ABOUT THE DIRT

Does history repeat itself? Do we feel anxious when we watch the stock market dive and the housing market take a tumble?

For me, I hear the echo of my parents, their conservative approach to money management after going through the Depression of the 30's. They were tempted to 'stick it under the mattress', but my grandfather, older, wiser, and from the 'old country', counseled BUY DIRT!

At the end of that depression and into WWII, our families saved their pennies, lived  frugally. We all had victory gardens (many folks in WWII planted vegetables and fruits, raised chickens, and made their own bread). My Mom and us kids tended the garden and chickens. My Dad walked to work.

My grandfather bought 80 acres of barren land. Well, it wasn't exactly barren; it had lots of rocks - big rocks! He cleared a large portion and planted indiginous trees, a skill he brought from his native Sicily. The family teased him about the acquisition and christened his plot 'Rocky Acres'. Twenty years later that land sold to a development company owned by Doris Day and a large housing development replaced the rocky acres. Grandpa had the last laugh, all the way to the bank.

There are some investors during the current economic down trend who are investing in land, realizing the values are there just as they are in home foreclosures. It is a good time to build on that land too because building costs are down.

New Custom Home Builders are getting inquiries from people interested in buying the land and building a home. They have a vision and know it is always smart to 'buy dirt'. My guess is that like my grandpa, they will have the last laugh too, well maybe just a satisfied smile.