• SorosFootSoldier [he/him, they/them]
    ·
    3 years ago

    What's the end game here with companies like BlackRock buying up all the homes? Do they plan on becoming like America's landlord or something?

    • Abraxiel
      ·
      3 years ago

      That and ride a speculative asset bubble until the right moment and either the goons in charge parachute off or they're so big they get the largest bailout in US history.

      • inshallah2 [none/use name]
        ·
        3 years ago

        they’re so big they get the largest bailout in US history.

        If that happens and there's a GOP president: "We are giving BlackRock a $2.7T bailout. This is good. It owns the libs. In fact - it fucks the libs." Flag waving follows.

        If it happens and here's a dem president: "To stabilize the housing sector and to stop economic difficulties we utilizing $2.7T in federal funds. This is not a bailout. I repeat - this is not a bailout...." and then a dozen minutes of rationalizations, euphemisms, and outright lies follow.

        In both cases the BlackRock CEO buys Guam - because he can. It becomes his own private island. The US military presence will stay. Of course it does. He negotiated a 100 year lease for them at truly insane prices. Plus - the military will unofficially serve for free as private security force, his maintenance staff, etc.

      • DickFuckarelli [he/him]
        ·
        3 years ago

        It's the latter. Capitalists have no clue how capitalism works. They'll cling on for dear life until it's time to pay the pied piper and they're stuck holding the bill. At which point they'll ask and get a bailout.

    • coeliacmccarthy [he/him]
      ·
      edit-2
      3 years ago

      I think of it as yet another front in the battle between regional and international capital, tryna be king of Landlord Mountain. Honestly probably better for the individual renter to have Blackrock as your landlord rather than some local psycho; at least distant corporations are less likely to personally harass you

      • came_apart_at_Kmart [he/him, comrade/them]
        ·
        3 years ago

        distant corporations contract the harassment and collecting to property management companies for 10% of the rent.

        the bigger the landlord, the more likely they are to contract with local property managers, who are all local psycho assholes.

        • viva_la_juche [they/them, any]
          ·
          3 years ago

          Yea In my experience dealing with a single local landlord is way easier. Yes they’re probably an asshole but it’s a simple clear line of communication and relationship

          My last house would basically give me the run around on everything like “talk to the prop mgmt company —-> talk to the insurance company —-> well have to talk to the owner ——> owner says to have the prop mgmt company handle —-> and so on” it was impossible and infuriating dealing with that shit

        • Deadend [he/him]
          ·
          3 years ago

          Don’t worry, Blackrock will get things legalized so their employees can shoot you as well. Actually, they would make it so they can have police do the killing, much cheaper.

          • MemesAreTheory [he/him, any]
            ·
            3 years ago

            Actually, it's more expensive on paper, but the police are publicly funded so that cost is externalized from the company. What's that? Property taxes are a thing? Not with the beautiful power of corrupt corruption lobbying.

            • Deadend [he/him]
              ·
              3 years ago

              Getting property taxes rated down isn't hard with the right influence.

        • VernetheJules [they/them]
          ·
          3 years ago

          I'm seeing ads from Amazon to start logistics franchises, can't wait to see ads from BlackRock for housing ones.