Fewer first time home buyers
By tovarichpeter Follow Tue, 25 Dec 2012, 6:25pm 2,306 views 55 comments
In South San Francisco CA 94080
Watch (0) Share
Quote
Permalink Like (1) Dislike « First « Previous Viewing Comments 16-55 of 55 Last » See most liked comments
|
Premium member tovarichpeter is moderator of this thread. |
Follow
Befriend (8)
38 threads
1,606 comments
Mountain View, CA
bmwman91's website
Premium
Kevin says
A number of my coworkers transferred to my employer's offices up in that area. The houses are cheaper and the schools are better. The weather kind-of sucks, but there is an incredible amount of stuff to do. If one is inclined to hike/bike/kayak/ski, it is vastly better up there; just invest in rain gear and wear more clothes. People generally seem nicer and more polite in the PNW, too. I've been going up there every week for the last 11 months and am starting to think about moving.
Follow
Befriend
40 threads
2,652 comments
The weather only sucks half the year, which is about the same as most northern states.
The overall environment is much nicer though. Everything is green, there's a frickin' rainforest an hour away, and you can see mountains, trees, and water from just about any home in the area.
People are nicer. It's mostly folks who have kids and live normal lives, not the 24/7 overstressed silicon valley mindset. While there are big tech companies here, there are also good blue collar employment opportunities, which means mixed incomes.
Most importantly, seattle has actual local culture, something SFBA can't claim. There's nothing in SFBA that really compares to the fremont area or pike place market.
It's certainly more expensive than the midwest, but it's nothing compared to SFBA.
The only downsides are the microsoft people and lack of sunlight in winter (ok, some of the MS people are alright)
Follow
Befriend (9)
184 threads
1,668 comments
Premium
I also hear WA state has no state income taxes? How are the property taxes?
Follow
Befriend
40 threads
2,652 comments
lostand confused says
No income tax.
Sales tax @ 9.5%
Property taxes are about average. Most counties use relative assessments rather than absolute assessments, so your taxes can go up even if the value goes down (and can go down even if the value goes up). I'm paying $5000/year on a property with a FMV of $585k and an assessed value of $440k FWIW.
The upside is, of course, that school funding doesn't tank when the economy does. On the east side suburbs, the three major school districts are simply amazing.
The only real bad tax situation is the "B&O" tax. Instead of taxing businesses on their profits, we tax them on their revenue, which seems kind of dumb to me. Even companies that take losses have to pay taxes.
All together, though, taxation is very modest, and I feel that we get a pretty good value for our tax dollar. Well, as long as you're not a homeless black man. Seattle cops like to shoot those folks.
Follow
Befriend (8)
38 threads
1,606 comments
Mountain View, CA
bmwman91's website
Premium
Kevin says
Wait, you mean that living-to-work is NOT normal? Isn't "raising kids" what you pay someone else for until they are old enough to be raised at school?
Kevin says
Oh god, the SFBA and "culture". So many people insist that there is a plethora of culture here, when in fact there is little-to-none. Instead there is a large group of people that THINK that there is culture and that seem to believe that thinking that there is culture here means that it actually exists, when in fact SF's biggest "thing" is its blind adherence to "progressive" ideals that end up being anything but in practice. The SFBA is one giant concrete suburb. SF itself is sort of a joke as far as "international metros" go, but that doesn't deter some from pontificating about how it is a world-class city. It seems to be mostly white people that probably need to travel more that talk about this. The South Park episode about the Prius actually sums up life in SF pretty well.
(it is not ALL stupid douche-baggery in SF, and the place has its pluses too)
Kevin says
lol
The native locals have no love for the MS people, at least according to a couple of friends that grew up in eastern WA. I think that they blame them for wreaking havoc on the cost of living and political climate of the region (rightfully so). In my visits there I have encountered some MS people, and a couple did indeed carry a superiority complex of some fashion since they work for the biggest company there (other than Boeing). Seems weird to me since living and working in the SV is more of a "I'll work for the highest bidder and I have my pick" atmosphere.
