Don't tell Dave Ramsey

More than half of Americans don’t have an emergency fund, and 40% of those who do have less than $10,000, per CNBC.

— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) July 5, 2024

Wangchung said:

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KaiBear said:

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Wangchung said:

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The massive influx of illegals taking up all cheap property does not help.

---

Illegals can't aquire mortgage loans.


So unless they have some substantial cash in their travel bags.....it ain't happening.

---

They fill rentals of all types and then some.

---

There is a lot of merit to this. Though it is not the entire basis of the problem. I live in a neighborhood where at least 50% of rentals are inhabited by Hispanics. Few speak good English, but their kids speak perfect English, so I figure some are illegals. It enables investors to have guaranteed renters imo. You subtract illegals from the rental market in Southern cities, and all the sudden you have a vacancy crisis rather than a not-enough-housing crisis.

I am not one to cry about illegals too much. Hispanic illegals work so hard and generally are just trying to provide a better life in a better place for their kids, than what they had. But there is no point in ignoring their market presence and its effect.

Porteroso said:

---

Wangchung said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

Wangchung said:

---

The massive influx of illegals taking up all cheap property does not help.

---

Illegals can't aquire mortgage loans.


So unless they have some substantial cash in their travel bags.....it ain't happening.

---

They fill rentals of all types and then some.

---

There is a lot of merit to this. Though it is not the entire basis of the problem. I live in a neighborhood where at least 50% of rentals are inhabited by Hispanics. Few speak good English, but their kids speak perfect English, so I figure some are illegals. It enables investors to have guaranteed renters imo. You subtract illegals from the rental market in Southern cities, and all the sudden you have a vacancy crisis rather than a not-enough-housing crisis.

I am not one to cry about illegals too much. Hispanic illegals work so hard and generally are just trying to provide a better life in a better place for their kids, than what they had. But there is no point in ignoring their market presence and its effect.

---

So bloody clueless.

We never rent to illegals and don't know anyone who does.
For the simple reality they sub rent rooms to their associates and almost always tear the **** out of the property.

The damages always exceed the security deposit and then THEY LEAVE and it is impossible to track them down.

OsoCoreyell said:

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Will the market respond? Seems like the problem is that more and more people want to live in the same place, which drives up demand even as supply shrinks. Add in some painful finance costs right now and you've got a problem.

Typically, the market will respond to this by people buying houses in places where the housing is cheaper and the schools are still not captured by the insane teachers unions.

---

Housing costs are a simple supply demand problem.

There are over 20m illegals in the country, roughly half of them arriving in the last 3 years. That is a jolt of demand to the housing market. Those illegals gotta live somewhere. No, they don't buy new houses out in Frisco. But they do, eventually, buy/lease up low-income housing, which starts a trickle up dynamic (demand) which exceeds inventory (supply) at a time of high interest rates which drives up costs to own faster than income levels are rising.

No

Housing is not simply a case of supply and demand.

It is now impossible to build affordable single family homes.
The dirt is too expense due to development costs and permits, water costs are skyrocketing due to limited availability, materials are double or triple what they were 10 years ago and all tradesmen simply have to earn increased wages to support their families with all of this inflation.

So it's either going to be more apartments, condos or single family homes for the upper middle class and 'rich'.

As a result an increasing number of Americans will be forced to rent their entire lives.

KaiBear said:

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No

Housing is not simply a case of supply and demand.

It is now impossible to build affordable single family homes.
The dirt is too expense due to development costs and permits, water costs are skyrocketing due to limited availability, materials are double or triple what they were 10 years ago and all tradesmen simply have to earn increased wages to support their families with all of this inflation.

So it's either going to be more apartments, condos or single family homes for the upper middle class and 'rich'.

As a result an increasing number of Americans will be forced to rent their entire lives.

---

to the extent all that true, and most of it is in large degree, adding tens of millions of new bodies of illegal aliens into the mix is going to make a housing shortage worse, which is of course is upwards pressure on pricing. And it's a bottom up dynamic. driving people to sell & move up. Which is where the cost-to-build pressures you're talking about really add up.

