Tag Archives: interest+rates

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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A Big Day For Conejo Valley Buyers And Sellers  

OK, so maybe a Big Day for the Conejo is a bit of an exaggeration.  Still, it’s worth noting that today our total number of units stands at 497.  The reason this is significant, is that with 3 more available … 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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Let’s Get Something Straight

I heard some guy, some housing analyst on CNBC yesterday, tell viewers that homes were more affordable in 2003 than they are today due to the fact that people had better access to adjustable mortgages and interest only financing.  He … 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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The Good Old Days

Last night I put on the original Great Gatsby with Robert Redford.  It’s not a particularly good movie really.  I guess it’s just a story that doesn’t translate from the page to the screen.  What struck me however, was this … Continue reading

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June 2013: Perception Is 9/10’s Of The Law

Great news for property owners: Case-Shiller, S & P’s housing index, shows home values are up across the nation.  Prices in some areas like Los Angeles Metro, are up for the 15th consecutive month and up over 20% from the … 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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