Thursday, October 21, 2010

4 Tips on Applying for a Credit Card

 The credit card application process can be mysterious because many credit cards issuers don't fill in the details about the most important terms of your account--the APR, minimum payment, and credit limit--until the credit history has been reviewed and the loan approved.
Here are four things Bill Hardekopf says we should pay attention to earlier rather than later in the application process:

1. Start with Credit Score

Before you apply for a credit card, get a copy of your credit report and credit score because lenders use this to set your credit card terms. If your score is lower than you anticipated, check your credit report for errors and correct those before you apply.

Your credit score will help direct you to the cards that you should consider. While scores may vary among lenders, there are some general guidelines. If your FICO score is 750 or above, you should apply for the cards specifically offered for excellent credit.

A score of 720 or above is considered good credit; 660-720 is acceptable. A score of 640-660 is considered risky and the rates will be on the high end of the rate tiers; below 640 falls into sub-prime and credit card options are limited.

"Credit card issuers pull credit reports for every application. Consumers should not waste their time and apply for a card for which they are not qualified," says Hardekopf, CEO of  LowCards.com and author of The Credit Card Guidebook. "If you apply for too many credit cards at once, this is a red flag and may actually cause your score to drop."

LowCards.com is a free, independent website that helps consumers easily compare credit cards in a variety of categories. It also gives an unbiased ranking and review for cards.

Hardekopf points to Capital One as one of the few issuers that offers consumers some helpful guidance for its credit categories. The description in their application reads:

* Excellent credit if you have: had a loan or credit card for at least five years; a credit card with a credit limit greater than $10,000; never declared bankruptcy.

* Good credit if you have: a loan or credit card for three years or more; a credit card with a credit limit above $5,000; not been more than 60 days late on any credit card, medical bill, or loan in the last year.

* Fair credit if you have: a U.S. loan or credit card; credit limit on a current credit card less than $5,000.

* Limited credit history if you have: your own credit card for less than three years or never had one; a limited credit history; a valid credit score that can be found at one of the major credit reporting companies.

2. APR

Most issuers still split the APR into interest rate tiers with three rates. If you have excellent credit, you will receive the lowest rate. If you have poor credit, you will receive the highest rate.

"If you typically carry a balance on your card, don't look at reward cards because these typically have slightly higher interest rates. Find the card with the lowest rate for your credit tier," Hardekopf says.

The federal Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act prohibits issuers from raising interest rates during the first twelve months of the account (exceptions are late payments and increase in prime rate). After this, the issuer can raise the rate but must provide a 45-day notice.

3. Compare Minimum Payments

The minimum payment percentage sets your monthly payment. The minimum payment varies by issuer and the majority of issuers do not disclose this in their terms and conditions. The minimum payment typically ranges between 1%-3%.

LowCards.com surveyed the terms and conditions of 85 online credit-card applications. Very few included minimum payment calculations in the application's fine print. Some can be very difficult to understand.

4. Credit Limit
The credit limit is the most unpredictable and most frustrating of the three elements. The best way to guess what your credit limit will be is to average the credit limit of the other cards in your wallet. However, over the past two years issuers have slashed credit limits to reduce their loan risk. As a result, the credit limit may be less than you expect.

Foxwoods turns over $15.1 million to state of CT

MASHANTUCKET, CT – Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods reported slot revenue of $56.1 million for the state of September to the state Division of Special Revenue.

Casino officials said that amount represents an increase of 2.1 percent in slot win and 4.1 percent in total slot handle ompared to September of 2009. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, the casino’s owner, also reported a $15.1 million payment to the state of Connecticut for September 2010.

Last month's contribution increases the total dollar amount given to the state to approximately $3.08 billion since January 1993, when slot machines were first introduced at Foxwoods.

"While we are pleased with September’s results, we remain keenly aware of the sluggish economy and will continue to focus on new initiatives that keep visitation strong," Mashantucket Pequot Gaming Enterprises (MPGE) President William Sherlock said in a statement. "We keep customers coming through our doors by providing them with an unparalleled entertainment experience and offering signature events that appeal to a broad audience, such as our annual Foxwoods Food & Wine Festival."