KaiBear said:

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Porteroso said:

---

Wangchung said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

Wangchung said:

---

The massive influx of illegals taking up all cheap property does not help.

---

Illegals can't aquire mortgage loans.


So unless they have some substantial cash in their travel bags.....it ain't happening.

---

They fill rentals of all types and then some.

---

There is a lot of merit to this. Though it is not the entire basis of the problem. I live in a neighborhood where at least 50% of rentals are inhabited by Hispanics. Few speak good English, but their kids speak perfect English, so I figure some are illegals. It enables investors to have guaranteed renters imo. You subtract illegals from the rental market in Southern cities, and all the sudden you have a vacancy crisis rather than a not-enough-housing crisis.

I am not one to cry about illegals too much. Hispanic illegals work so hard and generally are just trying to provide a better life in a better place for their kids, than what they had. But there is no point in ignoring their market presence and its effect.

---

So bloody clueless.

We never rent to illegals and don't know anyone who does.
For the simple reality they sub rent rooms to their associates and almost always tear the **** out of the property.

The damages always exceed the security deposit and then THEY LEAVE and it is impossible to track them down.

---

Excuse me, you don't rent to illegals so nobody does? Your ego is wild.

Porteroso said:

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KaiBear said:

---

Porteroso said:

---

Wangchung said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

Wangchung said:

---

The massive influx of illegals taking up all cheap property does not help.

---

Illegals can't aquire mortgage loans.


So unless they have some substantial cash in their travel bags.....it ain't happening.

---

They fill rentals of all types and then some.

---

There is a lot of merit to this. Though it is not the entire basis of the problem. I live in a neighborhood where at least 50% of rentals are inhabited by Hispanics. Few speak good English, but their kids speak perfect English, so I figure some are illegals. It enables investors to have guaranteed renters imo. You subtract illegals from the rental market in Southern cities, and all the sudden you have a vacancy crisis rather than a not-enough-housing crisis.

I am not one to cry about illegals too much. Hispanic illegals work so hard and generally are just trying to provide a better life in a better place for their kids, than what they had. But there is no point in ignoring their market presence and its effect.

---

So bloody clueless.

We never rent to illegals and don't know anyone who does.
For the simple reality they sub rent rooms to their associates and almost always tear the **** out of the property.

The damages always exceed the security deposit and then THEY LEAVE and it is impossible to track them down.

---

Excuse me, you don't rent to illegals so nobody does? Your ego is wild.

---

So, "don't know anyone who does" translates to "nobody does?" The training works.

Porteroso said:

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KaiBear said:

---

Porteroso said:

---

Wangchung said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

Wangchung said:

---

The massive influx of illegals taking up all cheap property does not help.

---

Illegals can't aquire mortgage loans.


So unless they have some substantial cash in their travel bags.....it ain't happening.

---

They fill rentals of all types and then some.

---

There is a lot of merit to this. Though it is not the entire basis of the problem. I live in a neighborhood where at least 50% of rentals are inhabited by Hispanics. Few speak good English, but their kids speak perfect English, so I figure some are illegals. It enables investors to have guaranteed renters imo. You subtract illegals from the rental market in Southern cities, and all the sudden you have a vacancy crisis rather than a not-enough-housing crisis.

I am not one to cry about illegals too much. Hispanic illegals work so hard and generally are just trying to provide a better life in a better place for their kids, than what they had. But there is no point in ignoring their market presence and its effect.

---

So bloody clueless.

We never rent to illegals and don't know anyone who does.
For the simple reality they sub rent rooms to their associates and almost always tear the **** out of the property.

The damages always exceed the security deposit and then THEY LEAVE and it is impossible to track them down.

---

Excuse me, you don't rent to illegals so nobody does? Your ego is wild.

---

Still again, you exhibit your ignorance.
Clearly stated ' and don' t know ANYONE ELSE WHO DOES '. As I know at least a dozen other landlords as well as the managers of three property management companies.

