It is important to design products for what buyers could afford. (DO NOT TAKE POLL: POLL CLOSED)

NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
[quote author="caycifish" date=1232079838]

The software "knows" that you have voted so that it can make the poll read-only or not for your account. This means that your vote is in some way tied to your account in the forums database.



Do I think that Zovall has way better things to do than write a query against his own database to see how various IHBers voted in a particular poll? Yes, I'm pretty sure he does.

</blockquote>


For the record, I voted (and voted honestly!) in the poll. I just wanted to address why some people may not be comfortable doing so.



Although, that data does present an opportunity for targeted marketing! :cheese:
 
[quote author="caycifish" date=1232079838]



Oh, and I drive a Nissan.</blockquote>


Yeah, but it ain't no GG-special Sentra...Graph must have that recessive gene that selects for female drivers of RWD cars.
 
Honda Accord owner here. About 260k miles on the odometer, and still going strong. Had to replace radiator once, and the engine overheats if idling too long with AC on, that's about it (I've already replaced the thermostat, so think it's a water pump problem).



I've owned 2 Hondas and am happy with the Accord. The Civic won't stand up to as much abuse as the Accord -- I take my Honda on dirt/muddy roads around Irvine Lake and Chino Hills. @_@;; Look under my car and you might find clumps of mud. My only beef is that Honda's paint job is pretty skimpy. You'll need to repaint the car after 6-8 years, or else it'd start flaking off. The multi-layered paint on Mercedes Benz is much longer-lasting, but you get what you paid for.



<img src="http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:QvQXc2fp-dTKuM:http://bp1.blogger.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/Rnu8mqR6ZVI/AAAAAAAAM24/JPxmWk0_-pg/s400/Honda-Logo_3D.jpg" alt="" />



I'd love to get one of these:



<img src="http://jalopnik.com/cars/assets/resources/2007/10/Honda_CRZ_Concept.jpg" alt="" />



But most likely end up with one of these:



<img src="http://www.hybridcars.com/files/new-insight-full.jpg" alt="" />



Hmm. So why does the new Insight look just like a Prius? >_>
 
[quote author="momopi" date=1232086986]Hmm. So why does the new Insight look just like a Prius? >_></blockquote>
Probably for the same reason planes have two laterally aligned wings; when the main goal is to reduce air resistance, physics is going to dictate the same shape for the same requirements.



The real question is why aren't they offering more attractive hybrids? Would you buy an Acura TL if it used the Insight powertrain but only offered 30 MPG city and 33 MPG hwy for $10,000 more than the regular TL?
 
BK, do you include bonus in income? If so, do you consider potential/expected bonus or look at what was given last year?



This can make a big difference for some people.
 
[quote author="Oscar" date=1232088907][quote author="momopi" date=1232086986]Hmm. So why does the new Insight look just like a Prius? >_></blockquote>
Probably for the same reason planes have two laterally aligned wings; when the main goal is to reduce air resistance, physics is going to dictate the same shape for the same requirements.



The real question is why aren't they offering more attractive hybrids? Would you buy an Acura TL if it used the Insight powertrain but only offered 30 MPG city and 33 MPG hwy for $10,000 more than the regular TL?</blockquote>


I think that was tried with the Accord hybrid. Didn't work.
 
[quote author="Roo" date=1232091324]BK, do you include bonus in income? If so, do you consider potential/expected bonus or look at what was given last year?



This can make a big difference for some people.</blockquote>


As long you feel that the bonus is steady and consistent.
 
The graph is approaching a bell curve which should be theorethically correct. However, I am still surprised by the average income of 108 entries averaging at 222k which is higher than most wealthiest towns in America. Affordability at 3x income is around 666k for the average home. The next task is to establish the average family size with another poll.
 
Members addicted to this housing-porn site represent the upper income strata. Having a site that attracts Elites is difficult. Zovall have you thought about product placement targeting the upper class? Just kidding.
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1232105839]However, I am still surprised by the average income of 108 entries averaging at 222k which is higher than most wealthiest towns in America. Affordability at 3x income is around 666k for the average home.</blockquote>
Screenshot or it isn't true!! You should require scans of tax returns!!
 
