[Farmgirl22]

Originally Posted by BlackSpike

Unfortunately, most realtors are trying to improve their VERY local economy (i.e. their own pockets). This usually means selling for as much as possible so they can claim more commission.

This is true. On one hand, they DO have to make money to support themselves since real estate is so volatile, but on the other....

Originally Posted by Gabriel

Part of what I'm hearing you say is it is on them (the OLDER people) to keep the younger generation there.
I don't know if you grew up in a small town, and have watched its decline and are affected somehow by it?
I have some experience with the phenomena of decline, and what I discern by the "complaining" is that it is a form of frustration in people, or even sadness that the changes brought about by the passing of time that has somehow ravaged a way of life.
I was brought up on the far edge of a city, actually alongside the borders of the park system of that city. The neighborhoods were still somewhat cloistered from one another. There was some ethnic mix, and most from neighborhoods close by. The predominant energy was industrious, and creative. Especially when it came to family, the large community garden, and the church.
I watched a rapid decline in the activity that whirled around me in my youth. Its force was especially hard on the people that were the pillars.
What acted on my community did not only come from the inside, but from what was happening outside too. It was like leaving a protective bubble to me the first time I ventured away from home.
On my visits back each time, it seemed the lifeforce of the elders (olders) that stayed was somehow being taken from them piece by piece. As their kids grew and became excited about what opportunities opened up in all parts of the country, and sought these....a sadness and longing seemed to predominate my visits to the family that had long sunk their roots.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that frustration takes many forms. Perhaps what you hear as complaining is one of those?
You are complaining, too, and saying someone should do something. Your solution is very confused sounding at this point. There is blame in it, and expectation that to many people sounds unreasonable. I do hear the frustration though.

I give up...I apparently don't know how to explain it. I know what I mean, because I've seen it in 3 towns now...but I'm apparently not articulating it well. I'm not trying to blame anyone, it's not supposed to be unreasonable, and it wasn't supposed to be a complaint--the wanting the whining to stop was a complaint yes, but the emphasis was supposed to be on a constructive solution so that everyone benefitted. I don't know...I'm obviously not doing a good job of explaining it, so I'm just going to mark the thread solved and let it die. Whatever you guys are getting out of what I am saying isn't what I'm meaning at all. I'm sorry I brought it up.

Originally Posted by Stoner

I see, the relative wanted to buy the land from the inherited estate which was now jointly owned by the surviving heirs.
That land would definitely be owned after the transference of title when the estate was settled.
The new owners would have realized a given value when that property was transferred.
There would certainly be a loss of worth if the land was then sold below the market value, no matter how that property was acquired.

Have you thought that through?
Once you have legal possession of anything, there is a value associated with it.
Any sale or transfer below market value is a loss.
For instance, if you inherit the family farm, does it have less value because you inherited it?
All that's happening is a transfer of value from one individual to another. Selling at below market fair price at any time is a loss of value.

The value is whatever someone is willing to pay for it...regardless of what the owner's personal feelings are about the property's value. The owner does have the option to reject an offer and wait for a higher one if they so choose, but it doesn't change the fact that it's only worth what someone will pay for it. People spend ridiculous money on houses which makes the neighbors feel that their house is worth more--they may be, or they may not...it's dependent on what buyer's are willing to spend. With our current housing "crisis", there's going to be a rude awakening for a lot of people about what their houses are really worth. That's not really a "loss" unless you are still paying on it and can't get it sold for what you have in it....that's simply a market shift.

[Gabriel]

I am wondering with the gas prices being so bad and food and everything going higher, if some of the small towns will actually benefit. Where I am now, it is 70 miles (both ways) to where many people would prefer to grocery shop. Also the larger theaters, more established restaurants, bigger bookstores, lower cost tire and car repair places, and most of the banks are down there.
Maybe there will be more in town activity for a while. I know I have switched to direct deposits and in-town grocery shopping already. And online classes. The commute for these would be costly.

[Gabriel]

Originally Posted by Farmgirl22

I give up...I apparently don't know how to explain it. I know what I mean, because I've seen it in 3 towns now...but I'm apparently not articulating it well. I'm not trying to blame anyone, it's not supposed to be unreasonable, and it wasn't supposed to be a complaint--the wanting the whining to stop was a complaint yes, but the emphasis was supposed to be on a constructive solution so that everyone benefitted. I don't know...I'm obviously not doing a good job of explaining it, so I'm just going to mark the thread solved and let it die. Whatever you guys are getting out of what I am saying isn't what I'm meaning at all. I'm sorry I brought it up.

If you have examples of what you have seen in 3 towns, what are the examples? Maybe that will clarify.

[GiganticSquirrel]

Society has become overstimulated on a whole as well as younger people want what the media dictates that they need to be happy, successful etc. Small towns usually can't deliver those goods: fast cars, big bars, men bloated with cash and women that are visually abnormal, etc.

...in other words, blame it on the TV...

