I moved out of my home in 2001 to be with my fiance (now wife) 20ish miles south. We decided to sell the house I had owned since 1994 in 2002 as it was a lot of hassle holding onto it. We paid off the mortgage. We had (and have) NO OTHER DEBTS!!!!!!!!!!

We stuck the surplus in the buildo and the int helps our rent.

We decided not to rebuy as it would need borrowing a further £100k which we were not prepared to do.

The HPI was <5% and we were all bitching with Iraq.

We have lived in houses since 2005 to continue at least to end 2009 (due to 2 year lease) which are FAR better than we could afford to buy (or borrow hugely with great risk). (Currently its an £800k house the owners could not sell this summer.)

My wife and I are VERY happy with our decisions.

I have NEVER recommended that anyone sell their home - unless it is likely to cripple them financially. Even then it is a huge step.

I have never recommended to anyone that they sell and put everything to gold. Gold will be a beaut in the LT even though it will be volatile on the way. It is not appropriate for everyone and, even then, only in appropriate quantities. Anyone who wants to see my generic investment recommendations can read my investment reports on my website. (see my profile.)

Talking of which... I did not set up this site. Webmaster did!

I will bring this out every time I see a lot of b0llocks spouted about me.

fp

What b0llocks?

FP yer ra man.


VI's will be plenty peeved that someones pishing on thier parade.


Keep sticking it to them and don't let them grind you down.

Elsewhere and sometimes here. Hence...

....in a high profile scenario you've been proved right ..that takes guts....there will be a load of rubbish in the air from time to time ....just correct it and as ever.. move on calmly......keep going and best of luck ..you have strong support...

Whilst your there FP - Congratulations on FINALLY getting the alternative point of view out there - you deserve great applause!

FP - Could you please take any opportunity you have to bring up the VITAL subject ot MORTGAGE FRAUD - and the role is has played in hyping up "prices" ...... I hope you've read my many posts over the years -- yes YEARS!!!

U do a great job... it's tough being the face of HPC. Not many want to see sense return to HPs..

You're introduced on the tv as spokesman for housepricecrash.co.uk, some people are going to hate what you're saying and will try to discredit you as best they may.
I hope it doesn't get to you, do what you can to counter it if you feel like it, but don't let it wind you up!
Personally I look forward to seeing you in the media, and hearing your points made.

They don't like it up em, keep going, you are doing a grand job.

There are stocks on the market that go up and down anything up to the whole HPI move since 1995 nearly every day yet still the bulls argue that there is only one game in town in terms of invesment. Well this game will be a killer for those who call it wrong on margin, I've seen people wiped out or made in a few hours of trading. The players in the housing market now (on high multiples) are what I would consider some of the riskiest players in any market I have been witness to.

I have never seen a market so hyped and soft soaped as the property market, never, ever.

Keep on talking sense and don't let anyone stop you.

Tell me who it was, i'll get em for ya!

FP,

There is no need for you to explain your situation to anyone. Ad hominem attacks are just that. You must simply meet any such criticism with the answer that your cicumstances do not change the reality of what is happening, nor the validity of your arguments.

Keep up the good work.

Ta. Could you kindly take out most of my post in your post. It becomes a hassle to read posts if people use whole posts in theirs. Thx
fp

I didn't hear whatever this is about, but when I have heard you, you have always come off best in the exchange, always calm and professional. Don't let them get you down with what are apparently ad-hominem attacks.

This is for ad hominems and wallies who just want to bleat about me even though they are crash-minded. Go figure!

Right with ya FP.. Loads of silent(ish) readers of this site like me are too..

x

Might be a good idea to tone this down a bit too. Best not let them know they're getting to you...

*delete*

Should this thread not be in the About Houseprice Crash.co.uk forum ?

Hope they leave this on the main forum as I rarely look at the others, I suspect many other people are the same.

Glad you started the thread as I had the misconception that you had started HPC.co.uk

Please keep up the TV work you are good at it and you really get the HPC point over well.

