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.

one time home cleaning Highland Park ..
In The News:

Privacy risks are hiding in plain sight, as your personal data is likely being collected, tracked, and sold without your knowledge.
VenHub, a fully autonomous, AI-powered smart store just opened at the LAX/Metro Transit Center in Los Angeles.
A woman's Facebook account takeover reveals dangerous social engineering tactics and provides lessons on recovery, avoiding scams and enacting stronger security measures.
Shanghai engineers are using 432 walking robots to relocate a complex, preserving Shikumen architecture while creating space for a modern underground hub and cultural center.
Major healthcare data analytics firm Episource had a cybersecurity incident exposing 5 million patients' medical records and personal information in recent breach.
A new sophisticated PayPal scam sends legitimate-looking emails from official PayPal addresses, using phone numbers instead of links to convince victims to download remote access tools.
Fox News' AI Newsletter brings you the latest on this rapidly evolving technology.
The innovative Kara Pod device extracts moisture from air to create mineral-rich water and brew coffee, featuring UV sterilization and compatibility with Nespresso pods.
Gov. Hochul unveiled New York's nuclear power plant project to power a million homes, which faces permit challenges while promising jobs and a cleaner energy future.
SAFE introduces Aerie, an underground luxury bunker combining high-end living with advanced security, wellness amenities and interactive walls simulating panoramic views.
A Facebook scammer posing as Elon Musk tricked a victim with promises of a Tesla and $250,000, requesting gift cards that become untraceable once the codes are shared.
Experience hands-free golfing with the Robera Neo smart caddie that uses AI to follow you, navigate obstacles and carry your clubs with GPS course mapping.
Cybersecurity alert: 16 billion passwords exposed in massive credential database affecting major platforms. Protect your accounts with password managers
The innovative BeBot robot uses electric power to remove pollution from shorelines, covering 20-30 times more area than manual collection while preserving wildlife.
A new ClickFix campaign targets macOS users with fake Spectrum support sites, tricking victims with CAPTCHA failures to paste commands that install information-stealing malware.
AI-powered autonomous trucks from Plus Automation are being tested across the U.S., Europe and Asia to solve logistics challenges while facing regulatory hurdles and labor concerns.
Your health information might feel private and secure with your doctor, but the reality is far more complicated. Data brokers collect a wide range of sensitive health data, from diagnoses and prescription details to personal identifiers, and sell this data to marketers, insurers, and other third parties.
Kepler Robotics has officially introduced its Forerunner K2 "Bumblebee" humanoid robot at the SAIC-GM automotive plant in Shanghai, marking a significant moment in the real-world deployment of advanced robotics.
Scammers never seem to be running out of new ways to try and get their hands on your money – and lately, they've been getting sophisticated.
Thirty people were injured and killed, though the exact number remains currently unknown, when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a Damascus church.
Unexpected password reset alerts signal potential hacking attempts or phishing scams. Learn how to respond and establish stronger security measures for your accounts.
A historic electric airplane flight landed at JFK with passengers, marking a milestone as Beta Technologies demonstrates the practicality and efficiency of electric air travel.
The Chaos ransomware group breached Optima Tax Relief in a double-extortion attack, stealing sensitive customer case files and corporate documents with personal information.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
The first human brain-computer interface by Paradromics was completed in 20 minutes, featuring microelectrodes to help paralyzed individuals control computers with thoughts.

No Load Mutual Funds or Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)?

If you are fed up with early redemption charges and... Read More

Stocks & Oil, Sat Jun 18th, 2005

Both the stock market and oil prices rallied recently, which... Read More

Investment Capital Gains

Have you bought any mutual funds this year or late... Read More

Stock Options Trading Strategies - Lean

Professional stock options traders use the term lean to refer... Read More

Peer Groups

Whenever I see mutual fund comparisons in the trade publications... Read More

When Should I Sell?

People are always asking me when should I sell my... Read More

Which Way The Market

I am hearing predictions by brokers, financial planners, talk show... Read More

Valuation

Every day I hear from the "experts" on CNBC-TV and... Read More

Mousetrap

The spring-loaded rat catcher is the ultimate low-tech device invented... Read More

Who Knows?

The Shadow knows. Remember him? It seems a shadow has... Read More

The Stock Market - How Just One Question Will Tell You All You Need To Know About Your Stock Broker

Last time we looked at the real performance of the... Read More

Being Wrong Buying Stock is Okay

Being wrong is OK, but let's not carry it to... Read More

Advantages and Disadvantages of Mutual Funds

Outlined below are some of the advantages and disadvantages of... Read More

Alfred E. Newman

What! Me worry?Many of you remember the cover of MAD... Read More

Stealth Bull

If you have been watching the stock market at all... Read More

Fake Money

Reach in your pocket and take out that big roll... Read More

When?

When will the stock market stop going down and start... Read More

Trading Tips No 6: The High Cost of Low Cost Stock Market Information

It has been said that low cost or even free... Read More

Dollar Cost Averaging

Dollar cost averaging is one of the most popular ideas... Read More

Take The Time

You must take the time once a month to review... Read More

Stock Investment Advice

Stock investment advice is easy to find. Do you get... Read More

Discover the Biggest Trading & Investing Online Mistake

Any online investor / trader seeks an excellent off or... Read More

Online Broker Trade History Not Doing the Job

Let me start by saying that...Most online brokers do not... Read More

More Window Dressing

Two weeks ago I wrote about what the Securities and... Read More

The I Word is Coming to a Town Near You

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

licensed cleaning services Park Ridge ..