The Housing Bubble Blog

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

Ways To Part Greater Fools From Their Money

Readers suggested a topic on financial innovation. "What exactly is 'Financial Innovation.' Volcker’s attempt to lump the ATM under the umbrella of financial innovation got me thinking (the ATM is of course, a technological innovation, not a financial one). As I see it, 'Financial Innovation'...
Read more (102 comments)

People Are Starting To Pay Too Much Again

It's Friday desk clearing time for this blogger. "Six months after the announcement of a 49-state settlement with lenders over mortgage foreclosure abuses, Florida still hasn't done anything with its share, but a homeowner advocate said she was 'cautiously optimistic.' 'Housing in Florida is still...
Read more (35 comments)

The Fear That Housing Is Becoming More Affordable

The Brimbank Leader reports from Australia. "The Guide to Property Values report, which compares all recorded Victorian sales between 2001 and 2011, reveals the median house price in Melbourne fell 1 per cent last year - the first drop in 16 years. Hocking Stuart CEO Nigel O'Neil said the 1 per...
Read more (20 comments)

Elephants In The Room

The Vancouver Sun reports from Canada. "Metro Vancouver’s real estate market remained in a slump in July, with home sales volumes down 18.4 per cent compared to the same month a year earlier. That contrasts with market conditions 18 months ago when the price of detached homes was jumping $100,000 a...
Read more (42 comments)

Where The Rubber Hits The Road

Readers suggested a topic on the current housing bubble issues. "How will the standoff between Treasury and FHFA resolve? And will the Romney camp catch wind of this and take a stand? I have no idea where he stands on housing issues, and I tend to pay attention." One asked, "How about discussing...
Read more (97 comments)

Economy-Wrecking Bubbles Everywhere

It's Friday desk clearing time for this blogger. "Jenn Zepernick and her husband are paying about $285,000 for a newly built four-bedroom Pulte house in Windermere, near Orlando. The family qualified for a loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration because they were considered first-time...
Read more (70 comments)