The Housing Bubble Blog

Examining the home price boom and its effect on owners, lenders, regulators, realtors and the economy as a whole.

Stoking Bubbles That May Result In Tears

It's Friday desk clearing time for this blogger. "You may think a shoebox-sized flat in central London costing more than £1m is an insane illustration of a property price bubble, but it could be the bargain of the century. According to projections by one of the biggest investors in 'prime' property...
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A Drive For Higher And Higher Profits

The Mercury News reports from California. "Imagine paying $1 million or more for a home -- and then destroying it. That's what's happening in some upscale Bay Area communities as homeowners and wealthy buyers have no interest in upgrading aging houses but instead want to start from scratch and...
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Sounds Of Collapse

The Property Report looks at Honk Kong. "As Hong Kong’s high-end property market continue to struggle due to government cooling measures and surging constructions costs, developers are luring first-time, middle class buyers with lower rates and immediate move-in schemes. Sun Hung Kai, one of the...
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The Impact Could Be A Game Changer

Readers suggested a topic on a housing subsidy. "Does anyone have any 'on-the-ground' stories about the possible changes to flood insurance? I have a friend here in the office who rents here (with her family) but they also own a house (that they rent out) in MA (very near RI). Current flood...
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Seeing The Effect Of Unabated Speculation

It's Friday desk clearing time for this blogger. "Houses sold in one day, above asking price, with multiple offers. It's the reality of the Austin area's hot housing market. Realtors have a unique way to get you the house of your dreams. These pocket listings, as they're called, are nothing new. In...
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The Market Reached Its Peak At The End Of 2013

The Denver Post reports from Colorado. "Metro Denver home sales prices slipped for the third month in a row in December but still were 9 percent higher year-over-year, according to Case-Shiller. 'I think what we are seeing overall is a very slight moderation more related to seasonality,' said...
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Three-Years Of Exuberance Jammed Into One

The Union Tribune reports from California. "Housing, which zoomed up 18.4 percent in price last year, faces "uncertain" prospects this year, according to Tim Sullivan, newly named local chairman of the Urban Land Institute. Sullivan, a real estate industry consultant, said last year's housing...
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