On June 1, 2006, Doom went online with its first post. Much to my amazement, two years and 1,404 posts later, we are still here.
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who makes Doom possible. It was my intent from our inception to have HousingDoom be a forum and a resource, rather than my personal soapbox. [Although yeah, I climb up on it often enough.] I like to think we’ve achieved that– certainly things wouldn’t be the same around here without our incredible "staff".
To M and L who provide us with all kinds of links, data and expertise, thank you. You guys deserve all the credit in the world- instead you end up making me look smarter than I am.
To G and all the correspondents who send all kinds of links, my thanks as well. The sidebar would quickly become stale without you. I’m also grateful to all the people who end their emails with "…and please keep me anonymous" when they send me great information. I appreciate your trust, and hope I use your info wisely.
Additionally, I can’t forget our usual cast of characters, I mean posters. To all of you who stop by to comment , thank you. Your expertise, insights and unfailing sense of humor make all the difference in the quality of this site. I appreciate the civility you demonstrate and your patience with our editorial policies. [What can I say? I'm the last prude left on the internet!]
A special thanks needs to go out to our sys admin, who not only keeps us up and running, but is the creator and mentor of the ever paranoid Igor. Igor started out life as a lowly spam filter, but somehow has taken on a life and opinion of his own.
My undying gratitude goes to John- [John's been making time here recently to feed the sidebar, and doing a wonderful job!] who I think has found Doom to be a bit like the "Hotel California". He’s checked out a time or two, but he’s never really left. [In spite of being sorely tempted.] Thanks John, for putting up with me.
My biggest thanks however, has to go to Mr. Twist- my editor, sugar daddy, and confidant. Without his unflagging support, Doom wouldn’t have lasted a month.
Peace and God bless,
Twist
Happy Doom Day!
twist -
Two years latter, and Doom in the housing market becomes more surreal by the day. Thanks for your marvelous insight and staying power
Who would have thought that our old friends the home equity locusts would by now have migrated all over the world; would even have spiked the guns in the Persian Gulf? — for it is only the extreme price for commodities, especially crude oil, that has stopped war with Iran from breaking out.
The housing cycle also rises, but in the meanwhile it will be important to watch the effects as all those dodgy Mortgage Based Securities pass through the system. The next danger looks to be America’s universities and colleges. Not only is a crisis brewing in financing student loans for next September, now governments at all levels in the US are planning to strip the wealth out of endowments at places like Harvard and MIT.
That and many more issues. If ‘007 was the Year of the Bond, ‘08 is proving to be a Presidential Election year to remember.
Back at ya Twist. I don\’t post often but I try to get by here every day. Thanks for providing the rest of us with the forum you envisioned.
What a sea-change in two years though! A couple of years ago you were shouting into the wind about RE values. Now the view that RE is busting is widespread. Even realtors are unable to live in denial that \”real estate always goes up\” any longer.
It\’s always interesting watching the general public go through the cognitive dissonance as harsh reality confronts their belief systems.
For this reason I believe this election year will prove to be fascinating for the cognitive-dissonance crowd
Happy Birthday to You! Thanks for giving all of us a reassurance for not being “followers” to the many “investors” who HELCO or Flip their way into hell…
I have truly enjoyed the wealth of information on the sidebar and the constant informative and fun comments of visitors…
Keep up the good work!
Happy Birthday! Thanks for all the good information and insight
When I first discovered this site, it was in it’s 9th month.
Since then I have sold my house in Wisconsin and relocated to the valley where I now rent happily.
If someone had told me 3 years ago I would be a happy renter, I would have laughed.
Now I laugh harder.
Thanks Twist.
Happy Birthday Twist!
Happy Birthday, twist and company! Thanks for everything…you really are making a positive difference!
Congratulations.
Thanks for all the hard work and info!!
Hope you got all the candles blown out in one try!
Ah shucks guys, you’re making me blush! Thanks for all the kind words.
Asset Hunter-
I’m afraid with the cold I’ve picked up, I couldn’t manage both at once. Maybe next year. : )
Excellent site. I have been to other sites, but your style and professionalism stands out. Keep up the great work and thanks for all the great information.
Damn…. late to the party, again.
Happy Birthday Twist! Did you get the flowers I sent?
Ah, the memories…. first, the blog starts and almost everyone is still in denial. John helps out, and is constantly insulted by someone who keeps saying, ‘there is no credit crunch, there will be no Fed problem - they know too much, and they’re too practiced… and of course, Igor was just a babe.
Thanks for the site, and being focused on Arizona… I still love the state, although I hate what it has become.
I toast you, the Mr. and the kids… with Postum.
Hail, all Twists!
Yossarian-
I am indeed honored- particularly given the price of Postum these days!
twist,
congrats!! thanks for the forum!!! a friend turned me onto this site almost 2 yrs ago. i was trynig to get him to move back out here and buy a house. he told me “no way” and went so far as to recomend i sell mine. of course, i thought he was nuts. i did, however begin to TRULY follow the market due to this site.
Since then, I have given many clients of mine some very sound advice regarding the housing market here. and of course, none of them listened so it didn’t help much. they now , however, think i’m brilliant (sadly enough though, it’s too late to save a few of them). i simply tell them to start getting their info from places other than CNN and the likes.
because of this forum (and others like it) my wife and i NEVER touched the HELOC (that we didn’t even ask for when we refied)of 65K. Our house went WAY up and then WAY down. whatever it’s worth, i’ve learned that it is our family’s HOME and from that lesson i no longer care what it’s worth….just that it is the place i will raise my family for a long time.
ps: Chase closed our HELOC three weeks ago (as they are doing to many) and we don’t care.
Congratulations twist, and here’s to another year of wit and wisdom.
Best Regards,
Jim