Stiglitz Article Deconstructs Financial Mess It’s still early for a postmortem, but an article by Joseph Stiglitz, “Capitalist Fools,” is one of the best pieces I’ve seen so far dissecting the current financial mess: http://www.vanityfair.com/magazine/2009/01/stiglitz200901 Stiglitz was a senior economic advisor in the Clinton Administration, a Nobel laureate (economics), and is simply an outstanding writer...Read More
Credit Markets Waiting for Deeds, not WordsThirty-year mortgage rates, which looked poised to make a run at 5% last week, now are heading the other direction. As of this morning, long-term rates for qualified borrowers are hovering around 5.5%. What happened? It’s more like, what didn’t. The Federal Reserve and Treasury, to try to jump...Read More
Damage Control“No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.”–Albert Einstein Consider the very different responses to damage on the Internet– widely considered to be one of the all-time, most successful networks — with that of modern-day Wall Street, quickly taking its place as one of the worst.On the decentralized...Read More
New List: Tudor-Style Cottage Two Blocks to Lake CalhounLooking for a charming home in a great location? Check out 3929 Washburn Avenue South this Sunday between 1 and 3 p.m., when I’ll be holding the first open house. This Tudor-style cottage features a dramatic Living Room with fireplace, cove moldings, and hardwood floors; a first...Read More
Bear Market Winners: First-Time Buyers Two of the half dozen or so first-time buyers profiled in today’s New York Times just bought . . . in Minneapolis (the journalist must have a local connection). The *article, titled “Maybe it’s Time to Buy that First House,” explores the mindsets of various first-time buyers who have just...Read More
More Realtors Say “No” to Unrealistic Sellers I am seeing and hearing anecdotal evidence that realtors are becoming more selective about the listings they are willing to take. Although the public doesn’t ordinarily think of realtors declining listings — empty cabs don’t turn down fares, do they? — good realtors can and do pass on...Read More
