The infamous line from the Wizard of Oz, “Toto….. we’re not in Kansas anymore,” is a perfect lead in to discuss the economic, regulatory and political changes that already have and will take place in 2013. 2013 is all about change. Not everything is going… Read more

The story behind the November 2012 existing home sales data is that the number of months of inventory was less than five months – the lowest since the market peaked in September 2005. Real estate economists generally contend that six months of inventory of existing… Read more

Homeownership in the U.S. is good for everyone—correct? And the more people that own homes, the better—correct? Not necessarily so, conclude some individuals. Many would argue that the Federal government’s push to increase homeownership rates from 2004 through 2007 via subprime lending with little or… Read more

Frequently I am asked either what historical lending has been, or what total lending will be next year. Unlike the ebb and flows of the ocean tide, residential lending volume changes have been more akin to the wildest roller coaster ride in the world. And… Read more

The stagnant economy and massive liquidity actions from the Federal Reserve have driven interest rates to record lows. Freddie Mac, which has tracked residential mortgage loan rates since 1971, reported 30-year fixed loans this week at 3.31 percent while 15 year rates were 2.63 percent…. Read more

(written on September 12/2012) A paltry 96,000 jobs were added in August 2012, while at the same time there are an estimated 120,000 to 140,000 net new additional people entering the workforce – and that happens every month. So in reality, unemployment got worse. But… Read more

Foreclosures dropped in July 2012 to 58,000 from 69,000 in July 2011 (and 62,000 in June 2012) according to CoreLogic. Half of all foreclosures were from five states: California, Florida, Michigan, Texas and Georgia. Homes tallied 1.3 million in some form of foreclosure (3.2 percent… Read more

One of the definitions of the word phoenix is a renewal after a calamity, and that is so appropriate for the real estate markets and economy of Phoenix, Arizona. I had the opportunity to again make the annual journey and speak in Phoenix this week… Read more

Housing should not be viewed from a short-term perspective given transaction costs. Nor should home values be analyzed in a vacuum since you must live someplace. And since housing is truly a long-term asset, inflation comes into play. That said, take a look at what… Read more

Despite increased energy costs, the second home market—like the primary dwelling market—continues to heal albeit in a new mode not seen in the days of cheaper gasoline. A recent series of articles on second homes shows a new approach to second homes coupled with rising… Read more