Illegals routinely crowd into properties, and in the process far exceed HOA occupancy limits.
They routinely damage the properties far beyond the security deposit involved.

It's impossible for the property owner to collect for the damages as the illegals simply leave the area. Going to court is useless.

Property values of the subject property plummet, often along with the property values of the adjacent homes.



Do you seriously claim to possess a university degree ? Your comments are those of a 14 year old.

The American dream is dying because we spend and print catastrophically which creates inflation and wages can't keep up.

We're headed towards being a nation of trailer trash and ghettos.

The median household income is $74k a year with an enormous tax burden between state and federal governments. Often that's the combined income of 2 full time jobs...everyone here knows that's not enough money to handle a family or invest.

Doc Holliday said:

---

The American dream is dying because we spend and print catastrophically which creates inflation and wages can't keep up.

We're headed towards being a nation of trailer trash and ghettos.

The median household income is $74k a year with an enormous tax burden between state and federal governments. Often that's the combined income of 2 full time jobs...everyone here knows that's not enough money to handle a family or invest.

---

All true.

The middle class is becoming extinct.

Porteroso said:

---

Wangchung said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

Wangchung said:

---

The massive influx of illegals taking up all cheap property does not help.

---

Illegals can't aquire mortgage loans.


So unless they have some substantial cash in their travel bags.....it ain't happening.

---

They fill rentals of all types and then some.

---

There is a lot of merit to this. Though it is not the entire basis of the problem. I live in a neighborhood where at least 50% of rentals are inhabited by Hispanics. Few speak good English, but their kids speak perfect English, so I figure some are illegals. It enables investors to have guaranteed renters imo. You subtract illegals from the rental market in Southern cities, and all the sudden you have a vacancy crisis rather than a not-enough-housing crisis.

I am not one to cry about illegals too much. Hispanic illegals work so hard and generally are just trying to provide a better life in a better place for their kids, than what they had. But there is no point in ignoring their market presence and its effect.

---

.I'm in the multifamily business and hispanics are really good tenants. They pay cash on time and take care of the unit.

KaiBear said:

---

Doc Holliday said:

---

The American dream is dying because we spend and print catastrophically which creates inflation and wages can't keep up.

We're headed towards being a nation of trailer trash and ghettos.

The median household income is $74k a year with an enormous tax burden between state and federal governments. Often that's the combined income of 2 full time jobs...everyone here knows that's not enough money to handle a family or invest.

---

All true.

The middle class is becoming extinct.

---

That's not true. Obviously, there are all kinds of metrics, but the middle class is by far still the largest group. And while the total numbers have shrunk, the number of upper class have increased by almost that number.

It's a common headline and favorite politico talking point, but the data tells a difference story.

And that's not even considering all the strong middle class jobs that cannot be filled, especially the skilled trades.

J.R. said:

---

Porteroso said:

---

Wangchung said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

Wangchung said:

---

The massive influx of illegals taking up all cheap property does not help.

---

Illegals can't aquire mortgage loans.


So unless they have some substantial cash in their travel bags.....it ain't happening.

---

They fill rentals of all types and then some.

---

There is a lot of merit to this. Though it is not the entire basis of the problem. I live in a neighborhood where at least 50% of rentals are inhabited by Hispanics. Few speak good English, but their kids speak perfect English, so I figure some are illegals. It enables investors to have guaranteed renters imo. You subtract illegals from the rental market in Southern cities, and all the sudden you have a vacancy crisis rather than a not-enough-housing crisis.

I am not one to cry about illegals too much. Hispanic illegals work so hard and generally are just trying to provide a better life in a better place for their kids, than what they had. But there is no point in ignoring their market presence and its effect.

---

.I'm in the multifamily business and hispanics are really good tenants. They pay cash on time and take care of the unit.

---

This is not about Hispanics, but illegals. About what % of your tenants do you think are here illegally?

sombear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

Doc Holliday said:

---

The American dream is dying because we spend and print catastrophically which creates inflation and wages can't keep up.

