xmplary

Property Values Set to Fall 43% from Current Depressed Levels

The reality is different from analysis. I have several clients bidding on bidselect.com for HUD properties and like every buyer, they want to start bidding way down, against my advice, only to find out that some one else's bid got accepted over theirs. The best time to have got the best deals was in the spring of this year when there was so much uncertainty and many not being able to get financing. Those deals are now gone, except where the seller is desperate... even then, the bank approving the short sales are not so desperate with all the billions tax payers have provided! Winter is generally a slow period, so desperate sellers will accept lower offers, but if they can hold on till the next season they will. Prices dropping 43% lower from current levels is fantasy, unless we are in for a similar situation as in late 08.

Gold Above $1,000: Indicative of an Imminent Market Fall?

Stocks may be over bought, but could it be possible that the Gold too is over bought and another bubble? Could it be that its overbought as well? Reminds me of a Twilight Zone episode!

www.veoh.com/browse/vi...

A Dire Warning for the U.S. Economy

>>In 1932, during the worst of the Great Depression, only 273,000 families suffered foreclosure during the entire year. Meanwhile, in April of this year (i.e. just one month) there were 342,000 foreclosures.

Comparing 273,000 foreclosures in 1932 to 342,000 in April 2009 seem staggering, but a comparison to the 1932 should include additional statistical data such as the number of housing units back then and today, the population growth, etc. Without a true and fair comparison, I see this as nothing but a fear mongering article.

Book Review: Great Depression Ahead

It would have been a lot of help if you did the review a few years ago!

Fiscal Policy Under Obama: Dig Holes and Fill Them

Or is it an attempt to fill the holes, sorry I meant craters, created during the past 8 years?

The Bailouts Are Doomed - All of Them

Great article. The politicians have forgotten that they are public servants, appointed by the public to protect the public, not the bankers or the lobbyists. We need to punish those who have broken the public trust, to the fullest extent of the law.

Bernanke Speaks Out on the Great Recession

constructe made a good point about unemployment. I totally agree with that as I wrote an article about it as well digg.com/business_fina... We are all pointing the finger at everything else but the real root cause of unemployment. Many are even denying this fact, but you can only spend when you know you are able to make that money.

China Hits a Speed Bump and America Feels the Pain

Interesting article, and I have to agree with paultaut. I certainly dont have that feeling of being able to afford spending, as are many others that I know of. Saving, and reducing debt is the only way to go.

Healthcare Reform: Two Extremes, Neither Focusing on Health

Good article in pointing out the greed in a place where there shouldn't be any. Politics have been spiraling down to third world standards.

Charlie Gasparino: Another Crash 'Has to Happen Again'

>>I don’t know when it’s going to happen, but if history is any guide, it has to happen again–the “it” being another financial crash

If we didnt have to specify a time frame, we can all be Prophets! When the even finally happens then the Prophets can come out and say, "Didnt I say this is going to happen!"

Why I Would Not Bet on iPhone over Android

Getting an Andriod powerd phone from VZ is just as costly as getting an iPhone from ATT. Given that, I would always go for the better designed, better looking iPhone with a better user experience. If VZ had lower cost, a family plan where you could share the data what you say might have some validity, but not when there are no clear advantages. why would some one want an inferior product that has no styling and an incomparable ui at the same price? Doyou call the demise of Movado or Rado watches because of the cheap $5 alternative products? With the iPhone, its comparably priced to other alternatives, but with better styling, ui and coolness factor thats hard to match.

Here's an Unconventional Idea: Sell Apple

The article shows the small thinking of the author. Cannibalizing the iPod with the iPhone is a brilliantly planned strategy. The iPhone is the phone that every other phone wants to imitate and will be for a very long time. Apple has learned the mistakes of standing still and is innovating like never before. Obviously the iPhone sales will start to wane at some point, but not right now. As for high priced computers, Apple is attractively priced in the few product lines it offers products in. I recently bought a Mac, just because I wanted to learn the iPhone SDK and with the 3.0 SDK, Apple has brought in several highly desired features. I'm not betting on Apple going down any time soon.

Once the Job Market Comes Back, The Housing Market Will Cure Itself

I've been saying this for a while... its no brainier that when people have no jobs, they dont have the spending power. Low interest rates definitely help, but when there is so much uncertainty, every one is cautious about spending. Just dropping down the interest rate and not dropping the price wont have much of an effect... they have to be in sync. If I get 0% interest for something that is selling at 2x its perceived value, I'm not gong to buy. If its selling below value, but the interest rate is say 20% I'm not going to buy either, at least not fiance it.

digg.com/business_fina...

Where Is That Mythical Housing Bottom?

nobull, I dont think you understand the scope housing has on the economy. How many types of industries are involved in making a house? Roofing, Siding, Concrete, Plumbing, Windows, Doors, Air Conditioners, Heaters, Home Appliances, Financial, even software companies that provide services to the housing industries... there are too numerous companies to mention. All these industries suffer the consequences of the downturn in housing, which means there are layoffs in many, many industries that are directly and indirectly tied to housing. So, you can't ignore the housing market and think everything is ok.

Better to Rent than Buy a Home

Interesting point of view, but my opinion of this is that all these numbers that economist crank out is meaningless. Everything depends on your personal situation. If I can afford to buy with a stable job and enough savings to put me thru just in case, not buying a home is silly because I can keep renting all I want, but at the end of the day when I am ready to retire, have no place to stay. With a house of your own, you are forced to save, and that is a good thing. I wont recommend buying for those who are looking to make a quick buck, because that time is long gone, but buy to live in it, take your tax break, and someday you have something for yourself. The thing to realize is that this is a personal decision that is dependent on personal issues.