. . . Foot-Dragging Ostriches?Just a heard a very thorough — and harrowing — overview of the foreclosure picture nationally from Rick Sharga, a senior executive at RealtyTrac. His company compiles one of the most complete databases tracking foreclosures, so he’s speaking from authority. What does he see? –The housing mess is going to persist...Read More
Which Way the “Move-up Market?” I’m working on my 2010 letter to clients now, but here’s a quick preview — following are 3 factors that I think are key to next year’s housing market (p.s.: if you want a copy of the letter in December, instead of February when I’ll post it on this blog,...Read More
Calling the Bottom — One Market at a TimeAsking whether “the housing market has bottomed yet?” strikes me a little like asking, “is it Spring yet?” The answer depends on where you are. So, it’s certainly Spring in the middle of the U.S. Meanwhile, at least this week in the Twin Cities, it certainly doesn’t...Read More
Renting vs. Buying: How Interchangeable? Carla Zeineh, 22, and her husband recently began shopping for a home in Irvine, Calif., and discovered that with a 5% mortgage rate, her monthly payment on a $350,000 two-bedroom home with 20% down could be less than the $1,800 month that they pay in rent on their two-bedroom condo....Read More
Why People Hate Wall Street —And Wall Street Analysts, too When stocks are going up, the airwaves are full of Wall Street analysts and other pundits chock-full of stock picks sure to make you money. So what can you expect to hear after stocks plummet 50% or more? All the reasons why stocks “are still...Read More