We're headed towards being a nation of trailer trash and ghettos.

The median household income is $74k a year with an enormous tax burden between state and federal governments. Often that's the combined income of 2 full time jobs...everyone here knows that's not enough money to handle a family or invest.

---

All true.

The middle class is becoming extinct.

---

That's not true. Obviously, there are all kinds of metrics, but the middle class is by far still the largest group. And while the total numbers have shrunk, the number of upper class have increased by almost that number.

It's a common headline and favorite politico talking point, but the data tells a difference story.

And that's not even considering all the strong middle class jobs that cannot be filled, especially the skilled trades.

---

Just 2 hours ago was discussing the water bill of one of our properties with a lady at the water district.

Super nice gal. Mentioned how the increase in water charges had forced her to eliminate her front lawn .

" I am a single mom with 2 hungry teenagers. It was either feed us or water the lawn. '

I hear this kind of chatter constantly. People are hurting throughout our country.

KaiBear said:

---

sombear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

Doc Holliday said:

---

The American dream is dying because we spend and print catastrophically which creates inflation and wages can't keep up.

We're headed towards being a nation of trailer trash and ghettos.

The median household income is $74k a year with an enormous tax burden between state and federal governments. Often that's the combined income of 2 full time jobs...everyone here knows that's not enough money to handle a family or invest.

---

All true.

The middle class is becoming extinct.

---

That's not true. Obviously, there are all kinds of metrics, but the middle class is by far still the largest group. And while the total numbers have shrunk, the number of upper class have increased by almost that number.

It's a common headline and favorite politico talking point, but the data tells a difference story.

And that's not even considering all the strong middle class jobs that cannot be filled, especially the skilled trades.

---

Just 2 hours ago was discussing the water bill of one of our properties with a lady at the water district.

Super nice gal. Mentioned how the increase in water charges had forced her to eliminate her front lawn .

" I am a single mom with 2 hungry teenagers. It was either feed us or water the lawn. '

I hear this kind of chatter constantly. People are hurting throughout our country.

---

I agree with 100% on this, but that's a different issue. The middle class has always struggled through difficult times. Inflation hits the middle particularly hard.

And somehow people are out there flying in record numbers

U.S. SCREENED 3 MILLION AIR TRAVELERS ON SUNDAY, HIGHEST NUMBER EVER ON A SINGLE DAY - AGENCY

— *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaone) July 8, 2024

Oldbear83 said:

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J.R. said:

---

Porteroso said:

---

Wangchung said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

Wangchung said:

---

The massive influx of illegals taking up all cheap property does not help.

---

Illegals can't aquire mortgage loans.


So unless they have some substantial cash in their travel bags.....it ain't happening.

---

They fill rentals of all types and then some.

---

There is a lot of merit to this. Though it is not the entire basis of the problem. I live in a neighborhood where at least 50% of rentals are inhabited by Hispanics. Few speak good English, but their kids speak perfect English, so I figure some are illegals. It enables investors to have guaranteed renters imo. You subtract illegals from the rental market in Southern cities, and all the sudden you have a vacancy crisis rather than a not-enough-housing crisis.

I am not one to cry about illegals too much. Hispanic illegals work so hard and generally are just trying to provide a better life in a better place for their kids, than what they had. But there is no point in ignoring their market presence and its effect.

---

.I'm in the multifamily business and hispanics are really good tenants. They pay cash on time and take care of the unit.

---

This is not about Hispanics, but illegals. About what % of your tenants do you think are here illegally?

some yes, some no. We have tons of illegal folks that have and work their ass off. They should follow the rules. My housekeep of 25 yrs is prolly illegal . One of the most hard working, great lady.

---

KaiBear said:

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sombear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

sombear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

Doc Holliday said:

---

The American dream is dying because we spend and print catastrophically which creates inflation and wages can't keep up.

We're headed towards being a nation of trailer trash and ghettos.

