DC area market distortion

[Anonymous]

Has anyone else noticed how distorted the property market and rental market are here in the DC area due to embassies/consulate workers, temporary military, and tax-free workers?
We have been astounded at how disadvantaged we are, competing for house rentals with someone whose embassy pays half their lodging, or a non-U.S. IFC or IMF worker who doesn't pay federal or state income tax. And then there are the "temporary" military people who get $2400/month to live in Pentagon Row or $240/night to be housed whereever. We've also noticed home-sellers who cannot sell are always lobbying whatever embassy to house a family for 6000-8000 per month.

Any other examples of this propping up the market? And I guess I hope they don't stop propping it up, because that would create quite a vacuum, kind of like when the World Bank ceased paying its employees' kids' private schools tuitions.

[Anonymous]

Distorted? You're in the capital of the free world with people who run the government with trillions of dollars budget and international workers from all over the world in multi-billion dollar institutions.

Did you expect Erie Indiana?

It's not going to be a regular city/town/village. Get over it.

That's the market in DC area.

Might as well go to NYC and complain about UN staff, bankers with multi-million salaries, etc.

[Anonymous]

you mad? Has anyone noticed how the internet causes prices of items to be cheaper and brick and mortar stores to go out of business.

Has anyone noticed that you can pay more for things that are in demand?

has anyone else noticed that there are a lot of high paying fabricated government related jobs for otherwise people that would never be employed in the free market?

[Anonymous]

yep, DC has some high rollers indeed! And we love going out to dinner with our World Bank friends, because they flash their company ID and we don't have to pay the 10% DC restaurant tax! Maybe look at the upsides of a diverse, cosmopolitan area?

As for property markets, yes several of our neighbors are consulate workers and drive around in their blue license-plated vehicles. I haven't asked them if they got a subsidy to buy their property or paid realtor fees... could be, who knows. I do recall going to Open Houses and being told this used to be rented out by the Brazilian Embassy.

[Anonymous]

Yes and it sucks.

Moving out of the area as soon as possible...

[Anonymous]

yes, and as a close-in NW DC home owner I am very thankful for this distortion.
Or actually, I wouldn't even call it a distortion because it's been this way forever and will continue to be this way. It's the Washington DC way of life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Did you expect Erie Indiana?

Is that what you get when you cross Erie, Pennsylvania with Gary, Indiana?

There probably are some good bargains there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Did you expect Erie Indiana?

Is that what you get when you cross Erie, Pennsylvania with Gary, Indiana?

There probably are some good bargains there.

I think it was a TV show...

[Anonymous]

I'm with you OP. the same people who are going to the chi-chi preschools for nothing and the kids come over to your gorgeous home and trash it because they have no regard for actually owning anything. Yet, when they go back to whatever third world nation they are not opposed to having an entire staff of servants for a pittance. GD hypocrites.