Flipping Off the Speculators

There should be a law you cannot sell your house for more than the purchase price, plus improvements. No Realtors! If that had been done 50 years ago kids would live in the same town as their parents. We would not have McMansionification! There would be contractors earning a decent wage, "improving" homes and building new ones. The California Screaming Green Real Estate Frenzy is the grandest display abject naked greed on the planet. Someone tell me what a Real Estate Agent does that contributes any "value add" to the deal other than glorified taxi service. The dreaded "Government" should provide all standard escrow services and a craigslist could provide notice of sale offerings. But oh forbid that the people get out from under the hand of the capitalist "Good governance" privateers. I mean after all hasn't anyone noticed the 70% shift in assets to the top 1% in the last fifteen years? Real estate is part and parcel of that offensive.

Now let us here the "down with communism, socialism, you must hate America, get government out of my life moronic drivel that the capitalist' spew and the brainwashed minions regurgitate like puppets on a string. Yeah, lets protect the Realtors that have literally driven us out of town! Everyone who does not own a house here spends 50-60% of their income to live here. Pass the rental income check please.

You do not want to hear what I have to say about carpetbaggers, I mean speculators, and people who live off of real estate. I believe in the insect world they are called parasites.

Check the Federal Government Site: www.govsales.gov/HTML/INDEX.HTM
and
www.ofa.dgs.ca.gov/OSPR/default.htm

I view these websites for affordable, NON Realtors!
Also, NEVER englect to veiw the Foreclorsure Market for the best Bank deals.

Charles.

These "speculators" have run out local businesses and familes that have been productive vital members of our community for generations. Time to turn the tables.

These people have gamed the community. Look at the problem the hospital is having recruiting qualified doctors and other staff to support the new facilities. The people of Santa Barbara have to determine if they want to be a healthy community or a real estate casino community? Where are the city and county official with the chops to help change this situation? Rember, Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered.

“Now let us here [hear – I just couldn't avoid the correction] the "down with communism, socialism, you must hate America, get government out of my life moronic drivel that the capitalist' spew and the brainwashed minions regurgitate like puppets on a string.”

Ok, comrade I'm on the string. And nice attempt in heading off any constructive critique.

BTW a major portion of the cost of living involves federal, state, and local taxes, as well as food costs, energy costs, job environment, political structure, business investment potential, etc. All place external pressures on housing costs. If a beautiful city is located in a state that is as anti-business and tax happy as California, with a standard of living that is amongst the lowest in the U.S., and its citizens live under the burden of an failing state government supported by equally dense citizens; the only people that could live there would be the wealthy. They have the money to put up with the BS and pay the taxes. All others are renters. This is a significant factor in driving up housing prices – not the evil dastardly realtors...who generally are not that wealthy – but who's letting reality get in the way. Dastardly, evil, greedy realtors and investors makes for better copy.

If you are suggesting that price controls would work...then you are as ignorant about economics as you are about history. But remember, saying it is the fault of dastardly, evil, greedy realtors and investors makes for better copy.

Now here is a solution. Be creative. Oops did I say be creative? Yep. Find foreclosures, look into Banked owned property, look for a family angel, structure lease options (I checked the periodicals today and there are 45 lease option properties listed which generally means that there are more like 150 out there).

Now stop whining, roll your sleeves up, stop looking to government to entitle you and create an plan. Then execute. Otherwise you will never succeed. Daniel Petry

Pertaining to the last comment, I do agree that there are many issues that go into high cost of living. Including the issues with unfriendly business enviornment and excessive taxes. I believe the intent of the letter above is not to trash capitalism or to consider success a bad thing. The point is that in Santa Barbara the cost of living has become warped to the point that the community itself is suffering. When it comes to the point that well educated professional people can't even afford to live in S.B. then the city as a whole will suffer. Look at all the homeless folks along the beach?

Regarding foreclosures etc.- yes, this is a option. However, my looking into this area thus far has shown that the flippers and the speculators have jumped in full force and have scooped up most of the viable properties. In doing so they have artificially jacked up the cost of what could be a vialble property for a professional person putting it out of reach. I have no problem with making a profit. However, when these type of people get a hold of these properties their excessive greed kicks in and the city as a whole suffers.

It sounds like the author of the letter above has a genuine love for Santa Barbara and wants to make it his home. He seems frustrated by what he has found. Rather than throwing mud around, how about posting some constructive advice or leads for him so he can find his home in the sun by the sea.........