[poorgradstudent]

This is probably the nail in the coffin of opponents of gay marriage. The demographics just aren’t in their favor, even young Republicans favor gay marriage by a small majority. It seems unlikely that the newly minted 18 year old voters are going to oppose gay marriage anywhere near their 75 year old granparents who they replace.

As for the ACA, that issue is far from settled. All the Supreme Court did was agree that the law is what it is. It could easily be repealed and replaced tomorrow if the Republicans can swing a supermajority in the Senate. You’ll hear plenty about the ACA in the 2016 presidental election.

[poorgradstudent]

So basically, in a shocking turn of events, the NY Times has a NYC-centric view of the world? 🙂

[poorgradstudent]

Eh, I’m in the camp that current prices in San Diego County are sane, albeit slightly high. I know some people around here are calling this another bubble, but to me it looks nothing like 2005.

[poorgradstudent]

[quote=lpjohnso]The real estate market seems to be on fire right now. Just talked to a realtor yesterday about one of their listings on 1/2acre. 6 offers in the 1st week. All cash offer was excepted over $50,000 asking price. He said it was fortunate it was a cash offer because the place would’ve never appraised for that much.[/quote]

I’d say this is a good argument for NOT buying in Temecula right now.

The main reason to buy somewhere like Temecula is value. If you’re not getting great bang for the buck, I don’t see a great reason to pull the trigger on buying a place there.

[poorgradstudent]

From my experiences renting, the big complexes are a lot more sensitive to the overall rental market. Individual owners are far more likely to just keep charging the same rate they have for the past 3 years, or just bump it up by 50 bucks if their HOA or water bill increases to cover the cost. If their mortgage payment on the property hasn’t changed they may value filling the unit with ease over trying to up the rent.

I’m actually surprised to see that rents have only risen by 10% or less in the past 3 years in some of the big complexes. Inflation has been in the neighborhood of 2% per year over that time frame, so in some cases prices haven’t gone up much relative to inflation.

[poorgradstudent]

When we were looking we viewed a handful of properties that didn’t have signs out front. Especially in cases where the property is occupied, some owners may prefer just dealing with the MLS rather than looky-loos from the street.

It’s also probably a sign that there are only 2 months of inventory on the market. For turn-key ready properties, perspective buyers will find the houses on their own and don’t need a sign.

[poorgradstudent]

Even better than Sell-and-Rent is “Sell-and-live-with-relatives-until-you-Buy”

That’s what the people who we bought our home from ended up doing, and something we’ll consider if we decide to move up in 5-10 years.

[poorgradstudent]

I don’t know Chula Vista that well, but based on a quick search for comps, that does seem rather high.

I feel like people don’t quite understand how to talk about the differences between “overvalued” and “bubbles”. I feel like stocks are overvalued right now, but I don’t think it’s a bubble. Real estate in SD is probably running a bit above historical norms, but it’s hardly comparable to 2005… in many places we haven’t even hit the 2005 highs yet, a decade of inflation later.

The thing about an overpriced market vs. a bubble is a bubble is almost guarantee to pop. Overpriced assets can go down in value, but they also can take a while to revert to the mean.

[poorgradstudent]

[quote=njtosd]The University of Michigan generally ranks equal to or higher than UC schools (except UCLA and Berkeley) and out of state tuition is about $41,000. Great engineering school, science, not sure when it comes to liberal arts. This relates to another thread, but is the sunshine, etc. really worth $60,000+, and potentially the interest on the student loans?[/quote]

To me? No. I love the UC system, but I wouldn’t pay out of state tuition for it.

[poorgradstudent]

This is actually how it “should” be. California residents pay the taxes that pay for the UC system.

It’s also the end result of tight budgets and political pressures to keep tuition down for instate students. Out of state (and international) students don’t have the same political leverage. There’s a somewhat legitimate attitude that if they don’t like the price sticker, they can go elsewhere.

Of course, this has made out of state and international students a lot more lucrative for the University, especially those willing to pay full sticker price with no financial aid. This has led to some discussion about how many slots should be reserved for in state students.

[poorgradstudent]

[quote=svelte]I have no desire to live in Carmel Valley. It’s another one of those places I just don’t understand.[/quote]

Fairly close to the ocean. Good schools. Easy access to Sorrento Valley, where I work.

That said, the bang for the buck isn’t great, and I doubt we’ll ever actually live there. I can see the appeal, just can’t justify the price premium for that appeal.

[poorgradstudent]

I take fish oil because I really don’t care for fish.

I’ve taken a multivitamin off and on. But for most people a balanced diet provides all the benefits of vitamins. Vegans (and to a lesser degree, vegetarians) do have to worry about certain dietary needs.

….

Ginko is a placebo (except perhaps in those with dementia), but benign (as long as it’s actually real Ginko, which is a huge risk with Chinese manufactured “herbal supplements”) Of course it shouldn’t be taken by those with blood circulation disorders or pregnant women.

[poorgradstudent]

I’m going to play Devil’s Advocate here.

Your life insurance should not be expected to put your kids through college. That’s what student loans are for.

It’s nice if it can pay off your mortgage, but if your spouse works, realistically you only have to have your life insurance cover “your share” of the mortgage and bills. But if you’re gone and your kids are moving out of the house soon, your spouse may not want to stay in that house forever. A lot of folks eventually downsize when they become empty nesters.

Life insurance is like gambling at a casino tilted heavily in the house’s favor. They’ll always make sure the math for your odds of death vs the premiums you pay are in their favor, and then collect administrative fees on top of that.

Funeral expenses and 1-2 years of income is probably “enough” life insurance.

[poorgradstudent]

Golf is dying a slow death. It’s viewed as too elitist and boring by the young and middle class and seems to be waning in popularity among the elite. I’m not sure many business deals are hammered out over a round of 18 (or even 9) anymore.

Maybe Golf just needs another Tiger to come along. The fact he’s still the biggest name pro despite being terrible thanks to injuries for years says something.

The industry probably just needs to consolidate. Thirty years ago there were a lot more bowling alleys. Bowling still exists, but San Diego county has what… two real bowling alleys plus one hipster bar with a couple lanes? There’s probably just too many courses compared to exisiting and projected future demand right now.

[poorgradstudent]

[quote=The-Shoveler][quote=KSMountain]
So strange. I wonder is the danger really higher or just the perception of the danger? If the former then that is a huge societal failure – for things to be much worse 30 years later…[/quote]

Its the perception, for better or worse the media has hyped us into a kind of mass paranoia.

Not sure its a good thing or bad, it just is.

When you step back I find it very interesting how easily the Media manipulates society.

The world in general is much safer than it was 60-70 years ago but most people would never believe that if you tell them.[/quote]

I’ve had this discussion with my wife. The fact is although the world overall is safer, thanks to mass media and the internet, we hear about every horrible crime that occurs much faster.

Also, people are having fewer children. When you sink more time, energy and resources into one or two children, you’re more likely to fret for their safety. I’m not saying parents with four or five wouldn’t freak out to lose a child. But it’s much easier to make a rational decision to take on a very small risk that your 9 year old will get abducted walking to school alone when yo uhave three other kids to worry about vs. when that’s your only child.

[Author]

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