Leaving the boat

[NetworkMsia]

Have you noticed all the new members on DNF nowadays? The stock market has been on a downfall, same with the real estate market and other venues. Investors all over are looking for new niches to put their $$$ in and domaining is getting more and more exposure in media, thus attracting more investors. I think we will see a lot of new investors in the domain market in the months and years to come. It also looks like the summer slowdown/global "recession" is about to end and the market is slowly picking up again.

Just my 2 cents..

Man, I love your positive thinking! I agree with your statement above.

[MacyT.]

Have you noticed all the new members on DNF nowadays?

Yeah, I have...but noticed many of them just seem to be SELLING! Maybe you're right about the summer slowdown coming to an end...I certainly hope so.

[DomainManMike]

Some of the material in this thread paints a great picture to middle/upper class 25-55 year olds looking to invest elsewhere. The best domain sale for me is a face to face or a phone-call.. and that is some good ammo for those communications.

I met a guy a month ago or so who is a ~35ish engineer fed up with work, looking to get into something else. Engineers can certainly learn the web trade.. so I encouraged him.. and I'm now in talks to sell a domain at a nice price.

PS: I mainly talk to others about web development, not domaining, because I'm afraid to shoot myself in the foot.

[Vinnee]

I'm surprised this thread "Leaving the boat" isn't the no. 1 ranked phrase on Google!

[fab]

Man, I love your positive thinking! I agree with your statement above.

I just wonder if this won't prevent some bargains, like I'm still into buying.

[Stian]

I just wonder if this won't prevent some bargains, like I'm still into buying.

Still plenty of bargains around for everyone.

[FreddyS]

All fine on our side, we are buying and we have to paying realistic prices, that means the market is not flooded by portfolios. Still enough buyers.

[jasdon11]

Already 2008 has been my best year for sales, both # names sold and in $ value, so no complaints here!

Beyond domains things are looking pretty good too. I have been renting the place we live for the past few years on a low rate deal. Now, people (especially in the UK) have a downer on renting, as if it's the poor mans choice; a year ago this place was conservatively valued at £550-600k - now it's down to about £450-500k. Bearing in mind the capital growth since I've been here, and now the slide in value, if I'd bought it instead of renting, and paid an interest only mortgage, I would be £50k poorer than I am now - even more if it were a regular mortgage!
While renting may be regarded as dead money, so are interest payments.

While many people are facing negative equity, I'm considering a move abroad to a warmer climate, better food, better education, higher standard of living etc. Actually I've already considered it - just trying to convince my wife!

Back to domains, I've just got a name that's perfect for a site I want to build into a fully fledged site and business. It's about a sport which is also my long term hobby - been involved in it for over 25 years on and off.

For me, this is the ultimate - being able to make money from something I love and know a lot about. While building this site / business, I will be making a template which can be copied to similar applications, like my kids hobbies etc.

As far as other investments go, to me, they are too much of a gamble - I don't know enough about them, and don't feel the need to learn - I'll stick to what I know. Another thing about investments; why invest in something that you personally cannot influence? If you buy a domain and it doesn't perform as well as expected, or PPC rev declines, at least you have options.