Real Estate News & Commentary by Chris McLaughlin, March 16, 2009
http://www.shortsalesriches.com/welcome.html
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“2 Careers That Boom in a Recession!”
I’ll tell you about one of these for fr*ee
in my no-charge, no-cost, no-obligation
webinar right here live on Tuesday night at
8:30 PM ET, 5:30 PM PST:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/661793179
Why would I do that for no charge? Because
I want a chance to tell you about the other
high-income opportunity, too.
And I can’t do it in an email.
But if you’re finally ready to blast out of
this economic mess, then get a move on… I’d
hate for you to miss out, because we always fill
up a day or so early. See if there’re any spots
left:
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Ah, we have spent a lot of time talking about the poor idiots over at AIG, the insurance giant that is now 80% owned by Uncle Sam. This is the company that spent weekends at the St. Regis charging up crazy spa packages and the bill went to the taxpayer. What have they done lately? Well, they lost $61.7 billion last quarter. But that’s not really what we’re going to talk about …
How about recently handing out $165 million in bonuses … all of which come directly from our taxpayer money. Now the truth is that these are bonuses were under contract during 2008, so it wasn’t a recent decision, but after a review by their attorneys the current AIG executives said they had to pay them out.
And that didn’t leave our President very pleased. “It’s hard to understand how derivative traders at AIG warranted any bonuses, much less $165 million in extra pay,” a noticeably angry President stated. “How do they justify this outrage to the taxpayers who are keeping the company afloat,” he stated.
President Obama instructed Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to figure out a way to rescind the $165 million in bonuses. And the pressure was also mounting from Congress. Representative Barney Frank, Chair of the House Financial Services committee, suggested that anyone was took the bonus ought to be terminated. “These people may have a right to their bonuses. They don’t have a right to their jobs forever,” said Frank.
The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index stood at 9, just 1 point above a record low. If the index is lower than 50 it indicates there is negative sentiment about the market. Regionally the index was steady throughout the US but in the Northeast there was a single point bump upward.
The financial markets were higher today after Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke gave an optimistic forecast on CBS’s 60 Minutes over the weekend where he suggested that the recession would probably end this year. And, like many of us, Bernanke shows certain disgust over AIG. The nation’s economist in chief said he “slammed the phone more than a few times on discussing AIG.”
Now on to our real estate investing education section …
Short Sales, Infinite Stupidity and Savvy Investors
“Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.” Albert Einstein
Best known for his theory of relativity, Einstein had a way with words. In his distinctive style, the quote above applies as much to the laws of nature as it does the laws of investing; in both cases human stupidity can appear limitless. Take for instance the current opportunities afforded by short sales. If history has a way of repeating itself then it would seem only natural for savvy investors –especially those that have taken a major beating in the stock market – to examine the past in search of likely outcomes and time tested trends.
While a few stout hearted souls may have already done so, the vast majority of the population dutifully follows whatever they hear on the major media outlets. The same people that persuaded low-income homebuyers to take advantage of variable interest rates rather than some of the lowest fixed interest rates in history are probably not the first place to turn for reliable real estate advice.
By now everyone knows the 1950, 60’s and 70’s represented some of the most prosperous times for the American household…especially those that owned real estate. Many became wealthy beyond their wildest dreams while others steadily increased the lifestyle of their entire family simply by having had the foresight to buy right. Much of the original buying opportunity began during the economic crisis now known as the Great Depression.
Only time will tell whether or not that title stands after the current financial fiasco settles down but one thing is certain – the timeline between now and then deserves more than a passing interest. Use this checklist to compare the past to the present…then give serious consideration to purchasing short sale real estate as a way to preserve purchasing power and regain wealth in the same way others did in former years. Remember, there are always a few people that make money even during the worst economic times…the only question is whether or not you will be one of them or join the ranks of those that start all over again.
General Comparison between 1920’s and Today
Federal funding expanded by three times…Yep. Thanks to Congress it has taken less than 3 months to match the combined budget of a generation – or two (or three).
Bank failures. Again, yes. Although fewer banks are failing it is due in large part to the dramatic consolidation of major banking institutions throughout the nation.
Organized labor declines. Yes, organized labor has been in a state of survival only for years with workers working harder for less spending power.
Mergers, Mergers, Mergers. The 20’s saw unprecedented numbers of mergers between banks and other corporations responsible for influencing millions of Americans. Likewise, modern day media, banking and even utilities have grown “too big to fail.”
Dramatic stock market rise…yep, the American investor knows the highs – and recent lows – only all too well….and then begins to fall/decline.
Federal Reserve begins cutting interest rates in an effort to curb losses…especially in labor, real estate and inventory. Ouch – beginning to have a familiar ring isn’t it?
The GNP falls even as the unemployment rate rises – yes, we are still speaking about past history although the comparisons are admittedly grim.
By 1932 GNP falls over 13 percent as unemployment reaches over 23 percent. Stocks lost 80 percent of their value and international trade declined by 2/3’rds. Income Taxes are increased from 25 percent to 63 percent and Congress passes the Federal Home Loan Bank Act.
In 1933 the working wealthy are subjected to even more taxes in order to pay for massive government spending programs designed to make work and stabilizing the economy including the real estate market.
So, what can the average investor learn from this series of unfortunate events? A few considerations to keep in mind:
- Working for a living can become very expensive. The public backlash against high wage earners has already started. Expect higher and higher income taxes as the federal government raises taxes in order to pay for everything from Social Security to the newly proposed universal health care plan (estimated to add another 10 percent tax to wages). Earned income has always been the most expensive form of revenue – instead, seek out short sales as a way to generate revenue that qualifies for hefty deductions and future appreciation.
- The cost of credit experiences exponential increases. Interest rates are at near historic lows – just as anyone that purchased a home in the late 70’s or early 80’s about the cost of credit. Double digit mortgages combined with rapid inflation was the end result of inflation. Experts across the nation agree the time will come when the government will be forced to monetize the current debt…when it does the big buying spree will be over.
- Buy for pennies on the dollar. During the Great Depression one of the most significant ways people prospered was by having the foresight to invest in hard assets for pennies on the dollar. Homes that sold for 3, 4 or even 10x’s the current price may not have cash-flowed for the original owner but that doesn’t mean you can make a profit while gaining valuable assets.
See you at the top!
Chris McLaughlin
http://www.shortsalesriches.com/welcome.html
P.S.
Don’t miss out webinar this coming Tuesday night at 8:30 PM ET, 5:30 PM PST:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/661793179
Copyright Loss Mitigation Institute 2009.
All Rights Reserved.
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About the author:
Chris McLaughlin is widely known as America’s top
Real Estate Attorney and Investment Consultant.
* As the top Florida foreclosure and pre-
foreclosure expert, he oversees more than
100 short sale & REO closings each month
* Long-time authority on real estate investing
and rapid flipping of distressed homes. Owns
portfolio of nearly 100 high-value, high-profit
properties
* Owner and Supervising Broker of one of Florida’s
largest Real Estate firms, running 4 different
offices, supporting nearly 450 agents, uniquely
positioning him to help thousands of investors
make money in the biggest market opportunity ever!
* Highly sought-after speaker, consultant, and
seminar leader for current trends and hot topics
in Real Estate Investing, Entrepreneurship, and
Wealth Building
* On twitter: http://twitter.com/mclaughlinchris
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