generally cheaper prices, more in-depth inventory, and free returns, including shipping, if you are not happy.
Also, go to WalMart for commonly-used items, as a cheaper alternative to Home Depot and Lowes. Even Dixieline is competitive price-wise now, and offers far better service and presentation than the frustrating Home Depot.ParticipantYou are so right. The Home Depots and Lowes have really gotten greedy, and you can do a lot better by shopping alternatives for some items. With 35 apts and a bunch of commercial tenants, I’ve come to value HD Supply (HDSupplySolutions.com), a catalogue-only seller of everything the big boxes have and more. They will send you a 2-inch thick catalogue, take orders by phone, and deliver the next day or two (free for over $150 orders) right to your house or business. They are not affiliated any more with Home Depot. Generally cheaper prices, more in-depth inventory, and free returns, including shipping, if you are not happy.
Also, go to WalMart for commonly-used items, as a cheaper alternative to Home Depot and Lowes. Even Dixieline is competitive price-wise now, and offers far better service and presentation than the frustrating Home Depot.ParticipantGood luck in FL.
Allow me to opine on the relative economic and demographic futures of the two states, since I believe those are the key determinants of your long term quality of life.
Bottom line, FL has a better future than CA. While both states had a similar housing bubble and bust, their government, electorate, housing costs and tax policy will guarantee them a real recovery while CA will continue to spiral downhill relative to other states.ParticipantGood luck in FL.
Allow me to opine on the relative economic and demographic futures of the two states, since I believe those are the key determinants of your long term quality of life.
Bottom line, FL has a better future than CA. While both states had a similar housing bubble and bust, their government, electorate, housing costs and tax policy will guarantee them a real recovery while CA will continue to spiral downhill relative to other states.ParticipantGood luck in FL.
Allow me to opine on the relative economic and demographic futures of the two states, since I believe those are the key determinants of your long term quality of life.
Bottom line, FL has a better future than CA. While both states had a similar housing bubble and bust, their government, electorate, housing costs and tax policy will guarantee them a real recovery while CA will continue to spiral downhill relative to other states.ParticipantGood luck in FL.
Allow me to opine on the relative economic and demographic futures of the two states, since I believe those are the key determinants of your long term quality of life.
Bottom line, FL has a better future than CA. While both states had a similar housing bubble and bust, their government, electorate, housing costs and tax policy will guarantee them a real recovery while CA will continue to spiral downhill relative to other states.ParticipantGood luck in FL.
Allow me to opine on the relative economic and demographic futures of the two states, since I believe those are the key determinants of your long term quality of life.
Bottom line, FL has a better future than CA. While both states had a similar housing bubble and bust, their government, electorate, housing costs and tax policy will guarantee them a real recovery while CA will continue to spiral downhill relative to other states.ParticipantNot sure this indicator means much about a city’s growth or decline. After all, Las Vegas was the #2 destination, but it was recently reported that Clark County (Las Vegas) had its first population decline in decades last year. It’s ranking as #2 is just a lot of churning as many people are coming and going, but mostly going.
The better indicator is the occassionally published ratio of the cost of U-haul trucks into a city compared to the cost of a U-haul out. Since the U-haul company varies the price depending on demand, we get a valuable peek into the apparent desirability of a city. By this measure cities in Texas, Idaho, Utah and other economically healthy areas were gaining at the expense of CA, according to data I saw some time ago.
Anybody have the latest figures?ParticipantNot sure this indicator means much about a city’s growth or decline. After all, Las Vegas was the #2 destination, but it was recently reported that Clark County (Las Vegas) had its first population decline in decades last year. It’s ranking as #2 is just a lot of churning as many people are coming and going, but mostly going.
The better indicator is the occassionally published ratio of the cost of U-haul trucks into a city compared to the cost of a U-haul out. Since the U-haul company varies the price depending on demand, we get a valuable peek into the apparent desirability of a city. By this measure cities in Texas, Idaho, Utah and other economically healthy areas were gaining at the expense of CA, according to data I saw some time ago.
Anybody have the latest figures?ParticipantNot sure this indicator means much about a city’s growth or decline. After all, Las Vegas was the #2 destination, but it was recently reported that Clark County (Las Vegas) had its first population decline in decades last year. It’s ranking as #2 is just a lot of churning as many people are coming and going, but mostly going.
The better indicator is the occassionally published ratio of the cost of U-haul trucks into a city compared to the cost of a U-haul out. Since the U-haul company varies the price depending on demand, we get a valuable peek into the apparent desirability of a city. By this measure cities in Texas, Idaho, Utah and other economically healthy areas were gaining at the expense of CA, according to data I saw some time ago.
Anybody have the latest figures?ParticipantNot sure this indicator means much about a city’s growth or decline. After all, Las Vegas was the #2 destination, but it was recently reported that Clark County (Las Vegas) had its first population decline in decades last year. It’s ranking as #2 is just a lot of churning as many people are coming and going, but mostly going.
The better indicator is the occassionally published ratio of the cost of U-haul trucks into a city compared to the cost of a U-haul out. Since the U-haul company varies the price depending on demand, we get a valuable peek into the apparent desirability of a city. By this measure cities in Texas, Idaho, Utah and other economically healthy areas were gaining at the expense of CA, according to data I saw some time ago.
Anybody have the latest figures?ParticipantNot sure this indicator means much about a city’s growth or decline. After all, Las Vegas was the #2 destination, but it was recently reported that Clark County (Las Vegas) had its first population decline in decades last year. It’s ranking as #2 is just a lot of churning as many people are coming and going, but mostly going.
The better indicator is the occassionally published ratio of the cost of U-haul trucks into a city compared to the cost of a U-haul out. Since the U-haul company varies the price depending on demand, we get a valuable peek into the apparent desirability of a city. By this measure cities in Texas, Idaho, Utah and other economically healthy areas were gaining at the expense of CA, according to data I saw some time ago.
Anybody have the latest figures?ParticipantAs usual when discussing taxes, lots of strong opinions pop up. A few observations:
1. Renters DO pay property taxes, they just pay indirectly through their rent. Landlords’ costs include them and, over time, increases or decreases in property taxes will be reflected in rent levels.
2. A fair criticism of Prop 13 is how it limited increases to 2% per year for people who did not sell. This was more relevant during periods of rapid house price gains; less of a factor now. Besides, how common is that rare bird who has not moved since 1978?
3. The property tax is the closest we have to a wealth tax, although the correlation is pretty weak. The other two major categories tax consumption and income. I’d argue we need all three to some degree. A tax that depends on the value of one’s property is somewhat justified by the fact that that owner benefits from the local police, fire, streets, etc. and that benefit is greater the more valuable the property. -
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