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Share with us the shape of your portfolio

Discussions about the economic and financial ramifications of PEAK OIL

Re: Share with us the shape of your portfolio

Postby mkwin » Sat 19 Jan 2008, 17:36:43

My background is in commercial real estate and I think it could possibly be a good investment post-peak. There will, however, be an almighty crash in values before then. Why don't you realise your gain and reinvest the money in the usual kind of things until peak oil happens then buy loads of real estate at rock bottom prices?

I plan to buy land and warehouses around railway stations and other transport nodes and residential if there is a post-peak property crash. By this time the yields will be far more attractive than they are now and if inflation becomes a problem rising rents can offset it to a certain extent if you have prime property. It will also be excellent in a deflationary problem, as the relative value of the income stream will be constantly increasing.

So yes, I understand where you are coming from but holding or buying real estate at the top of one of the world most excessive bull markets might not be the best course of action.
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Re: Share with us the shape of your portfolio

Postby threadbear » Sat 19 Jan 2008, 18:46:58

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mkwin', 'M')y background is in commercial real estate and I think it could possibly be a good investment post-peak. There will, however, be an almighty crash in values before then. Why don't you realise your gain and reinvest the money in the usual kind of things until peak oil happens then buy loads of real estate at rock bottom prices?

I plan to buy land and warehouses around railway stations and other transport nodes and residential if there is a post-peak property crash. By this time the yields will be far more attractive than they are now and if inflation becomes a problem rising rents can offset it to a certain extent if you have prime property. It will also be excellent in a deflationary problem, as the relative value of the income stream will be constantly increasing.

So yes, I understand where you are coming from but holding or buying real estate at the top of one of the world most excessive bull markets might not be the best course of action.


Mkwin, The property is co-owned, so forcing a sale is not an option. It's probably quadrupled in value, since it was purchased, so even if it lost over 50% of it's nominal value, it would be okay. We're hedged like crazy, in the event of a catastrophe.

I'm skeptical of any personal plan to increase wealth during chaotic times. The system may break down, but it has to break down, in a way and at a time that can be predicted. I just want to preserve income and capital, at this point.

I think it's utter folly to be invested in oil companies, for the long term, for example. I have little faith that one of the outcomes of the future chaos won't be a drastic reduction in the consumption of oil and other commodities, oil in particular.

Your plans look good...for you...I bet you're much younger than me. That's another consideration...Whippersnapper!
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Re: Share with us the shape of your portfolio

Postby cube » Sat 19 Jan 2008, 22:05:00

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MrBill', '.')..
Resource nationalization is a fact of life in the oil business.
...
Unfortunately Joe Sixpack doesn't know this. Every time the price of gasoline goes up by 50 cents you'll see people standing around holding up "Exxon is evil" protest signs. Of course there will always be that 1 politician to "seize the opportunity" to spearhead a congressional investigation into oil price fixing. And finally the mainstream media, who thrive on sensationalism, loves to report this.

I've given up trying to talk to everyday people. Every time I open my mouth and suggest that the oil majors are NOT the ones in control; people shoot me down in 2 seconds and think I'm the dumbest, naive, and most ignorant fool around.

*shrug shoulders...I give up*
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Re: Share with us the shape of your portfolio

Postby MrBill » Sun 20 Jan 2008, 06:35:07

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('cube', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MrBill', '.')..
Resource nationalization is a fact of life in the oil business.
...
Unfortunately Joe Sixpack doesn't know this. Every time the price of gasoline goes up by 50 cents you'll see people standing around holding up "Exxon is evil" protest signs. Of course there will always be that 1 politician to "seize the opportunity" to spearhead a congressional investigation into oil price fixing. And finally the mainstream media, who thrive on sensationalism, loves to report this.

I've given up trying to talk to everyday people. Every time I open my mouth and suggest that the oil majors are NOT the ones in control; people shoot me down in 2 seconds and think I'm the dumbest, naive, and most ignorant fool around.

*shrug shoulders...I give up*


I went to an awsome 60s party last night. Spent way too much money, but it was all for chairty! Opps, sorry, wrong thread! ; - )

Oh yah, I was watching Euronews yesterday and they had sound bites from Wyoming (I think) from Hillary's townhall meeting. I quote from memory:

"I want to freeze interest rates for 5-years" Hillary Clinton

We are all FCK'd because politicians like Hillary think they can confiscate profits from oil companies or dictate monetary policy to the central bank at will!

Nevermind they are publicly traded companies and belong to their private shareholders or that the central bank is independent. The public policy response to peak oil and resource depletion in general will be straight out of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged. Government sponsored expropriation of anything of any value!

That naturally complicates any investment strategy. However, I still prefer property because of its income flow, and I reckon, correctly or incorrectly, that this will be the last bastion of the economy not expropriated by the government. I may be wrong, but you have to invest somewhere?
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Re: Share with us the shape of your portfolio

Postby seahorse » Sun 20 Jan 2008, 11:15:03

Freeze interest rates? Who will buy our bonds?
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Re: Share with us the shape of your portfolio

Postby drew » Sun 20 Jan 2008, 12:32:43

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('seahorse', 'F')reeze interest rates? Who will buy our bonds?



Ah soundbites! They'll say absolutely anything to get elected won't they?

The recent 'tears' were a good trick too.

I remember that she was just about as dirty as her hubby when the microscopes came out during the Lewinsky affair.

Ah politicians.

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Re: Share with us the shape of your portfolio

Postby drew » Sun 20 Jan 2008, 12:46:38

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mkwin', 'S')o yes, I understand where you are coming from but holding or buying real estate at the top of one of the world most excessive bull markets might not be the best course of action.



