Category Archives: Economics

Swimming Up Stream

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Tim Freund

Two men and a woman have to cross a raging river.  If they try to cross, they will surely perish.  Suddenly a voice from heaven says “I will grant you each one wish”.  The first guy says, “Give me the … Continue reading →

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Buy Now or Wait?

Posted on May 28, 2011 by Tim Freund

Yesterday’s pending home numbers were pretty dismal.  They indicate that buyers are not rushing into the market and that confidence is still lacking in a housing recovery.  Admittedly, I am disappointed by the over 11% drop nationally and nearly 10% … Continue reading →

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More Evidence Of Housing’s Recovery

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Tim Freund

New home sales data from the Commerce Department out yesterday signaled more evidence the housing market is on the mend.  While the numbers are far from overwhelming, they none the less portend to better times ahead.  In fact it’s the … Continue reading →

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Real Estate Good News Just Keeps Coming!

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Tim Freund

For those waiting for someone to say the worst is over, let me be the first to say it: “The worst is over!”.  Bold statement?  Perhaps.  Inaccurate?  Not so much. For those of you who know me or follow TheRealEstateConverstation.com, … Continue reading →

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Buying Distressed Property

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Tim Freund

Data out yesterday from RealtyTrac, an online foreclosure tracking service, shows that foreclosures are on the decline rather dramatically.  They caution however that the cause is not an improving housing market but rather a slowdown do to a more cautious … Continue reading →

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Making Sense of Negative Equity

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Tim Freund

This week we received great news in the employment numbers but also discouraging numbers on the housing front.  Prices were down and negative equity up.  Zillow, the online real estate valuation website, came out with numbers that had gloom and … Continue reading →

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There’s Never A Bad Time For Negative Headline

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Tim Freund

“A SPATE OF POSITIVE DATA NEWS PUTS REAL ESTATE BLOGGERS ON SUICIDE WATCH”…  That should be the headline you read today.  The pending homes sales data came out today and it was positive.  I can see the talking heads like … Continue reading →

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Case-Shiller’s Latest

Posted on April 26, 2011 by Tim Freund

As is the case on the last Tuesday of every month, the Case-Shiller Index is published with commentary by Standard and Poor’s.  For the 8th consecutive month, the index posted a decline.  “‘There is very little, if any, good news … Continue reading →

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California’s Future

Posted on April 23, 2011 by Tim Freund

A couple of days ago, a client sent me an article with 5 opinions suggesting the housing market was poised to continue its downward slide.  I responded by saying the future is unclear but that locally at least, the numbers … Continue reading →

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Rents Are Rising, Time To Buy?

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Tim Freund

About 6 months ago I was challenged by a reader to prove it was cheaper to rent than to buy, something I stated right here in TheRealEstateConversation.com.  My point then was that you needed to factor the costs of home … Continue reading →

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