The Difference a Couple Decades Makes

Two Pictures, same town...

Not so crammed in...

Really crammed in.

Notice how the older neighborhood has single level homes, versus the new neighborhoods with mainly two story homes. Plan to buy single level, because they are going to come at a premium when these people start aging and having orthopedic surgeries and can't climb stairs very well. Two stories are a hassle.

Sheeple

The Year 2005

Got a real bargain on this here pen for me and the wife...and I can't wait to see how much it's worth in a couple years. With my ARM, my payments are very reasonable, and the banker told us that we can refinance in a few years when the loan resets. It's alright that the neighbors are right on top of us...our realtor told us that this is a really quiet neighborhood and that the sheeple are friendly.

Really? We took some equity out on our pen and made some repairs, put in a grassy patch, and bought a new SUV (sheep utility vehicle). Can't wait to refinance at a fixed rate.


The Year 2007
What do you mean I can't refinance with a fixed rate loan? Lies! All lies!
Now I'm stuck with these stinkin' neighbors right on top of me. More lies!

Mission Possible???

Desperate times...

...call for desperate measures.

This is a task that can only be accomplished by a three story tall blow-up bird.

The goal of this company is to sell 100 homes in 10 days. They are advertising over 10 million dollars worth of savings. Does that mean they would have made 10 million dollars in the good 'ol days?

Happy Meal

Notice the Hummer, Denali, big boat, two jet skis, and customized swimming pool all on one postage stamp sized lot. Welcome to the new millennium. This isn't just a McMansion...it's a Happy Meal with toys.

More Signs of the Times

About a year and a half ago, people had to put their names in for a lottery to buy these homes. Now...they're "available" by the dozens...and cheaper too.

Speedway Livin'

Rockford Speedway

Rockford, Illinois

This speedway was built in the early 1950's in the country to make sure it wasn't a disturbance to anyone. That was back when people actually had common sense. Now urban sprawl has closed in, and houses are within a quarter mile and neighbors are complaining about the noise disturbance, traffic, and fumes.

A moment of silence for the unintelligent please.

Okay, now, what the heck?!? What were these people thinking when they looked out the backyards of their potential homes and saw a speedway there? Now they have the nerve to complain, and want the track shut down. What happened to using common sense and not building residential housing near a race track, and then the ultimate in stupidity of actually buying a home there? Good luck selling...you deserve to be lulled to sleep by the sounds of roaring engines, drunk fans, and crashing metal. I don't feel sorry for you.

As a side note: If you ever get a chance to go to the trailer races at the Rockford Speedway, by all means GO. You will have the best time. I guarantee it, and you don't have to be a hillbilly to appreciate it, although it helps.

Green Acres

Now this is more like it! It isn't too far from the house shown below. Beautiful home, big yard, nice pool, trees, privacy, and I would guess in the same price range. "Green acres is the place to be...farm livin' is the life for me...land spreadin' out so far and wide...something, something, something..."

Big Hat, No Horse

This beautiful home is sitting on a super small lot. I've never seen such a big house on such a small lot. Only in California I guess. Do they do this in other states? Let me know...I'm curious.

Where Should I Put the Pool?

The $350,000 yard.

This is a typical size yard of a new home in California. About the same size of yard is on the other side of the house. If you don't like the great outdoors, then this is ideal. If you want a bigger lot you'll have to pay more of course, or look in some older neighborhoods.

So where should I put the pool? Just for fun, I think I should call a pool company for an estimate and get all bent out of shape when they say there is just no way.

Left Undone

Notice all of the empty lots. How many houses could be crammed in this area? Possibly 100's?

The sign offers:

1. No payments until 2008.

2. Only $500 down payment.

3. Only $1 closing cost.

This is a good example of trying to keep home prices up. Unfortunately or fortunately, depends upon which side of the line one is on, home prices keep falling with few people buying.

Independence Day

George Washington
Some Quotes From Our First President:

We ought to be persuaded that the propitious smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which heaven itself has ordained.

One of his officers, Henry Lee, summed up contemporary public opinion of Washington: First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.

If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.

We ought not to look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dear-bought experience.If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War.

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.

As to pay, Sir, I beg leave to assure the Congress that as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous employment at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any profit from it.

A government is like fire, a handy servant, but a dangerous master.

It's Bush's Fault

Perhaps this is Bush's fault? Or a bad childhood?

Would you buy a house in this neighborhood? There are a lot of them for sale! How would you like to look out and see this going down during your open house? Nice! Great place to raise the kids. Just throw them outside and sit in your recliner.

Houses in this neighborhood go for $379,900 to anywhere as high as $650,000. Wonder where these characters came up with the money for their house? Adjustable rate, no money down maybe? Brain surgeons possibly? Meth? Crack?