The American Dream Isn't Dead, You Just Can't Afford It!

[@karenscookingkorner]

Retail, restaurant and expendable goods owners better pay attention to this. I am a renter and I no longer eat out, get my nails done, buy clothes or go to the movies. I cannot afford to because all of my money goes to rent. No exaggeration here

[@6821hominy]

Your comment really makes sense. I am 67 & semi retired from real estate - 35 yrs., in this business. We have no debt including our home that we contracted/built ourselves. ( husband & myself) We have all the material things we need & have always had a respect for money. I no longer spend money on items I used to because of this economy now. We have many friends who have done well in our age group or younger that in the past loved to spend a big portion of their incomes. We were the one that lived well but within our means. We have past renter clients calling us recently that want to buy a home but cannot afford to! Even driving further from work does not help them afford much more in a home. It’s a very sad time for young people wanting to start out with owning their own home. My husband & I are just grateful that we started our careers way back when we did & planned for the future. It’s a struggle in real estate & I blame much on the corp. greed of large companies buying up the homes that could have gone to the empty grateful or young ones starting out.

[@6821hominy]

Typo- “ could have gone to the empty nesters or young people “….

[@reginafisher9919]

Exactly

[@drachenmarke]

And why are homes out of reach? There 144 million homes in the US, private equity owns about 9%(Case-Shiller), Mom and Pop with HELOC own the rest. Cheap gov-backed low interest loans and NIMBY boomers caused this. When your are ready to blame folks, blame the folks watching Property Bros and Flip my House for this mess.

[@carolynbailey4530]

“Rent the American dream” sure does sound like “ you’ll own nothing and be happy”

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

Does sound like that, doesn’t it ?

[@LorentGuimaraes]

Wall Street is becoming the OPEC of real state

[@CockyGaming]

I was just about to come say this exact same statement. Glad I looked before just throwing it out there.

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

@@CockyGaming you could have made your comment again. It just shows that we are all on the same page.

[@ErnieBert-eg8kd]

This is all by design and why there will be no housing crash.

[@OzarkMountainKing]

It's happening now in my area as people are relocating here from Texas. 6 houses on my street are now rentals owned by one company. The only way I'm selling is if they offer me double what I paid in 2022 and cover all closing costs, no inspection, and no repairs. That's what it will take to get me out of my 3% mortgage.

[@4hoofs4ever]

Renting keeps you poor. You have nothing to leave your children. So they will be poor too. It’s all by design.

[@samuraitadpole5459]

Yet buying property is difficult so this renting keeping people poor is creating a vicious cycle that's fueling the fire

[@subcitizen2012]

Welcome to the realities of bourgeois neoliberal economics. The US especially self radicalized into a counter revolution, but you looks around Earth isnt for humans anymore. They got theirs, and they will get theirs, and you just need to work harder and stop expecting things. You will only ever till the earth the moderately better off than you.

[@milestankovic1111]

No kids or family

[@mheiseus]

@@4hoofs4ever well, bring that house prices are super expensive... A lot of people have to rent. You sound out of touch

[@dp-mcfly5158]

So if I can’t afford my mortgage because the taxes went up and I have to now sell my home what am I giving my kids now nothing and have to rent so what’s your point? Give your kids some bonds

[@deborahnagel9011]

the american dream is now to be able to buy groceries with out having to put them on credit cards.

[@MyLoganTreks]

And it's funny the advertisements are for BlackRock when watching this... Lol 🤣

[@angry-white-men]

It's not long before the great migration that built up the US reverses course and migrates out of the US as kids of immigrants start asking themselves why their ancestors even moved here in the first place and only brought the problems with them.

[@sunso1991]

I came to America in 1999. Young people wouldn't believe the America we had before 9lI. Greeted by smiling airport staff and customs, my mom's first house in Dallas 2,500 sqft new build was on half an acre for $60k. They both worked and paid off the house in 4 years right after I graduated high school. Fast forward 17 years, 2016 I bought a small house near my work for $320k, 1,200sqft on 1/7 acre. Small but functional. 2021, I refinanced at 2.60%, my neighbor sold for $550k. Now with a kid in the way we are looking for a bigger house, just 2,000sqft. Wow $650k+!!! I joked with my parents I might retire and pass away at my humble 1,200 sqft house. But deep down, I think that might actually happen.......and I was lucky enough to get a decent house with amazing rate. I can't imagine what people 10 years younger than me is feeling......

[@treasurethetime2463]

In my 40s. The problem with being around so long is that we've seen enough and can't be gaslighted like they try to do to the 20 somethings. It's not normal for a dwelling to take up half your income. That's not normal/ok/acceptable. Some older people try to dismiss the kid's concerns like they are making this stuff up.

[@jr.6199]

My parents raised five kids in a 1,000 sq ft house with 1 bath and 3 bedrooms and my dad built two of the rooms we had. Somehow our expectations on house size changed dramatically.

[@sunso1991]

@@jr.6199 i do think so. but i think we also have to consider hybrid work too. both my wife and i hybrid work, our house have 3 bedroom 1.5 bath. i am working out of the guest bedroom/gym/study, while my wife works in baby room/study lol. it would really be nice to get a little more space

[@fabuloushostess6171]

We came in October 1999. August 2000 we had bought an almost new ranch home with my parents barely speaking English. A few months before we bought our house someone told us to walk into a Bank of America to get a secured (self-funded) credit card and buy a few bags of groceries just so we could get some credit history registered. It was sooo easy to buy a house back then, my parents bought it barely speaking English with almost no credit history and only $8,000 at the closing table. Times sure have changed...

