I like the insults. They're the best part.

"I doubt they're much smarter than me. "

Of course they are. The narrow focused talent, the ability to make $10M a year or more, is an outlier and a sign of intelligence.

The statement proves itself. If they can earn $10M and you cannot, then they are smarter than you in that aspect.

QED.

Talking down this ability is just spite, envy and jealousy.

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REALTORS got huge kickbacks from loan originators and the banks to push ARM's and mention them as a way to flexible financing. The originator of her choice and her were in a cozy relationship that involved her getting money from the debt pushers.

Of course the agents made money on this on the back end.

Yay, they figured out how to scam people. I guess every crook who manages to make a few million is "smarter than me".

Bull****. Takes money to make money, and once you have enough to buy yourself some Realtor goons and influence, the only thing stopping you is your morals.

Halfbrite is trying to put these people on a pedestal while talking them down as the problem at the same time.

I know he worships them, but that's his own problem.

Mrbill: I'm pretty sure that halfbrite is a Ms. (or miss or mrs.)

And give her points for sticking with the various discussions even when the insults fly. While I don't share her enthusiasm for her profession, her thick skin and classy demeanor in the trenches earn points with me.

I find this whole area of the economy to be pretty funny/pathetic. Realtors are trying to fool people into thinking a PITA liability/debt-anchor/little box is a cozy, wonderful, spacious, palatial ASSET. It isn't. Most people realize the truth (life is difficult and homes are a royal PITA if you're just 'getting by', duh!) but only AFTER they've signed on the dotted line. For them, it's often too late. I don't mind people selling something (no one is forcing you to buy it) but I do mind people who's success/talent/career is predicated upon the ability to fool, dupe, con and lie to others on a daily basis.

If I were a realtor, I'd probably starve to death. I'd suggest people put 50% down and STILL have $50K in savings AND $50K on which to live left over. I'd suggest they do multiple inspections and generally do my best to DIScourage people from buying a home. In fact, I do this in real life whenever the subject arises.

I'd probably make about one sale per decade lol. Short version:

Realtors - I don't get you people at all.

Add: In addition to the 'asset' concept of home-ownership let's not forget that by committing to 30 years of debt slavery, one almost certainly loses his/her ability to convert this/her energy/labor/money/wealth into anything OTHER than mere survival. The middle class is all about latching on to others' attempts to create/grow/innovate by relinquishing your own ability to do so.

Mayor, Singles can rent just fine, but for families, here's a couple of negative points about renting that I've run into in the real world:

If you have pets, not so good - homeowners don't want to rent to pet owners.
If you have kids, not so good either - same as above.
When owner decides to sell, they kick you out - you have a big problem with schools, pets, kids friends, etc.
If you had seen (literally) moms and kids crying because they had to give up a beloved pet to be able to move to their new rental, well, what's your pet worth?

When you own,even if you're actually only "renting it from the banks" your family is a little more secure than renting.

Quote:

When you own,even if you're actually only "renting it from the banks" your family is a little more secure than renting.

1. WHEN you own! That would mean 2040 for new "buyers". Most people I know that rent have much more cash saved up (liquid) than those that buy homes because home prices are too high. IOW - those who 'rent from banks' are at a huge disadvantage because they have no fall back. Those who rent often have savings (my experience - I'd like to see definitive data on this).

2. This works well for many people with stable career prospects (public servants, utilities workers etc.). For many others, they have NO CLUE as to what they'll be doing 10 years from now much less 30 so for those people, ownership only makes sense within that time frame (as far out as they can "see").

3. It depends on a lot of factors. The world is changing so rapidly I think you'll see the end of 30 year mortgages or a conversion to either shorter-term mortgages or extreme longer-term mortgages (ie 75 year) at some point with the latter being a form of rental. It all depends upon regional economic growth imo.

... until you lose your job and the next opportunity is 100 miles away... then you're ****ED.

I'm sure there's a LOT of that going on.