Are key comics good investments?

[lou_fine]

One thing I would like to point out is that something can be a good investment while not being liquid. Many terrible investments are extremely liquid, and many good investments require a good deal of work to buy and sell. Real estate is a classic example of a relatively illiquid investment. It's lack of liquidity is a drawback, but it doesn't prevent real estate from being an investment.

 

Are you really serious when you are saying that real estate is illiquid? Especially when you are talking about it relative to the buying and selling of comic books.

 

Actually, I guess when it comes to real estate, it really depends on the location of the property in question. When it comes to comic books, it really depends on the investment quality of the comic book in question.

[wombat]

One thing I would like to point out is that something can be a good investment while not being liquid. Many terrible investments are extremely liquid, and many good investments require a good deal of work to buy and sell. Real estate is a classic example of a relatively illiquid investment. It's lack of liquidity is a drawback, but it doesn't prevent real estate from being an investment.

 

Are you really serious when you are saying that real estate is illiquid? Especially when you are talking about it relative to the buying and selling of comic books.

 

Actually, I guess when it comes to real estate, it really depends on the location of the property in question. When it comes to comic books, it really depends on the investment quality of the comic book in question.

 

You think real estate in 2008 wasn't illiquid?

[BarryAllen]

A question I have tossed around with a co-worker. I know you are not supposed to take out 401 K loans from your account. Let me ask this. If you are young enough to pay back a loan to your 401k account, would it be wise to take out $25,000.00 to purchase that key issue whether it is an AF 15 or a Hulk 1 and just pay yourself back?

 

No, it would not.

 

You would be better off making sure your 401k is maxed annually, a Roth IRA is maxed annually and for good measure making sure you are putting another 10-15% after taxes into savings per month.

 

Then, if you have free cash (which means you have no other outstanding debt outside of a car and house payment), save up and buy an AF 15 or Hulk 1 without debt. However, be prepared for the possibility that this asset may lose value - i.e. purchase it for enjoyment purposes and if it accrues value, do a happy dance.

 

Never go into debt to buy a collectible.

[lou_fine]

One thing I would like to point out is that something can be a good investment while not being liquid. Many terrible investments are extremely liquid, and many good investments require a good deal of work to buy and sell. Real estate is a classic example of a relatively illiquid investment. It's lack of liquidity is a drawback, but it doesn't prevent real estate from being an investment.

 

Are you really serious when you are saying that real estate is illiquid? Especially when you are talking about it relative to the buying and selling of comic books.

 

Actually, I guess when it comes to real estate, it really depends on the location of the property in question. When it comes to comic books, it really depends on the investment quality of the comic book in question.

 

You think real estate in 2008 wasn't illiquid?

 

Yes, definitely not as liquid as today's real estate market where properties can sell in less than a day.

 

Yet, definitely still a much better return as compared to stock equities back in 2008.

[oakman29]

A question I have tossed around with a co-worker. I know you are not supposed to take out 401 K loans from your account. Let me ask this. If you are young enough to pay back a loan to your 401k account, would it be wise to take out $25,000.00 to purchase that key issue whether it is an AF 15 or a Hulk 1 and just pay yourself back?

 

No, it would not.

 

You would be better off making sure your 401k is maxed annually, a Roth IRA is maxed annually and for good measure making sure you are putting another 10-15% after taxes into savings per month.

 

Then, if you have free cash (which means you have no other outstanding debt outside of a car and house payment), save up and buy an AF 15 or Hulk 1 without debt. However, be prepared for the possibility that this asset may lose value - i.e. purchase it for enjoyment purposes and if it accrues value, do a happy dance.

 

Never go into debt to buy a collectible.

 

Well said.

 

 

[1950's war comics]

A question I have tossed around with a co-worker. I know you are not supposed to take out 401 K loans from your account. Let me ask this. If you are young enough to pay back a loan to your 401k account, would it be wise to take out $25,000.00 to purchase that key issue whether it is an AF 15 or a Hulk 1 and just pay yourself back?

 

NO ! that would be the same as committing financial suicide

[wombat]

A question I have tossed around with a co-worker. I know you are not supposed to take out 401 K loans from your account. Let me ask this. If you are young enough to pay back a loan to your 401k account, would it be wise to take out $25,000.00 to purchase that key issue whether it is an AF 15 or a Hulk 1 and just pay yourself back?

 

No, it would not.

 

You would be better off making sure your 401k is maxed annually, a Roth IRA is maxed annually and for good measure making sure you are putting another 10-15% after taxes into savings per month.

 

Then, if you have free cash (which means you have no other outstanding debt outside of a car and house payment), save up and buy an AF 15 or Hulk 1 without debt.

 

Never go into debt to buy a collectible.

 

Another issue is if you end up losing your job. You need to pay back that loan quickly (60 or 90 days I think) or you end up paying a penalty on it plus the amount now gets taxed.