[@polygon2744]

@@jr.6199 Wages have not kept up with inflation. In real terms wages are down over the last 40 years. It's not changes in the expectations on housing. Remember when a minimum wage worker could afford a studio those days are long gone and it has noting to do with expectations.

[@austinbar]

I am in my early 60s and retired at 53. Lots of people gave me pushback because they had difficulty grasping the concept of not working if you don’t have to. I looked at my life as stages. I earned everything I have now through a lot of hard work, but I owe it to myself to “stop and smell the roses” in my final stage of life. In my case I left the country after I retired and live in Latin America. It allowed me to get away from all the negative things happening in America while appreciating my new environment. I have yet to meet anyone who regrets retirement.

[@eloign7147]

Nice way to retire. For me, I believe retirees who struggle to meet their basic needs are the ones who could not accumulate enough money during their active years to meet their needs. Retirement choices determine a lot of things. My wife and I both spent same number of years in the civil service, she invested through a wealth manager and myself through the 401k. We both still earning after our retirement.

[@joshbarney114]

It's unfortunate most people don't have such information. I don't really blame people who panic. Lack of information can be a big hurdle. I've been making more than $800k by just investing through an advisor, and I don't have to do much work. Doesn't matter if the economy is misbehaving; great wealth managers will always make returns.

[@FabioOdelega876]

@@joshbarney114 I think this is something I should do, but I've been stalling for a long time now. I don't really know which firm to work with; I feel they are all the same but it seems you’ve got it all worked out with the firm you work with so i surely wouldn’t mind a recommendation.

[@joshbarney114]

I definitely share your sentiment about these firms. Finding financial advisors like Marisa Breton Dollard who can assist you shape your portfolio would be a very creative option. There will be difficult times ahead, and prudent personal money management will be essential to navigating them.

[@FabioOdelega876]

Marisa has the appearance of being a great authority in her profession. I looked her up online and found her website, which I reviewed and went through to learn more about her credentials, academic background, and employment. She has a fiduciary duty to protect my best interests. I sent her an email outlining my objectives and also booked a session with her; thanks for sharing.

[@DrGaryGreen]

Can't wait for the daughter to finish her education so we can move back to Indonesia where the American Dream is still alive.

[@sunso1991]

I know quite a few people thay moved back to Asia in the last 3 years. 2 back to Thailand, my sister moved back to Taiwan, and another girl that moved back to Vietnam. You can feel the energy and optimism there.

[@meggrotte4760]

​@@sunso1991I lived in Taiwan for 20 years.I'm going back in july. I just came back to renew my passport.I have no idea how people live here if they can't work two or three jobs.

[@6821hominy]

I don’t know much about Indonesia. But I saw a video not long ago on KZbin where somehow some people stopped a large truck. They opened it up and inside found dozens upon dozens of live dogs in sacks with their heads stuck out. They were on the way to slaughter for human consumption. I had to stop the video because it made me ill. They did end up saving the dogs. Now that’s one country I would never go to… not even on a plane layover.

[@dahalfa]

@@6821hominy how’s that different than what we do to cows, pigs and chickens?

[@colettespencer3357]

​@@dahalfait's not much different. I think its that dogs have been domesticated and are known as man's best friend...used as k9 officers. Etc. Its deeply disturbing.

[@jfree2737]

Tenants need to pursue a class action lawsuit against Real Page and the property management companies. That's the only thing that will hurt them.

[@adr3naline23]

It will come sooner or later there actions are negative

[@ashleypello7532]

Agree but the SC will let them off the hook in this new admin

[@Laborkei]

You are Correct about Atlanta. I live North of Atlanta, and I see the homes in my Subdivision turning into Rentals. Home Owners are getting Huge Prices on their homes from Phone Calls, Mail Offers from Companies. The Solicitations are Crazy... They send their Crews into the home to put in New Carpet, Spray the inside with fresh paint. It's on the Market for Rent.

[@my1auntnelly]

Sorry. I have a 1600 square foot house that I bought in 2016. Everyone that I know that has an apartment pays more that I do for housing. People are getting robbed by corporate thieves.

[@TrollinOn22s]

Most properties are owned by regular people and I do have family that own rental properties.

[@the_real_life_bondgirl]

For now.. but the plan is to increase property tax and home insurance to levels that are more than the mortgage itself- they are doing this so you end up having to sell. In many areas, insurance companies are no longer offering policies on homes. You dont own your house in US ever: you are renting the land from the state

[@jw4451]

It’s greedy corporations inflating consumer prices and refusing to raise wages when they’re making record profits, and greedy corporations buying up residential real estate and inflating those prices. See a pattern?

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

Yup!

[@subcitizen2012]

If I remember right the "greedy corporations" in the single family home sector are only like 3% of that market. There's a lot of greedy average people trading around houses in a shell game. It's also effects of inflation and covid shocks aftermath. Also have to consider there's like 60 million more people than there was in the late 90s or so, and they're all well entering the labor and housing markets. Housing did not grow exponentially. Go look up videos on all the collapsed economies of the Midwest. There are tens of millions of abandoned,worthless empty homes that could probably be brought back for more than they're worth. There's also close to 20 million homes that are sat on by small time investors for various reasons, such as for second homes and tax purposes. One of America's problems is it's too rich. It's an inequality problem. No offense to anyone out there, but boomers can't die off soon enough.

