[ibjames]

Are you sure you guys weren’t just observing each other going in and out? 😀

[ibjames]

I moved to San Diego from Milwaukee, WI. Milwaukee is a good place to live, and people generally don’t have too many bad things to say about it. Good schools, old traditions, and decent lifestyle.

We had a patio set, probably used it 5 times in two years. In the winter, can’t use it. Fall.. too cold.. rainy. Spring.. chilly.. rainy. Summer, hot, humid, buggy.

I could buy a nice house, and spend most of my time in it. To get people to go out is a pain, because no one wants to leave their house. Who wants to venture in the rain, or hang out when you are getting bitten by bugs, or have wet clothes from sweating from the humidity. Or pile on the clothes to sit on frozen car seats to venture to someones elses house because they didn’t want to go out either.

If you do go out, it’s to the mall or to the movies. Boating and bike riding and summer event, pack em in as much as possible. It’s May, but winter is around the corner. I rode a motorcycle, and I was like a weatherman in the summers I paid attention to the weather so much.

Can I get some Thai spicy noodles or pad thai? Can I try 10 versions of sushi and find the one I like best? Nope.. I never even met an asian person that spoke perfect english till my 1st job interview in SD!

The weather is a given, SD has great weather. I love it. The culture is great. We have that same patio set but never use it here also, because we are never home.

I participate in these forums because I would love to own someday, but it doesn’t define me. I suppose when the time comes maybe I’ll move to a place like Austin. My wife and I are going to vacation there to check it out, I’m in IT also. Maybe I won’t be able to leave the great things here and keep renting and just invest in rentals in Austin. We’ve been thinking about that too.

San Diego is a great place regardless. If we are having this discussion, then that means that something has to happen. If people just want to move because they can’t own. That means some serious change has to happen. I’m willing to wait it out. Owning a home isn’t everything.

[ibjames]

Try to save the guy. Talk to him. Don’t let his wife do it, the realtor will recognize this right away and pull every one of her heartstrings. Nip it in the bud right now. If she leaves to Mexico that means no child support!

[ibjames]

keep lurking and learning, get a surfboard and ride the wave.

I had the same problem with the Mrs., show her the hard data, I know it sucks but the data is right there.

Do things that can help. Get a place you like. Buy the curtains, you could even paint it if you like (check when you are shopping for places) do what my wife and I did and buy plants, keep em in pots so you can take them.

I have been in my place almost a year, am a good tenant, wanted motion sensors, different door, things like that, and my landlord happily accomodated me. Renting isn’t too bad especially when the excess money goes to the bank.

[ibjames]

Chicago a good city? Yuck, urban wasteland. Super frigid winters (it is called the windy city), and it seems like everyone’s car is dented.

Old buildings, nothing is green. Tolls, horrible traffic..

I’ve heard great things about Austin, the housing down there is so cheap, and they have a large tech industry down there. I love SD though

[ibjames]

did you read any posts? We are saying not to buy either..

[ibjames]

I like your post Concho, it’s hard to get past that mentality though. It is a great feeling to have a place done just the way you like it. The tree in the front yard you planted etc. etc.

I laugh because as I say this, I am renting and the amount of liquid cash in my bank account continues to grow, and I’m in a forum complaining.

Perhaps shock therapy for me and the Mrs?

[ibjames]

Thanks guys,

I love hearing the stats, and as stated before, I wouldn’t buy, I would move. It’s nice to come here though and really get a nice nudge once in a while that you aren’t crazy, and all the people around you that keep talking about housing like it’s a gold mine are in fact the ones that are crazy. My wife are enjoying the rate our savings is growing though.

I guess it’s because I’m having problems with my current rental, the furnace keeps shutting off and we wake up and it’s 50 degrees in the house. Even when it’s working it only heats half of the house due to no duct work and crappy insulation. (cute old little house) It is going to be worked on again..

Time to invest in some small electric heaters, but my utility bill was 140 last month which is a big increase 🙁 Any suggestions on good efficient elec. heaters? Or another alternative? Wood burning stove next to the couch? (not sure if landlord would appreciate that) 😉

And yes… I AM a cheapskate!!

[ibjames]

Thank you!

I too am looking for the doom and gloom posts, they were what I came to this website for! 🙂

I really hope that the decline isn’t slowing down. I still think it’s early to really see if the slop is really going to hit the fan. I hope this summer has very large increases in inventory and it’s all over the media.

I can’t help but think the media covering the market tanking would only help, since it’ll put more people on the fence. I too need a nice decline in prices so I don’t have to end up taking an exotic loan. That would probably never happen, I would just rent for a few more years, then move.. 🙁

Like I’ve said in many posts before, it’s hard to believe my wife and I are even having this problem sometimes. We make a pretty good income.

[ibjames]

I’m addicted too, I have thought many times myself about the same thing your post is about. My wife and I moved here, can only rent, and we both sometimes think what is going on.

The good thing though, both our incomes took a nice jump moving here, so we actually have more money now then we did back home.

There is a lot to be said though about owning your own place, and having the opportunity to plant a tree and watch it grow in your yard.

[ibjames]

Friend just emailed me, he got a call from a realtor that met him once in the gym that he met through a friend of a friend. The realtor was asking if he knew anyone that was looking at buying.

He reads this site also, and asked the realtor why he should buy now, the realtor said that the market is a buyer’s market and now is a great time to buy. After some playful banter, the realtor ended up not having much to say, and admitted it’s a tough time and he’s just trying to drum up business. Basically calling anyone and everyone he has had contact with.

Tough time for RE right now

[ibjames]

which is why the downturn will take.. a… while….

[ibjames]

Isn’t it early to really expect to see inventory jumps? Wouldn’t Feb/March be better indicators?

[ibjames]

nla,

You are doing well, easy access to credit cards makes everyone seem wealthy. Not many people have 50k in the bank

[ibjames]

Gas used to be be 1.92, then it raised past 2.15 and everyone yelled. It then raised higher.. maybe 2.50. and everyone yelled. It goes down to 2.15 and everyone yelled, except this time they yelled about how cheap it is..

I think that might be the same thing going on now, but the $2.15 is still hyperinflated, once more foreclosures and more media prints about how bad the market is, the average buyer will start backing away from buying more

Just today on msn
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/ContrarianChronicles/HomeLoanHouseOfCardsReadyToFall.aspx

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