The median household income is $74k a year with an enormous tax burden between state and federal governments. Often that's the combined income of 2 full time jobs...everyone here knows that's not enough money to handle a family or invest.

---

All true.

The middle class is becoming extinct.

---

That's not true. Obviously, there are all kinds of metrics, but the middle class is by far still the largest group. And while the total numbers have shrunk, the number of upper class have increased by almost that number.

It's a common headline and favorite politico talking point, but the data tells a difference story.

And that's not even considering all the strong middle class jobs that cannot be filled, especially the skilled trades.

---

Just 2 hours ago was discussing the water bill of one of our properties with a lady at the water district.

Super nice gal. Mentioned how the increase in water charges had forced her to eliminate her front lawn .

" I am a single mom with 2 hungry teenagers. It was either feed us or water the lawn. '

I hear this kind of chatter constantly. People are hurting throughout our country.

---

I agree with 100% on this, but that's a different issue. The middle class has always struggled through difficult times. Inflation hits the middle particularly hard.

---

When individuals of the middle class get hit hard enough with inflation, high interest rates and increasing debt load……they are often forced out of what is considered a middle class lifestyle.

Hence the reduction of the middle class.

If such trends continue unchecked……the eventual extinction of the middle class.

---

You're old enough to remember the 70's. We got through it. We just got used to such a prolonged period of cheap and easy money, credit and fuel costs. We'll survive and get through it.

"You're old enough to remember the 70's. We got through it."

We 'got through it' by rejecting the defeatism of Carter and starting an Oil & Gas Renaissance.

Oldbear83 said:

---

"You're old enough to remember the 70's. We got through it."

We 'got through it' by rejecting the defeatism of Carter and starting an Oil & Gas Renaissance.

---

That was one piece. We also reduced regulation, broke union labor holds, sparked investment, and expanded the economy by encouraging trade and exerted our strength abroad.

ATL Bear said:

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Oldbear83 said:

---

"You're old enough to remember the 70's. We got through it."

We 'got through it' by rejecting the defeatism of Carter and starting an Oil & Gas Renaissance.

---

That was one piece. We also reduced regulation, broke union labor holds, sparked investment, and expanded the economy by encouraging trade and exerted our strength abroad.

---

None of which was inspired or promoted by a Democrat.

Oldbear83 said:

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ATL Bear said:

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Oldbear83 said:

---

"You're old enough to remember the 70's. We got through it."

We 'got through it' by rejecting the defeatism of Carter and starting an Oil & Gas Renaissance.

---

That was one piece. We also reduced regulation, broke union labor holds, sparked investment, and expanded the economy by encouraging trade and exerted our strength abroad.

---

None of which was inspired or promoted by a Democrat.

---

Clinton did ok. But he'd be an oddity in today's Democratic Party,

ATL Bear said:

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Oldbear83 said:

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ATL Bear said:

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Oldbear83 said:

---

"You're old enough to remember the 70's. We got through it."

We 'got through it' by rejecting the defeatism of Carter and starting an Oil & Gas Renaissance.

---

That was one piece. We also reduced regulation, broke union labor holds, sparked investment, and expanded the economy by encouraging trade and exerted our strength abroad.

---

None of which was inspired or promoted by a Democrat.

---

Clinton did ok. But he'd be an oddity in today's Democratic Party,

---

Clinton after the GOP took the House. Before that Bubba was all for Socialized Medicine, new taxes and pissing our military away.

ATL Bear said:

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Oldbear83 said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

"You're old enough to remember the 70's. We got through it."

We 'got through it' by rejecting the defeatism of Carter and starting an Oil & Gas Renaissance.

---

That was one piece. We also reduced regulation, broke union labor holds, sparked investment, and expanded the economy by encouraging trade and exerted our strength abroad.

---

None of which was inspired or promoted by a Democrat.

---

Clinton did ok. But he'd be an oddity in today's Democratic Party,

---

everything is an oddity in today's Democrat Party......

