[VCJIM]

SLO,

Please show me where I wrote this: “Does that mean if I have something not so good to say about America, I will have to leave this country?”

If you can, I will leave the country.

If you cannot, you will have to leave.

: )

[VCJIM]

Hawk, could you put a posted, or updated date on each listing on your site?

[VCJIM]

deadzone,

I don’t think I’m sensitive at all to criticism of Americans or American culture; my concern is with generalized statements about *anyone*, as I wrote in my post. Frankly, I’m critical of many American traits, too. But criticism can by specific and thoughtful, or generalized and pointless. I am hoping to encourage HS to consider his context and intent; in this forum he is largely preaching to the choir.

And yes, it is their right to complain. It is also my right to say they are welcome to leave if they dislike it so much.

[VCJIM]

Perry,

I couldn’t agree with you more. I’ve traveled extensively too, especially Asia. But I would (and do!) say the same thing to an American living in Taiwan and complaining about it….if you dislike it so much, why don’t you leave? I’m just saying, why live somewhere if you are so unhappy with it?

I encourage specific, thoughtful criticism; especially when it includes possible solutions. I do not care for blanket statements about “Americans” when many of my friends, family and colleagues (not to mention me!) do not fit HS’s profile.

[VCJIM]

HS, I notice a strong anti-American sentiment in your writings.

“Americans are proud of spending, not saving. They want to show they are rich, but in fact, they are not. They live in debt to have their luxury life.”

a) Not ALL Americans are as you think. Be careful of blanket statments about any race, religion, country or culture.
b) The garish display of wealth, whether real or false, is largely a southern California phenomena. If you travel to other parts of the US, it is not as prevalent, unless those pesky Southern Californians have moved in.
c) Realize that your sentiments are being read by thoughtful, caring people that largely do not represent what you find reprehensible. I think most of us believe as you do about saving, etc.
d) I assume you are here in the US. If you dislike it as much as your writings indicate, please leave.

[VCJIM]

I find Enda’s thoughts intriguing; it is wonderful to have an idea proposed that makes one rethink those things he is definite about. She is clearly not saying that she thinks things will not revert; only proposing other possibilities based on sound technical principles. Being technical, I can appreciate not only her arguments, but also her writing style.

Those with even the slightest brush with science are aware that, not too long ago, the sun, moon and stars revolved around Earch and it was sacrilegious to think otherwise. Only through the strength and wisdom of those that consider other possiblities are we now able to communicate ideas through this site, agreeable or disparate as they may be.

[VCJIM]

I agree with you Bugs; it’s been easy to lay the blame on loss of employment but there were many, many people who got in trouble with making payments that had exactly the same job as when they bought the hous. The trouble then, as it is now, is many paid too much for too little house, that had no appreciation and could not be rented out to cover costs. They did not want to wait, or could not afford to wait, the 10 years for the asset to start appreciating again. Negative cash flow is very hard on any investor. Me especially.

As Bugs wrote, it may or may not be a particular event that causes the change, merely critical mass being reached. We’ve reached far beyond critical mass (way further than I would EVER have guessed).

[VCJIM]

Agreed! No TV here for years, and I have sons! My friends think I’m weird because I don’t have TV. I just miss watching sports, everything else I can live with out. Besides, when there are good sporting events to watch, I invite over to my friends’ houses!

[VCJIM]

Amen.

[VCJIM]

That assumes the general population in LA reads the LA Times / Daily new; moreover it assumes they read the realty section. With the large numbers of people still buying and intending to buy (I run into them all the time), I have to believe the general population in LA is UNAWARE of the housing situation. Certainly they believe prices are high, but there is still the sentiment that now is the time to get in.

[VCJIM]

How can you tell if a property is bank owned on Zip Realty?

[VCJIM]

I think LA is fundamentally different; its quite varied in terms of employment (manufacturing, entertainment, retail, service, distribution, technical, medical, etc.) and I believe it has peaked (or is peaking) later than S.D. or Sacramento. As housing “beliefs” largely travel person-to-person, not necessarily via this website, L.A. has not had quite the word-of-mouth negativity on housing that other areas are experiencing. It is coming, however. All of the above listed employment sectors, and some I didn’t think of, relate to consumer spending and the “wealth effect”.

[VCJIM]

No but you can have my Lexus when I’m done with it! My bike is worth more than my car.

[VCJIM]

I know it’s nuts…I’m just so picky. The funny thing is I have all the money from my house sale where I had almost 100% equity. But I want to be smart with it, not waste it on a rapidly depreciating asset like a new car (or currently priced house). So I’m waiting for a bit more desperation in the marketplace. I drive a whopping 1 mile to work, so my mtn. bike can get me through in a pinch!

[VCJIM]

I’m waiting a bit to buy my new car 🙂 Used, of course! The listings for the car I want to buy (Audi A6) on cars.com and autotrader are increasing, just like houses. I just hope my old car can hold up a little longer…’91 Lexus LS400 with 213K miles!

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