Arnold Layne

Housing Bubble, The Sequel

So it would be in my self- interest to buy a house now, since Obamanomics will make sure it goes up in value over the next few years; or at least the downside is capped by the banks, etc.???

Are We Becoming a Nation of Renters? Investing for the New Housing Dynamic

Interesting how sentiment is now so negative on homeownership. Oops, I mean homerentership since the bank owns the home, right?
Renters were demonized in the past say some, I don't think so. Maybe looked down upon as not 'having made it', but of course, homeownership was and for most still, I think still the goal. If the metric is whether one will get rich quick, then that is wrong. If the metric is whether one will lose his ass over 10, 15 or 30 yrs, I hope that is also wrong! My metric is will I have a place to live that I enjoy, can call my own [even if I only have 20% equity], modify as I wish, etc for 15 yrs or so, and at least break even. Real interest rates are very attractive.
Renting may make more sense from a financial POV for many, but having done both, I'll take buying when I can afford it, which I can and have.

Market Internals Flashing Caution Signals

So on Mar 9 buying power hit 96, and apparently was a good time to buy.
After rising to 172, it's back to the previous level, so it's time to buy, right?
Or should we have bought when it was at 172 [higher = better?].

heh.

Covering and Cutting Back Shorts: Commercial Real Estate and American Express

Right on Alan, count me in too!

Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News

This would be more useful if it arrived before the market open! Yes, otherwise excellent....

The Two Best Investment Rules for Volatile Markets

Reading the comments of 'bashers'on your past posts is very entertaining. Certain of them owe the author an apology.

What We Can Do To Reverse the Oil Crisis

"government subsidized program of using food for fuel "
Did Bush or Congress do this?

Constructing a Portfolio from the Top Down

ETFNerd should crawl back into his hole, or maybe SA should 'use some judgement' in whom they allow to join and post. If you don't like the article, why did you write such a lengthy reply? To show how much smarter you are than the author? Why not become an author yourself s o we can trash you ?

Housing Bust Blame Game

Only the insane think the housing market problems can be fixed only by working the mortgage end. All the talking heads are breathless to stop the housing depreciation and get things going again. Doesn't anyone in the press or government think that the near parabolic housing price rises need to fully correct before I and others will/ can afford to 'get busy and buy another house'????????????????...

'Slow Growth' Or Recession?

Why look at IHI instead of QID et al?

Shiller Warns on Housing

Barry, thanks, that was very interesting. I didn't realize until the end that it was a year old. Still relevant, but too bad that's his 'latest' work.
Trying to interpret the US housing price graph,
1. Since we don't have data pre-ca. 1897, choosing that as a starting point is a bit serendipitous
2. It appears housing prices could make major changes as a step function, and that overall, going forward, the latest step remains intact
3. I suppose it's also possible that prices completely revert, as in the 'bumps' occurring in the70s and 80s
Money management discipline caused me to sell a home purchased in 1998, last Fall. I actually feel a bit liberated, being a carefree renter at this point!

Silver Stocks Look Shiny Indeed

I don't see Bill claiming any clairvoyance in his post today. He's merely interpreting the chart.
There is no implication- only incorrect inference on Nova Long's part.
Get a life.