I read an interesting article in USA TODAY last week. It talked about Americans trending towards smaller, smarter homes---homes that are more environmentally friendly, more energy efficient, and smaller; thus more affordable.
I have to say, this is not the first article I've read about this trend. I find it interesting---and somewhat predictable---that a movement towards smaller, more
What is a good deal in today's market? Well, my decision on whether to purchase an investment property depends on a few things:
- The fair market value in the area.
- How much work the property needs.
- What my plans are for the property (rent or resell).
If you are planning to use the property as your personal residence ... using a general rule of thumb ... you can probably pay up
Posted by: Carleton Sheets in Tenant, Real Estate, Housing Market, Foreclosure, Economy, Budget on
Feb 09, 2009.
Did you read my blog asking where have all the renters gone? Well, it looks like they've been found ... living with family.
According to an article in USA Today, more and more families are moving in together due to the current economy. Those who were foreclosed on or having trouble making ends meet are moving in with family members or friends. And by pooling their resources, they are finding
It's interesting to see how builders' incentives to prospective buyers are changing. In previous blogs, I wrote about builders offering flat-screened TVs, new microwaves---and even a free car to entice buyers to purchase homes. And their incentives continued to "grow" as the housing market declined---free upgrades, free trips, and prices slashed even further.
I just read an article in the
Posted by: Carleton Sheets in Real Estate Market, Real Estate, mortgage, Land, Housing Market, Foreclosure, Economy, Credit crunch, commercial real estate, Commercial Lending, Builder on
Jan 26, 2009.
Builders can't seem to get a break. Those who managed to weather the economic storm so far are coming under fire again---according to a recent article in The New York Times. When I first read the article, I couldn't help but agree that the home-building industry "faces a devastating reversal of fortune," and I wasn't surprised that some lenders are foreclosing on newly constructed
Posted by: Carleton Sheets in Real Estate Market, Real Estate, Loan, Interest Rate, Housing Market, Foreclosure, Economy, commercial real estate, Commercial, balloon mortage on
Jan 19, 2009.
Just like you, I have been reading reports in the media that housing prices are not at the bottom yet. Whether this is true or not remains to be seen, but I continue to remain optimistic that the real estate market will turn around---it has always rebounded in the past, and I firmly believe that it will continue to do so in the future.
However, a colleague of mine at the Professional
If you're considering purchasing a home or investment property and are trying to time the market to get the best deal ... don't!
Picture this scenario: Even at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, you'll find small hills and valleys, but they're still at the bottom of the canyon. Using the same analogy, although home prices may fluctuate a bit up and down, overall, they're still at or very close to
Posted by: Carleton Sheets in Taxes, Housing Market, Economy on
Dec 25, 2008.
I've read countless articles about how the housing bubble evolved ... and why it burst into flames! And although each article has its own spin, all usually agree that a number of factors are to blame for the condition the current housing market is in---de-regulation leading to lax lending practices, Wall-Street greed, and over-speculation by builders and investors, among others.
And now, here
No matter who you voted for, you have to admit that change is in the air. And now that the election is over, it's time for our government to get down to business! From what I've heard on CNN and read about in the news, I expect that President-elect Barack Obama is already making changes in the cabinet, and plans to get things up and running the minute he enters the Oval Office in January.
I'm
