In yesterday’s open thread, Plymster pointed out an interesting bit of drama that is being played out in the Seattle real estate blogging scene. I’m not really interested in fanning internet flame wars, but the comments of a local Realtor™ really sheds some light on one of the problems the real estate industry as a…
Author: The Tim
Tim Ellis is the founder of Seattle Bubble. His background in engineering and computer / internet technology, a fondness of data-based analysis of problems, and an addiction to spreadsheets all influence his perspective on the Seattle-area real estate market. Tim also hosts the weekly improv comedy sci-fi podcast Dispatches from the Multiverse.
"Prices plateau as incomes catch back up"
Here’s some real hard-hitting reporting from the P-I. It turns out that mortgages are rising a lot faster than paychecks. Who knew? The percentage of Seattle residents who … own their homes increased over the past five years — even though home values and mortgage payments rose much faster than incomes, data the U.S. Census…
Tuesday Open Thread
This is your open thread for today. Please post random links and off-topic discussions here.
Elizabeth Rhodes: Master Of Misdirection
Wow, Elizabeth Rhodes is on a real anti-bubble roll this weekend. Did one of you submit this letter to her “Home Forum” Q & A? Q: I keep reading that home prices aren’t expected to decline in the Seattle area. Aren’t you overlooking the possible effect of “suicide loans” — those adjustable-rate mortgages that are…
Seattle Light On ‘Flipping’
An oft-cited argument by those who believe prices in Seattle are totally justified is that the number of “investors” here is not at the level of other, more obviously bubbly cities. However, no one ever seems to be able to provide any actual statistics to back up this assertion. While it does not actually answer…