Malbec said:

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Porteroso said:

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KaiBear said:

---

Porteroso said:

---

Wangchung said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

Wangchung said:

---

The massive influx of illegals taking up all cheap property does not help.

---

Illegals can't aquire mortgage loans.


So unless they have some substantial cash in their travel bags.....it ain't happening.

---

They fill rentals of all types and then some.

---

There is a lot of merit to this. Though it is not the entire basis of the problem. I live in a neighborhood where at least 50% of rentals are inhabited by Hispanics. Few speak good English, but their kids speak perfect English, so I figure some are illegals. It enables investors to have guaranteed renters imo. You subtract illegals from the rental market in Southern cities, and all the sudden you have a vacancy crisis rather than a not-enough-housing crisis.

I am not one to cry about illegals too much. Hispanic illegals work so hard and generally are just trying to provide a better life in a better place for their kids, than what they had. But there is no point in ignoring their market presence and its effect.

---

So bloody clueless.

We never rent to illegals and don't know anyone who does.
For the simple reality they sub rent rooms to their associates and almost always tear the **** out of the property.

The damages always exceed the security deposit and then THEY LEAVE and it is impossible to track them down.

---

Excuse me, you don't rent to illegals so nobody does? Your ego is wild.

---

So, "don't know anyone who does" translates to "nobody does?" The training works.

---

He said I was clueless, that he doesn't rent to illegals, that nobody he knows does, how is that relevant unless I'm clueless about renting to illegals?

Although I may have wrongly assumed it was a serious comment, maybe it was just a timeout from discussion to throw out a random insult and talk more about himself.

Porteroso said:

---

Malbec said:

---

Porteroso said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

Porteroso said:

---

Wangchung said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

Wangchung said:

---

The massive influx of illegals taking up all cheap property does not help.

---

Illegals can't aquire mortgage loans.


So unless they have some substantial cash in their travel bags.....it ain't happening.

---

They fill rentals of all types and then some.

---

There is a lot of merit to this. Though it is not the entire basis of the problem. I live in a neighborhood where at least 50% of rentals are inhabited by Hispanics. Few speak good English, but their kids speak perfect English, so I figure some are illegals. It enables investors to have guaranteed renters imo. You subtract illegals from the rental market in Southern cities, and all the sudden you have a vacancy crisis rather than a not-enough-housing crisis.

I am not one to cry about illegals too much. Hispanic illegals work so hard and generally are just trying to provide a better life in a better place for their kids, than what they had. But there is no point in ignoring their market presence and its effect.

---

So bloody clueless.

We never rent to illegals and don't know anyone who does.
For the simple reality they sub rent rooms to their associates and almost always tear the **** out of the property.

The damages always exceed the security deposit and then THEY LEAVE and it is impossible to track them down.

---

Excuse me, you don't rent to illegals so nobody does? Your ego is wild.

---

So, "don't know anyone who does" translates to "nobody does?" The training works.

---

He said I was clueless, that he doesn't rent to illegals, that nobody he knows does, how is that relevant unless I'm clueless about renting to illegals?

Although I may have wrongly assumed it was a serious comment, maybe it was just a timeout from discussion to throw out a random insult and talk more about himself.

---

LOL

You need to worry less about my ( fruitless ) attempts to educate you of the realities of illegals and acquire some first hand experience instead.

Get out of your bubble, go down to Eagle Pass, Mission, or El Paso Texas and interact directly with illegals for a few weeks.
Share a house or apartment complex with some.

It would definitely broaden your horizons.

Hopefully the kids they are taking are not under five years old… Because they won't even remember the trip

45% of Disney-going, $DIS, parents with young children have gone into debt for trip, per LendingTree.

— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) July 9, 2024

KaiBear said:

---

sombear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

sombear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

Doc Holliday said:

---

The American dream is dying because we spend and print catastrophically which creates inflation and wages can't keep up.

We're headed towards being a nation of trailer trash and ghettos.