This fall the Fourth Annual Foxwoods Food & Wine Festival will run from Nov. 5 to 7, featuring nationally-acclaimed chefs from Foxwoods and Craftsteak chef/owner Tom Colicchio; Michael Schlow of Alta Strada; Paragon's Scott Mickelson; David Burke Prime's David Burke; and Foxwoods' Franck Iglesias.

There will be a variety of culinary events, from book signings to cooking demonstrations, epicurean seminars to cocktail receptions, as well as luncheons, tastings, and celebrity chef dinners.

For more information, call 1-800-FOXWOODS or visit http://www.foxwoods.com/.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Concerns Growing with ALL this Good News and Happy Investors

(Editor's Note: Paul Schatz, President of Heritage Capital, LLC, in Woodbridge, will be contributing to Fi$callyFit every Friday. Read his biography here)

The financial markets have continued higher, almost unabated since the secondary low we saw in August. I’ve written several pieces about the short and intermediate-term direction for stocks since I turned positive at the July bottom, Time to Cheer or Jeer? and Explode Higher or Implode Lower? to name a few. Although I am more than pleased to get one right for our clients, even during that tenuous week in August to test our resolve, it’s hard to be as rosy after such a big rally.




Third quarter earnings season has just begun and so far, companies are not disappointing. Intel, JP Morgan and CSX are just some of the key reports that came in better than expected. Ben Bernanke & Co. have repeatedly stated that they are ready to take further action (print another trillion or so but who’s counting) if the economy sputters. So all should be well and good, right? Not exactly. Isn't this the same behavior we saw in April as the stock market was peaking before the 15% correction?

While I am not expecting an imminent collapse, my concerns are growing that stocks have rallied hard and fast for months right into earnings season. It makes you wonder how much of the rally is based on good reports that are already baked in the cake. Historically, we've seen at least a sharp pullback within a few weeks of good earnings news after such a dramatic rise.

Investors who strongly disavowed the rally started to believe late last month and that trend is continuing right now. It seems like most of my market emails are from investors who were negative, negative, negative, but are now turning positive after being beaten up for too long simply because price has gone strongly against them. I remember all too well how difficult it was being long and wrong during a correcting market. When bears throw in the towel and start buying, the end of the rally usually isn't too far off.

The popular indices like the Dow, S&P 500 and NASDAQ are getting ever closer to the April highs, which were the highest levels of 2010. In late August, when my forecast looked like a total dud, I offered the best case scenario for the bulls in this very early morning CNBC interview. 1200 - 1220 is almost here on the S&P 500 and while that could provide some short-term fireworks, I would have to believe it to be a better selling opportunity than anything else at this point.

The mid-term election is just weeks away and it certainly seems that along with earnings, some of this rally is based on a certain outcome in the election. If the Republicans do not take control of the House, forcing political gridlock, I imagine some hot air will be let out of the market in short order.

In 1994, when Newt Gingrich & Co. swept the Democrats in the mid-term election, it took the market another month to gather itself for the epic ride higher in 1995. Back then, we did not see a major rally into the election so for sure, some of the early 1995 move was based on the delayed election resolution.

Today, although much in the financial markets seems sanguine, I continue to worry. As I've mentioned before, the higher markets go, the more I worry. One good cleansing that restores some fear will go a long way. Even though we are very long, I would hate to see the market further accelerate to the upside in a final and terminal move that would be very difficult to exit at the right time and set up 2011 in a very bad way.

FYI, I am scheduled to be on CNBC's The Call today, Friday, October 15, at 11:05am.

Feel free to email me with any questions or comments at Paul@investfortomorrow.com.

Until next time…

Paul Schatz

Heritage Capital LLC
http://www.investfortomorrow.com/
http://RetirementPlanningConnecticut.com/

Friday, October 8, 2010

What’s Wrong with California (and our country)

(Editor's Note: Paul Schatz, President of Heritage Capital, LLC, in Woodbridge, will be contributing to Fi$callyFit every Friday. Read his biography here)

I had hoped to have part II of my piece on where real estate is headed done this week. But it wasn’t to be with month end and quarter end reports along with a last minute business trip. I will do my best to have that done for next week. Thanks for your patience.

