The Housing Bubble Blog

Readers suggested a topic around economic signs. "Offbeat signs of possible financial desperation. 1. At work yesterday, I heard the people running the social club (which theoretically operates on an cash-based honour system) discussing one person who was into the club for over $300 in IOU's." "2....

What do you see in your housing market this weekend? Defaults? "Hawaii's foreclosure rate tripled in April, with a 218 percent increase over the year-earlier period. 'There's no good way to put a positive spin on those numbers,' said University of Hawaii economist Carl Bonham. 'There's no...

Please post off-topic ideas, links and Craigslist finds here.

The Recordnet reports from California. "The sales run for existing homes in San Joaquin Countya...about 80 percent is the foreclosure sector...continued to pick up speed in April. Prices fell sharply in April, sliding below the $200,000 mark in Stockton, for example, for the first time since March...

The Rocky Mountain News reports from Colorado. "Foreclosures. They're not just for low-priced homes anymore. Douglas County, one of the richest and fastest-growing counties in the nation, is seeing on average one $1 million home go into foreclosure each week. 'I haven't seen any $2 million homes...

Please post off-topic ideas, links and Craigslist Finds here.

It's Friday desk clearing time for this blogger. "Nassau's foreclosure-related filings last month jumped 113 percent from a year ago. Broker David Farrell, who on Saturday took house hunters on his first Long Island Foreclosure Tour in Nassau, said the higher figures reflect the bigger price...

A report from the Idaho Statesman. "There was some good news for the Treasure Valley housing industry in April, but not enough to offset the bad news in industry figures. Part of the increase is simply the normal upward trend that occurs each spring. And this year's growth hasn't been enough either...

And send in your housing bubble pics to: hbbphotos@gmail.com

Please post off-topic ideas, links and Craigslist finds here.

The Orange County Register reports from California. "As the sub-prime mortgage crisis reverberates across Orange County, the Pufpafs and other Ladera residents are adjusting to a new housing reality: falling prices. Ladera Ranch resident and Realtor Sherrie LeVan represents Dyer as well as interior...

The Daily Times reports from New Mexico. "The San Juan County real estate market continues to be its own animal; active, healthy and stabilizing. That's not, however, to say it's an ideal market. 'Listings are probably up by about 25 percent,' said Elizabeth Tafoya, president of San Juan County...

WTVJ reports from Florida. "Broward resident Marina Davis has to love her home. She's trapped in it. Like thousands, Davis has seen her real estate investment turn upside-down. In September 2005, Davis paid $550,000. Two months ago, the home was worth $480,000. Now, it is down to $380,000. Even...

Please post off-topic ideas, links and Craigslist finds here.

The Desert Sun reports from California. "A Palm Springs home known as a masterpiece of modernism sold Tuesday for $15 million. In the end, the famed house underperformed a bit. Christie's New York, the auction company, initially believed the house would bring upwards of $25 million. During the...

Some housing bubble news from Wall Street and Washington. Bloomberg, "U.S. foreclosure filings climbed 65 percent and bank seizures more than doubled in April from a year earlier.More than 243,300 properties were in some stage of foreclosure, the highest monthly total since RealtyTrac began in...

A report from the Columbia Missourian. "Boone County witnessed its first spike of foreclosures in 2003, when the number rose from 99 the previous year to 150, according to the Boone County Recorder of Deeds office. Banks foreclosed on 143 homes and other properties in Boone County during 2006, and...

Please post off-topic ideas, links and Craigslist finds here.

The Daily Press reports from California. "Nearly three in four local homes sold in April were foreclosures, as prices of existing homes dipped 2.6 percent for the month, according to a new report. Among the 3,400 existing homes currently for sale in the Victor Valley, 279 homes sold in April, a 23...

Some housing bubble news from Wall Street and Washington. Bloomberg, "The U.S. median price for a single- family home dropped 7.7 percent in the first quarter, the biggest decline in at least 29 years, as values tumbled in two-thirds of U.S. cities, the National Association of Realtors said. The...