<<So what demographic picks up the slack now? Border hoppers?>>
After thinking of a way to answer that question without referring you to the obvious sources of info such as Census Bureau data and other government stats re: immigration, household formation, employment levels, Treasury tax receipts, etc.....
Maybe another way to determine where housing demand has been originating and probably will continue to originate is to ask some simple questions:
If you live in a large metro area or any large-to-medium-sized city, is road traffic declining or increasing? Are new roads being built where you live, because the old ones can't handle the traffic?
Are you noticing decreasing or increasing numbers of foreign-born people in your area?
Are you finding it harder or easier than it used to be to find a parking place at any restaurant, store or other type of local business any time you want to?
Can you easily or not-so-easily get tickets and a hotel room so that you can attend your college alma mater's football games when you want to?
Is it easier or harder to get plane reservations whenever your want to, in order to get to your destination of choice?
Is college enrollment declining or increasing in the U.S.?
Are any new public schools being built in your area, or are existing schools being shut down or converted to other uses?
Do you know any retirees who are looking for new homes?
Do you know any young folks who are getting married and need a home?
Do you know any young married couples whose apartments aren't big enough to fit another child or two?
Do you know any divorced couples who are splitting up and need two homes instead of one?
Do you know any renters who are getting a job promotion and a salary increase and want to buy a house or condo?
Believe me, I don't know where all these people are coming from, but they've been coming and there's no population decline or long-term lack of housing demand clearly in sight. Do you foresee a time when the number of people wanting a home will decline? If so, where do you think they're going to live?
If you do see a decline in homeownership demand, maybe you should buy some rental property and suck up money from the renters, because one way or another, the earth is getting crowded and everyone needs a roof. |
