Question about lots you bought and sold.
How common was that? Buying them low? How come everyone wasn't doing that?
I never even thought about it, but seems like a pretty smart thing to do?
Here is how it goes in a catastrophe
Step 1 "I am never coming home, how can I live in that city!!" older people and irrational people fire sale their homes as they do not have the energy to rebuild and decide to start life elsewhere. This is your best time to get a deal when their is blood in the streets. People are panicked and ready to get the hell out of the city. they think nothing is coming back and they better get what they can while they can cause everyone will be selling the city is doomed.
Step 2 "I cannot believe I am living in this <new city> it sucks here I miss home and want to get back. I miss everything about my life." Good deals still as some people come back and realize this is a 5 year process and they do not have the stomach to do it.
Step 3 "I am home and my neighbors are back. No restaurants are open so we have block parties every night, everyone cooks, plenty of alcohol. My house might be gone but I am living with my brother, sister, mom, dad, cousin, aunt, uncle, friend etc and damn we are busting our ass all day but having alot of fun at night. In some respects I will be significantly closer with my family. How in the hell could I ever think about selling." Not as many deals but still some. New people are moving to the city and buying property values are starting to creep slightly upwards.
Plenty of people bought lots and sat on them. A lot of people did not have the cash to do it but if you did deals were everywhere.
Thanks
Adam