The median household income is $74k a year with an enormous tax burden between state and federal governments. Often that's the combined income of 2 full time jobs...everyone here knows that's not enough money to handle a family or invest.

---

All true.

The middle class is becoming extinct.

---

That's not true. Obviously, there are all kinds of metrics, but the middle class is by far still the largest group. And while the total numbers have shrunk, the number of upper class have increased by almost that number.

It's a common headline and favorite politico talking point, but the data tells a difference story.

And that's not even considering all the strong middle class jobs that cannot be filled, especially the skilled trades.

---

Just 2 hours ago was discussing the water bill of one of our properties with a lady at the water district.

Super nice gal. Mentioned how the increase in water charges had forced her to eliminate her front lawn .

" I am a single mom with 2 hungry teenagers. It was either feed us or water the lawn. '

I hear this kind of chatter constantly. People are hurting throughout our country.

---

I agree with 100% on this, but that's a different issue. The middle class has always struggled through difficult times. Inflation hits the middle particularly hard.

---

When individuals of the middle class get hit hard enough with inflation, high interest rates and increasing debt load……they are often forced out of what is considered a middle class lifestyle.

Hence the reduction of the middle class.

If such trends continue unchecked……the eventual extinction of the middle class.

---

Then you get Latin America or Africa....just two classes the rich and the poor

Redbrickbear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

sombear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

sombear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

Doc Holliday said:

---

The American dream is dying because we spend and print catastrophically which creates inflation and wages can't keep up.

We're headed towards being a nation of trailer trash and ghettos.

The median household income is $74k a year with an enormous tax burden between state and federal governments. Often that's the combined income of 2 full time jobs...everyone here knows that's not enough money to handle a family or invest.

---

All true.

The middle class is becoming extinct.

---

That's not true. Obviously, there are all kinds of metrics, but the middle class is by far still the largest group. And while the total numbers have shrunk, the number of upper class have increased by almost that number.

It's a common headline and favorite politico talking point, but the data tells a difference story.

And that's not even considering all the strong middle class jobs that cannot be filled, especially the skilled trades.

---

Just 2 hours ago was discussing the water bill of one of our properties with a lady at the water district.

Super nice gal. Mentioned how the increase in water charges had forced her to eliminate her front lawn .

" I am a single mom with 2 hungry teenagers. It was either feed us or water the lawn. '

I hear this kind of chatter constantly. People are hurting throughout our country.

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I agree with 100% on this, but that's a different issue. The middle class has always struggled through difficult times. Inflation hits the middle particularly hard.

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When individuals of the middle class get hit hard enough with inflation, high interest rates and increasing debt load……they are often forced out of what is considered a middle class lifestyle.

Hence the reduction of the middle class.

If such trends continue unchecked……the eventual extinction of the middle class.

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Then you get Latin America or Africa....just two classes the rich and the poor

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Strongly doubt we go into the depths of poverty found throughout Africa.

Although the standard of living found in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Uruguay is a legitimate possibility.

Gen Zers are so disillusioned with the economy that they think it’s OK to commit fraud, per Fortune.

In Q4 2023, 42% of Gen Zers admitted a willingness to engage in first-party fraud, per Fortune.

— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) July 12, 2024

These little tricks don't help

Walmart, $WMT, cut the number of sheets in its Great Value paper towel rolls from 168 to 120 but did not reduce the price, per CNBC.

— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) July 16, 2024

Wangchung said:

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Top of the search results.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/fact-check-immigration-increase-housing-costsNo

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Notice that our new VP comments on down the page?

Frank Galvin said:

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The market "should" fix that. If no one can afford those homes, their price will decrease.

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Or you go to a location where you can afford to buy a house. How many are still in the original house they bought? Even if you live in the same City, you will more than likely move to different parts as your economic situation gets better.

I know many that started in small 3 BR, 2 Bath, 1 Garage 1600 sf homes that maybe they had to commute 45 minutes to work to start. If you want the Condo in Downtown in the "up and coming hot area", you are going to pay... Fact of life.