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Voting is a lot like trying to decide which house to buy. It is often an emotional choice

By John Guiney

Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty

October 23, 2008 03:41 AM

You know the story about the head and the heart. Sometimes you can't please both. As I was working on my clients late last night to help them decide on which property best suited their needs it all started to become clear.

One could choose to vote for the old fixer upper. After all it does have some charm. It was well built but has had some deterioration over the years. It's a bit cranky now but still has some good views. Maybe the electrical system needs updating. The plumbing runs a liitle weak. The roof has a few missing shingles. You can tell that the bones were strong, but it might be a money pit. It added a new addition but it doesn't fit in well.

old house sepia bw monochrome

Or one could choose to vote for the newer home. Its electrical system works fine. Its green(earth friendly) and it offers the best of what's available today. Sure it might cost a little more but its views are terrific. The plumbing doesn't leak and has good flow. The roof is well coiffed and it stands straight and tall. It has a solid foundation and there are no surprises. It's thoughtfully laid out. Which one will you choose?

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Linda Mae Croom

Topock, AZ

(928) 768-3040

God Bless America with the NEW Leader this country so desperately needs Barack Obama. That is my wish but in the end God's Will, not mine, be done.

Oct 23, 2008 05:37 AM

Phil Stearns

Caron's Gateway Real Estate - Stark, NH

Unfortumately people will vote by what they hear... not what they have researched to be true... We can only hope the majority vote in the know... Phil

Oct 23, 2008 06:09 AM

Laura Monroe

Inman News - San Francisco, CA

Dir. of Industry Engagement & Social Media

John- I love this analogy! Very well said. Buying a home IS emotional, and more so than any other; an investment in the future, not a nostalgic look at the past.

Oct 23, 2008 06:15 AM

Jay Allen

MovieVoice Production Co. - Paducah, KY

MovieVoice

John, this is an interesting post! It's now featured at Blatant Politics.

Oct 23, 2008 06:47 AM

John Guiney

Keller Williams Realty - Quincy, MA

e-PRO, CBR

Linda Mae - It's up to us to get out and vote! This will be the most important election in my lifetime since 1968. That one ended badly let's not make the same mistakes.

Phil - I also hope that people who vote have done their research and vote intelligently. Having said that I know some others here in the "rain" would like to adopt measures whereby they decide who can vote. How ridiculous is that!

Laura - Thank you! I too am looking to the future and the hope that it brings new hope and fufills its promises. The past is just a reminder of mistakes already made!

Jay - Thank you for the honor!

Oct 23, 2008 07:52 AM

Tom Ash

Agentspayingforward.com - Sacramento, CA

Hi John:

In todays world, you have a number of other issues to consider with these two houses. Here in California, we have what are called Mello Roos bonds. The houses may be exactly the same price, but the "hidden cost" is the mello roos bonds. The bonds basically are the contractors way of passing on the cost of the government requirements and permits on newer homes: the homeowners pay these bonds for years.

In California that cost that was a "little more" was a lot more when you realize how long you paid for it. You could have taken the old home, re-wired, re-plumbed, and re-roofed for a heck of a lot less than that newer, cheaper, and more "efficient" home. Of course economics is different in California: right?

Oct 23, 2008 05:09 PM

Hi Tom - Sad to say I've never been to the left coast but I've heard it might be a little different!

While schools are the primary beneficiary of Mello-Roos levies, funds generated by Mello-Roos are also spent on public roads, traffic light systems, police and fire stations, public libraries, museums, and recreational parks, to mention only a few of the public amenities that make communities desirable in which to live.

Communities are most definitely enriched by the prudent application of Mello-Roos funds. Not only are the neighborhoods affected more pleasant in which to live and play, but because they are, residential home values reflect greater value.

I think I like having well maintained roads and well staffed police and fire stations. I've always likes well maintained parks and I am a big fan of the arts. So Tom I think I'll still go for the new home even if I move to California!

Oct 24, 2008 04:30 AM

You are most welcome to come to California: we need the tax revenues. Your statement regarding Mello Roos bonds is correct regarding the use of the funds, but many of us have felt that property taxes without the additional revenues from Mello Roos bonds was sufficient for the funding of the programs you cite.

Mello Roos bonds came about as a result of the revolution known as Proposition 13. The people got fed up with property taxes continually rising, and literally said that taxes could go up by no more than 2% per year (unless the property transferred). Politicians, like addicts, could not give up the ability to spend. However, because of prop. 13, the politicians had to come up with another way to generate revenues: they passed the cost on to the builders of new communities. Amazingly (sarcasm), the builders passed the cost to the consumer: Mello roos was born.

Instead of cutting spending, the government went around the will of the people. That is the challenge we face as the governed: our representatives (both sides of the aisle) are not heeding the will of the people. The "surprise" you said didn't exist with the new home often turns out to be a lot more expensive than taking the time to do your research on what you are truly buying into.

Have a great weekend

Oct 24, 2008 04:16 PM

Tom - If I get a chance to visit your fair state I'll look you up. I am still not going to buy the old fixer upper though! It's had its day in the sun and it needs to be torn down.

Oct 27, 2008 03:35 AM

Voting is a lot like trying to decide which house to buy. It is often an emotional choice

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