I have similar concerns especially since I may have an opportunity to buy the hovel next door. Sorry, I meant junk yard. My elderly neighbour died a few months back and he was an extraordinary pack rat. He would collect garbage and junk people didn't want from their garage sales and lovingly store it in his house and enormous yard. His kids have the same genome (I've seen one of their homes) and their idea of a cleaned up property and most other peoples' are very different.

Anyways I expect that they will ask way too much since the property will be about a quarter restored and they won't be able to find a buyer. The kids (in their 50s/60s) must be getting tired, they have been working for months now and have barely made a dent. A family friend told us they wanted out in the spring.

Thoughts on flipping/renting it out anyone? There are zero signs of a slowdown in our housing market (yet)

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Re: Share with us the shape of your portfolio

Postby seahorse » Sun 20 Jan 2008, 12:51:34

Drew,

I don't know. I would be careful, but I tend to be overly cautious. There is a good article out today that says China and the world cannot decouple from the slow down in the US. So, I can't help but think the slowdown here will affect you up there.

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Re: Share with us the shape of your portfolio

Postby drew » Sun 20 Jan 2008, 13:27:59

Thanks Seahorse. Just needed to have someone echo my thoughts I guess.

As for the property, it always blows me away when I watch those house flipping shows and the boneheads don't seem to get the level of risk they are taking on. In my case I could afford the venture only by flipping or renting out. I simply dont earn enough to do anything else.

As for the structure of the house (that I know of) the risks/costs are excessive water damage from a long leaking roof (crappily reshingled by sons last year), a complete rework/gut of the electrical, possible (likely) leaky foundation which may require weeping tile/sump, completely new kitchen and baths.

This is my brief assessment and I actually know what I'm doing to a limited extent. These risks combined with the potential of a huge downturn are what I'd be gambling with.

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Re: Share with us the shape of your portfolio

Postby MrBill » Sun 20 Jan 2008, 13:48:18

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('drew', 'T')hanks Seahorse. Just needed to have someone echo my thoughts I guess.

As for the property, it always blows me away when I watch those house flipping shows and the boneheads don't seem to get the level of risk they are taking on. In my case I could afford the venture only by flipping or renting out. I simply dont earn enough to do anything else.

As for the structure of the house (that I know of) the risks/costs are excessive water damage from a long leaking roof (crappily reshingled by sons last year), a complete rework/gut of the electrical, possible (likely) leaky foundation which may require weeping tile/sump, completely new kitchen and baths.

This is my brief assessment and I actually know what I'm doing to a limited extent. These risks combined with the potential of a huge downturn are what I'd be gambling with.

Drew


Don't even touch it, Drew. Art is making something out of nothing. But if you overpay and have to invest too much it is not worth it. Forget flipping it! Wrong end of the cycle. If you had a good house, but rundown, or good farmland, okay. But if you have neither it is just buying another job. And a poorly paid one. I had the same dilemma this year. A quarter for sale near us. But way too expensive. It could not pay for itself. Und tschuess! ; - )
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Re: Share with us the shape of your portfolio

Postby drew » Sun 20 Jan 2008, 14:22:28

Hey Mr Bill, what are you doing here, it's sunday! Or are you at work?

Thanks for the concern....

Dont worry though, about me paying too much, that's not my nature.

I wouldn't buy it for any more than 150. My property is worth 3 and half as a guideline. I am on 3/4 of an acre, the property in question is about 9/10ths the size. Way cheaper structure though; wood maybe 1200 sq feet vs my 1700 all brick home. The property across the road has no lawn (maybe 10~15 feet of land around it) and sold for 200 k last year. The lot alone next door is worth 100k.

The risks are very very real even assessing the above. My minimum acceptable gain would be a purchase at 150, 50 k in reno costs and a resale for 250. Seriously, I should send you a photo, the place is a dump.

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Re: Share with us the shape of your portfolio

Postby threadbear » Sun 20 Jan 2008, 15:13:26

Cautious by nature, wins in the end, Drew. Stay cautious--as a matter of fact, try cautious with a touch of paranoia! :lol:
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Re: Share with us the shape of your portfolio

Postby drew » Sun 20 Jan 2008, 19:43:14

Oh I've had the paranoia for a while now. That's psychedelics for ya.

thanks for the caution!

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Re: Share with us the shape of your portfolio

Postby Zardoz » Mon 21 Jan 2008, 03:55:16

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('drew', '.').Thoughts on flipping/renting it out anyone? There are zero signs of a slowdown in our housing market (yet).

Oh it'll come, and when it does, you'll see things like this:

Bad timing

How do you know that your market will not collapse right after you buy the property?
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Re: Share with us the shape of your portfolio

Postby drew » Mon 21 Jan 2008, 19:39:12

thanks Zardoz, I looked!

Yikes!

Damn, I couldn't time the passing of my neighbour right either......


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Re: Share with us the shape of your portfolio

Postby eastbay » Mon 21 Jan 2008, 21:32:22

Zardoz... emulation is maybe the highest compliment. I just posted that link last night on the housing bubble thread...

It does make for some entertaining reading, doesn't it? It's a story repeated all over California... and across much of the nation.
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Re: Share with us the shape of your portfolio

Postby MrBill » Thu 31 Jan 2008, 05:25:37

Not sure what a LIRA is? An RRSP? But at this point in the cycle with some rough waters ahead of us, I would be looking at low-cost tracker funds spread across different asset classes and bonds for capital preservation. Not very sexy, but defensive. More a Granny than an Elly May! ; - )

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