[extropy-chat] Real estate as an extropian investment

[Mike Lorrey]

--- Rik van Riel <riel at surriel.com> wrote:

> On Wed, 17 Aug 2005, Mike Lorrey wrote:
> 
> > Nope. The 2030-2050 population crash will cause a corresponding
> crash
> > in real estate prices.
> 
> I'm not convinced.  Household sizes are still shrinking and
> house sizes are still growing.  Unless there is a transportation
> (commuting) breakthrough, there will continue to be a large
> demand for real estate near large economic centers.
> 
> Well, unless the population crash is accompanied by an
> economic crash of course - but if that happens real estate
> may well end up losing less than other investments...

Expect it. Social Security, medicare, medicaid: all bankrupt and
imposing crushing tax burdens totalling 70%+ of average americans
income. The only saving grace will be the baby boomers dying off,
paying massive death taxes, and leaving the younger generation quite
wealthy, personally as well as through control of non-profit
organizations. It will, however, only be SOME of the younger generation
getting their hands on that wealth.

1/3rd-1/4th of the US population is scheduled to die between 2015 and
2035, and most of them will not accept life extension or cryonic
suspension. If we have any real biodisasters, that fraction could be
higher. A good avian flu could kill half the population alone.

> 
> > Government in the US owns about 40% of the land here (not sure of
> stats
> > in other nations, though Canada seems significantly higher).
> Private
> > land trusts and corps own another 30%.
> 
> Most of that land is in the middle of nowhere though, and
> consequently not in high demand.

Actually, a lot of it is very valuable land, with a lot of highly
valuable resources, IF it were available for exploitation. Its in the
middle of nowhere because development there has been restricted. All of
north america was once the middle of nowhere.

Granted, much is in the western US which has severe water problems
right now. That is a technology issue, but also a government issue.
Most western states, the state controls the water, very highly
regulated. Deregulate it and see the west flourish.

Mike Lorrey
Vice-Chair, 2nd District, Libertarian Party of NH
Founder, Constitution Park Foundation:
http://constitutionpark.blogspot.com
Personal/political blog: http://intlib.blogspot.com


		
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