Jobs are everything to an economy. Period. Where ever jobs go, so goes the demand for housing. And where ever roof-tops go, so goes the demand for commercial real estate. The latest metropolitan statistical area (MSA) seasonally-adjusted employment data (as of September 2012), are compared… Read more

Demand for office properties is a function of how many jobs require office space. Job growth and changes in how business is done (think telecommuting here) impacts the demand for offices and ultimately rents and returns. As much as the job market volatility creates ebbs… 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

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

One thing this ongoing economic downturn forced was an increasing sensitivity in both individuals and businesses to the comparative costs of living—and ultimately the cost of doing business. Kiplinger reported the 10 most-affordable cities based on analyses by the Council for Community and Economic Research’s… Read more

Have you ever been camping and tried starting a fire with damp kindling?  You can get a spark, perhaps a bunch of smoke, but no real blaze regardless how hard you blow on it?  This same statement can be made about recent job creation and… Read more

Home affordability is a function of the cost of the home, monthly payments (mortgage payment, taxes and insurance), and the level of income at that locale.  The National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo compiled a list of the 10 Cities With the Most… Read more

I had the opportunity to speak this week at the Midwest Regional ERC Conference in St Louis.  When I talked with individuals from across the country I realized how important the statement is that “There Is No Such Thing As A National Real Estate Market —… Read more

MarketWatch reports on the list of best opportunities for real estate investors in housing focusing on those areas with renewed job growth, shrinking inventories and those in which demand has yet to pickup to a level significantly driving up prices. Many of these more desirable… Read more

Market Watch reports an analysis of the best five and bottom five housing markets in the country by Local Market Monitor for prices in the coming three years based on employment growth (jobs are everything), population growth and housing inventory (yes, supply and demand are… Read more