| We have done so much here in the United States | | | | not had cheaper timber, as cited in the |
| to make sure trees, which are cut down or areas | | | | Professional Building Magazine in Sept. 2001. Now |
| of our forest, which are thinned out are done so | | | | then it might have been even higher in the peak |
| responsibly. Our Timber industries are regulated, | | | | of the housing boom in 2004 and 2005. Some had |
| even over regulated as they are made to replant | | | | said in 2003 it was only 200,000 who would have |
| trees, re-grow forests and adhere to so many | | | | been unable to afford homes, but I disagree and |
| rules and the Canadians have not appeared to | | | | see the number at about 200,000. Yet why |
| even be close to the same page.Indeed Canada | | | | should young couples with only five percent down |
| does have more trees, but they do not have | | | | be buying a home anyway? That is not fiscally |
| significantly faster growth, only slightly. If they do | | | | responsible. And now as the housing boom is |
| not have the same environmental rules and | | | | ended, we see the results with so many |
| regulations and they sell their timber cheaper then | | | | foreclosures.Towards the end of the housing |
| out companies cannot compete. Meanwhile the | | | | bubble, many of these buyers were upside down |
| Canadians wreak there environment. Now then | | | | in these homes almost as before the ink was dry. |
| from a home building standpoint cheaper lumber | | | | They will not be able to sell due to the supply, so |
| helps homebuyers and construction costs which is | | | | used home sales are not as good or have as |
| good. I find that the prices of increased lumber | | | | good of chance of re-financing. It seems so often |
| might cost first time homebuyers from qualifying | | | | little issues affect bigger issues and that every |
| if the prices of Canadian lumber were equal to US | | | | thing is inter related and when you allow one |
| lumber. So there is definitely some room for | | | | misstep in one sector, it will affect another and |
| argument here.As many as a million homebuyers | | | | thus we often see in hindsight the law of |
| in the last housing boom just ended each year | | | | unintended consequences and that today is my |
| may not have been able to buy homes had we | | | | main point. Consider all this in 2006. |