The Housing Bubble Blog

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

People Simply Went Mad Borrowing

It's Friday desk clearing time for this blogger. "Investor demand is driving up sale prices on Brickell condos. Lisa Thomson, an associate on The Thomson Team at Coldwell Banker said the average asking price, which was $486,000 last year, is now $583,000 — and the average sold price has gone up...
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Sort Of Like Japan

The Santa Maria Times reports from California. "Santa Barbara County government agencies issued the second fewest new home building permits since 1990, according to the Construction Industry Research Board. In San Luis Obispo County, the number of new residential building permits was the lowest in...
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The Train Came Back Around

The News Journal reports from Florida. "Deltona, the largest city in Volusia County, also has its biggest foreclosure issue. The city's eastern part, 32738, holds the Volusia-Flagler area's second-worse foreclosure filing ratio, the 63rd worst ZIP code in the state. The western area, 32725, is...
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Policy Land Mines In Uncharted Territory

Readers suggested a topic on government policy and house prices. "Is the government trying to keep house prices inflated, or are they simply trying to prevent over correction." A reply, "Sounds great until you take the perspective of a prospective buyer, who gets to look forward to no reward going...
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Just Another Indictment Of Our Corrupt Political System?

Readers suggested a topic on the latest proposals out of Washington. "Typical Obama: All of a sudden… 4 years after the crash… he has the idea to go after the bankers for their criminal behavior… 4 YEARS!!!!… HE WAITED UNTIL A RE-ELECTION YEAR TO PANDER TO STUPID VOTERS…. & act like he’s 'doing...
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