The Invisible Hand

Bargain alert!

A humble abode in Salisbury Township is reduced in price from $4.9 million to $3.4 million. The 18,000 SF, 24 room home on 2.6 acres has been on the market for about 18 months and its owner "would like to build another equal in size or larger for himself and his family." He must have a large family. The house includes both an indoor and an outdoor pool with waterfalls and privacy landscaping (Skinnydipping, anyone?), a fully-outfitted home theater (It's such a bother to go to the Cineplex.), a music room (No doubt soundproofed so Junior's rendition of Chopsticks doesn't disturb the servants), an elevator (Stairs are so primitive.), a second kitchen (Cooking on the same old appliances every day is such a bore.), a home gym / spa (Have to maintain that slim,girlish figure.), and an eight car garage (A car for every day of the week plus a spare.)

The realtor notes that it is not unusual for a home of this size and magnificence to take longer to sell especially in the current real estate market. Ain't it the truth? What with that socialist Obama threatening to eliminate our precious Bush Era Tax Cuts, our new Dream Home may be downsized to 18 rooms, a six car garage, stairs and (gasp!) just a single kitchen.

A foundation of modern economics is Adam Smith's concept of The Invisible Hand (which would be a great title for a horror movie). In a perfect market, The Invisible Hand draws supply and demand together at a selling price acceptable to both. Too high a price and suppliers will produce, but consumers will be unwilling to buy. Too low a price and consumers will demand the product, but suppliers won't produce it.

The Invisible Hand is drawing me toward that home in Salisbury Twp. Its price has to drop a mere $3.3 million more and I'll be luxuriating under that waterfall.