[quote author="NewportSkipper" date=1252021207][quote author="awgee" date=1252021021][quote author="NewportSkipper" date=1252019496][quote author="EvaLSeraphim" date=1252019025][quote author="NewportSkipper" date=1252018051]There are thousands upon thousands of loans being paid today under these exact circumstances. People know value will return in time.</blockquote>
I think you are sweeping with a broad brush there. While some people may be motivated by the future possibility of the Ben Billfolds Five reinflating the bubble, there are others who, among other possibilities, (1) like their house, can afford the mortgage (if any), and will stay, or (2) will beg, borrow, steal, work multiple jobs and/or take on renters because (a) they like the house / neighborhood and don't want to move, (b) they don't want to face the embarrassment of foreclosure, or (c) they don't want to ruin their credit, or (d) believe they need to perform their part of the contract.
I'm just not ready to say I know the thinking of thousands of people, and in part that is because I know people in all of the categories I listed.
I know we have all been talking about AV as a sample, but I would really like to see some numbers for Ladera. The Foreclosure Radar map has shown that place with a bad case of measles for something like two years now, plus with all the people who bought "extra" properties for flipping, I think you would find a fair amount of shadow inventory. <---- I don't have any numbers on this and it is based on observation and anecdotes (the plural of which is, of course, not data), but I think that is one of the where you will find it.</blockquote>
I agree completely. I meant in addtition to what you mentioned, they also believe value will return. In Awgee's example, a $100,000 loss is offset by around 13% appreciation. The only way to recover is to stay leveraged. Bailing and starting over is not an option.</blockquote>
I am sure there are folks who will hold on. In investing, it is called "throwing good money after bad" and it is what the majority will do in that situation, so you may be very right.</blockquote>
What do you suppose the damage is in the alternative? It is steep and longlasting and far exceeds a paper loss of $100,000. Now, being upside down $300k on $600k is another matter altogether.</blockquote>
Cut your losses short, let your winnings ride.
If I go long a stock, and it moves in the opposite direction from what I think it will do, I have a predetermined price at which I sell, even before I buy the stock. If it hits that price, I sell. Never hold a stock trying to make up for losses. Make money, winnings, by riding a winning hand. You can not make money by holding onto a losing hand or riding a losing investment.
People holding on to real estate in order to mitigate their current loss, will IMO be waiting until the bottom, and they will capitulate at the bottom. The majority always do. The majority hold on, and hold on, and hold on to avoid the pain of the loss and then they finally sell at the bottom. The maority will ride the loss until the pain is just too great. And then they wil sell. That is why the minority make money. And it will always be this way.
It is human nature to be a part of a community. It is human nature to go with the crowd. In most of life, there is safety in numbers. Investing is the exact opposite.
You may think I am a bit crazy.
Many of the folks here know my history.
We levered up in 2000 on a home.
The price of our home doubled by 2005. We made 400% or 500% on our equity.
We sold in the summer of 2005.
I have since more than doubled our net worth in investments.
This in minorly a brag and mostly a history in order to establish credibility that I know of what I speak when it comes to investing.
Holding on in order to recoup losses is for losers. That is ok. At least they will be in the same boat as many other, which is what makes most people feel secure anyhows.
This real estate cycle will be no different.