Archive for May, 2008
The Race To Come?
Thursday, May 29th, 2008
I’m not too good at predicting politics, but, wouldn’t this make for a totally kick ass race?
McCain and Palin
Obama and Sebelius
Can you picture Palin and Sebelius going at it in a debate? It would be an absolute media frenzy.
Bubble v3.0
Thursday, May 29th, 2008
If this “speculative bubble in commodities” is just like every other bubble over the last few decades, it will meet its pin and those who dabbled in natural resource investments will get their fingers burned just like those who bought Pets.com in 1999 and Miami condos in 2005.
Peaks and Troughs
Thursday, May 29th, 2008
On the Emerald Coast, most of what I’ve seen for vacation rental property in mid to upper level developments show a majority of owners took out teaser or interest only hybrid ARMS with reset that peak in 2007, 2009, and 2011 (3/5/7). You read about it in the blogs and hear about it on the news, but its pretty facinating when you dig into county records and actually “see it”.
Obama Question
Thursday, May 29th, 2008
I’ve heard rumors recently that Obama has said he would like to reduce or restructure the home sale tax break on capital gains. I can’t find anything on this, so at this point it is completely unsubstantiated. If there’s anyone out there who has accurate data either way, please post in the comments.
Iraq
Tuesday, May 27th, 2008
Regardless of who wins next November, large troop draw downs are inevitable. The Maliki government has shown its ability to lead, reconciliation laws have been passed, the Iraqi military is finally showing it has the ability to police the nation, oil production is above pre-war levels, the utility grid now produces more power than it did pre-war, numerous international agreements for oil exploration have been made, reconstruction is in full swing, violence is at an all time low, troop and civilian deaths are at an all time low, … the list goes on and on.
This war is over, and we won it. e.o.m.
7$ A Gallon
Friday, May 23rd, 2008
If oil hits $200 a barrel, which is the upper end of Goldman Sach’s prediction for prices over the next six months to two years, the gasoline picture changes quite dramatically. At $200 a barrel, crude alone would cost $4.76 a gallon. Add on the costs of refining and distributing as well as taxes, and pump prices could rise to a range of $6 to $7 a gallon.
Down here, that could seriously affect the vacation rental business, which in turn would exacerbate the vacation rental property business. The stars are aligning for a major re-adjustment in the real estate market for the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast.
Peak Oil
Friday, May 23rd, 2008
If you’re not subscribed to The Oil Drum, you should be.
Did She Really Say That?
Friday, May 23rd, 2008
John Hoffmeister from Shell Oil: I can guarantee to the American people because of the inaction of the United States Congress ever increasing prices unless the demand comes down and the five dollars will look like a very low price in the years to come if we are prohibited from finding new reserves and new opportunities to increase supplies.
Rep. Maxine Waters: And, guess what this liberal will be all about? This liberal will be about socializing… uh, will be about, basically taking over and the government running all of your companies.
Florida
Thursday, May 22nd, 2008
Interesting note, I filled up the other day and noticed the same thing here as my California post. The only difference was the gallons amount which was 24 instead of 20. Turns out the even number on the purchase ($100.00) is typical, it’s the maximum pre-approval amount most stations run on credit cards before they approve a purchase. I’m just glad I don’t drive whatever filled up before me. 
Tick Tock
Tuesday, May 20th, 2008
“Interestingly, this demographic time bomb that is now about to go off has been known and understood for years, decades even. Nothing was done about it. Sadly, it’s too late now. The only choices at this point are a cutback in promised benefits or increased taxes on the working population. I expect both are about to happen.”