[@jr.6199]

@@subcitizen2012 wishing a whole generation would die sooner, can only be considered offensive and dumb. That wealth transfer does not help get lower cost homes. Moving to buy Homes where no jobs exist is also silly, but prove your conviction, you move there first...

[@drachenmarke]

What percentage of the 144 million homes are owned by greedy corpos? About 9%, stop buying the hype, it's Mom and Popper HELOCers that did this.

[@MyLoganTreks]

Also the cost of oil whenever there is a war prices / cost go up.

[@karengrice2303]

Home ownership was a huge stabilizing factor for the middle class. It is usually the single biggest asset owned by the middle class and could often be passed on to the next generation to live in or if sold, the money would be passed on. It is no longer the case. Assisted living is wiping out the estates of most elderly people leaving nothing for the next generation. The corporations hide the financial assets they take from the elderly in shell companies to give the impression they are not profiting when in actuality they are highly profitable because they provide low quality food and minimal care. The elderly who have worked their whole lives should be cared for in their most vulnerable years. Private equity groups have also taken over a high percentage of veterinary practices in the US. They have driven up costs so high that many people can no longer afford a pet so animals are sitting in shelters unable to find a home. Predatory capitalism is so destructive now it is literally causing the entire economy to implode and government is doing nothing to pass laws against these practices.😢

[@the_real_life_bondgirl]

Well, by the time the parents die (my Mom had me at 23) you would be in your 60s before you got to inherit their home - meaning youd be renting your entire life then inherit the home as you were getting very elderly. The Boomer was the last generation to have wealth. Once their stocks crash in 18 months, there will be nothing left of that generation's wealth and the illusion of middle class ends. 85% of all wealth is in Boomer generation- so there isnt a middle class in reality for those under 60. The middle class s the Boomer. Many can help their children right now paying their rents, cars etc. But the generations after them are broke because the Fed keeps printing. It debases your currency, thus your labor, wage, time and savings. The only real middle class is Boomer

[@Asia-yt3cg]

My rent was 66% of my take home pay. When I first moved in they had a "rent special"...and every year whenever I renewed my lease the price went up; way higher then I could afford. I tried to move somewhere else...and those prices were worse. That is how I got stuck with 2/3 Rd of my take home pay going towards rent.

[@JasmineJohnsonPsychicMedium]

I just read a statistic that families who were making $30 grand in the 80's would need almost $170,000 today to maintain the same lifestyle. I rented my first apartment in Twin Falls, Idaho in 1990. It was cute, clean and $175 a month! I can't even imagine what it goes for today.

[@gladtobefreeagain7375]

Look it, er, Google it. It's in some database.

[@deebrown7160]

Nobody made 30k in the 80s. I made 3.85$ a hour in 1988. Most people made less than 10k yearly.

[@reevawebb229]

My mom's old apartment was on the news about a year ago. She was curious how much rent was now. In 1984 my mom paid $500 a month for a 2 bedroom apartment.the exact same apartment now is $2500 a month.

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

@@reevawebb229yikes!

[@the_real_life_bondgirl]

And guess what.. only 14% of jobs pay even 100K. So unless married or roommates, impossible 86%

[@KEVIN-sx1ed]

Its expensive to move from apartment to apartment. You see people using friends with pickups transporting stuff. Now just imagine moving from house to house,with twice the stuff,might require a 18 wheeler truck.

[@jharbo1]

Thank you! Some young people I know just bought their first house. They are so blessed, but I am telling ya, it was really hard. The market even in my sleepy Southern state is out of control.

[@TedK4307]

Same here. My son was beyond lucky to get a 3b/2.5b house here in Charlotte, NC. If him/wife hadn’t lived with me (over 16mth), had a VA loan they would have never gotten in.

[@shanerogers9386]

The flipper and investor cancer has found its way into even the smallest of places

[@chuckc7239]

It's not that a lot of people can't afford to buy a home, The problem is the gouging that goes on with taxes, insurance, interest rates and maintenance, That makes buying a home not affordable for the majority of people, and they don't even realize it, until it's too late.

[@PatsyJay]

Wrong. The dream was more than buying a house. The dream IS DEAD AND GONE AND CANNOT BE REGAINED because of how far all the wrong things have been allowed (made) to go. Might as well face the fact...America is over...at least the one we used to know.

[@deebrown7160]

America is what you make it look at the Quakers they don't even have electricity.

[@huntingtonbeachanthony4957]

Cool! Will you deed any property you own to me?

[@starvinmarvin7964]

A rent based society would be somewhat tolerable if it was at least affordable but of course its not going to be for most. Theyre forcing people to live with roomates or family to survive and make rent. This will push many into tiny home communities and tiny apartments. They want everyone living on alot less moving forward. This is all part of the plan unfortunately.

[@DaughteroftheLight]

Even the houses above $550k are overpriced. We’ve been waiting. Sold our house in 2023 to move for a new job and now we’re stuck renting and we make over $250k

[@threeftr3349]

That's our biggest fear abut selling, and giving up our 3%.

[@funwisely]

House OWERSHIP has become GOKDEN Chain- You cannot SELL to Remove because No One can Afford it ... BUYERS

[@andredaedone7732]

I own two properties and will not sell as long as I can afford to keep them. And always looking for cheaper land.

[@quincyjones5676]

How much over did you sell ur house at?

[@rustyshackleford6637]

@@DaughteroftheLight why don't you quit crying and get your paper right

[@r.o.b.480]

We need to put the dollar back on a gold standard.

