mbyington

Sowing Profits with the Claymore/Clear Global Timber ETF

I've owned CUT since it's inception. I haven't sown any profits. "Clear Indexes LLC" profits from investor interest in CUT. Claymore, the provider of CUT, has shown no reluctance to closing any of their ETFs that do not get a warm reception from investors. Given the relatively small market cap for this ETF, Mr. Corn probably fears that CUT is drawing near to the chopping block (no pun intended).

That being said, Timber does not need a cheerleader if you keep a long-term perspective. Just keep your eyes open and read those disclosure notes.

The Impending Mortgage Crisis

Good article, thank you. My only area of disagreement is "banks are motivated sellers". The recurring theme in my area (northern va) is that banks are dragging their feet when responding to bids to unload short sales and foreclosures. I cannot adequately explain this, but perhaps somebody could shed some light on why a bank would hold out on responding to bids when:
(1) the occupants aren't paying their mortgage (this is a short sale)
(2) the home is indeed on the market
(3) the housing prices continue to decline

Any thoughts?

How To Solve the Housing Crisis Tomorrow

The way to fix the foreclosure "problem" is to let the free market work unhindered by politicians and big government. I'm in the process of buying a pre-foreclosure house right now, in fact, for a more reasonable 250k and my family's annual income is around 160k. We rented for three years and actually SAVED for a down payment while living below our means. The family that was foreclosed on has an annual income of around 50k and they bought the house 2 years ago for 450k. They drive nice, late-model cars and have a big-screen TV. My family has neither.

So I ask... who should REALLY be living in this house? A family that borrowed 9 times their annual income with no down payment and used cash-out options to buy nice cars and gadgets?

No? How about a family that rented, saved, and lives below its means?

Let the free market work, my friend, and let the government govern instead of gamble.