[wombat]

One thing I would like to point out is that something can be a good investment while not being liquid. Many terrible investments are extremely liquid, and many good investments require a good deal of work to buy and sell. Real estate is a classic example of a relatively illiquid investment. It's lack of liquidity is a drawback, but it doesn't prevent real estate from being an investment.

 

Are you really serious when you are saying that real estate is illiquid? Especially when you are talking about it relative to the buying and selling of comic books.

 

Actually, I guess when it comes to real estate, it really depends on the location of the property in question. When it comes to comic books, it really depends on the investment quality of the comic book in question.

 

You think real estate in 2008 wasn't illiquid?

 

Yes, definitely not as liquid as today's real estate market where properties can sell in less than a day.

 

Yet, definitely still a much better return as compared to stock equities back in 2008.

 

I wasn't making any comment on returns. And real estate doesn't sell in a day everywhere unless you want to take a beating on it.

[lou_fine]

One thing I would like to point out is that something can be a good investment while not being liquid. Many terrible investments are extremely liquid, and many good investments require a good deal of work to buy and sell. Real estate is a classic example of a relatively illiquid investment. It's lack of liquidity is a drawback, but it doesn't prevent real estate from being an investment.

 

Are you really serious when you are saying that real estate is illiquid? Especially when you are talking about it relative to the buying and selling of comic books.

 

Actually, I guess when it comes to real estate, it really depends on the location of the property in question. When it comes to comic books, it really depends on the investment quality of the comic book in question.

 

You think real estate in 2008 wasn't illiquid?

 

Yes, definitely not as liquid as today's real estate market where properties can sell in less than a day.

 

Yet, definitely still a much better return as compared to stock equities back in 2008.

 

I wasn't making any comment on returns. And real estate doesn't sell in a day everywhere unless you want to take a beating on it.

 

Not necessarily true, as I had originally said, I guess it really depends on your location.

 

True story here: A real estate agent knocked on my door less than 2 weeks ago with a listing for the house across the street and down a few houses from our home. Had the listing price at $1,188,000 even though it had been accessed for only $1.1M for this year. Told him I was not interested and then he comes back the next day. This time with the exact same listing overprinted with a final sale price of $1,488,000 and having him asked me if I was interested in having him sell my house for me. Apparently, there were 6 buyers bidding on the listing after the first day. And this is on the dumpy poor east side of town.

 

Another real estate story here since people here in my city simply loves them so much. My brother-in-law finally gets around to selling his mother's place a few months ago after the tenants have moved out. Sixty plus year old house with current accessed value of $2.2M is listed for $2.3M and is sold on the first day for $2.8M with something like 10 buyers bidding for it. Nicer side of town, but still not the prime west side of the city.

 

Yes, you can take a financial beating in some locations, but unfortunately for my homeless kids, definitely not true for where we live.

 

 

[wombat]

Right. I'm just saying it is not so easy in every location.

[ThothAmon]

But 1950s comics were at an all time high 10 years ago and 20 years ago what makes you say the climb stops here and now?

Kav for how many years until 2005 was buying a house a can't lose scenario?

true but the government is not forcing banks to give loans to people without jobs to buy comics

Funny!

[BarryAllen]

One thing I would like to point out is that something can be a good investment while not being liquid. Many terrible investments are extremely liquid, and many good investments require a good deal of work to buy and sell. Real estate is a classic example of a relatively illiquid investment. It's lack of liquidity is a drawback, but it doesn't prevent real estate from being an investment.

 

Are you really serious when you are saying that real estate is illiquid? Especially when you are talking about it relative to the buying and selling of comic books.

 

Actually, I guess when it comes to real estate, it really depends on the location of the property in question. When it comes to comic books, it really depends on the investment quality of the comic book in question.

 

You think real estate in 2008 wasn't illiquid?

 

Yes, definitely not as liquid as today's real estate market where properties can sell in less than a day.

 

Yet, definitely still a much better return as compared to stock equities back in 2008.

 

I wasn't making any comment on returns. And real estate doesn't sell in a day everywhere unless you want to take a beating on it.

 

Not necessarily true, as I had originally said, I guess it really depends on your location.

 

True story here: A real estate agent knocked on my door less than 2 weeks ago with a listing for the house across the street and down a few houses from our home. Had the listing price at $1,188,000 even though it had been accessed for only $1.1M for this year. Told him I was not interested and then he comes back the next day. This time with the exact same listing overprinted with a final sale price of $1,488,000 and having him asked me if I was interested in having him sell my house for me. Apparently, there were 6 buyers bidding on the listing after the first day. And this is on the dumpy poor east side of town.

 

Another real estate story here since people here in my city simply loves them so much. My brother-in-law finally gets around to selling his mother's place a few months ago after the tenants have moved out. Sixty plus year old house with current accessed value of $2.2M is listed for $2.3M and is sold on the first day for $2.8M with something like 10 buyers bidding for it. Nicer side of town, but still not the prime west side of the city.

 

Yes, you can take a financial beating in some locations, but unfortunately for my homeless kids, definitely not true for where we live.