People there are nice and polite. I feel like a big asshole whenever I am driving there (because I am). "Why in god's name are you going the speed limit in the left lane?!?! Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!" The 4-way stop always cracks me up, "you got here before me and are waving me through OK I'll take it." CA drivers are to WA drivers as Boston drivers are to CA drivers.
Follow
Befriend
18 threads
166 comments
I am happy with my 10 minute commute to work and disposable income to take nice vacations and learn new hobbies and to invest in my retirement. When I retire I plan to leave the USA anyways for South America.
Follow
Befriend
40 threads
2,652 comments
SJ says
I don't understand this mentality.
My retirement plan is to die doing something dangerous. My kids don't need me to leave anything for them.
Follow
Befriend (4)
117 threads
17,655 comments
Premium
Saving for retirement is a fragile way to live. You are relying on things staying relatively the same. You are making too many questionable assumptions.
Diversification is a false prophet. Unless you can profit from shocks and unexpected changes, no plan will survive the future.
Follow
Befriend (8)
38 threads
1,606 comments
Mountain View, CA
bmwman91's website
Premium
Peter P says
What other options are there besides saving for retirement, working until death and Kevin's "go out with a bang"? Saving for retirement seems like the one that actually has some possibility of involving retirement.
Follow
Befriend (4)
117 threads
17,655 comments
Premium
bmwman91 says
You have to get rich enough to not worry about retirement.
Saving has no "convexity" in it. Saving does not benefit from changes.
Of course spending your nest-eggs would be ill-advised. But I afraid the only way not to go down is to move up.
And the best way is to make money from doing things you love. Do you really want to spend 40-50 years working on things you hate just to get away?
Follow
Befriend
15 threads
3,107 comments
fedwatcher says
we hire more outside of SV than locally.. with only 5-10% locally the hiring are much stronger in other states where SV companies have operations. And of course with lower home prices and much friendlier local govt there is plenty of motivation.
Follow
Befriend (8)
38 threads
1,606 comments
Mountain View, CA
bmwman91's website
Premium
Peter P says
Oh, is that all? For a minute there I thought that you were going to suggest something difficult, but getting rich...easy!
Peter P says
Not quite following...so the only way to not be poor is to be rich instead?
Peter P says
All facetiousness aside, I agree 100%.
Follow
Befriend
18 threads
166 comments
Well its better to at least save and invest now than to wait until one is 65 and broke depending on social security (if it still has funds!). Why piss away money when you might need it later on? Having an emergency fund is prudent.
Follow
Befriend (8)
38 threads
1,606 comments
Mountain View, CA
bmwman91's website
Premium
SJ says
That is what I was raised to believe, and it is what I do. Sadly, our current monetary policy does everything possible to discourage it.
Follow
Befriend
18 threads
166 comments
Agree the thing is government punishes savers and small investors.
Follow
Befriend
40 threads
2,652 comments
How are "small investors" punished?
Government discourages saving because saving is poor planning. Buy bonds if you're afraid of volatility.
Follow
Befriend (4)
117 threads
17,655 comments
Premium
Kevin says
Hello? What do you mean? Bonds can be just as volatile.
If you are afraid of volatility, you are doomed, period.
A good investment plan takes advantage of volatility and thrives on shocks.
Follow
Befriend
40 threads
2,652 comments
Peter P says
Bonds are no more volatile than a savings account.
Follow
Befriend (4)
117 threads
17,655 comments
Premium
Kevin says
LOL!!!
Follow
Befriend (8)
38 threads
1,606 comments
Mountain View, CA
bmwman91's website
Premium
Kevin says
If saving is poor planning then it must be because there is a lack of faith in the US dollar's long term value. If the US dollar is unworthy of long-term faith, then why on earth would bonds, issued by the same treasury in the same government and denominated in dollars, be any more trustworthy?