[quote author="skek" date=1231996679][quote author="bkshopr" date=1231992253]The average income indicated on this survey is certainly not that far off to qualifying the WTF pricings that the builders are asking for.</blockquote>


Someone mentioned in one of the threads (maybe this one) that finally, $100k is starting to <em>feel</em> like a good salary again. Well said. That is going to be end result of this deleveraging and deflation -- people will no longer be able to spend illusory money, and those who worked hard to make real salaries are going to finally see our buying power explode. And frankly, it's already starting to happen.</blockquote>


Of the housing and economic blogs I follow, this site is full of the most optimists. Most of the discussions I've followed in the last few years on other sites have been about prepping for the next great depression. But here, I feel like buying an affordable house is a realistic possibility. It brings me more hope than when I read how other people are learning how to cook squirrel or preparing for roving mobs of angry unemployed youths.



So how secure is everyone in their jobs? Are you sure your down payment won't turn into your emergency fund? Or worse, if that money will even be there by the time you need it?



<a href="http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2008/12/cartoon-some-things-never-change.html">This cartoon</a> sums up my concerns about the future.
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1232108599]Members addicted to this housing-porn site represent the upper income strata. Having a site that attracts Elites is difficult. Zovall have you thought about product placement targeting the upper class? Just kidding.</blockquote>


<img src="http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=tbn&q=http://media.bonnint.net/slc/596/59611/5961165.jpg&usg=AFQjCNGYWJugjHskKzq0WMD2SJ7c5gD3Rg" alt="" />



<img src="http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=tbn&q=http://therecord.blogs.com/andrewstikilounge/images/2008/07/24/grey_poupon.jpg&usg=AFQjCNGnpOQ9oOzm5ix4C4kBHy38BVdUCQ" alt="" />
 
Statistics are always so fascinating. The fact that we pretty much have a perfect bell curve is great. This isn't a large sample, but the fact that the general bell curve has appeared tells me that people are telling the truth (again, why in the world would you lie?). Is it possible that a few more people belong in the 250+ category and maybe a few less in the 300+ category, that would seal the curve. I love data! (And I, too, wonder who our 600+ friends are)
 
[quote author="tmare" date=1232184177]Statistics are always so fascinating. The fact that we pretty much have a perfect bell curve is great. This isn't a large sample, but the fact that the general bell curve has appeared tells me that people are telling the truth (again, why in the world would you lie?). Is it possible that a few more people belong in the 250+ category and maybe a few less in the 300+ category, that would seal the curve. I love data! (And I, too, wonder who our 600+ friends are)</blockquote>


Give it some time the graph should reflect the perfect bell unless there are more 600+ mystery friends out there. May be they are the lurking TIC project managers interested in seeing the results of this poll.
 
The best way to sell houses in these uncertain times is to provide a guarantee or at least an illusion that overpaying is the worst thing that will happen. Catching a falling knife isn't desirable, but with a steady job, it's only money.



On the other hand, no job = no health insurance = one car accident away from financial ruin. Like I said before, that future down payment might have to be used for the things we need in life (food, shelter, medical care) rather than the things we want in life (owning a nice house with an x-car garage, Asian-friendly cabinets, in such and such school district).



I think <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/uptospeed/2009/01/hyundais-econom.html">Hyundai </a> has set a great precedent. Buyers can return a vehicle for no additional charge within 12 months of purchase if any of the following occur:

-- Involuntary unemployment

-- Physical disability

-- Loss of driver?s license for medical reasons

-- Job transfer overseas

-- Personal bankruptcy filing by a self-employed worker

-- Accidental death



I hope the corporate overlords understand this basic concern before they start salivating at this "pent up demand".
 
<a href="http://lansner.freedomblogging.com/2009/03/11/worried-about-losing-your-job-landlord-to-the-rescue/16383/">http://lansner.freedomblogging.com/2009/03/11/worried-about-losing-your-job-landlord-to-the-rescue/16383/</a>



Nice. Cars, apartments... what's next?
 
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