[@rosanneallen-hewlett9973]

Do you remember the idiot that took it off? 😅

[@tombeegeeeye5765]

Yes that would work. The county has a 32 trillion dollar economy and 8000 tons of gold The total gold wouldn't even cover half our balance of payments deficits for a year. Let alone back out total money supply

[@davelively7423]

Don't let small landlords off the hook! I live in the north Atlanta suburbs and for every house bought and rented out by a corporation there are two or three rented out by small investors. These small investors create the same problems that corporate landlords do. They charge as much a possible for rent, spend as little as possible on maintenance, and drive up the price of housing by buying as many houses as they can. They all seem to want to be feudal lords living off their rent paying serfs while expanding their empire as much as possible before passing it on to their privileged descendants. The tax breaks supporting this need to end. Why can a landlord, corporate or otherwise, depreciate a rent house as though it will be worthless after 27.5 years? Houses go up in value, not down. Allowing landlords to claim depreciation as an expense on their taxes is a break they do not deserve. After reaping the benefits of depreciating a house down to $0 after 27 years of renting it out when a landlord dies their heirs will pay ZERO taxes if they sell the property for a huge profit. Someone that bought a rent house for $60,000 in 1996 has received $60,000 in tax deductions, If they die and their children sell that house for $450,000 they will not pay a cent in capital gains tax. The cost basis is reset on death. This is a legal form of tax evasion. The step up in basis should be stopped. If not for all investments at least for rental housing. The ability of a landlord to sell a rent house while still living and avoid paying taxes on the sale by buying more rental properties through a 1031 exchange needs to stop too. A 1031 lets a landlord sell an existing property and as long as they buy more rental properties they do not have to pay capital gains. This lets them expand their empire of rental houses by using one sale to finance multiple new properties using leverage. Maybe this tax break made sense in the past but the last thing we need to today is a tax break encouraging landlords to buy a bigger piece of the housing market.

[@Laney_75]

I saw that RV article & said the same, people are going to what they can for housing. Gaslighting the economy is great, just infuriating at this point.

[@driley4381]

All these outrageous rent prices are doing is driving more people into "roommate" situations for longer periods of time. What would otherwise be five different units being rented is now just five heads splitting one unit. This is not sustainable.

[@sugasweet435]

And I heard some places want to make it harder to even do that! If you aren’t swimming in cash they don’t want you here

[@threeftr3349]

This is how many in other countries live. When your choices are very limited, you will get used to so many situations to just have a roof over your head, and a few dollars in your pocket. Our choices are being limited, not just in rent, in food choices as well, There are less products to pick, shrinkflation. Higher prices also limits are choices. There are food deserts often in poor neighborhoods In jobs, I see comments where people say I applied to over 100 jobs, and only got two interviews. Are many of those just ghost jobs? Corporations can apply for foreign workers (pay less money) if they can document that they have job openings, if they could not fill those openings with Americans.

[@deebrown7160]

In NYC we always had roommates. Y'all got to get it out your head that everyone needs their OWN 3000 square foot home all to themselves.

[@sugasweet435]

@@deebrown7160 no one is asking for 3000sq. fr to themselves. What we’re asking for is for it *not* to be basically mandatory that you live with strangers just to make ends meet. What’s happened in NYC isn’t okay, being charged thousands for an oversized closet and not a moment of quiet. It shouldn’t be happening there and I don’t see why you expect the rest of the states to be okay with going down that route

[@driley4381]

@@deebrown7160 Can you show me where anybody made any such claims??

[@SanJunipero81]

The algorithm setting rental prices is extremely frustrating. My family and I have been renting in the Kansas City Missouri area over the last few years and most rental places now use an algorithm to set prices. Extremely frustrating to try and find affordable rentals. Prices are propped up. There will be empty apartments but the algorithm would rather them stay empty then lower the prices to a reasonable rate.

[@gladtobefreeagain7375]

Because the high rent pays for the empty units just like Airbnb rates pay for empty days. All around less expensive for the owner. It's just math. Frankly cities that ban short-term rentals when owner does not live on premises are smart. They can track days on market & charge owners an equivalent hotel tax. Why run hotels if apartments are mini hotels without safety, health & use taxes??

[@SanJunipero81]

@@gladtobefreeagain7375 thanks for the explanation. The way you explained it makes what is happening a lot clearer to me now.

[@jer1776]

Same in CT. The apartment complex I use to rent at had a different price for every unit and it changed daily. People should be in jail for this.

[@b3llyfull]

How many of you were ok with this when it was just poor ppl getting the scraps? Now the greed has wiped out the middle class and now ppl are mad. What did ya think would happen? After they squeezed the poor of everything and they have nothing to give they need to find a new source. Thats where you come in. Get you some poor friends theyll show you how to get adjusted to having nothing. Its really going to be okay. You still have your life.

[@ConsolidatedPBY]

@@b3llyfull 😹😹

[@heydennisha]

This channel is a hidden gem ! Thanks YT ,finally you recommend something useful for a long long time .

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

Glad you think so!

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

Thanks!

[@deborahaumiller7391]

There is no longer a middle class. It is only: RICH. or POOR!!!

[@kagnewcobra5228]

You are correct, the gap is getting wider every day!

[@janetholley1004]

That is what Socialism-Communism looks like...

[@quincyjones5676]

I mean there’s still a middle class they are just wealthy instead of being “middle”

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

That’s how it really feels.

[@Daveyjonesvi]

@@janetholley1004words mean something maybe you,need to learn what those words actually mean

[@BlitzkriegOmega]

I live in New Jersey. It's nothing but built-to-rent and empty warehouses as far as the eye can see. also, even the dingiest place rents for like $1600 for a month

[@pensacola321]

Sad that you are in a prison called New Jersey.

