A housing market emerges in libertarian paradise

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Mr. Nur is among a band of property developers in Somalia who are catering to displaced people—getting into the real-estate business when most are getting out. "I can get a German-style villa or a two-story house for you," Mr. Nur said into his cellphone on a recent day, fielding call after call from potential buyers as he gave a tour of some of his properties. "Whatever you prefer."

Some 51,000 people have fled their homes in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, since late August as Islamist militants battle in the streets against African Union and government troops. A militant attack on government soldiers Sunday left at least 15 people dead and 20 wounded, the latest in a drumbeat of attacks and counterattacks that have taken a toll on civilians caught in the cross-fire.

...

The result is a surge in demand for property in safer areas of the capital or in areas beyond, say Somali property developers.

...

Developers here say Somalis have begun selling their homes as they flee fighting in Mogadishu. Wealthier Somalis have moved out of makeshift tent cities outside the capital and into built-to-order homes nearby.

Mr. Nur, a 41-year-old former restaurateur, got into the real-estate business when bombings kept people away from his Mogadishu eateries. Somalis' flight has allowed him to reap a "large profit," he says.

Like other agents, Mr. Nur says he began buying Mogadishu homes on the cheap from residents who didn't expect to return. While the capital is filled with shelled ruins, the best of its housing stock includes colonnaded multistory buildings and historic villas. Mr. Nur hopes to eventually restore the buildings and sell them at a markup when people begin trickling back.

...

On the recent tour, Mr. Nur, clad in coffee-colored jeans and a blazer, showed off four of the 10 houses he says he has built, including a three-story, orange-tiled home with neat rows of arches, and an imposing cement frame of a home that will feature rounded balconies on three levels that rise above the street.

Like many Somali businessmen, Mr. Nur imports his materials from Dubai and contracts building to independent construction workers. He offers two upscale models—from $90,000 and $45,000—and another, made of stone, for $6,000. Within a month, buyers can move into their new homes, according to Mr. Nur and those who have bought from him.

Larger homes tend to go to wealthy Somali businessmen. The smaller homes have become a respite for Mogadishu families.

...

Mr. Nur shrugs off criticisms that he is exploiting homeowners by buying their houses on the cheap. "This business is good for the people," he said. "They can sell their homes in times of desperation and move to the sunny bushland."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703298504575534013913848590.html

[The_Dude 1,142]

Hell yeah, zero regulations and prices derived purely from market driven factors. Libertarians should be flocking to Mogadishu in droves now.

[alienlovechild 75]

Hell yeah, zero regulations and prices derived purely from market driven factors. Libertarians should be flocking to Mogadishu in droves now.

You're confusing libertarians with anarchists but then AJ doesn't know the the difference either. You guys earned your dunce caps today.

The US Libertarian Party, is the third largest political party in the United States[10] (as of 2008, 235,500 registered voters),[citation needed] and asserts the following to be core beliefs of Libertarianism:

Libertarians support maximum liberty in both personal and economic matters. They advocate a much smaller government; one that is limited to protecting individuals from coercion and violence. Libertarians tend to embrace individual responsibility, oppose government bureaucracy and taxes, promote private charity, tolerate diverse lifestyles, support the free market, and defend civil liberties."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarianism

[The_Dude 1,142]

You're confusing libertarians with anarchists but then AJ doesn't know the the difference either. You guys earned your dunce caps today.

The US Libertarian Party, is the third largest political party in the United States[10] (as of 2008, 235,500 registered voters),[citation needed] and asserts the following to be core beliefs of Libertarianism:

Libertarians support maximum liberty in both personal and economic matters. They advocate a much smaller government; one that is limited to protecting individuals from coercion and violence. Libertarians tend to embrace individual responsibility, oppose government bureaucracy and taxes, promote private charity, tolerate diverse lifestyles, support the free market, and defend civil liberties."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarianism

We're both acutely aware of what Libertarians are and what they support, don't need a wikipedia post.