Unfortunately FP if you stand on prime time national TV as a representative of this site then it's very likely you will be tarred with the brush of the overall theme of the site and forum which it has to be said comes across as rather 'crank' in places especially with the gold thread & the generally vitriolic sentiment towards BTLs, anyone perceived as stupid enough to have bought in the last 5 years, EAs, builders, anyone perceived as a HPI 'VI', ethnic minorities, immigrants etc etc etc.
Personally I think you've either got to be very brave or VERY fkin stupid to want to offer yourself forward as the 'face' of the sentiment and the views contained in some of the posts here whether you made any STR/buy gold recommendations or not and whether you are right about a house price crash or not.

FP,
The sad thing is that if you stick your neck out, and make a public forecast, there are people
out there who will want to attack you, and make up reasons for such forecast.

Too many people are unable to take freely-provided views at face value.

I reckon it has something to do with deep-seated jealousy that is a remant of the Uk's
old class system. British people get uncomfortable whenever they see someone doing better
than them, and anyone who is willing to make an effort to succeed become targets of the
many whi are unwilling to standout.

Keep up the good work, and dont let the bastards get you down

you're doing a great job. You're paying the price of being in the public eye and shooting down many a VI with reasoned, rational talk. You make sense, that's why the media keep inviting you back.
Couldn't blame you if you decide that you've had enough - well done so far :-)

Yes I think therein lies the problem.

hpc.co.uk has obviously been asked to put forward a spokesperson, but it should have been someone who actually owns hpc.co.uk. Not FP or another forum member given the sheer scale of views on here.

Of course it is good publicity for the site to see the name on the News, etc., but that gain is purely to the site's benefit - not FPs or indeed the message he is trying to get across. Indeed it can be detrimental - it makes his views look a little extreme and of course vested.

FP should be allowed to speak as a financial planner - maybe using his own website as a tag line if any is needed.

At the moment is the short term success of this site as a commercial enterprise is getting in the way of the message.

Good work FP but be careful, theres a country full of v.i's out there. Inc the public ..and some cant handle the truth. Be careful out there.

Maybe in future, although theres not always time, state that you are not the site creator etc and explain that the crash was caused house hyping etc. This site hasnt made that much difference to the outcome... Were just stating the facts....
and some cant undestand it.

See my signature. Lol

FP - tone it down, you got a media profile to look after.

You have to expect that on posts from the dark side.

Wtf will you do if Paxman gets on your case?

Jonathan, I havn't seen/heard all your appearances, however, I have heard/seen one of the first and one of the last. Your progression as a commentator, in such a short space of time swimming against the swell of 'zombie zeitgeist', has been remarkable. The fact that you are now accepted as part of the mainstream commentary team likewise. That's been a v. difficult stroke to pull off as it requires so many business smarts and quite a comprehensive skill set.
You do not have to justify you personal situation/decisions to anyone on here or in the press. You may have to justify your right as being perceived (and you've never proclaimed to be) as an expert in housing and finance related matters. Just be ready for that question, eveything else is puff and air

Your doing a fantastic job of promoting the truth FP. Some people just cant handle the truth but thats their problem. Keep it up.

I know exactly what your talking about , some of them seem to be obsessed with you , just ignore it and relax

From small radio station interviews to BBC 6 o'clock news says it all.

Neatly encapsulated in the "build 'em up, then tear 'em down" approach of the tabloids.



I can't really follow the logic of that. Say I was the owner, had no camera presence, couldn't cope with the presence of the cameras, was overwhelmed by my more experienced opponents because of nervousness, didn't come across very well (oh wait, that is me!)

Anyhoo, the point I'm making is that in a media world you need someone who can play their game to best effect. Besides, in the world of poilitics and business, the head honcho doesn't do his/her own representing, at least not 90% of the time, they have spokespeople. Tony Blair, Bill Gates, they use spokespeople, if it's good enough for them.....

A famous poem helps me in such times FP, maybe it'll help you...