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

Even in my rural town rents are insane.

[@Daveyjonesvi]

@@pensacola321New Jersey is great tbh. Food is great, the nature is great, very diverse, and many activities to do

[@ihave35cents95]

Best thing I ever did was move out of jersey

[@sueurose2437]

we got married and brought our first house in 1990 for $84,000.00 two bedroom one bath basement garage 1/4 acre and was new construction. went FHA at 10% and our payment was just a little over $900.00 a month that will never happen for all the next generations. but also I could take fifty to sixty dollars to the grocery store and get everything for a full week and that was putting meat in the freezer too. wow did I just go down memory lane or what !?!

[@michaelkinneary6581]

They should be band from owning more than a small percentage of property in each state

[@Hun_Uinaq]

30%? Not likely. These days, people are paying more than 50% for their housing. When median yearly income is 60,000 and house payments are about 2300, that is not 30%.

[@rosanneallen-hewlett9973]

How about those mak I bg 25k, or on Social security. What do you think? They've done their part.

[@Hun_Uinaq]

@@rosanneallen-hewlett9973 those people usually have one of their kids living with them. That certainly is the case for me. My mother is on Social Security and she lives with me. It’s the only way. Unless, of course, they’ve already got a house that’s paid for that they bought way back when. And then, most likely, it’s the kids that move in with them because they cannot afford a house of their own so, they move back home. We are probably going to start seeing more people hang onto their property long-term and pass it down to their descendants who actually hold onto it this time instead of selling it right away. I think this will be especially true for people who bought in 2021 or 2020 when interest rates were down but housing prices skyrocketed. Eventually, the bubble is going to burst. Those houses will not hold their value. They won’t be able to refinance them. They’ll never get back the money they put into them. The only solution is to hold onto it for the long-haul.

[@Swrqltr]

I moved into a pretty new apartment complex 7 years ago. It was nice and had several amenities. Fast forward now people no longer pick up after their dogs, not to mention people can’t seem to put their garbage in the cans. We now have rats and from what I hear from the workers inside the apartments are trashed as well. Are these companies ready to maintain all the houses they own. This complex is not low income it’s just people don’t own it so don’t take care of it

[@blurplepie]

No wonder there are so many people leaving Florida and Texas. I live in North Carolina, and I have seen a sheer influx of Florida, Texas, and Californian license plates in my state, only making traffic even worse.

[@MusicLover-ui9sm]

Same here in South Carolina Also we have tons of NewYork and New Jersey and Pennsylvania Traffic is so bad Bumper To Bumper Traffic now In Myrtle Beach South Carolina and surrounding areas The tons of new developments have been added for the past 10 years and really started developing during 2021

[@wan3416]

If you sell your home to an investor, you’re just as complicit.

[@TrippyG10]

Thanks Kristina!! This is exactly why housing is unaffordable! Even renting has become unaffordable. The only option for some is to live in their car!! When does it end? When more people are unhoused than are unhoused? The Corporations are not only taking the properties and stacking the rents, but are also selling fractionalized shares of these overinflated rents! I'm so happy to see it explained so that other people can see what's truly happening!

[@DownSpriggLane]

We bought our 2100sqft home on 2 acres for $50,000 in the late 1980's. I cannot believe how ridiculous prices have changed! It will be something we can hopefully leave our daughter if all goes well! Not sure that will happen with what is going on in today's world!

[@kurt5312]

I have family of 5 my food alone went up 150% in 3 yrs and my wage only went up 8% its unsustainable

[@tammiepulley7167]

Kristina, I have recently been shopping for a rental home near Raleigh, NC. Over half the homes I see at the $1800 a month price are owned by big Corporations.

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

Good lord, terrible!

[@janetbusener6326]

I own a mid century ranch in Atlanta. These homes are not only the best builds, but all rents are from independent owners who used to live in them. Forget cheaply made new homes.

[@kburkes4245]

Some people might take your video as a political statement, but I hope we all know that it doesn't matter who is in the 'top job' because this is a systemic problem -- greed. We have allowed many of our economic sectors, not just housing, to take advantage of the American people. It's disgusting and frightening for the future of our country.

[@norwegianblue2017]

Corporations and corporate lobbying are a big part of the problem. But I disagree that the president can't help or hurt the middle class. I think people are opening their eyes on the "migrant" crisis going on. Biden is actively letting in hundreds of thousands of unvetted illegal aliens and spending billions of dollars for processing, housing and debit cards. Putting them at the front of the line even ahead of homeless veterans. Not counting the billions being spent on individual states to deal with the problem, unsuccessfully. This is money that could have been going to build infrastructure and lightened the load of taxpayers. Not to mention it depresses wages of the working classes by infusing so much unskilled labor so rapidly. That is just one issue, but there are several more where the polices and executive orders of the president can have a major impact.

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

You are exactly correct. It’s not a right or left problem it’s an American problem escalated by greedy corporations.

[@bigbob3772]

@@KristinaSmallhorn Wrong- you haven't a clue. Its q1 easing, gov debt. THAT is the debasing of a currency. Private corps are NOT the problem,. This is why we need to repeal the 19th-woman will ALWAYS vote in socialism/communism.

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

@@bigbob3772 you go work on that Bob. 👍🏻

[@karleells6540]

@@kburkes4245 you are 100% wrong. Everything Abbott the Biden policies have created massive inflation

[@bmay282]

Thanks for calling out the BS. 👍 There's also a lot of empty homes kept off the market or used as investments instead of places for people to live in..!

