Today, the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it reached yet another settlement with a large national lender and two large builders for violating the Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act (RESPA). One of RESPA’s functions is to protect consumers by prohibiting kickbacks in real estate that artificially increase the premiums…
Land Use Regulations To Loosen?
Given that one alleged reason for skyrocketing housing prices is government land use regulation, it is worth mentioning that land use restrictions in King County and across Washington State may be loosening in the coming year. In what may be an attempt to stave off the state-wide property rights initiative, the King County Executive is…
New Enonomy: selling each other houses
Rich Toscano, author and founder of Piggington’s Almanac for the Landed Poor, was interviewed by the LA Times in today’s piece. He is quoted on page 2 of the article. “We’ve built an entire economy on selling each other homes.” – Rich Toscano Please read the rules before posting a comment. Seattle Bubble Tip Jar
King County To Middle Class: Rent Or Leave
As I’ve said here before, I think renting right now is a no-brainer for people that don’t already own a home. That being said, for those in the middle-income bracket like myself that do insist on stretching their finances to afford an overpriced home in King County, the options are fewer and fewer. Throughout the…
Pinpoint Stats: Snohomish Co.
Snohomish Co. Residential sales only (only houses, no condo’s, no land)Source: NWMLS 2005:April 1283 (Median $283,250) May 1165 (Median $287,000) June 1473 (Median $295,000) 2006:April 1134 (Median $331,254) May 1133 (Median $339,950) June 1347 (Median $350,000) The rise in median prices are remarkable YOY & MOM and that’s with less sales and rising inventory in…