U.S. Home Prices May Be Lost for a Generation

[david_mcmanus]

"Don't be blinded by the glint of optimism in headlines about rising consumer confidence and slowing price declines. Demographic and market realities tell a more sobering story. "

"One thing hasn't changed in this recession: Those who are mobile will continue to move where jobs are relatively plentiful and housing is cheaper.

The winners continue to be southeastern states and Texas."

and finally....

"For most homeowners, wealth building and retention may depend more on a diversified, inflation-indexed bond portfolio than on real estate. This new reality, though, may be lost on those still trying to price their homes at 2006 levels. "

[SeattleMoose]

I lived in TX for 10 years and loved it. People are more real (e.g. no pseudo intellectuals) than up here. And as far as weather, in TX you get 5 months of hell and 7 months of heaven. Here you get 9 months of hell and 3 months of heaven (sometimes).

But I digress....Seattle is "special".

[perfectfire]

I had to choose between Houston and Seattle and weather is one of the reasons I choose Seattle. I like warm weather because I get cold very easily, but there is such a thing as too hot. The deal-breaker for me was that fact that the too hot season was exactly the time you would want to be out and about. Especially if you have kids summer is when they have time off to do things, but it's just too stupid hot to do anything other than play in the pool. So it's no surprise that it seemed that all Houstonians ever did was shop and eat.

[david_mcmanus]

Maybe the southeast and Texas is a popular place simply because of the fact that home prices didn't nearly increase on the level of the rest of the country. Well.....except for South Florida.

[Lake Hills Renter]

I grew up in Texas and moved out here 8 years ago. Best decision I ever made. I do not like hot weather and despise Texas summers, which can start as early as February and end as late as November. Power to those that like it, but it's not for me at all. Dallas was just as bad as Seattle for "pseudo intellectuals", with an added redneck tint as well. My 30 years there was far too long. I don't ever expect to go back.

[rose-colored-coolaid]