[@JacobColson34]

Its called a "Dream" because you have to be asleep to believe it ever existed!

[@operationprisonlink]

George Carlin said that 😂

[@funwisely]

Well Said George Carlin - WISDOM Comedy

[@Chris-zh9nd]

Of course its called a dream because nobody in the world was even getting close to a middle class lifestyle. Its an optimistic term for a society that had positive goals. We were closer to that goal in the past. Now its basically too expensive.

[@sunso1991]

Nightmares are dreams too

[@Daniinthecity_]

@@Chris-zh9ndit was a dream invented by some folks up in Hollywood

[@rahayden2009]

I have $77,000 left on my houses. Once i pay it off im canceling my insurance..Screw the Federal Reserve Central Bankers.

[@LifeInSouthFL]

I love how you are a realtor who is willing to talk about the truth of politics. Very refreshing

[@pensacola321]

How do you know truth, Cletus?

[@karleells6540]

@@LifeInSouthFL ignoring the huge inflationary policies of Biden while blaming everything on corporations Is hardly telling the truth.

[@LifeInSouthFL]

@@pensacola321 By being observant and having common sense

[@davidcenteau-depina6192]

I have seen a growing number of entire housing developments for rent, brand new homes. I drive a lot around Atlanta and surrounding areas for my job and have lost count of how many I've seen.

[@latonyalee7821]

I just saw my first one and it was shocking!

[@jakerobinhoodson4136]

"They call it the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe in it." ~ George Carlin

[@AnnaLory-l4u]

I live in an upscale neighborhood. People here never leave they pass their homes and farms on to their children and grandchildren. We got lucky. The lady who owned it her kids wanted nothing to do with her the home was gutted and renovated. We paid 295k early this year at a 6.5% rate payment everything included is 2300. The average home price here is 600k-4million+ We have stable corporate jobs but we still have a lot to fix plus saving for kids… even with our nice jobs my husband is driving Uber and I’m doing Instacart and DoorDash to all my neighbors in the surrounding area. We are “middle class” we never eat out never order on apps don’t take trips nothing. We don’t live pay check to paycheck anymore but we have to both have 2-3 jobs just to be able to save, invest and live comfortably. You gotta do what you gotta do.

[@Bearcat19]

Back when the housing bubble burst and congress was having all those hearings I was watching and listening for someone to ask the single most important question. They never did. The question that should have been asked? Can the AVERAGE WORKER in America AFFORD the AVERAGE home in America? Now notice I didn’t say buy. I said afford. If the answer is NO, then why? There are people living in RVs in Erie, Pennsylvania in the dead of winter! Because things in America are so out of balance.

[@jdanorthwest]

As long as we are a "keeping up with the Joneses" species corporate owners know they have us by the short hairs. It's a clear sign of weak mentality. I've stopped talking to people about why inflation is so high. People don't understand economics but are stubborn and refuse to listen. I appreciate your efforts to educate buyers and sellers but my guess is 80% ignore your advice!

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

It won’t stop me from trying though.

[@dname1802]

Renting is NOT the smart financial decision they’re trying to convince us🙄. Because rent prices can increase exponentially, while home mortgage can be a fix amount.

[@sugasweet435]

Exactly, how many of them rent, huh?🙃

[@Chris-zh9nd]

Consider the high semi hidden costs of "owning" a house. New roof, prop taxes, new deck, gutters, repairs, insurance and do that when theres a possible price bubble.

[@sugasweet435]

@@Chris-zh9nd anyone who does their due diligence will be aware of these costs, and they’re not an every month expense if you’re getting quality work done. And because it’ll be a while before those expenses come up, you can anticipate them and save money. After all, isn’t there an option to pay property tax yearly? You can adjust homeowners insurance, switch companies for a lower price, or opt out if your state allows and you’re that comfortable.

[@davidbrooks8809]

I Rent and I Love it 😊😊😊

[@davidbrooks8809]

City taxes home repair lot fees that's all real😮. . I say money renting and I put the rest in stocks and ETF's 😊

[@phoenix5054]

Tax vacant housing, prevent algorithmic pricing, prevent private equity ownership of housing.

[@hwoodist]

@@phoenix5054 people rejoiced when the gov said they couldn’t be evicted and they stopped paying, their rent. now people are crying about the high rents they’re forced to pay.

[@karleells6540]

@@phoenix5054 sure. Let’s just go full socialist- that’s been so successful globally - right? Lol

[@Bav92]

I feel bad for people that are younger than me (32). We bought a home in 2021, anyone who missed that wave seems to be priced out forever.

[@MizAmeliaTv]

As a previous property manager I can assure you real page is in all 50 states. I was forced to use this in California and all the large property management companies use it.

[@moeg]

All you have to do is look at previous generations and their approach to homes. They never looked at it as an investment. It was a place to raise a family and live there till you die. Not to keep trading up every time another child came along. I grew up in the boomer generation as the youngest of six children. We lived and shared bedrooms in what seemed like a big house at the time, but would be considered small compared to today’s McMansions. As for the economy well jobs and stock market performance are other determining factors hence all the media hype. Houses just need to be built smaller and simpler without all the high tech gadgets. Nobody needs a refrigerator with wifi. Just make the house simple. Get back to basics.

[@savdutch1388]

Well said👏

[@chrishayes5755]

it's not just the house but the land itself that's worth hundreds of thousands if not millions when you're in close proximity to a major city

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

I agree.

