I have explained several times that the bulk of investment capital is tied up in two primary sectors – (1) government bonds and (2) real estate. Because of income taxes, real estate has offered a way to make money in capital gains without having to pay income taxes.

Money has looked to park in real estate around the world for many various different reasons as in Italy it was the escape from inheritance taxes as well as banks or in Vancouver to gain a foothold for residency fleeing Hong Kong. In Australia, there was the Super Annuation Fund which allowed people to use retirement funds for real estate.

People spend more when they believe that they have big profits in their home.

The recession of 2007-2010 was so bad, recording the worst of all declines since the Great Depression, all BECAUSE it undermined the real estate values. People then spent less because they viewed their home declined in value.