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It seems to me, some relief in government permitting would go a long to assist housing. When you have these situations, like Pacific Palisades, where 18 months later, government just stops everything - denying rebuilding - it's a tragedy. My own experience, in Northern Illinois, Chicagoland - hit home for me. Being a Berkshire owner - I was impressed at the quality, speed and cost of many of the Clayton Homes on display in Omaha. I sought out Clayton and discussed with their dealers. Result: Clayton told me they "can't" build in Chicago land because of building codes, permitting as a result of "union protection". Basically, it's impossible. I owned some vacant land - and figured it would work well as an investment property - the numbers were attractive - but not with the political power of unions controlling local government. It makes me suspicious of places like CA knowing all the barriers in ILL. Not at all a big deal for me - but if you are a first time home,,, another story.

The usual whiners and complainers (not you) extrapolate present events into the indefinite future, just like they always do. They sound like a broken record and assess blame to suit their narrative. Nary a solution, that would require some thought.

ADBE and FRFHF

Uhh...not exactly.

Speaking of this, noticed UBS upped their STX target from $545, to....drumroll, $860....why? Nothing changed, stonk went up. Thats how they do things these days.

There is too much of the wrong kind of housing stock (one room condos built &/or pre-construction), that are selling at distressed prices as interest rates rise and prices fall .... wiping out new buyer and speculator equity. Too little of the needed stock in the right places, and new build cost too expensive for the target market. That 2-3 bedroom in the suburbs, plus transport to/from work, plus the required car to get around too expensive for the family that would live in it. The service cost (mortgage, utils, etc.) on the new build cost of the 2-3 bedroom condo near a rail terminal too expensive as well. The hope is higher income &/or higher migration, yet average income is falling, and ICE is systematically reducing population via deportation. House prices either fall as service costs rise, or those living in the house are increasingly multi-generational ..... living on different floors, vs rooms on the same floor. Not most older 2-3 bedroom housing stock, and the US doesn't do multi-generational (grand parents, parents, kids all in the same house) living well. Ageing populations worsening it. The Toronto experience ....... SD

Absolutely, earn more. I’m not sure there really is a political fix to the housing issue. California made a lot of reforms to streamline the construction of guest houses, and costs have continued to go up. Labor and materials and modern building codes are very expensive everywhere. If anything lowers the price of construction it’s going to be technology or manufacturing companies, not politicians. And it feels to me like there’s more upside to rent than there is to house prices themselves. So accepting “I’ll never own a home” is very risky.

Looks like the rotation is beginning....some of these names are starting to run away already

Oh my god! The Clintons, Biden and Obama were ALL FINED for several campaign finance violations! Moreover - the Clintons led the way in showing their Presidential successors in how to set up a "Foundation" and stuff their pockets with hundreds of millions of dollars - while selling political influence! Hillary to the Russians - "Donate to my Husband's foundation - and I'll give you all the US uranium you want - don't forget - I'm Secretary of State and I will be the next US President!" Joe Biden to the Chinese and Ukrainians - "Shut down those investigations , fund my crackhead son's phony "hedge fund" and give him no-show board seats - and I'll release the billions in aid to your country"

Pretty cool website here to track the various foundations of Warren's kids: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v1/470824755-sherwood-foundation/?page=2 https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v1/470824756-howard-g-buffett-foundation/ https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v1/470824753-novo-foundation/ It'll be interesting to see if these foundations follow Warren's mandate to give it all away within a certain period of time.

Says the pot to the kettle.

Just finished the second book in Conn Iggulden's Nero trilogy. Figured I'd take a break from ancient Roman political violence & intrigue by reading Red Rising.

Here is a story from the economist about Indian airports. Several references to BALI. India is adding a lot more airport capacity than I was aware of, but it sounds like they don't typically have good ground transportation. Isn't BALI working on having a train come to the terminal from the city center? https://archive.is/wQwsN

I think it might be time for you to take your pills again.

Enjoy!, Charlie [ @Charlie ]! , It's going to become a few awesome weeks! - -Perhaps throw in two, perhaps three books from your 'antilibrary' to chew through on the patio, when in the mood, and weather and daily plans with wife and boys permits!

May she rest in piss.

Never forget.

LOL https://www.forbes.com/sites/danalexander/2017/06/06/how-donald-trump-shifted-kids-cancer-charity-money-into-his-business/

Cubs, they don't forget; they ignore. That's all part of the narrative.

Nothing like funding the majority of your own 2016 campaign out of your own pocket, denying any special groups influence. Nothing like donating your entire Presidential 8 year salary. How soon we forget.

The man was an embarrassment to the human race. I wouldn't spit on his grave when I could piss on it instead.

Yep. Thank goodness for State borders. The only opinions who counted were those of his constituents. Isn't it ironic that those who knew him best from both sides of the aisle were quick to sing his praises even though they didn't always agree?

Looting has an all time leader Cubs; that's your man! No one compares.

Mike [ @cubsfan ], I know, as also discussed recently among you and @Spekulatius above, ... on which I read here you two to agree, on which the second package considered unnecessary.

There were 2 separate trillion dollar stimulus packages in the USA - one entirely necessary, the second one an utter disaster. How soon we forget.