Yesterday I wrote about the change in Median Incomes from 2010 to 2011 by state.  More important, however, is the comparative cost of living and what incomes are in those respective markets.  Fortunately there is a phenomenal Web Site that compares both the relative cost… Read more

If an economic recovery was predicated on rising per capita personal income levels, then you would pronounce the recession over and good news ahead.  The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis has recently released 2011 per capita income by state and reported that all 50 states… Read more

There are very few globally-recognized locations as small as Aspen, Colorado (the entire County in which Aspen is located, Pitkin County, had a population of 17,148 in 2010 according to the U.S. Census Bureau).  In the 1970s and early 1980s I did numerous appraisal assignments… Read more

TransUnion has projected a falling mortgage delinquency rate for the last three quarters of 2012—and that’s great news since default rates are precursors to foreclosures.  They define a mortgage delinquency as a loan 60 or me days past due.  While the delinquency rate is anticipated… Read more

Consumer Debt Resumes Growth — But Credit Card Use Declines     Wall Street Journal March 8 2011 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703386704576186832201501652.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection Consumer debt (excluding mortgages) increased for the fourth straight month in January.  If ever there was a proxy for consumer confidence, this may be one of the best…. Read more

You will need a www.wsj.com account to view the entire article. Market for Vacation Homes Is on the Rise -WSJ   A rising tide lifts all ships, and improving consumer confidence (and pocket books) coupled with low second home prices is translating into vacation home demand…. Read more

Fresh Signs of Life in Office Market- WSJ   Jobs are everything to an economy.  Period.  And perhaps one of the best barometers of Corporate America’s economic mood and outlook is reflected in the total usage of office space.     Good news, as reported… Read more

States make gains in taxes- USA today   A major concern across the country has been reduced local and state tax collections arising from reduced sales of goods and services (cars, bars, burgers, shoes, electronics etc) and lowered property taxes from declining property values.  The… Read more

Real retail sales are showing consistent recovery as the economy nudges back towards job growth.  After all, jobs are everything to an economy.    As reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis, real retail sales and food service  (adjusted for inflation), once again… Read more

Apartment Market Shows Improvement With Vacancy Rates in Top 64 Markets Down From 6.2% in 2009 to 6.6% Today. Apartment market shows signs of improvement -MarketWatch article