Lemmings Are Gathering

Before they go over the cliff to their destruction these little furry ones get together for a party and celebration. Each tells the other how smart he has been with his investments and buying and selling of stocks and real estate.

Wait a minute. Did I say lemmings? I think I meant investors. It seems they had that same party in January 2000 and it was a doozy that lasted for several months. A great time was had by all. They did not have one in 2001 as membership dropped off. Nor again in 2002 and by 2003 there wasn't anyone around at all.

The lemmings (oops, investors) had gone over the cliff. And they were such nice little guys too. The few at their party who tried to preach caution were drowned out with loud squeals that the market was going to 40,000 or maybe higher.

This new crowd said it will never happen to them as they are not going to put their money in that risky stock market. Oh no, there is a really safe investment that always goes up ? real estate. There is only so much land and no more is being created. The population is expanding so the demand will continue and prices can only increase.

Even for the novice speculators there is a place to make big bucks. They are joining real estate clubs just like the old stock market investment clubs to which they have previously been members. Put in a few thousand and watch it grow as the real estate market keeps going up and up. These investors know they are on the verge of great expectation that will mean wealth. Wealth without work or effort. Maybe they forgot how much they lost from the expert advice in that previous investment club, but everyone knows real estate is a sure thing.

A stock investment is just a piece of paper, but real estate you can feel the dirt, walk through the building and slam the doors. That's solid. You can't miss. With each deal they recognize how they are getting smarter and smarter. Hurrying, doing nothing constructive to make their fortune. Just like in 2000.

For more than a year the professional traders, insiders and large institutions have been quietly selling their stocks and I am now beginning to hear of sales of major properties. Just because someone has a lot of money doesn't mean he is smart. These groups can be as wrong as the little investor.

Real estate may continue to be an excellent investment, but speculation in real estate can be hazardous. If, or maybe I should say when, this market stops going up or even starts down it is very hard to sell a property. Payments must be made and upkeep maintained. It is possible to rent out some houses or offices, but the income ratio today does not allow a breakeven to costs.

These real estate lemmings don't seem to care. They are gathering in larger groups and are working under the greater fool theory.

This is a time for caution as it was in 2000 for stocks. You don't want to go over the cliff again.

Copyright 2005

Al Thomas' best selling book, "If It Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy It!" has helped thousands of people make money and keep their profits with his simple 2-step method. Read the first chapter to receive his market letter for 3 months at www.mutualfundmagic.com to discover why he's the man that Wall Street does not want you to know.

after renovation cleaning Glenview ..
In The News:

Foreign-owned apps secretly harvest personal data from seniors, making them prime targets for scams. Learn how to protect your privacy and stop data brokers today.
Sens. Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal introduce bipartisan GUARD Act to protect minors from AI chatbots through mandatory age verification and disclosure requirements.
Ghost-tapping scammers exploit wireless technology to drain accounts through small transactions, but RFID-blocking wallets and transaction alerts can protect you.
French pilot project demonstrates wireless charging roads that can deliver over 300 kilowatts of power to EVs while driving, potentially eliminating range anxiety.
YouTube's Ghost Network spreads information-stealing malware through thousands of fake videos offering cracked software, using compromised accounts and fake engagement.
Protect your privacy by disabling your smart TV microphone. Most TVs have hidden mics that listen even when voice commands are off. Learn quick steps to stop unwanted audio capture.
SessionReaper vulnerability hits Magento and Adobe Commerce stores, compromising 250+ sites in one day. Hackers steal data and hijack shopping sessions.
Master essential parental controls and digital safety tools to protect your kids online. Learn screen time limits, location settings and privacy controls every parent needs.
Cybersecurity expert shares six essential steps to protect against dark web threats, including data removal services, password managers and antivirus software.
NVIDIA GPU space mission could revolutionize cloud services by enabling orbital data centers that make apps, games and AI tools faster and more efficient.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Microsoft warns Windows 10 users face serious security risks as 90% of ransomware attacks target unsupported systems. Learn why upgrading to Windows 11 is crucial.
Nike unveils Project Amplify, revolutionary motorized shoes developed with Dephy that add powered assistance to every step for runners and walkers.
Cybersecurity experts warn about one of the largest credential compilations ever found, urging users to check "Have I Been Pwned" and change passwords immediately.
Quick iPhone and Android battery optimization techniques help your device stay powered all day by turning off hidden features that secretly drain power in the background.
Kodiak Driver autonomous truck achieves perfect 98 safety score, matching top human fleets in groundbreaking AI evaluation by Nauto's VERA system.
New 401k catch-up contribution rules in 2026 will change taxes for high earners over 50. Learn how scammers exploit these changes and protect your retirement savings.
Kurt Knutsson's guide covers social media privacy protection through location settings, account privacy controls and two-factor authentication to prevent scams and data breaches.
Revolutionary retinal implant restores central vision in 80% of patients with advanced macular degeneration, offering hope where treatments once only slowed blindness.
Learn how to use passkeys on Windows and Mac computers without cameras or fingerprint readers. Discover secure authentication methods that replace passwords.
Tesla's FSD v14.1.2 update reintroduces Mad Max mode, enabling higher speeds and more frequent lane changes than the standard Hurry profile setting.
A phishing email scam targeting American Express customers shows how cybercriminals use fake urgent messages to steal personal and financial information.
Facebook's new Meta AI feature analyzes your camera roll photos to create polished collages automatically, but requires cloud processing and raises privacy concerns.
A New Jersey teenager filed a major lawsuit against AI/Robotics Venture Strategy 3 Ltd. over ClothOff, an AI tool that created fake nude images from her social media photos.
Microsoft reports Storm-2657 cybercriminals sent phishing emails to 6,000 addresses at 25 universities to steal payroll credentials and redirect funds.

Never Lose Money

Never lose money in the stock market again. Yeah, I... Read More

Stock Trading - Daddy, Why Arent We Rich?

One Saturday morning, while he was sitting at his computer... Read More

A Stock Market Investment Strategy

I feel that an investment strategy in the stock market... Read More

Humpty Dumpty the Stock Market Falls Down

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall and all the King's... Read More

Selection Vs Direction

As I have said many times before in this column... Read More

You Don?t HAVE To Be Trading

As a novice trader, you'll often feel the need to... Read More

The I Word is Coming to a Town Near You

Hello Inflation, it has been awhile, I see you on... Read More

Duck

Duck! No I don't mean a quack, quack. I meant... Read More

Stock Market Investing: Knowing When (and when not) to Sell

One of the greatest challenges of investing in stocks is... Read More

Dont Spend Another Dollar on Business Opportunities Until You Read This

With an insecure job market, overworked employees, insufficient retirement savings... Read More

Lifestyle Funds Provide Greater Security?

With the stock market stubbornly refusing to settle down and... Read More

What Our Investment Advisor Wont Say Off The Bat

Most advisors will tell you they can beat the market.... Read More

Market Timing

Every broker and financial planner will tell you that you... Read More

Hill of Hope

Just about now everyone is confused as to which way... Read More

Market Experience of a Na?ve Stock Operator

Sometime in the third quarter of 1997, someone told me... Read More

Shorting Stocks ? The Basics, Part I of II

What does it mean to short a stock?This means that... Read More

Investing in Dividend Paying Stocks

I was recently interviewed for a press release through a... Read More

Where Is The Rabbit?

We need a rabbit!This was a pretty horrible week for... Read More

Tips to Finding Other People?s Simple Trading Plans

Did you know you can make money (and a lot... Read More

My Neighbor Got A New Car

I don't know what kind it is, but I saw... Read More

Why Technical Indicators

The fight continues to rage among traders who use technical... Read More

Stock Market Investing Odds

The greatest stock market myth is the idea that investing... Read More

Protectionism

First let's see what protectionism is. According to Mr. Webster... Read More

A Triple Dipper: How to Make 3 Profits on 1 Stock Trade

This is a rather simple strategy with which I am... Read More

The Secret to More Winning Trades is as Simple as Avoiding This Common Mistake

If you're a normal human being, your need to feel... Read More

no-contract cleaning service Lincolnshire ..