LeeCarlson's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/69494/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/40768-housing-bubble-and-real-estate-market-tracker?source=feed#comment-91094 91094 it might cause sales to stop or at least slow down.
Now all you see in columns like this are those same words,....The ""Bubble"" was real folks !
As a realtor for the past 26 years, I could see it coming but it seems that Investors, Lenders, etc. didn't want to listen to reason. The Investor "Herd" mentality was already firmly set in place >>&g...
Now they have real "Honest to gosh" reason to BELIEVE there is a housing bubble but it's too late now guys ! The damage is done ! The only question is how long the bust will last.
I still have that Bridge in Manhattan to sell,...!!!........How much am I bid ???
LC]]> Thu, 12 Jul 2007 22:34:21 -0400 it might cause sales to stop or at least slow down.
Now all you see in columns like this are those same words,....The ""Bubble"" was real folks !
As a realtor for the past 26 years, I could see it coming but it seems that Investors, Lenders, etc. didn't want to listen to reason. The Investor "Herd" mentality was already firmly set in place >>&g...
Now they have real "Honest to gosh" reason to BELIEVE there is a housing bubble but it's too late now guys ! The damage is done ! The only question is how long the bust will last.
I still have that Bridge in Manhattan to sell,...!!!........How much am I bid ???
LC]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/40650-the-diving-dollar-enters-unchartered-territory?source=feed#comment-90960 90960 I used to try to sell high priced products overseas but we were simply priced out the market.
It's really insane when people overseas ask the price of an American Ford only to find that it costs
more than a top of the line Mercedes ! But, that's the Fed. for you.
Now,..like it or not, we have a weak dollar,..so weak that the OPEC members are starting to price oil in EUROS instead of dollars. And people wonder why oil is expensive !!! This Country has so mismanaged the economy , they couldn't have done a worse job if it was intentional,..which maybe it is !
If the dollar gets weak enough, the JOBS will come back guys, but you will be earning only aboy $3.00 per houur ! !!! It will also increase the price of housing as investors will be buying them cheap ! Grabbing up all the real estate they can find.
But that's what happens when you import virtually everything and export nothing ! The amount of Greenbacks being held by China and the Mid-east alone is enough to buy every share of stock in the USA and still have a lot left over ! And, to fight a war with more dollars being wasted, is just adding to the insanity of this Gov. but the Fed. doesn't seem to care, they just run the printing presses and make all the greenbacks they think they want or need. We are in uncharted waters because the Fed . and the Elected Pols. don't have a clue about how to run an economy ! "Just put it on the charge card !"
When will they ever learn ???
As individuals, we have to balance our budgets , live within our means, but the Fed. Gov. doesn't have that problem...if they need more money for personal "wants", they simply vote themselves a pay raise or print more dollars !!
Isn't America wonderful ??? Just wait a few more years and then you will then know that housing prices were cheap today as compared to what they will be in 4-5 years ! That's just for starters ! Fiat is coming out with a New Fiat 500 ,...a really,..REALLY,. tiny car, but that's all we will all be driving folks , or maybe a Wizzer bike !!!
Yeah,..we have some really brilliant economists folks ! LC]]> Wed, 11 Jul 2007 18:25:37 -0400 I used to try to sell high priced products overseas but we were simply priced out the market.
It's really insane when people overseas ask the price of an American Ford only to find that it costs
more than a top of the line Mercedes ! But, that's the Fed. for you.
Now,..like it or not, we have a weak dollar,..so weak that the OPEC members are starting to price oil in EUROS instead of dollars. And people wonder why oil is expensive !!! This Country has so mismanaged the economy , they couldn't have done a worse job if it was intentional,..which maybe it is !
If the dollar gets weak enough, the JOBS will come back guys, but you will be earning only aboy $3.00 per houur ! !!! It will also increase the price of housing as investors will be buying them cheap ! Grabbing up all the real estate they can find.
But that's what happens when you import virtually everything and export nothing ! The amount of Greenbacks being held by China and the Mid-east alone is enough to buy every share of stock in the USA and still have a lot left over ! And, to fight a war with more dollars being wasted, is just adding to the insanity of this Gov. but the Fed. doesn't seem to care, they just run the printing presses and make all the greenbacks they think they want or need. We are in uncharted waters because the Fed . and the Elected Pols. don't have a clue about how to run an economy ! "Just put it on the charge card !"
When will they ever learn ???