If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

"If" by Rudyard Kipling

FP, you don’t need to do this. You have a lot of people speculating about your personal circumstances – let them – they are only doing it because they cannot counter what you say. As someone else points out, it is ad hominem, nothing more. But so what - they are only showing themselves up. What you say is either right or wrong independently of your personal situation. As they are unable to demonstrate that what you say is wrong, they look to demonstrate that you have an ulterior motive for saying it, but the very fact that they are doing this strengthens your own argument. Put simply, they are proving that you are right by seeking to destabilise what you say.

As Bubb points out, you are the one forming an argument, you are the one making a forecast and you are the one sticking your neck out. Cowards prefer simply to pick holes in other people’s arguments rather than form their own. When they are unable to do even this (which is most of the time) they look to attack the person, not what he says, so their entreaties to learn more about you – or anyone else - personally should be ignored.

You make a number of points about what people are accusing you of saying or recommending.

You are now the public face of this Forum, which by its nature, has a number of views regularly espoused by a diverse range of posters.

The Public and VIs could be forgiven for assuming that, as the Forums public persona, these are YOUR views, (even though opposing views are available on this site).

Its not your fault, but thats the way of the world.

I dont know who Webmaster is, nor do I know if he is THE webmaster, the two names may refer to an entity called webmaster (as I am Bloo Loo) or to the technical term of webmaster.

Your post does not make it clear that you are not the entity webmaster, but it does not confirm also that you are not the site webmaster.

I expect that you are neither.

You really are getting attacked as any bear would who is sitting wiht his mates, then the subject of rising prices comes up, you say they are not going to, and you are looked at as if you are stupid. Only youve gone public, so it will be worse for you.

I suggest you grow a thick skin, or if you feel its too much for you, stop agreeing to do the interviews.

Whilst you have my support (for what its worth) for an amatuer representative to be exposed to public ridicule and lies, you need to decide if its worth the hassle, and the professsional ramifications for your financial business.

Good luck with your decision and your business

FP, the media will turn you into a hero when annual HPI goes negative.

You'll be running for PM next. Hold in there.

Sounds like your timing was as poor as mine FP! I sold up for lots of reasons other than trying to call the top too though.. Still, I'm over it now, mostly

Rarely post these days....but FP you are really doing agreat job - you speak for the ordinary man - no vested interests.
You are incredibly brave to speak on national tv...don't allow any criticisms to put you off.

rgds

Then you don't put up a spokesperson. Simple as that.

You say you don't have anyone BUT there is a forum member who is very articulate, is a financial planner, has his own website and would be willing to put forward an alternative view to where house prices are heading and why.

At the moment having your cake and eating it (milking the publicity but letting FP take all the flak) isn't fair on FP. I know he doesn't own hpc and as one forum member can't possibly talk on behalf of everyone on here (a forum is for debate afterall). But it looks as if he is doing both to the casual observer.

There will be plenty of others who just watch TV, see the hpc caption, and think he owns the site and / or is bound to say what he is saying because of the name of the site.

Most of FP's problems don't stem from what he is saying, but because people think he IS hpc - in the same way that Martin is MSE.

I could care less about VIs and press who try to discredit my argument. What got me going is t0ssers who agree with the idea of an HPC then - remarkably - spread b0llocks about me. It's clear they're using me as proxy for this site. Jeez!

I am not Webmaster. There is one.

The views I put in the public sphere are mine. They have to be otherwise I would not be able to do what I do. EG. It has been put to me about altering the taxes for BTLs as many on this site have argued for. I have said 'b0llocks'. The tax system is what it is. That is my view. PLEASE DO NOT ARGUE BTL TAXES ON THIS THREAD.

I have to say I am completely mystified by this thread.

I have seen Financial Planner on the box a few times now and I think he does a good job of presenting the arguments.

But what is this thread about? Who has been talking testicles? What have they been saying?

Everything I have seen on this subject is supportive of FP.

Please don't take this the wrong way FP - but I think you need to turn your computer off today - a day away from this site might help

Well said!

Maybe some posters are more equal than others.