The fact that "saving is poor planning" seems to be a very popular sentiment says volumes about just how fucked up our economy has become. I guess this is the inevitable outcome of a system that requires growth just to maintain the status-quo. Growth is unsustainable.
Follow
Befriend
40 threads
2,652 comments
bmwman91 says
Nope, just because you can earn better returns that are just as safe from plenty of other sources. 2 year treasuries are currently yielding 4x the return of any savings accounts.
The only situation that could possibly result in the bonds being an unsafe investment would be the government defaulting. If they're defaulting, what makes you think FDIC would pay out on that savings account?
bmwman91 says
Saving has been poor planning relative to any other form of investment for as long as there has been government-issued debt.
Anyone with two brain cells to rub together who wants to build up their wealth without giving it much though should be choosing either:
- Bonds (for the risk averse)
- Mutual funds (for the long term best yields)
If you're feeling more adventurous and/or don't mind being actively involved you can buy rental properties, invest in specific stocks or commodities, invest directly in a small company, or maybe try an annuity.
Sticking money into savings doesn't benefit anybody but the bank. It's slightly safer than sticking your money under the mattress, but not by much.
Follow
Befriend (8)
38 threads
1,606 comments
Mountain View, CA
bmwman91's website
Premium
Kevin says
Sorry, that is completely false. The APY on my ING savings account is 0.75%. Per the link below, 2 year T-notes have a yield of ~0.27% right now, which is an effective APY of ~0.135%. Thank Benny B for that one.
http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=yield
I sort-of agree that mutual funds are a decent place to park money to grow it. It makes sense when the economy appears stable. As of this very moment, I am hesitant to put any of my after-tax cash into the Wall Street casino. We'll see how the fiscal cliff and debt ceiling stuff turns out over the next couple of months. I expect more can-kicking.
My 401k is spread throughout various mutual funds, and I can afford to take some fairly big hits there since my employer does nice contribution matches. That sucker gets maxed-out per IRS guidelines since it is both pre-tax and presumably will average 7-8% yields over the next 40 years until I start thinking about retirement (at ~70). Certain bio-med companies are looking good though, being that the aging baby boomer population is going to need a lot more care than we presently have capacity for. So, I can't claim to be 100% in cash right now. I'll take my chances in mutual funds since, well, a lot of it is "free money" from my employer anyway.
Follow
Befriend
18 threads
166 comments
No debt, 401k in stocks/bonds as well as cash, CDs and gold/silver for my investment savings.
Follow
Befriend (6)
5 threads
2,368 comments
fedwatcher says
fedwatcher, are you an immigrant? Just asking.
Follow
Befriend (6)
5 threads
2,368 comments
Kevin says
Kevin, are you a native of the Bay Area? Just asking.
Follow
Befriend (4)
117 threads
17,655 comments
Premium
bmwman91 says
Kevin, do you even understand how bonds work?
Follow
Befriend (6)
5 threads
2,368 comments
bmwman91 says
"Tech People",
"Tech People"
"in Silicon Valley Tech".
From what you guys say, Seattle sounds very much like the Bay Area if you ask me.
Follow
Befriend
40 threads
2,652 comments
Woah, ING is crazy. That's more than 10x what I see from wells, HSBC, and citi. What's the catch?
@racist guy: I'm from Ohio.
The 'natives' in sv can't claim to hate tech anymore, since tech has been the lifeblood of SV for an entire generation now. Seattle still has Boeing and coffee.
Follow
Befriend (6)
5 threads
2,368 comments
Kevin, I agree we don't "hate" tech. But the few of us still here don't like the economic distortions ya'll have made out of our region.
Follow
Befriend (6)
5 threads
2,368 comments
And another thing, just how much "technology" is there sitting at a keyboard typing code?
They still meld science like physics and chemistry into solving problems and making things ("real" technology) at places that actually make things, like Boeing.
Follow
Befriend (4)
117 threads
17,655 comments
Premium
Much of "technology" going on here in the silly valley is just plain silly.