 

 

[thirdgreenham]

Many of the replies to this thread and others like it remind me of some of my co-workers who spend waaaay to much time at the casinos and anytime someone asks them how they did they always say they won !...

we all know better and ironically many these same people only put the bare minimum into their 401K

 

I don't spend any time in casinos. What I do do is nearly have my home in Anaheim Hills,Calif. nearly paid off,invest in stocks and bonds,have a nice 401K with the max of 10% of my income invested,own a classic 1929 Oakland three window business coupe,and guess what? I collect comic books. Did you need to have me give you an itemized list of my investment portfolio?

 

It couldn't hurt.

[oakman29]

Many of the replies to this thread and others like it remind me of some of my co-workers who spend waaaay to much time at the casinos and anytime someone asks them how they did they always say they won !...

we all know better and ironically many these same people only put the bare minimum into their 401K

 

I don't spend any time in casinos. What I do do is nearly have my home in Anaheim Hills,Calif. nearly paid off,invest in stocks and bonds,have a nice 401K with the max of 10% of my income invested,own a classic 1929 Oakland three window business coupe,and guess what? I collect comic books. Did you need to have me give you an itemized list of my investment portfolio?

 

It couldn't hurt.

 

Andy,you slay me.

[shadroch]

A question I have tossed around with a co-worker. I know you are not supposed to take out 401 K loans from your account. Let me ask this. If you are young enough to pay back a loan to your 401k account, would it be wise to take out $25,000.00 to purchase that key issue whether it is an AF 15 or a Hulk 1 and just pay yourself back?

 

No. Never borrow from your retirement funds unless it's a matter of life or limb.

[BarryAllen]

A question I have tossed around with a co-worker. I know you are not supposed to take out 401 K loans from your account. Let me ask this. If you are young enough to pay back a loan to your 401k account, would it be wise to take out $25,000.00 to purchase that key issue whether it is an AF 15 or a Hulk 1 and just pay yourself back?

 

No. Never borrow from your retirement funds unless it's a matter of life or limb.

.

 

Is that only for "loss of limb" or does "growing a new limb" count as well?

 

Just curious...

[Lazyboy]

Comics are not a "good" investment long term from this point in time on.

 

Why?

 

some of the many reasons include

!. they are not liquid,

2. they are fragile, even graded.

3. they are currently at historic highs

4.there is no interest or dividend of initial investment

5. reasons 5 through 10 are even more obvious than 1-4

 

Except that some comics are in fact good investments,they are liquid. Maybe not 50's war comics,but I think I made a pretty good investment back in 1983 when I purchased my AF15 for 500.00.What does a 5.0\5.5 going for now? 25-28K? I am pretty sure I can sell that book in a heartbeat if I needed to. Let me see....at the least I made 24,500.00 on that initial 500.00,not bad I'd say!

You need to work on your tenses, the question is ARE, not WERE. Unless you know somebody who's going to sell me a mid-grade AF 15 for $500 now.

[NP_Gresham]

Comics are not a "good" investment long term from this point in time on.

 

Why?

 

some of the many reasons include

!. they are not liquid,

2. they are fragile, even graded.

3. they are currently at historic highs

4.there is no interest or dividend of initial investment

5. reasons 5 through 10 are even more obvious than 1-4

 

Except that some comics are in fact good investments,they are liquid. Maybe not 50's war comics,but I think I made a pretty good investment back in 1983 when I purchased my AF15 for 500.00.What does a 5.0\5.5 going for now? 25-28K? I am pretty sure I can sell that book in a heartbeat if I needed to. Let me see....at the least I made 24,500.00 on that initial 500.00,not bad I'd say!

Is it insured? do you have environmental controls? do you store it?

I think you grossly over-estimate your return, unless you intend to cheat the tax man as well.

[lou_fine]

Never go into debt to buy a collectible.

 

Well said.

 

 

 

Not necessarily true in all cases.

 

Let's just say that Anderson would not have anywhere near the collection he currently has if he had not maxed out on all those credit cards thrown his way when he first came out of dental school.

 

 

[oakman29]

Comics are not a "good" investment long term from this point in time on.

 

Why?

 

some of the many reasons include

!. they are not liquid,

2. they are fragile, even graded.

3. they are currently at historic highs

4.there is no interest or dividend of initial investment

5. reasons 5 through 10 are even more obvious than 1-4

 

Except that some comics are in fact good investments,they are liquid. Maybe not 50's war comics,but I think I made a pretty good investment back in 1983 when I purchased my AF15 for 500.00.What does a 5.0\5.5 going for now? 25-28K? I am pretty sure I can sell that book in a heartbeat if I needed to. Let me see....at the least I made 24,500.00 on that initial 500.00,not bad I'd say!

You need to work on your tenses, the question is ARE, not WERE. Unless you know somebody who's going to sell me a mid-grade AF 15 for $500 now.

 

Point being that there are good investment comics to be had,and it's not all doom and gloom.