The market seems to have returned to where it was 18 months ago. So it seems like, absent timing the market well, that's literally not a factor.

What percentage of the audience do you reckon can outright buy houses with cash in the area where they live?

I'm in the process of buying a place in mostly cash. I had been saving in expensive parts of California for the past four years, so with that as my target I was able to pick up a very nice house in Portland as the price corrected from ~650 to mid-400's. The way I look at it, after seeing tech do so well in remote work, it's here to stay and I plan on dying in that house.

> I plan on dying in that house

Yup I've made this plan a couple times now.

Well, that's fair. Life happens, but I'd like to not leave and I don't often feel that way.

Yeah that's a great feeling and I apologize for my comment sounding negative, because in truth I was lucky to have it more than once. Congrats and enjoy your new home.

Nah, your comment was a good check. I appreciate it. My mind does need to be open to a changing future. In the mean time, enjoy it I will!

Depends, how many rooms are we talking?

Damn, did I miss the memo on this forum to sell all stocks at the beginning of 2022?

In theory you missed that memo in 2019, it's that Corona threw in a curveball that gave us an additional 3 years on the inevitable recession. This is why timing the market is hard.

Alternatively, people I know who got that memo in 2019 sold their stocks, went short and now are in a significantly worse position.

Was there a memo at the end of 2018? If not, why would there have been a memo in 2019 but not 2018?

Yes, the memo came in November 2021 from the federal reserve and multiple companies.

Does a memo get issued for when to buy stocks?

Just follow what congress members do: https://www.businessinsider.com/congress-stock-act-violation...

Yes, wait for your first S&P 500 bankruptcies and that will be your sign that the Fed pivot is imminent.

You're assuming they sold at the top during the rocketing stock market! The rocket has been pointing down the past few months.

I am assuming they are not being greedy. Around summer last year I'd say a lot have an opportunity to cash out and buy a decent house and be debt free.

But sadly many were thinking "one more year and I can afford a multimillion mansion with an infinity pool"

In the last year stock markets have fallen. Roughly 30% for nasdaq for example over 12 months. This will continue.

this post is the definituon of 'let them eat cake'