Software engineering has as much engineering as financial engineering.
But anyway, technology is a superficial progress anyway. People are spending way too much effort on it.
Follow
Befriend (8)
38 threads
1,606 comments
Mountain View, CA
bmwman91's website
Premium
Kevin says
The downsides are that there are no ATMs and it can take up to 2 business days to transfer funds to a more liquid account like a Wells Fargo checking account. Back in 2006, I was getting 5% APY. So the other potential downside is that the rate of return floats, which can be good or bad.
Follow
Befriend
40 threads
2,652 comments
All savings accounts float rates though. You need a CD or bond for guaranteed returns.
Follow
Befriend (4)
117 threads
17,655 comments
Premium
Chasing guaranteed return is a recipe for guaranteed disappointment.
Follow
Befriend (8)
38 threads
1,606 comments
Mountain View, CA
bmwman91's website
Premium
Kevin says
True. "Standard" savings accounts have such low yields that it almost doesn't matter. If my rate of return went from 0.08% to 0.01% on a typical middle class cash-stash, I could make up the difference by skipping my morning coffee a couple of times a month!
Hindsight is 20/20.....I should have locked in all of my money into a 10 year CD in 2005 at 7%. Oh well.
Follow
Befriend
40 threads
2,652 comments
I put all my money in meth labs and whore houses.
Follow
Befriend (8)
38 threads
1,606 comments
Mountain View, CA
bmwman91's website
Premium
Kevin says
Smart. Prostitution is the oldest profession, and will probably be the last one left someday. Meth addicts will go to any length to pay for their fix. Sounds like you have a solid plan! Have you considered investing in Chinese organ harvesting cartels? Remember, there is safety in diversification!
Follow
Befriend (2)
17 threads
443 comments
Reston, VA
Peter P, you appear to be on Kevin's ignore. Anyway, bond funds are volatile. Buying gov't bonds and holding to maturity is a fixed yield. A fixed yield does not guarantee maintaining buying power, but it pretty much guarantees face value.
Follow
Befriend (13)
104 threads
471 comments
Premium
to get back to the OP. I'm not surprised that 1st time buyers are on the decline. Let's think about who your typical first time buyer is. They typically are at the lower end of their earning potential, most have at least some student loan debt, and few have any significant savings.
Historically, the first home was a “transitional” home – a small condo, a multifamily in a not so nice neighborhood, or a small SFH. It was a way to get into the market, but it wasn’t a home that you could necessarily live in for 15+ years and raise a family in.
As of right now, these lower tier homes are beings scooped up by investors, with some Wall Street hedge funds buying in quantity, further reducing supply of the entry level housing stock.
Personally, I think the impact of student loan debt on first time home buying is underrated - it probably is a bigger factor than most give it credit for. Heck it kept me out of the market for almost ten years. I had to pay down my student loan debt before I could even think about applying for a mortgage. (at least, by traditional lending standards, which as we know were all but abandoned between 2003 and 2008.
Also, I'd also be interested to see data on the average age of the first time buyer - my bet is that it has increased over the past few years as younger families are forced to put off that first purchase.
Follow
Befriend (6)
5 threads
2,368 comments
Kevin says
B.A.C.A.H. says
Kevin says
As I thought, you are not from from the Bay Area.
See, there are many friendly non-tech-frenzied folks in neighborhoods in the region. I live in such a neighborhood like that with neighbors and friends like that.
Your description of how much it costs ($4k or something like that) to rent a house near "decent" public K-12 speaks for you: you have formed your opinion about the region based on your experiences in Fortress Neighborhoods that are priced and dominated by like-minded Recent Arrival Techies. If you would get out more from those "techie ghettoes" you'd see that there are wide swaths in the region with the diversity you described about the Seattle area. You see, we "regular folks with regular jobs" have to live somewhere.
"Racist"? You would be surprised. We are a mixed race household here with mongrel kids.