[VCJIM]

There was one other factor that contributed to the early-mid 90s decline in So Cal real estate that I have not seen mentioned here: the 1994 Northridge earthquake. At that time, I lived about 20 miles due East of it and remember clearly. Many of my friends and co-workers were displaced, not only in the valley but in Hollywood, West LA and Santa Monica. Some people left purely out of fear. Houses in Northridge and Chatsworth and most other parts of the valley to lesser degree could be had for a song for the follwing 1-2 years.

I do not know if there was a direct effect on SD real estate, but I imagine it had ancillary effects.

[VCJIM]

1) Rent
2) Yes, I owned for 10 years
3) Difficult to say, I believe I sold just before the peak.
4) I had a gut feeling that prices were out of accord with fundamentals.
5) I would not buy again in my previous area.
6) N/A
7) N/A

[VCJIM]

avidsaver, will you marry me?

[VCJIM]

Disney is the root of all evil. I am convinced of that, and for once I’m not being sarcastic.

[VCJIM]

Made me laugh out loud.

[VCJIM]

No great insight here, but I lived in Kirkland from ’80-’82. Many of the people in our neighborhood worked for Boeing.

[VCJIM]

My business electric bill went up 100% compared to Winter.

[VCJIM]

I think everyone on Piggington’s should put in a $1 offer on this house, see how the sellers like that.

[VCJIM]

If one of my children were killed as “collateral damage” by an invading country, I would devote my life to causing that country’s political leaders severe bodily harm; this would be a purely emotional and uncontrollable response, carried out with laser-like precision and thought. Is it any wonder that our political leaders are under attack?

[VCJIM]

bgates,

There are many posters on here that are way more knowledgeable about world affairs and politics than me, including you. In a few of your posts, you claim that the US was supported in going into Iraq. I remember it differently; my recollection is that we did NOT have UN sanction or approval, although certainly some of our allies agreed that we needed should go in. In my opinion, invading Iraq without UN approval accomplishes two things:

1) Emaciates the U.N.
2) Makes thet U.S. look like the sole aggressor (invader), even if we had support from other countries.

Without U.N. approval and a multi-nation enter and exit strategy, the whole event is and was doomed to failure. As an American, I am embarrassed that we have invaded another country without U.N. sanctioning. I have traveled to many countries before and since entering Iraq, and I can say from anectdotal evidence that America is viewed as the unjustified aggressor.

[VCJIM]

I bought my first house in 1994. Does anyone want to know how I did it, my ingenious method? Dumb luck!!

PS wrote:

“This is the method I will use, and I may miss the bottom by a month or two, but with real estate so slow moving, I would miss out at most on 1% or 2% of price.”

Based on the very slow rate of appreciation from 1994 – ~1997, I would be happy to be within a year of the bottom. I do not believe things will shift that dramatically, that quickly. The appreciation in the bottom of the cycle will be very small, gradually picking up steam. If we just get close, we will be in good shape : )

I think sdrealtor is right on target, buy at a smart time, live in it and enjoy life.

[VCJIM]

I will start a new thread for the survey tomorrow. I haven’t done many, but the first guy tried to sell me his house when I asked what he thought of real estate investments!

[VCJIM]

Speeding, despite being in Ventura County and making some particularly *boneheaded* posts, I still seem to be accepted here. All us outsiders just have to end each post with:

“LONG LIVE SAN DIEGO!”

[VCJIM]

I think CL is largely a regional phenomena, dependent on word of mouth. Even CL’s listings for the same area over time may vary simply due to CL’s exposure increasing.

[VCJIM]

I hope no one looks in my pantry.

[Author]

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