islandcreek

Updated Case-Shiller 100 Year Real Estate Chart

Seems to me that what this chart actually shows is that residential real estate roughly does keep up with inflation over a lifetime. Am I looking at it wrong?

Why 'Cash for Clunkers' Is a Bad Idea

My son's car is a 1987 Jeep Cherokee.
Ditto.


On Jun 28 09:25 AM yellowhoard wrote:

> I looked into the cash for clunker bill yesterday.
>
> The car must be in operable condition and have been insured for a
> year and titled to one person.
>
> I'm going to trade my son's 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee in for a new
> Malibu.
>
> $4500 for the Jeep
> $2000 GM card savings
> $1000 GM loyalty because I bought my daughter a GM 2 years ago<br/>$2500
> rebate on all Malibus
>
> That's $10,000 off on the $21,000 Malibu before I even start my negotiations.
>
>
> I'm thinking of offering around $17,000.
>
> It's possible that I can get my son a new car for about $7000.

U.S. Crisis Could Be an Emerging ETF Investor's Opportunity

In the 70's, John Templeton mostly exited the U.S. markets and made a lot of money in Japan, which was the emerging market of its day.

Brink Lindsey: Why Krugman Is Wrong About Everything

Reading this discussion I'm reminded of the cliche, "if you're going to make predictions about the future, make lots of them."

Invest in the New Housing ETFs

Oh great! Now it will be possible to have even a bigger bubble(or bust) in housing in the future as ordinary people pile into these ETFs like they did with oil last year. That's a comforting thought!

Fannie and Freddie: When the GSEs Go, So Goes the Dollar

Although you have a stellar resume, frugal millionaire, you lack experience and perspective. It is not "different" this time, same as earlier in my career in 1980, and 1987, 1990, 1998, and 2000. Are there serious problems? Of course there are, same as in those previous years. But somehow, the country got through them and it will this time. Be careful not to get crushed, when the bubble in oil bursts, and I hope you can continue to make your mortgage payments long enough for your home to go back up in value.

As Home Sales Plunge, Some Say the Crisis Is Almost Over

You answered your own question in your last sentence. ** Note if you live in Texas, the Western Plains States, or in a farming community - ignore everything above - times are good! : Exactly! Of course there are parts of the country that will not recover for a long time. This is a VERY big country, and our economy (and the stock market) is showing its long term resilience by its response to the Fed's moves. I lived through the real estate downturn in 1979-1983, and the one in 1988-1992. It's NOT different this time. Have a little patience and faith in your fellow citizens.

8 Stocks to Benefit from the Coming Uptrend in Housing

Very well written incisive comments. I get a big kick out of the diversity of opinion on this board from the paranoid, ie: "Thomas Barta" to Mr Know it All, ie: "slvrslam". That is what makes the market go around. Each investor has his or her own objectives and time frames and tolerance for volatility. The average mean performance of the market long term is about 11% a year. The very vast majority of investors don't even achieve that, and majority of the comments on this board make it clear why that is true.

Shorting the Homebuilders as Their Stocks Surge

LOD, You are right on both counts on FPs. Yes, like your friend there are many who are competent and successful. Unfortunately for me and him, there are far too many others who are glorified insurance agents. I do not blame the public for being negative on FPs. They need to do their homework to find a good one. The best and most respected credential is CFP.

Shorting the Homebuilders as Their Stocks Surge

133274, I lived through the Hunt Silver Crisis in 1980, The crash of '87, the S&L crisis and the high tech bubble. In my humble opinion, this time is not different, because it is never different this time. As rpccpa, pointed out, the banks always win. Why, because regardless of what you think of bankers, they are the underpinning of our economy. It may take a while but life will go on. Meanwhile, congratulations on your returns. Like Bill Miller the last couple of years, your're probably about to revert back to the mean like everyone does eventually. Enjoy.

Shorting the Homebuilders as Their Stocks Surge

User 133274, I will remember my comments at this time next year. You sound like all the people who come to me, and ask me to give them numbers on how well I've done for my clients. But when I ask them the same question, they can't tell me how they've done on their own. It is easy to tell the difference between the pros and the amateurs on this forum. I'll take Bill Miller's opinion over yours every day.

Shorting the Homebuilders as Their Stocks Surge

As a financial advisor for more than 27 years, I also lived through the S&L crisis. I agree with tomris and bill miller. If you look carefully at the chart of Pulte, for instance, it had a rally of better than 25% from june, 2006 through feb 2007. I believe that was the rally before the futher decline that you think you see now. Nine months from now the present crisis will be history. Don't fight the last war.