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I like the list!

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ybc, I see what you’re saying. You’re right about prop 13 discouraging mobility, I seriously thought about property tax implications when I sold my house. It is also one of many reasons I am renting and waiting for prices to fall. I’d much rather have a higher mortgage interest rate, with a lower sales price and lower property tax base.

As far as your solution, I like it! I think they are considering something like that in Idaho, because so many of the expensive homes are second / vacation, and they have had a lot of speculative buying from newly rich Californians. Limiting property tax increases on primary residence only seems very workable, even with the likely fraud that would result.

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Wow, I think prop 13 is a godsend. I don’t know if it’s national news but Idaho is having a huge problem with property taxes. In Northern Idaho (where I have family), they went up 60% this year, resulting in massive protests. Northern Idaho has very little middle class, it is largely rich people from out of state, and locals that do not earn a lot of money. So the locals are being priced out of their homes. With something like Prop 13 in place, this is prevented.

Here’s one quick article I found, I will look for others with more data:

http://www.mtexpress.com/index2.php?issue_date=07-26-2006&ID=2005111538

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Perry, what part do you think is unfair? The reversion back when prices go up again?

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ybc, all of the factors “justifying” higher prices you mentioned were in place during the 1990s decline, save the capital gains exemption. In other words, I don’t believe they will have any impact in an upcoming downmarket.

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I like this format. Some of the others I’ve seen are too cluttered and confusing; I have enough of that in my life already.

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I am Lindi 🙂

Can’t wait to see what’s new on here every morning!

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I know many, many Asians…Japanese, Chinese, Taiwanese, etc. that have never been to the US; I find them to have quite high moral values.

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Hi Lindi,

I don’t offer insurance but I will email you separately regarding that.

It struck a chord because I have always felt that the strong will survive during a downturn, but I hadn’t realized it was a necessary part of a capitalistic system. It makes complete sense. It’s also a kick in the pants (as if I needed more) to get going. I also look at a downturn as an OPPORTUNITY to gain marketshare, assuming some of my competitors will have difficulty or disappear altogether. I think you are seeing it the same!

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I sometimes wonder if I’m taking it too seriously too. But in another sense, we have employees and their families to be concerned with, not just ourselves. So, perhaps for us business owners, it is a bit more worrisome. Also, the more we worry, in a perfect world that will translate into action…such as your stepped-up marketing and my stepped-up product development.

Rich’s point about the necessity of a downturn to weed out inefficient companies / processess really struck a chord with me.

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Thanks Rich, I appreciate your thoughts.

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With no data to support it, I think 2-3 years minimum. Does that make it a depression? I have not been able to see anything that can turn it around other then time…time for the wreckage to clear away. The only thing I can think of, but I don’t understand HOW it affects our economy positively, is war. If anyone can explain how war stimulates an economy, I would really appreciate it.

As you and I are both business owners, what do you think Lindi?

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Before purchase, I calculated the square footage of my house and irregularly shaped lot with tape measure and calculator. Isn’t this just common sense?

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I was 21 when my first son was born, bought my first house when I was 24 (with mum’s help with 1/2 the down payment, since paid back with interest).

I can still keep up with either of my sons : )

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And perhaps find a newer model, with more user conveniences while at the same time occupying less real estate.

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