The Bricks & Mortar Plague

According the journalistic observations, Canada is infected by a new strain of virus – “Real Estate Obsession Disorder (REOD)”, that attacks human heads and hearts … a very dangerous disease.

The outbreak is now officially a massive plague pandemic sweeping through the Great White North causing major cultural changes.

Unlike deadly disease like HIV, REOD is a highly addictive mental disease caused by a virus loved by everyone on earth – the bacterium chrímatis (a.k.a. “Money”). However, the infection can be deadly under the right conditions.

Apparently, “Greed” is the key factor that will determine how will the infected victim dies. Typically, the victim will either Die “High and Dry” or in worse case scanario, Die “Standing”. On the positive side, there is a consolation to this perculiar disease – Those who managed to survive the infection will be the next Donald Trump … You will be so well off, you may go grab a pussy or puppy from Hollywood. No one will say a word, not even the most celebrated celebrities.

Enough science, here is the reality chronicle: –

You’re addicted to real estate

Real estate is a hot topic in Canada.

Home prices are soaring in Toronto and Vancouver.  We compare what 500-thousand dollars can buy you in big markets and small ones.

We watch reality shows about house flipping, and try to do it ourselves.

When you’re in the midst of it all, it might seem normal. But Globe and Mail reporter Ian McGugan argues Canada is addicted to real estate, and until we admit that, nothing will change.

“Canada, just look at yourself, my friend. You’re an addict: a middle-class junkie, to be sure, but still a fiend on fire for the buzz of cheap mortgages and the rush of rising home prices.”– Ian McGugan

That includes politicians, bankers, and regulators who proclaim concern, but really don’t take meaningful action, McGugan says.

“Our elected officials aren’t fools. While they devise half-hearted, largely cosmetic measures that might cool the madness by half a degree, the system goes on adding fuel to the frenzy.”

McGugan points to three key factors as evidence: tax laws shelter profits on the sales of principal residences; CMHC insures mortgages with meagre down payments; and RRSP rules allow first-time homebuyers to tap their retirement savings, while governments proffer various other incentives to nudge newbies into the market.

“Any nation serious about getting off its real estate high would demand an immediate end to this nonsense,” he says.

Worse still, McGugan says, Canada tries to pin the blame on foreigners.

“Really? It’s not foreigners who are propelling the lunacy in rust-belt towns like Windsor, Ontario, where prices soared 20 per cent over the past year. It’s not foreigners who nearly doubled the debt load of Canadian households over the past generation, from 87 per cent of our disposable income in 1990 to 167 per cent now.”– Ian McGugan

To McGugan, fundamentally, what really needs to change is Canada’s addiction to real estate and that begins by admitting we have a problem.

“Then we have to admit we have all the tools to solve the problem — if only we choose to do so.

“Yes, I know, it’s going to hurt a little, but here’s one final truth: It will only get worse if we wait.”

Is there anything we can do to stop the pandemic?

Prevention

• None. No vaccine in sight yet.
• The Liberals claim they’re working on it, but you should be realistic – expect none, ever and forever.

Treatments

• Ask not your family doctor, because they too are likely infected with the same nasty disease. You better off consult the journalists from the Globe and Mail instead.
• Alternately, you may want to try something spiritual eg. Buddhism – “Desire is Samsara” … Meditate. That might help a little, who knows?

Not sure if this place can help us …?

International Church of Cannabis

Is Jesus a fan of weed?

In any case, let’s get our real estate fix first … Let’s start with a few doses of Interiors Porn: –

Stunning Spiral Staircase … Masterpiece

Fantastic kitchen in this pre-Civil War home in Charleston, SC

Keeping warm by the fireplace in this living room, located in Valle De Bravo, Mexico

Kitchen island with built in seating … Ingenious