The good folks at Casey Research published an article based on the comments from one of their readers. When trying to explain all that ails his home state of California, he became frustrated during the research process. California has been without a budget for months with no end in sight. Draconian cuts need to be made, but those are politically unpopular and semi-suicidal in an election year. The bottom line is that California can’t have it both ways and neither can our country.

Without editorializing further, below you can see the unimaginable.

LIST OF EXISTING CALIFORNIA STATE AGENCIES:

California Academic Performance Index (API) * California Access for Infants and Mothers * California Acupuncture Board * California Administrative Office of the Courts * California Adoptions Branch * California African American Museum * California Agricultural Export Program * California Agricultural Labor Relations Board * California Agricultural Statistics Service * California Air Resources Board (CARB) * California Allocation Board * California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority * California Animal Health and Food Safety Services * California Anti-Terrorism Information Center * California Apprenticeship Council * California Arbitration Certification Program * California Architects Board * California Area VI Developmental Disabilities Board * California Arts Council * California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus * California Assembly Democratic Caucus * California Assembly Republican Caucus * California Athletic Commission * California Attorney General * California Bay Conservation and Development Commission * California Bay-Delta Authority * California Bay-Delta Office * California Biodiversity Council * California Board for Geologists and Geophysicists * California Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors * California Board of Accountancy * California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology * California Board of Behavioral Sciences * California Board of Chiropractic Examiners * California Board of Equalization (BOE) * California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection * California Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind * California Board of Occupational Therapy * California Board of Optometry * California Board of Pharmacy * California Board of Podiatric Medicine * California Board of Prison Terms * California Board of Psychology * California Board of Registered Nursing * California Board of Trustees * California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians * California Braille and Talking Book Library * California Building Standards Commission * California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education * California Bureau of Automotive Repair * California Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair * California Bureau of Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation * California Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine * California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services * California Bureau of State Audits * California Business Agency * California Business Investment Services (CalBIS) * California Business Permit Information (CalGOLD) * California Business Portal * California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency * California Cal Grants * California CalJOBS * California Cal-Learn Program * California CalVet Home Loan Program * California Career Resource Network * California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau * California Center for Analytical Chemistry * California Center for Distributed Learning * California Center for Teaching Careers (Teach California) * California Chancellor's Office * California Charter Schools * California Children and Families Commission * California Children and Family Services Division * California Citizens Compensation Commission * California Civil Rights Bureau * California Coastal Commission * California Coastal Conservancy * California Code of Regulations * California Collaborative Projects with UC Davis * California Commission for Jobs and Economic Growth * California Commission on Aging * California Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation * California Commission on Judicial Performance * California Commission on State Mandates * California Commission on Status of Women * California Commission on Teacher Credentialing * California Commission on the Status of Women * California Committee on Dental Auxiliaries * California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, Junior Colleges * California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office * California Complaint Mediation Program * California Conservation Corps * California Constitution Revision Commission * California Consumer Hotline * California Consumer Information Center * California Consumer Information * California Consumer Services Division * California Consumers and Families Agency * California Contractors State License Board * California Corrections Standards Authority * California Council for the Humanities * California Council on Criminal Justice * California Council on Developmental Disabilities * California Court Reporters Board * California Courts of Appeal * California Crime and Violence Prevention Center * California Criminal Justice Statistics Center * California Criminalistic Institute Forensic Library * California CSGnet Network Management * California Cultural and Historical Endowment * California Cultural Resources Division * California Curriculum and Instructional Leadership Branch * California Data Exchange Center * California Data Management Division * California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission * California Delta Protection Commission * California Democratic Caucus * California Demographic Research Unit * California Dental Auxiliaries * California Department of Aging * California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs * California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board * California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control * California Department of Boating and Waterways (Cal Boating) * California Department of Child Support Services (CDCSS) * California Department of Community Services and Development * California Department of Conservation * California Department of Consumer Affairs * California Department of Corporations * California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation * California Department of Developmental Services * California Department of Education * California Department of Fair Employment and Housing * California Department of Finance * California Department of Financial Institutions * California Department of Fish and Game * California Department of Food and Agriculture * California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) * California Department of General Services * California Department of General Services, Office of State Publishing * California Department of Health Care Services * California Department of Housing and Community Development * California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) * California Department of Insurance * California Department of Justice Firearms Division * California Department of Justice Opinion Unit * California Department of Justice, Consumer Information, Public Inquiry Unit * California Department of Justice * California Department of Managed Health Care * California Department of Mental Health * California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) * California Department of Personnel Administration * California Department of Pesticide Regulation * California Department of Public Health * California Department of Real Estate * California Department of Rehabilitation * California Department of Social Services Adoptions Branch * California Department of Social Services * California Department of Technology Services Training Center (DTSTC) * California Department of Technology Services (DTS) * California Department of Toxic Substances Control * California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) * California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVets) * California Department of Water Resources * California Departmento de Vehiculos Motorizados * California Digital Library * California Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Certification Program * California Division of Apprenticeship Standards * California Division of Codes and Standards * California Division of Communicable Disease Control * California Division of Engineering * California Division of Environmental and Occupational Disease Control * California Division of Gambling Control * California Division of Housing Policy Development * California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement * California Division of Labor Statistics and Research * California Division of Land and Right of Way * California Division of Land Resource Protection * California Division of Law Enforcement General