My Video Profile

Tent Cities: the original California housing tracts

 We all get that real estate is cyclical but I think that this cycle is taking us back to the beginning of all California real estate. If you have studied California history or watched enough History Channel then you have seen the photos (ddaguerreotypes) of Sacramento in the early 1850’s. Blocks and blocks and blocks of tents spreading as far as the eye can see.  From the Gold Rush to the Land Rush to the depression to the flower children we have a long history of Californians living on the land and off of the land in tents and shanties and lean tos.

I keep hearing that the “occupy” protesters are having a problem finding one voice, one goal or one cause. I think that the reason that Americans are living in tents across the United States right now is for the same reason that our forefathers lived in  tents in California in 1849; opportunity.  People may be homeless or jobless or hopeless but they come together for the chance of finding a way to change any of those things. 

There is power in numbers and our great, great grandparents successfully crossed the Sierra Nevada Mountain range by forming wagon trains with strangers to harness that power and survive. They came from around the globe to build the great state I have grown up in and enjoy living in today.

Things happen and things change and right now we are living through some grim times. I and the people that I know appreciate what we have much more and find that we can live with a lot less. And if we don’t have to live in a tent, or don’t choose to, we can still learn the lessons that are being played out on the front lawn of City Hall.

We can live in small spaces and be happy. We can share what we have and create a happy community. We don’t need a bedroom for every member of the family. We don’t need a house so big we can’t afford to furnish it, maintain it or even clean it. Our government can support us in creating communal living opportunities, cooperative housing, co housing projects and tenancies in common.

We and our environment all benefit from less and we can make the next real estate cycle be about better housing not a bigger house.

http://www.michelleromero.com/

Avoiding the Real Estate Hazards that matter most to you.

Check out a great new real  estate resource on the CA.gov sight.  /http://myhazards.calema.ca.gov/Default.aspx

Use this website to discover the hazards that exist in your area and learn how to reduce YOUR risk! Remember, the best way to recover from disasters is by reducing the risks before a disaster strikes.
Please note: This web site is for general purpose use only. Real estate disclosure information can be obtained from your local city or county government. 

This is a great way to find out if a neighborhood you like is in a floor area or requires additional hazard insurance. It is easy to use. You just type in an address and you get flood, fire, earthquake and Tsunami maps instantly! Another great tool at your fingertips.

For other real estate search tools contact me anytime.

http://www.michelleromero.com/