If you don't get the sarcasm, maybe you should just move on to another thread.

[alienlovechild 75]

We're both acutely aware of what Libertarians are and what they support, don't need a wikipedia post.

If you don't get the sarcasm, maybe you should just move on to another thread.

Hubris at it finest. You don't to look anything up because you know it all.

So now you're claiming you know what AJ knows. How long have you two been Siamese twins?

[The_Dude 1,142]

Hubris at it finest. You don't to look anything up because you know it all.

So now you're claiming you know what AJ knows. How long have you two been Siamese twins?

Sorry to disappoint you corky, but the poltical dogma of Libertarians isn't that complicated. If you find it hard to comprehend and require the assistance of wikipedia, that's your issue, not mine.

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ALC, the title was intended to be funny. Somalia's "libertarianism" has long been a subject of humor on the interwebz. You should try to keep up more, ya fuddy-duddy.

[Danno 1,228]

Sorry to disappoint you corky, but the poltical dogma of Libertarians isn't that complicated. If you find it hard to comprehend and require the assistance of wikipedia, that's your issue, not mine.

Since we agree the Libertarian Dogma is not so complicated.... how did you get the facts wrong again?

Ahh never mind.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Since we agree the Libertarian Dogma is not so complicated.... how did you get the facts wrong again?

Ahh never mind.

OK danno, where did I get facts wrong exactly? Do I need to explain what sarcasm is as a precondition to you response?

[Danno 1,228]

OK danno, where did I get facts wrong exactly? Do I need to explain what sarcasm is as a precondition to you response?

I thought I said "Never mind"

that means unless you add something of value to this conversation.... it's has run it's course.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I thought I said "Never mind"

that means unless you add something of value to this conversation.... it's has run it's course.

Danno, quit being a pvssy. If you really meant "never mind", you would have not posted at all. Your little 12 year old girl, passive aggressive post though indicates that you really don't want to just let it go, as your ilk are wont to do. You said I got the facts wrong, I called you on it, and you have no response. Typical Dannologic™

[Danno 1,228]

Danno, quit being a pvssy. If you really meant "never mind", you would have not posted at all. Your little 12 year old girl, passive aggressive post though indicates that you really don't want to just let it go, as your ilk are wont to do. You said I got the facts wrong, I called you on it, and you have no response. Typical Dannologic™

1. your facts about forms of Govt. were very much wrong, so much so that you converted your point to "sarcasm".

2.In this posting you a accuse me of being a 12 yr old (girl none the less) and yesterday I was a senior citizen.

Get yourself together, inconsistency is a flag of weakness.

[The_Dude 1,142]

1. your facts about forms of Govt. were very much wrong, so much so that you converted your point to "sarcasm".

2.In this posting you a accuse me of being a 12 yr old (girl none the less) and yesterday I was a senior citizen.

Get yourself together, inconsistency is a flag of weakness.

Danno, you should really sit down and read things again. You were being passive aggressive in your post. I called you out, simple as that. I didn't get anything wrong about governments, it's called sarcasm, look it up sometime. Somalia is devoid of government regulations and the housing market is set by market factors. Sounds like a Libertarians heaven, except for you know, the civil war, muslims, and no Fudruckers withing 1000 miles.

[Danno 1,228]

Danno, you should really sit down and read things again. You were being passive aggressive in your post. I called you out, simple as that. I didn't get anything wrong about governments, it's called sarcasm, look it up sometime. Somalia is devoid of government regulations and the housing market is set by market factors. Sounds like a Libertarians heaven, except for you know, the civil war, muslims, and no Fudruckers withing 1000 miles.

If this thread served no other purpose, at least you now realize, Libertarians don't believe in "no" government.

Progress is a good thing

[The_Dude 1,142]

If this thread served no other purpose, at least you now realize, Libertarians don't believe in "no" government.

Progress is a good thing

Danno, your ignorance is infuriating at times. Go buy a dictionary and look up what sarcasm means. You clearly have no clue about it.