Tag Archives: Federal+Reserve

Case Shiller at the end of 2014

Today’s Case Shiller numbers show a mixed bag of data.  There are some very strong indicators that the market is ready to break out; 8 cities were up over last month and the average annual appreciation was 4.5%.  Moreover the … Continue reading

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Market Update: The Conejo Valley and Beyond

Wow, where to start.  As is with communities across our great land, when a large employer announces substantive changes to the number of people they are going to employ in that area, every aspect of the local economy is affected.  … Continue reading

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The Latest From Case-Shiller And Thoughts On The Economy

The latest Case-Shiller Home Indices came out yesterday and there were few surprises.  Price appreciation declined in almost every market, a fact that suggests that home values are stabilizing.  This should come as no surprise since for most markets the first … Continue reading

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Thoughts On The Latest Case-Shiller and Prices

When the real estate market was at its lowest point, prices had to by definition do what?  Either stay flat or rise.  After all we’re talking about the lowest point.  For argument sake, let’s say that low point was in … Continue reading

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The Emperor Has No Clothes; Or Why Aren’t The Pundits Looking At Inventory?

I know, I know, I’m pounding the inventory drum to death.  I guess I just can’t help it; it’s just so painfully obvious.  Do you remember the Hans Christian Andersen story of the emperor who is persuaded by a swindler … Continue reading

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Confidence, Real Estate And Our Way Of Life

The real estate market is changing again.  Of course it’s never static.  Even when it was in free fall, it was moving, just in the wrong direction.  After what has been an unprecedented run since the first of the year … Continue reading

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A Case For Keeping Fannie And Freddie

The President came out two days ago in support of the conservative agenda to do away with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  But there is something that I just don’t understand about the push by the President and Congressional conservatives, … Continue reading

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Some Thoughts On Bernanke, Interest Rates And The State Of The Market

Today, the National Association of Realtors’ pending homes sales data, representing June’s homes entering contract, showed a decline of .04%.  Analysts expected a smaller decline of .01%.  The Decline is being blamed on a combination of low inventory (can’t go … Continue reading

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Thoughts On Interest Rates And Housing

Mortgage rates have risen 1.10% since May and while 1% may not sound like much, it represents an increase of 67% and that does sound like a lot.  Effectively rising interest rates means a home buyer can afford less and … Continue reading

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Something To Keep In Mind

Yesterday was an interesting day for anyone involved with real estate.  Whether you’re a Realtor, mortgage broker, buyer or seller, the events of May 28 were pretty incredible.  As is the story on the last Tuesday of every month, the … Continue reading

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