[spdrun]

Yet … the crowded areas are crowded because they’re desirable. After they become crowded, public transport and biking (interesting things are close enough to bike to) become practical.

Goes for North County coast, Pacific Beach, San Francisco, and Manhattan just the same. If the younger generation wanted to live in suburban subdivisions, they’d do so. Most Americans don’t move to the cities and coastal areas for ecological reasons, but because living there is fun and interesting.

If the Chinese were smart, they’d build their infrastructure from scratch to be comfortable AND green. Hydrogen and electric cars, powered via nuclear and renewables, for one thing.

[spdrun]

Prices seem to have more to do with foreclosure inventory, short-sale inventory (controlled by sentiment, since people are less likely to sell short if they think they’ll be above water one day) than whether the 30-year rate is 4 or 3.5% on a given day. Hence prices have increased in some areas (Phoenix, San Diego) but have decreased or stayed flat in others (NJ, Boston, Orlando).

[spdrun]

dream on.

High energy prices basically killed nascent recoveries in 2010 and 2011.

This being said, I’m unbiased either way. Picking something up in SD County cheap would be great (and deals still exist). I’m also pretty leery of condos, which I’d be limited to in SD Co. A lot seem to be in the habit of charging assessments. $250/mo assessment for a year on something renting for $900-1000/mo? BLAM! There goes your cash flow after regular common charges, mortgage, and taxes.

But…
Real estate in my home state is as low as it has ever been. Looking at a 2-family probate sale selling for $145k (probably will go for $135 since it’s been sitting for a month), both units rent for $950/mo, taxes are $400/mo, utilities are $250/mo avg, insurance is $150/mo. Not in the toniest town, but within walking distance to the center of a VERY nice downtown.

Almost 10% pro forma right there, and not out in “lizardland” or whatever the East Coast equivalent is to it. The current market there is basically the equivalent of San Diego ca. late 2010. Which makes sense, because the foreclosure process is judicial and takes two years longer on average than in CA – foreclosures are just hitting the market now big-time.

[spdrun]

Hey, if it delivers a roundhouse pimp-slap to the economy and real estate by extension, this won’t be a bad thing.

[spdrun]

Here’s hoping for a panic that hits stocks and the economy in general. Callous bastige here and f’en proud of it!

[spdrun]

If you can actually sell at a profit these days, you probably won’t worry about a 4% additional tax.

[spdrun]

^^^

And yet, if you’re willing to live without the very newest device, unlimited voice/data are available for under $50/mo. Devices can be nearly free, or you can find a last-generation Android phone or iPhone on EBay.

And no, Biff and Buffy along with the family dog don’t need a data plan, just basic voice to call home in emergencies or whatever.

Also keep in mind that landline phone bills used to be a lot more expensive than they are now. Remember when city calls were metered by the minute, and domestic long-distance was 25 or 50 cents per minute? By comparison, a cell phone (or modern landline, with long distance built in) bill is a pretty good deal.

As far as using my phone abroad — so easy to use a local SIM with an unlocked phone. Or recently, I’ve been buying data-abroad from AT&T and using it with a jailbroken phone for VoIP calls.

[spdrun]

Write it up, post it to some local blogs along with officers’ names. Send it to some media outlets as well — “troubleshooters” love this kind of story.

[spdrun]

To give a comparison, fine is $50 in NYC, no points. Enough to deter people from deliberately running lights, yet not so much as to cause serious hardship if someone is falsely accused.

[spdrun]

Get a dog — most burglars aren’t professional, and your average strung out meth fiend won’t care about cameras.

[spdrun]

What kind of bad acid were the builder and the tenant on? Yes, it was the tenant’s CHOICE to rent the place with such a stupid misfeature.

[spdrun]

Money talks. BS walks.

You get an estimate from a contractor whom you like and trust. She puts an amount equal to the estimate +10% for incidentals and your trouble into an escrow account. Contractor does work. Contractor gets paid from escrow account.

She also gets to sign a document that this installation is strictly at her request and expense, and doesn’t alter the terms of the existing lease in any way. Nor does it confer any obligations upon the landlord.

[spdrun]

“Mr. X doesn’t live here. If you do not leave immediately, I will call the police. If you return, I’ll assume you’re a burglar and be forced to use lethal force.”

This being said, I’ve never had a process server, but I do get collections calls for someone who lives in the same building and has a similar last name. Which is funny, since my last name isn’t all that common in the US.

[spdrun]

Why would it be common? If you’re within a few miles of the coast, the climate is good enough not to need it. Secondly, a GOOD wall unit can work nearly as well as central A.C.

(And there are also mini-split systems that offer basically all of the benefits of central A.C. without the hassles of a fixed installation.)

[spdrun]

Not to be obnoxious here, but …

What I don’t get is why people don’t CHECK that everything in the ad exists and works BEFORE signing the lease?! “Walk-through.”

A lot of landlords are crooked asshats, so this kind of thing is expected if you don’t verify, and is easily averted with a few minutes of due diligence.

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