Library * California Division of Measurement Standards * California Division of Mines and Geology * California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) * California Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources * California Division of Planning and Local Assistance * California Division of Recycling * California Division of Safety of Dams * California Division of the State Architect * California Division of Tourism * California Division of Workers' Compensation Medical Unit * California Division of Workers' Compensation * California Economic Assistance, Business and Community Resources * California Economic Strategy Panel * California Education and Training Agency * California Education Audit Appeals Panel * California Educational Facilities Authority * California Elections Division * California Electricity Oversight Board * California Emergency Management Agency * California Emergency Medical Services Authority * California Employment Development Department (EDD) * California Employment Information State Jobs * California Employment Training Panel * California Energy Commission * California Environment and Natural Resources Agency * California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) * California Environmental Resources Evaluation System (CERES) * California Executive Office * California Export Laboratory Services * California Exposition and State Fair (Cal Expo) * California Fair Political Practices Commission * California Fairs and Expositions Division * California Film Commission * California Fire and Resource Assessment Program * California Firearms Division * California Fiscal Services * California Fish and Game Commission * California Fisheries Program Branch * California Floodplain Management * California Foster Youth Help * California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) * California Fraud Division * California Gambling Control Commission * California Geographic Information Systems! Council (GIS) * California Geological Survey * California Government Claims and Victim Compensation Board * California Governor's Committee for Employment of Disabled Persons * California Governor's Mentoring Partnership * California Governor's Office of Emergency Services * California Governor's Office of Homeland Security * California Governor's Office of Planning and Research * California Governor's Office * California Grant and Enterprise Zone Programs HCD Loan * California Health and Human Services Agency * California Health and Safety Agency * California Healthy Families Program * California Hearing Aid Dispensers Bureau * California High-Speed Rail Authority * California Highway Patrol (CHP) * California History and Culture Agency * California Horse Racing Board * California Housing Finance Agency * California Indoor Air Quality Program * California Industrial Development Financing Advisory Commission * California Industrial Welfare Commission * California InFoPeople * California Information Center for the Environment * California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (I-Bank) * California Inspection Services * California Institute for County Government * California Institute for Education Reform * California Integrated Waste Management Board * California Interagency Ecological Program * California Job Service * California Junta Estatal de Personal * California Labor and Employment Agency * California Labor and Workforce Development Agency * California Labor Market Information Division * California Land Use Planning Information Network (LUPIN) * California Lands Commission * California Landscape Architects Technical Committee * California Latino Legislative Caucus * California Law Enforcement Branch * California Law Enforcement General Library * California Law Revision Commission * California Legislative Analyst's Office * California Legislative Black Caucus * California Legislative Counsel * California Legislative Division * California Legislative Information * California Legislative Lesbian, Gay , Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Caucus * California Legislature Internet Caucus * California Library Development Services * California License and Revenue Branch * California Major Risk Medical Insurance Program * California Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board * California Maritime Academy * California Marketing Services * California Measurement Standards * California Medical Assistance Commission * California Medical Care Services * California Military Department * California Mining and Geology Board * California Museum for History, Women, and the Arts * California Museum Resource Center * California National Guard * California Native American Heritage Commission * California Natural Community Conservation Planning Program * California New Motor Vehicle Board * California Nursing Home Administrator Program * California Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board * California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board * California Ocean Resources Management Program * California Office of Administrative Hearings * California Office of Administrative Law * California Office of AIDS * California Office of Binational Border Health * California Office of Child Abuse Prevention * California Office of Deaf Access * California Office of Emergency Services (OES) * California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment * California Office of Fiscal Services * California Office of Fleet Administration * California Office of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Implementation (CalOHI) * California Office of Historic Preservation * California Office of Homeland Security * California Office of Human Resources * California Office of Legal Services * California Office of Legislation * California Office of Lieutenant Governor * California Office of Military and Aerospace Support * California Office of Mine Reclamation * California Office of Natural Resource Education * California Office of Privacy Protection * California Office of Public School Construction * California Office of Real Estate Appraisers * California Office of Risk and Insurance Management * California Office of Services to the Blind * California Office of Spill Prevention and Response * California Office of State Publishing (OSP) * California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development * California Office of Systems Integration * California Office of the Inspector General * California Office of the Ombudsman * California Office of the Patient Advocate * California Office of the President * California Office of the Secretary for Education * California Office of the State Fire Marshal * California Office of the State Public Defender * California Office of Traffic Safety * California Office of Vital Records * California Online Directory * California Operations Control Office * California Opinion Unit * California Outreach and Technical Assistance Network (OTAN) * California Park and Recreation Commission * California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) * California Performance Review (CPR) * California Permit Information for Business (CalGOLD) * California Physical Therapy Board * California Physician Assistant Committee * California Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services * California Policy and Evaluation Division * California Political Reform Division * California Pollution Control Financing Authority * California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo * California Postsecondary Education Commission * California Prevention Services * California Primary Care and Family Health * California Prison Industry Authority * California Procurement Division * California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) * California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) * California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) * California Real Estate Services Division * California Refugee Programs Branch * California Regional Water Quality Control Boards * California Registered Veterinary Technician Committee * California Registrar of Charitable Trusts * California Republican Caucus * California Research and Development Division * California Research Bureau * California Resources Agency * California Respiratory Care Board * California Rivers Assessment * California Rural Health Policy Council * California Safe Schools * California San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission * California San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy * California San Joaquin River Conservancy * California School to Career * California Science Center * California Scripps Institution of Oceanography * California Secretary of State Business Portal * California Secretary of State * California Seismic Safety Commission * California Self Insurance Plans (SIP) * California Senate Office of Research * California Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Certification Program * California Small Business Development Center Program * California

