Hi Bubbleheads, doom ‘n gloomers and market enthusiasts …. Good Reading: Via Jessica Swesey at Inman News blog gives us a glimpse into the mechanics of the bubble. She cites a paper released last week by Dean Baker of the Center for Economic & Policy Research asks:(PDF document & very easy reading with excellent analysis)…
Bill Virgin: We are all real-estate speculators
Here’s yet another gem from P-I columnist Bill Virgin: We’re all guilty of speculating in real estate Greetings, fellow real-estate speculators. How ya’ feeling about your gamble on the real estate market these days? Who, me? Not us, you protest. Our purchase of a home is meant to provide shelter for our families, not as…
July Reporting Roundup
It’s that time of the month again—time to check in with our trusty local real estate mouthpieces “reporters” in the local press. What do Rhodes, Cohen, Benbow, Boone, and newcomer Dan Beekman (with the Tacoma News Tribune) have for us this month? Read on to find out… Warning: Sarcasm Ahead Elizabeth Rhodes, Seattle Times:Housing prices…
Supply Up, Up, & Away, Demand Still Sinking
Just a quick note to point out the NWMLS has released July stats. Compared to 2006, listings are up 44%, and sales down 8%. Here’s the link to the NWMLS press release, with a link to the recap pdf (which is no longer directly-linkable). My brothers are in-town visiting, so I haven’t got the time…
Gangbuster Job Growth, Lackluster Incomes
One of the most frequent arguments you’ll hear if you ask someone to try to justify Seattle’s high home prices is job growth. It usually sounds something like this: “We’ve got Boeing and Microsoft, and all these highly-paid, high-tech jobs are continually being added to our strong economy.” Well, as you all know, we’ve beat…