[spdrun]

People were saying the same this summer when the Dow kissed 12k, and in fall of 2011 when we hit 10.4k. I could easily see 13k or even 12.5k. Don’t underestimate the power of spin, negative headlines, and psychology. The markets have been VERY volatile the past few years. (And thank G-d — more monnnneh to be made that way.)

[spdrun]

SK in CV:

Yep, let’s build more McHouses, rape more land, use more water, spend more energy to light and climate-control 2000 sf per person. Let the marketeers brainwash people that they actually need a 5000 sf McHouse.

Oh, and make sure that people are priced out of markets that actually have jobs, so they can have the orgasmic pleasure of commuting 2 hr each way from out in bumblefuck, sitting in a steel and glass cage that reeks of stale fast food and cola. Yep. Yep.

The goal should be affordable prices in areas that are actually livable and pleasant, not infinite expansion into the great inhospitable. Oh yeah, and FUCK the people in the construction industry. We shouldn’t base policy on preserving jobs that may or may not actually be needed — that’s what the Soviets did and it worked out really well for them.

[spdrun]

Answer: as much as possible. The more expensive and less available cell service is, the better, and you should do your part to contribute to this. Too many people flapping their dough-holes into an electronic leash or staring like screen-zombies already. Yeah, I’m a Luddite in that respect.

Love being in places that have no cell service for a while — gives me an excuse to disconnect and decompress.

[spdrun]

Yet the renters are willing to pay MORE in rent per month than the landlords pay in expenses. Why is that?

[spdrun]

That’s a West Coast thing to some extent. I remember seeing some condos in Chula-Vista that weren’t horrible, just ugly, but the other people at the open house complained to no end about minor things. Whereas on the East Coast, people are used to old houses and don’t expect perfection when buying. Having to repaint and replace some cabinets, zOMG, the horror!

(And speaking for myself, I’d rather have original 1920s details if possible than live in a crappy renovation, though my current apartment was pretty much the latter.)

[spdrun]

If you see an investment property that can yield 7.5% or so after expenses, then why not go for it? They’re out there. One is still languishing in the ss process for me. But I made another offer on an occupied property last week that can actually yield more than 7.5%. We’ll see.

[spdrun]

Depends WHAT you want to buy. Deals on things that cater to middle class people, read 1-2 bdr condos in average areas are still good. Not as good as last year, but they’re there.

[spdrun]

That’s what was said about NJ where the foreclosures were basically stalled by the courts in 2010-11. Now the dam is breaking. (hugs Chris “kick the bums out” Christie)

[spdrun]

^^^

Ding-ding-ding! We have a winnah! Especially in the current US market, where it’s hard NOT to find a cash-flowing property.

[spdrun]

A rental property IS a productive investment, if kept in good condition. A property bought with expenses > income with the hope of future appreciation is a speculative investment. That was MY point.

[spdrun]

Renting? How about buying in markets that are still depressed and either flipping or renting to others? There are still a lot of people who can’t qualify to buy…

[spdrun]

Is there no way to get onto a group plan as a self-employed individual in CA, either through a “union”/”guild” or through a professional organisation of some type?

The detailed health-history bullshit makes me very thankful to live in a community-rating state, albeit one with pretty expensive insurance. Had some stomach problems a few months ago and wanted an endoscopy to rule anything bad out and check for hiatal hernia. Went in, got it paid for without risk of prejudicing future insurance ratings or any such nonsense.

Hoping that Obamacare will make things relatively straightforward for the rest of the US.

[spdrun]

Why is wanting to protect yourself and your family from the doings of f**king dirtbags like Zimbabwe Ben evil or greedy? It’s just smart.

[spdrun]

NYC:
(1) Yankees
(2) Good universities (NYU, Columbia, Yeshiva, CCNY, SUNY, NY Medical, Pratt, FIT, Cooper Union, and quite a few less known)
(3) The Jersey Shore/Lawn Guyland beaches
(4) Central Park. Fort-Greene Park. Union Square.
(5) Opera, museums, theatre, arts scene/art galleries
(6) Yeah, nice suburbs too. Places like Summit are 30-35 minutes from downtown if you take one of the express trains
(7) The Catskills and ‘gunks — 2 hr away by car, skiing, climbing, hiking
(8) The whole spectrum of food, including many very ethnic neighborhoods where you can get the real deal
(9) Decent job market/tech scene. Employers that are much more flexible about qualifications than in certain other markets.
(10) First rate subway system. Maybe not for modernity, but for functionality
(11) It’s a walking city. Plenty of opportunities for serendipity and randomness. When I flew back from San Diego in March, I changed from the airport bus to a train at 125th St station. There was an amazing jazzman who’d set up shop outside the station, and there was basically an impromptu street party going at 11 pm on a Friday evening.

The Forbes writer needs to get out of his McMansion a bit more.

[spdrun]

At $3.2MM wouldn’t property taxes ex Mello Roos and HOA fees be close to $40k/yr? $8000/yr isn’t huge as compared to that.

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