If you haven’t taken 30 seconds to share your opinion on where the stock market is headed (no right or wrong answers), please CLICK HERE and take a 30 second survey for a future contribution.

Feel free to email me with any questions or comments at Paul@investfortomorrow.com.


Until next time…

Paul Schatz

Heritage Capital LLC
http://www.investfortomorrow.com/
http://RetirementPlanningConnecticut.com/

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Consumers want high-performing security systems online

WINDSOR — According to a recent survey conducted by ING, nine in 10 adults agree that financial services companies should be doing more to protect customers’ personal and financial information.

Survey findings also indicated that 75% of respondents access financial accounts online, such as checking, savings, 401(k) or investment accounts. However, when it comes to their level of experience with protecting their personal and financial information online, just 5% of adults surveyed characterize themselves as being an expert.

While few consider themselves experts when it comes to protecting their information online, 93% agree that they are aware of the risks involved with managing online accounts.

Due to the high levels of awareness regarding online security threats, 93% of survey respondents report that they take online privacy and security very seriously and do everything they can to protect their own information.

Some of the security steps they take include keeping their anti-virus software updated (72%); only accessing their accounts from secure computers (60%); and only working with companies or financial institutions that they trust (56%). However, 84% expect companies to notify them of any suspicious activity and to utilize the most up-to-date security protocols and software (76%).