[@pmscalisi]

@@chrishayes5755and most major cities are dumpster fires now. Makes sense 😂

[@LorentGuimaraes]

When my mother got sick and wanted to retire, she felt she couldn't afford it, I said mom I got ya... I sent her to live in Brazil where she has tons of friends, goes to BBQs, the beach, has her own apartment etc... and all I have to do to make it all happen is send her 250 USD a month. Fun fact: In Brazil the minimum wage is only around 280 USD per month but covers all the above

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

More and more people are choosing to move to other countries in order to have the middle class life we worked for.

[@mudgrl717]

Yeah, and the worst part is no one tells you. Most of them are owned by insurance companies. We're already overpaying on insurance and most people don't even ever make a claim!

[@karleells6540]

@@mudgrl717 the Biden administration policies have contributed to mass inflation- and lies about climate change all contribute to higher insurance costs. Thanks democrats

[@llockertpro]

Can't remember but I think it was Florida, on a news broadcast a homeowner said their insurance was cancelled because there were stains on their roof captured from drone images. 🤯🤬😠what?!! They fought back and were able to retain coverage.

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

I saw that as well.

[@robs9324]

The American dream is freedom and prosperity, which are slowly being chipped away.

[@kevinmcclelland2135]

With the increase in property taxes & home owners insurance it’s becoming increasingly harder to afford the house that I built in 2016 even though I am happy it’s worth 3 times what I spent to build it.

[@hluvv7607]

I pay rent 1700.00 mth, one bedroom + water / trash removal monthly fees not including electric this is in Maryland

[@Kangamoos]

I've come to accept I'll never own my own home, or live anywhere except an apartment. It sucks, but it just seems to be getting further and further out of reach for many of us.

[@alittleofthisandthat8003]

Forty eight years old and just bought my first RV. Done with the rat race.

[@SterlingStang]

I wish I could buy a home, but here in Vegas everything is build to rent now and the homes from the 70s that you can buy are very expensive. So I got cornered into apartment living which doesn't fit my lifestyle. I don't need dog parks, I need a real garage.

[@nancyvernon3017]

Yep, this is the same thing I saw with the tiny home market To make land ownership undesirable to the public. When we all know, land ownership gives tne individual greater economic power and standing.

[@rf3604]

there has to be a connection to the lawsuit for buyer agents not getting commission from sale of home. it's just too convenient for both high rents and buyers not being able to afford agents.

[@michelleburney5464]

Hello I wanted to know were is the best place to buy land. To put a mobile home on.

[@wysiwyg88888]

If we're gouged on housing we wont have $$ left to spend on consumer products/etc which keeps the big companies in business.

[@VF1Skullangel]

Arizona is a mess, there has been nothing but Leasing properties going up for $3000 a month!!! I wanna move to Huntsville Alabama but I'm starting to wonder if ill be homeless by doing that.

[@pmscalisi]

You won’t,but, Huntsville is the most expensive place in the state to live except for the coast.

[@brokedancer70]

My apartment is 49.3 percent of my income (from social security)

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

That’s so scary. I’m so sorry.

[@rosanneallen-hewlett9973]

As we have been taught...yes we were...your rent/housing costs should be 25% ,of your gross income. That's all. Watch what they're telling you. Lies will make them rich if you listen.

[@scrumptiousjdp]

Right on, Sister. You are a voice of reason. But what"s to be done?

[@noreenn6976]

I've thought for years that these corporate apartment complexes were in cohouts together on fixing rent prices. Now they are all adding additional fees to squeeze more money out of the tenants. Rents are too damn high.

[@teresacardell9492]

Actually, it's more like 50% of your income goes to rent, same with mortgage payments, your paying half your income. Then you add utilities, your phone,insurance, health and auto,that eats up 40%, groceries eats 8%, leaving you 2%.

[@lolitanolita9107]

Also, if you have an RV, you still have to park it somewhere. RV's parks arent always cheap depending on where you live.

[@dave3657]

When I was getting out of school back in the eighties, I was told that I could never afford a house. Interest rates were high, inflation was high, just no way would my generation would own a home. 😢 I did buy a house at 8-1/2% interest. Refinanced twice to better terms. Now retired I live in a new home. Yes there is a way.

[@HexKittenGrave]

These people are delusional telling us we don't want to own homes. I've been trying to buy a house since pre-pandemic. I simply cannot convince myself to pay these falsely inflated home prices with extraordinarily high interest rates. My rent has raised so high that it takes my entire first paycheck of the month for a modest 3 br home. The only way I can afford to live here is having a significant other splitting the bills. I really feel for the elderly and the single parents in this economy. And no wonder homelessness has skyrocketed.

[@pensacola321]

Don't you wish you had acted 5 years ago and not procrastinated.

[@skylady64ish93]

@@pensacola321 Maybe not procrastination but just not financially able to buy 5 years ago. And who knew that prices would be so crazy now? I did not see it coming.

[@djk2884]

Great video Kristina!!!! Thanks, maybe this will wake people up to what is really going on - lets hope so.

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

I hope so.

[@John1908-vo1iv]

My favorite expert in real-estate. Thank you for your honesty and all your hard work!

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

Thank you for watching. I appreciate you taking the time to hear me rant.

[@sillymadeupusername]

Why do so many KZbin U.S based comment sections like this turn into a political debate within about 4 comments. My personal opinion is that it is up to YOU to make it regardless of which party in in power.