I agree, no matter that Financial Planner himself is actually a perfectly lucid and rational person, if he puts himself forward as the voice of a site which does have some seriously angry nutboxes on it then he's going to be associated with them. I don't think the general public really understands web forums or could appreciate the diversity of views that you get. They probably think of him more as a Nick Griffin type (at one stage at least the public face of the BNP), going out there looking all respectable to the public to give the impression that his membership are reasonable human beings but behind closed doors being every bit as mental as the worst of his membership.

These are a v. important points IMHO. I have refused interviews/involvement in programmes such as Dispatches and appearances on the BBC, asked to help in freelance documentaries, asked to appear on real estate TV? () etc. for some time now. It's at the stage now were 'they' don't even ask. I did a few radio interviews a while back (a couple on R4), but overall felt they were; a waste of time, not beneficial to me or my business/es and TBH not something I felt comfortable with, due to the fact that it took time and preparation and I don't do 'vanity'. I have a paradox, how can you advise extreme caution, yet still 'sell' 125% mortgages - Boo!! I therefore now stick to my own press releases, (ONLY when I reckon I can make a point the mainstream meeja have missed) and interviews with journalists. Simple reason being that's the meeja bit I enjoy, quite happy to chat finance and property with selective journos if they genuinely have intellectual curiosity on the subject.
You need to ask yourself the question why do it? For Ray at Charcol the answer is simple; he appears on telly, their mortgage application rate and profile gently spikes. Even from a subliminal standpoint he/they gain... "Who was that mortgage broker who talked sense on the telly the other day Love? Charcol or some one, I'll 'google' them eh?" For FP the benefits are nil, even for the guys who now own HPC they may get more ad rev. due to TV/radio exposure but other than that as a resource it (HPC) has v. little real commercial value.

so please confirm you are not the housepricecrash.co.uk "webmaster" as opposed to a user called webmaster, whom you are not also!

FP i don't get it

Who has been having a go at you and where.

Sorry if i am behind the times

I think FP has "Balls" putting himself up as the target the vast majority of brainwashed people in the UK would like to see fall flat on his face. But the bit that I reckon rankles FP are the few faceless tw'ts that snipe at him personally on this website. The site is a public forum, and I dare say there are many on here who belong to the industry that stuffs people with debt via estate agencies, mortgage brokers and the like. So every ones got a vested interest one way or the other with a lot at stake, hence the aforementioned is bound to happen.

We have an economy that can only function if it prices out the younger generation, or drives them into a lifetime of debt. The vast majority of people think it is interest rates that are the problem, not the rigged [via banks and government] price of housing. The democratic options [reflected in the two main political parties] are in the pockets of the global corporate elites, who keep us in perpetual war, perpetual fear and perpetual debt................via corrupt governance.

I would also like to add my support and thanks to you FP.

Have seen most if not all of your interviews on TV and you come across very well.

Being a long time lurker I'm sure that most of us know that you did not set up this website as has been stated in some of the above interviews. I think it's better to (as you do so well) focus on the message rather than correct any interviewer's mistake due to poor research.

FP

Please don't let some dimwits wind you up, you have been doing a great job and nice to see a man in media with some 'b*lls' for a change!. It is normal for someone like yourself to make enemies as you rattle too many cages but don't give in we need people like you.

We do appreciate you even if some don't. Keep up the good work!

You are doing a fantastic job FP. The great unwashed masses might not thank you for it now but in a year or two they will realise that you were simply opening their eyes to the fraud that is being perpertrated on them by the banks and government.

It takes real guts to do what you are doing i.e going against the grain and publicly too - never underestimate the herd mentality , it is very very strong .. the sheeple hate it when someone holds a contrary view and it will do everything it can to destroy you. I am by nature a contrarian and have had lifelong friends hurl viscous personal abuse at me for my views. We still maneged to kiss and make up though !

Confirmed

I wouldn't worry about it. Its just a handfull of clowns who constantly rabbit on about STRing too early and "soft landings".
They will likely keep doing the same all the way to the bottom of the bust. Irrelevant in other words.

hey geneer hows the one man battle going on over at the "other place" [loads of FP wingers over there] Would you believe it, I got banned from posting on there. Ha ha ha after all what they say about HPC banning posters. Sure I got my posting rights back [grudgingly] but they can stuff em.