"Protecting customers’ personal information is one of ING’s highest priorities," Rob Leary, chief executive officer, ING Insurance U.S., said in a statement. "Our customers put a great deal of trust in us to manage their financial futures, and with that trust is great responsibility - a responsibility to secure their personal and financial information. As Americans become more and more comfortable with managing their finances online, it’s important that financial services companies continuously upgrade and evolve their technology capabilities around protecting customer data."

ING said it is responding to security concerns with the opening of its new global security operations center in Minneapolis. The culmination of five years of investment, the center is staffed with employees 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Where Real Estate Is Headed… Your Survey Results Part I

(Editor's Note: Paul Schatz, President of Heritage Capital, LLC, in Woodbridge, will be contributing to Fi$callyFit every Friday. Read his biography here)

For several weeks, I asked you to offer your thoughts on where the residential real estate market is headed. With primary homes being the greatest asset many people own, I thought it would be a good topic here as well as in my Street$marts newsletter. As I think I mentioned, my wife and I sold our house in August. She had been wanting more space and I have been concerned about another significant leg down in real estate. So although our reasons were about as far apart as possible, we both agreed to sell. By doing that, according to our real estate super agent, Judy Cooper, we also would have maximum flexibility when it came time to buy and be viewed very positively by sellers as we wouldn’t have a house that needed to sell first.

When my wife first mentioned the idea of selling, like I unfortunately do with almost everything in life, I created a financial model that compares properties on an apples to apples basis using several different metrics and formulas so we could rationally and unemotionally determine what our house should sell for along with how much to pay another house. Over the past two years, this has prevented us from leaping into what ended up being some very overpriced properties.

As an aside, when we were first house looking in 2000 and 2001, my wife had a habit of loudly telling me in front of the seller’s agent “I want it. I want it. I want it. Let’s pay asking price!” Little did she realize so early in our marriage that her husband (me) wasn’t known for parting with a buck so easily! But after all this time, as she just emailed me a new listing with the word “perfect” in it, she now knows that unless the house is able to be bought within the parameters of the model I created, it’s unlikely to happen. And before you open an email to tell me, yes I know, I am a pain in the rear end when it comes to money! My wife deserves an award for putting up with me!!

Getting back to the topic, I found it interesting that unlike the survey I did regarding what our government’s top priority should be along with where you sit politically, the real estate results were almost the same from blog readers as they were for my Street$marts newsletter readers. Here are the results:

Over the next year real estate prices will:

Rise 32%
Fall 68%

Over the next 5 years real estate prices will:

Rise 64%
Fall 36%

Over the next 10 years real estate prices will:

Rise 82%
Fall 18%

Over the next 20 years real estate prices will:

Rise 90%
Fall 10%

Generally speaking, as you would expect, the longer the time horizon, the more favorable you view an investment in real estate. I am a bit surprised that only 32% believe that home prices will advance in the next year. I imagined that number would have been closer to 50%. The five year number of 64% makes sense and 10 years from now, the vast, vast majority of you believe things will be back to “normal” and real estate will rise.

If I had to guess, I would think that the real estate bears 10 and 20 years out are folks with a semi-permanent bearish stance, just like what I will guess on the stock side. I am not saying you are right or wrong, just that I think that’s somewhat as expected.

The group with a positive long-term opinion must have used the past 30 years of real estate pricing as a guide. We’ve seen several busts during that time, but prices always seemed to have come back over a period of years. Coincidentally, the last 30 years have seen the greatest bull market in bonds (read: lower interest rates) in history. With the conventional 30 year fixed rate mortgage at or near all time lows around 4.50%, you have to ask yourself what the likelihood is of continuing this bond bull market for another 10 or 20 years.

I am going to end this piece here and pick up again next Friday with some analysis and charts, so please be sure and check back next week!

I would be interested to learn your feelings about stock prices, so if you have a chance, please CLICK HERE and take a 30 second survey for a future contribution.

If you watched CNBC’s exclusive interview with well respected hedge fund manager David Tepper last week or read or heard his comments repeated that the only path for stock prices is UP, I offered a very different tune in a CNBC interview on September 27.

Feel free to email me with any questions or comments at Paul@investfortomorrow.com.

Until next time…


Paul Schatz
Heritage Capital LLC
http://www.investfortomorrow.com/
 http://RetirementPlanningConnecticut.com/