The Pastel-Colored Unicorn

The Ravalli Republic reports from Montana. "The Missoula real estate industry looks like it will keep up 2015’s brisk pace in 2016, but it’s still somewhat of a seller’s market – meaning affordability is climbing out of reach for many buyers. 'As of now, we don’t see many reasons why the positive...
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The Last Recession

I say 'last recession' to suggest the possibility that the worlds governmetns and central banks have set up a Japan-like indefinite recession. Let's look at some viewpoints. CBS Money Watch. "Hip hip, hooray for the U.S. economic recovery! Unemployment is down, consumer confidence is up and the...
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Housing Bubble Predictions: 2016

What's your housing bubble predictions for 2016? From analysts or economist? "Home values didn't grow as fast in South Florida this year, but don't worry about a housing hiccup in 2016. 'We are not going to regress,' said John Tuccillo, chief economist for the Florida Realtors trade group. 'There's...
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The Entrenched Moral Hazard Of The Asset Economy

It's Friday desk clearing time for this blogger. "Houstonians know all too well that real estate fortunes rise and fall with the price of oil. That made last year a particularly interesting market to watch as developers announced big projects and builders continued to add new homes and apartments...
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Coasting To A Slowdown

A report from the Associated Press. "There's a dark side to those delightfully low gas prices: Housing markets are slumping in communities that were recently flush from the U.S. shale oil fracking boom. Home sales are down sharply this year in North Dakota and the West Texas cities of Midland and...
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The Beauty Of A Slowdown: Complacency Vanishes

A report from the Canadian Press. "Climbing Vancouver's property ladder can be a daunting experience at any time, but recent scorching market conditions have forced many to re-evaluate their ownership goals as prices climb skyward and the supply dwindles. When Eleanor King started looking for a new...
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The Last Time Values Went Up This Far, Prices Crashed

It's Friday desk clearing time for this blogger, "A recent report postulates that the Denver housing market is experiencing 'bubble' conditions. It is easy for one to look back and say, 'Hey, the last time we had values go up this far in such a short time frame, prices crashed a few years later....
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Property Owners May Be Forced To Become Realistic

A report from Bloomberg. "One of the few forecasters to predict both the start and peak of China’s equity boom is now warning the nation will be buffeted by the same forces that caused financial crises around the world over the past four decades. Hao Hong, chief China strategist at Bocom...
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