The Housing Bubble Blog

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

The Number Facing 'Debt Peril' Might Rise

Readers suggested a topic on credit. "There have been numerous attempts to compare what has been happening with this credit cycle to other periods in history (in either the US or other countries). The two most prominent theories seem to be: 1. There will be weak inflation, until it’s not longer...
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Building Up A Big Bubble

It's Friday desk clearing time for this blogger. "Part of the reason housing prices have taken off? Investors. Some from other countries, some from Wall Street. Investor interest sparked bidding wars in housing markets, which Anthony Sanders saw first-hand when he bid on a house in the Virginia...
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We Got Into Problems Because Things Were Too Easy

The Michigan Avenue Mag reports on Illinois. "According to the latest stats from the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index, Chicago led the most recent monthly gains with a 3.2 percent increase. This news prompted Michigan Avenue to do a temperature check of Chicago’s luxury market with some of the...
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New Year Predictions

What are your housing bubble predictions for the new year? oo ago. "2013- The long delayed and overdue correction in housing prices to dramatically lower levels in the northeast will resume full force." A reply, "Why do you think 2013 will be the year that myriad government interventions to support...
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As Summer Began, The Carousel Stopped

The Union Tribune reports from California. "Q: What do you think the San Diego County median home price, now standing at $415,000 (via DataQuick), will be at the end of 2014? Linda Lee, president of the Greater San Diego Association of Realtors: 'While it’s difficult for any expert to predict...
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A Window Of Opportunity For Sellers

WGCU reports on Florida. "According to the latest Market Trends statistical report from the Fort Myers-based real estate company Land Solutions, Inc., home permits up 61% in Lee, Collier and Charlotte Counties. 'Where we’re at right now is ‘Wow,’ to put it in one word, it’s been an incredible...
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Is There Time To Save The Spring?

A reader suggested a topic on changes in lending. "Is there time to save the Spring? We have FHA loan limits dropping, but that could be changed pretty quickly. A little micro taper, same. Prices starting to drop in some areas again. I seem to recall this happening once before after the crash,...
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Back Into Conversations We Were Having Pre-Bust

It's Friday desk clearing time for this blogger. "The secondhand housing market cooled in December in Beijing and Shanghai as turnover fell, and an increasing number of sellers dropped prices, leading industry observers to wonder if the move indicates an inflection point in the white-hot property...
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