[Stoner]

Originally Posted by Farmgirl22

.................



The value is whatever someone is willing to pay for it...regardless of what the owner's personal feelings are about the property's value. The owner does have the option to reject an offer and wait for a higher one if they so choose, but it doesn't change the fact that it's only worth what someone will pay for it. People spend ridiculous money on houses which makes the neighbors feel that their house is worth more--they may be, or they may not...it's dependent on what buyer's are willing to spend. With our current housing "crisis", there's going to be a rude awakening for a lot of people about what their houses are really worth. That's not really a "loss" unless you are still paying on it and can't get it sold for what you have in it....that's simply a market shift.

Whoa there............you are building on what I posted and shifting to a different concept.
The value of property is market......that you now seem to agree.

That's not really a "loss" unless you are still paying on it and can't get it sold for what you have in it....that's simply a market shift.

Of course there is a loss.
Any loss of value in the sale of property from the time of purchase to the time of resale is a loss to the owner, whether the property is paid for or not.
I fail to see what carrying/not carrying debt has to do with it other than increased losses due to interest payments against a nonproductive loan.

[Farmgirl22]

Originally Posted by Gabriel

If you have examples of what you have seen in 3 towns, what are the examples? Maybe that will clarify.

High schoolers graduate and go to college...after college, they go off to a big city (Chicago, LA, etc.) thinking that they will be able to succeed (maybe they do, maybe they don't--that I don't personally know). Meanwhile people in the home town are getting older, becoming concerned about the fact that no one stays around and keeps the town alive--businesses close their doors and move away or cease to exist, etc. etc.

While at the very same time, there are younger people who may not be from THAT town who try to move in and make a start--they try to buy a house, but they really can't afford one that's decent enough to live in and get a mortgage on, and no one will cut them a break on that for the sake of helping save the town (they'd rather have the house sit empty and rot than let some younger person have it at a price that is lower than the owners want...and who wants a young couple as neighbors anyway because they'll just party all the time and play their music too loud...and they don't know how to take care of anything....or whatever the reason is.) The couple (or couples) that could have stayed around (and maybe helped keep the businesses open etc.) if someone would have gave them just a bit of a break move on because, obviously, there's nothing there for them...but there could have been, if someone would have made the effort to show a little kindness.<--that might actually be my whole problem that I'm trying to solve....smaller towns are so cliquish, and people get kind of set in their ways and don't like change (which isn't ALL bad), and they'd do this sort of stuff if it was their own kids, why does that kind of kindness only apply to people within the family?

What happened to helping others? Why aren't strangers as deserving of kindness as anyone else?

[Davec]

Originally Posted by Farmgirl22

What happened to helping others? Why aren't strangers as deserving of kindness as anyone else?

That depends. Do the strangers have a feline in need of shelter?

[GiganticSquirrel]

Wal Mart has taken it's share of small towns down as well...

[valley]

Originally Posted by Farmgirl22

Mennonite. They are scattered throughout the country, surely you've heard of them before? Well...maybe not, I forgot you are on the west coast...I know there are quite a few on the east coast scattered around. They are very nice people, have excellent reputations for honesty and integrity, but they definitely have their own ways of doing things.

Ah, that explains it. We have roughly 200 Amish families around these parts! The whole "only sell your home to members in your church" makes more sense now. They like to keep themselves separated from the rest of the world. Thanks for clarifying.

[poochee]

Originally Posted by Farmgirl22

Mennonite. They are scattered throughout the country, surely you've heard of them before? Well...maybe not, I forgot you are on the west coast...I know there are quite a few on the east coast scattered around. They are very nice people, have excellent reputations for honesty and integrity, but they definitely have their own ways of doing things.

Oh, that explains it. They keep in their own community and live a simple life.

[Laura87]

You're better off they won't sell to you, why would you want a house without electricity, a flushing toilet, heat, no buttons, no cable? You could probably talk them into leaving the butter churn though.

[Bastiat]

Originally Posted by Laura87

Sorry Farmgirl I don't agree - I've worked my butt off to keep my house, the taxes here are crazy. I've worked equally as hard at my job to move up, I do this for my kids, I'm divorced and had to make some tough choices.


Work hard and be where you can succeed - I hate hand outs , just do what you have to do. It's up to you.

And damn cute too.....how do you feel about married men?

[Laura87]

I luhuhuve married men!

[Farmgirl22]

Originally Posted by Laura87

You're better off they won't sell to you, why would you want a house without electricity, a flushing toilet, heat, no buttons, no cable? You could probably talk them into leaving the butter churn though.

ROFLMAO!! Oh, my sides, my sides!!

Mennonites are slightly different than Amish--they have cars, electricity, pretty much all the normal stuff (or at least so far that I've seen). Their houses are just like anyone else's--except usually very well maintained. Thus the appeal.

[Laura87]

I was wrong about the buttons, I should have said zippers, they love buttons!