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

It’s hard for many to see that this has been a multi generational issue when the peak of it is hurting the most now. It’s easy to brush it under the rug when it doesn’t affect you but now it feels very real to many people. Thats why most think this just started happening and they pick a political side to blame.

[@coopsnz1]

@@KristinaSmallhorn dont vote for socialist & communist leaders if you want to rent for life or lose your home ! the green a more dangerous compared to democrats in power

[@latonyalee7821]

I wholeheartedly agree with you. People love playing the victim instead of doing what's necessary.

[@dquan731]

The rental collision definitely needs to be stopped. Next up will be car dealerships using AI to price cars. Then grocery stores. Then everything. Tougher actions needs to be taken to bring healthy competition back.

[@karleells6540]

@@dquan731 healthy competition comes from less government- thus republican policies not democrats.

[@dquan731]

@@karleells6540 lol. Certainly working out for us. Without govt policies to ban this type of price collusion, do you think the corporate landlords will somehow act in renters best interest? Without govt intervention, do you think the NIMBYs will find in their hearts to allow high density building in their neighborhoods? Without govt intervention, do you think Boeing will change their dangerous practices? Markets will act as you believe. They will maximize profits at all costs. Including your health and safety. Without govt intervention, you would have no protection.

[@diogorangel4941]

First video and already loved your content. Thanks 😊

[@bernaclischurchill4463]

That first news clip reminds me of a similar news story that I saw a while back about Google employees who were living in RVs, because they could not afford to pay rent in California where they work. Those people are all college educated and make very good salaries, but yet, their income still does not allow them to either rent and/or buy.

[@luciamixon4156]

I just paid $1381 older Apt. Includes water. That's more like 45% of my net. If I moved I could see $150 more minimally. If an individual water meter then I would be priced out completely.

[@alanzamora6504]

Why even ask very old folks that they will not be affected by the same laws they imposed on others 😮

[@CK-hu8vz]

Less about age and more about the economic divide between the haves and the have nots. Older people had more years to grow wealth, but many are not wealthy by any means.

[@deebrown7160]

My boomer mom is broke.Why y'all keep acting like all are rich/well off.

[@andredaedone7732]

I am a boomer and I am so rich, that is why I hang out on You Tube.

[@ParisianThinker]

It was millennials who voted for BIDEN and his $1 Trillion of money printing every 100 days. Isn't BIDEN great?

[@jer1776]

Young people need to vote more, espeically in primaries.

[@sharonhirschhorn1636]

When you buy you have a set price for a mortgage ( unless you have an adjustable one) and rents just keep on going up and up.

[@mrjj1f]

Question: Is there any chance that the Government numbers are not correct?

[@PlasmaBurns]

This describes the State of NY. Around 50% or more of Commercial Real Estate sits empty. some for 30 years or more... Set the rent for a tiny oiffice space at 25k a month - no one can afford = nice tax write offs. NY is a beyond saving.

[@terrencemcphail5782]

many nyc vacate spots dont meet residential coding laws like only being one window for entire unit and the owners cant renovate cause they are in a rent control environment and cant raise prices to reflect the renovation so they letting them sit.

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

You are correct. Commercial properties are doing the exact same thing.

[@cassidycross3406]

I dream of paying a landleech $1.2 million ($2k/mo) over the next 50 years with half of my paycheck all to have no security at the end of it.

[@MusicLover-ui9sm]

I’ve lived in Myrtle Beach South Carolina for 48 years Recently in the past 4 years new developments are being built at rapid speed But lots of them are rent only High rent In older bad neighborhoods too

[@levimcfadden7276]

These corporations are going to lose their shirts. The recession is here. They have bought too many homes, built too many homes, and speculated too far in advance. There will be many homes to buy in the future. People will get those homes at a discount.

[@colorjunkie]

As someone who has had to move every 2 years over the course of my LIFETIME (for one reason or another)- having someplace nice to call my own, and not having to move is my dream. As the housing market stands right now- I can not afford that dream. And renting is also getting unaffordable.

[@specialk2514]

We the people feel anger😡 about this housing debacle. Hope the next administration will boot Jerome Powell out and he can feel sad.

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

He still won’t understand why people feel icky about him.

[@Aeorocks]

Don't worry, though; the Supreme Court will just make it illegal to call out and investigate price gouging so we won't know about it.

[@CK-hu8vz]

Thank you for speaking the truth.

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

Thank you for watching.

[@karleells6540]

@@CK-hu8vz no. Kristina says nothing about the inflationary policies of Biden. That’s dishonest

[@Slide61]

Insurance will force folks to walk away from their homes in the near future - en masse.

[@hollymartin3291]

I cannot stand insurance or insurance brokers, all of them, medical, car, home, renters. They will all find anyway not to pay your claim, even though you’ve paid premiums for years.

[@dorothybermudez8904]

And what will the DOJ do with this info? Will rents come down?

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

I don’t think the DOJ watches my little channel.

[@karleells6540]

I do think corporations should be limited from buying single family houses

[@hwoodist]

@@karleells6540 what about individuals?

[@karleells6540]

@@hwoodist where do we stop? Is it ok an individual to own rental homes? Corporations? I think limiting corporations is viable. Republicans believe in less regulations and taxes. - that’s what increases construction of homes. Democrats believe in big government, over regulation, and high taxes. - that’s what creates less construction. Republican policies are better for for first time homebuyers

[@hsingkao2024]

While a plutocracy is a government ruled by the wealthy, an aristocracy is a form of government ruled by an elite few or a privileged, minority ruling class. Both are not for middle and "low" classes.