Buy Now While You Can

The Chicago Tribune reports from Illinois. "Ken Neumann is back building houses in the Chicago area, but he's no longer focused on constructing thousands of homes in subdivisions for entry-level buyers. Instead, he's tearing down homes in long-established communities and building houses for a more...
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Real Estate Is Cheap, But None Of Us Can Afford It

The Durango Herald reports from Colorado. "A year has passed, but the message at the 12th annual Real Estate Forecast on Wednesday night was almost identical to 2011: It’s a buyer’s market out there. And just like last year, brokers are saying the best values won’t be around much longer. Demand is...
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A Significant Ongoing Misallocation Of Resources

Readers suggested a topic on jobs and the economy. "The March jobs report looks bullish. Unemployment down to 8.2% baby." One asks. "Will paltry March 2012 employment numbers give the Fed the support to roll out a mortgage-bond version of QE3?" One added, "88,000,000 people are riding the pine...
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Seeing Property For What It Really Is

It's Friday desk clearing time for this blogger. "For young would-be homebuyers, this really is the best of times and the worst of times. Homes are more affordable now than they have been in more than four decades, according to the National Association of Realtors. On the other hand, young...
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The Race Is On In California

The Milpitas Post reports from California. "Demand in the housing market is growing rapidly in Santa Clara County, according to the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors. 'This is not a market for the faint of heart,' said Barbara Lymberis, president of the county Association of Realtors. 'You...
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Example's Of How The Process Is Broken

A report from the NLPC. "The Washington Post's March 4 print edition features a lengthy cover story on a suburban Maryland couple, Keith and Janet Ritter. The Ritters in 2006 bought their home for nearly $1.3 million with almost no money down and, in the ensuing years, haven't made a single...
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Less False Optimism

Readers suggested a topic on house buying attitudes. "Did the bursting of the housing bubble scare off an entire generation of potential U.S. home owners? So far, I am 'scared off,' but lower (more affordable) home prices could go far towards alleviating my fears." A reply, "I think there are still...
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