The Housing Bubble Blog

The Union Tribune has this update on San Diegos' housing bubble. "San Diego County resale housing prices began the new year inching moderately upward, but a record drop in new housing prices pushed the overall median down from December levels, DataQuick reported today." "The January median stood at...

No link is available for the Dow Jones Newswire report. "KB Homes has noticed a surge in cancellations and a drop-off in orders in the first two months of fiscal 2006, and if this trend continues, the company said it likely will have to ratchet down its revenue guidance for the year, according to a...

The Business News has an update on the housing bubble on Long Island. "January housing prices dipped in Nassau and Suffolk counties, but remain ahead of last year’s numbers. The region’s median closing price was $440,000 in January, down from $443,000 in December, the MLS of Long Island reported."...

Fortune magazine reports on a 'tale of two cities.' "If you want to know where real estate prices are headed in California's Orange County, the man to talk to is Gary Watts. The Mission Viejo broker has 35 years of experience and doubles as a spokesman for the O.C.'s Association of Realtors....

Paul Muolo had this insiders report from NMN. "Investment banking firms increasingly are buying notable stakes in publicly traded subprime firms. For instance, Deutsche Bank, until recently owned 7.2% in Accredited Home Lenders. It no longer owns all that stock in Accredited, though. What happened?...

The Wall Street Journal has this report on the condo bubble. "Perks being offered by sellers? Until recently, buyers in many markets were competing for the chance to snap up new condos downtown. There are spreading signs that the market may be cooling, just as in the overall market. The worry for...

The Danbury News Times has a rare look at a Connecticut housing market. "The sales pace for homes has slowed in past few months from the fevered pace of 2003 and 2004. Realtors say price jumps have halted, causing homes to stay on the market longer. A year ago, 35 Danbury houses sold for less than...

The Miami Herald has this report on a once 'red-hot' housing bubble. "This time last year, real estate agents along this island chain couldn't keep most properties in stock, as eager buyers snapped up trailer lots, pushed prices for ordinary wooden homes beyond $1 million and spawned bidding wars...

One blogger put together a chronicle of a previous housing bubble from New York Times articles. One item: "June 23, 1986, Monday By THOMAS J. LUECK, SPECIAL TO THE NEW YORK TIMES (NYT); Financial Desk Late City Final Edition, Section D, Page 1, Column 3." "The largest builder of condominiums in the...

One reader suggested this topic. "Have been watching or know about the bubble in OC, Ca, and how the real estate agents, brokers, etc are trying to hide it." "Over the last 18 months, I have had to endure FRONT PAGE news of how the average Home price continues to break new Highs. Over and over,...

A pair of reports provide an update on Arizona's housing bubble. "Last month, Arizona was part of a multistate $325 million predatory-lending settlement with Ameriquest, the nation's largest subprime lender. The agreement, which could result in hundreds of dollars in restitution for more than...

One reader wants to talk about what's for sale. "Let’s talk inventory, inventory, inventory. Just glancing over some numbers looks like they are growing rapidly. Please post examples from your area. It really does appear that superbowl was a kick off for everyone to put their place on the market."...

The real estate business is shrinking with the housing bubble. "More than half of California's real estate agents quit within their first five years, according to a recent study. CAR found that many left because of a lack of support from their brokers, but others left because of an inability to...

A reader asks, "First post-Superbowl open house report: Has open house activity picked up noticeably in your neighborhood?" "Whats current sentiment amongst sellers and agents?" A reader posted this web link. "Centex homes on California’s Central Coast are now offering $100,000 incentives - very...

Some reports from Florida. "Over the past five years, South Florida has gone through the most explosive housing boom in its history. Now the big question is: Is the wild ride over? Yes, experts say. The signs are already there. Prices have wobbled in recent months, with sellers..lowering their...

The Boston Globe reports on furnishing a McMansion. "A couple buys an estate-size home with multiple rooms and lavish amenities. First they're thrilled, says Sheri Edsall, a Needham interior designer. Then 'they're panic-stricken. They can't deal with that much house.'" "But many Boston-area...

The Mail Trubune reports a turn in one Oregon housing market. "Rising inventories of homes on the market are beginning to stack up against historic norms in Jackson County. A total of 1,177 single-family residential units were listed for sale countywide as of Friday, 90 percent more than a year...

Barron's Online has a report on subprime loans. Highlights, "The red hot US housing market may be fast approaching its date with destiny. Indeed, inside the mortgage trade, much anxiety is being focused on a looming 'reset problem.' Over the next two years, monthly payments on an estimated $600...

The Arizona Republic reports on the decline in Phoenix area home prices. "If you're a Southeast Valley homeowner, don't gloat too much about how much more your home could sell for compared with a year ago. Prices have begun falling over the past few months. In general, median prices have been...

A pair of reports provide an update on the housing bubble. "More than 3,200 metro Milwaukee homes sprouted "for sale" signs last month, over three times the number reported sold, a Friday industry report shows. That new inventory was 43% higher than January 2005 and 66% higher than January 2004,...