As individuals, we have to balance our budgets , live within our means, but the Fed. Gov. doesn't have that problem...if they need more money for personal "wants", they simply vote themselves a pay raise or print more dollars !!
Isn't America wonderful ??? Just wait a few more years and then you will then know that housing prices were cheap today as compared to what they will be in 4-5 years ! That's just for starters ! Fiat is coming out with a New Fiat 500 ,...a really,..REALLY,. tiny car, but that's all we will all be driving folks , or maybe a Wizzer bike !!!
Yeah,..we have some really brilliant economists folks ! LC]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/40400-no-housing-bottom-in-sight-barron-s?source=feed#comment-90718 90718 But, what do I know,..I'm just a R.E. Broker w/ only 26 years experience !!
Regardless of all that analysis, people buy houses when they, and the banks, think the buyer can afford to buy ! That's the bottom line. ! The worst things that happened in the past few years was the lending process,...zero dn. loans ...appraisers who would approve anything ,...and too many buyers thinking the market is still headed up when the prices are already outrageously high !
Also, I keep hearing that even though the number of listings are WAY UP,..that actual selling prices are creeping up ! The reason the selling prices are going up is that the higher priced homes are the only ones on the market that show really well, have new A/C and appliances, fresh paint, new roofs, in general great condition. I could should you hundreds of current listings that have been on the market from 6 months to well over a year and in spite of numerous price cuts, and will never sell at the current asking prices because they don't show well enough ! Too many people overpaid and now they are trying to sell an empty home that is in poor condition, but the sellers think that , in time, it will sell !
Well,..I got news,..the Average home on the market has had 1-3 price cuts, and is still for sale !
I agree that the market will not really recover for 2-3 or 4 years ! Builders, in their ever present "Bull Market " thinking, will keep on getting burned but builders have , in past years, getting so much profit from building, that it's going to take a while for them to come back to earth ! In years past,..builders have been giving Realtors 2 pct. for bringing a buyer, but today,...they offer Agents 8-10 pct. commissions and lots of up- grades to customers, to try to move inventory ! Also, still trying to use "creative financing " ! Everyone in the industry has to get to a new mind set for the market to recover
and it ain't going to happen overnight ! LC]]> Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:46:24 -0400 But, what do I know,..I'm just a R.E. Broker w/ only 26 years experience !!
Regardless of all that analysis, people buy houses when they, and the banks, think the buyer can afford to buy ! That's the bottom line. ! The worst things that happened in the past few years was the lending process,...zero dn. loans ...appraisers who would approve anything ,...and too many buyers thinking the market is still headed up when the prices are already outrageously high !
Also, I keep hearing that even though the number of listings are WAY UP,..that actual selling prices are creeping up ! The reason the selling prices are going up is that the higher priced homes are the only ones on the market that show really well, have new A/C and appliances, fresh paint, new roofs, in general great condition. I could should you hundreds of current listings that have been on the market from 6 months to well over a year and in spite of numerous price cuts, and will never sell at the current asking prices because they don't show well enough ! Too many people overpaid and now they are trying to sell an empty home that is in poor condition, but the sellers think that , in time, it will sell !
Well,..I got news,..the Average home on the market has had 1-3 price cuts, and is still for sale !
I agree that the market will not really recover for 2-3 or 4 years ! Builders, in their ever present "Bull Market " thinking, will keep on getting burned but builders have , in past years, getting so much profit from building, that it's going to take a while for them to come back to earth ! In years past,..builders have been giving Realtors 2 pct. for bringing a buyer, but today,...they offer Agents 8-10 pct. commissions and lots of up- grades to customers, to try to move inventory ! Also, still trying to use "creative financing " ! Everyone in the industry has to get to a new mind set for the market to recover
and it ain't going to happen overnight ! LC]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/40351-why-i-don-t-buy-the-4-5-unemployment-rate?source=feed#comment-90656 90656 the pay scale. And had no kids. In todays market, , even with 2 people working, or one person w/ 2 jobs, it's very tough to make a living and have anything left over. Why do you think Wal Mart is staffed up with people in their 70's ? People that age should be retired, and relaxing, but can't afford to stop working.
It's a far different economy today than 30-40 years ago. The Gov. especially,..doesn't like to tell how many people have 2 jobs or how many people over 70 are still working. It ain't good for the elected officials resumes !
To top it off, with the way the gov. is allowing imports and the USA not being able to sell in the overseas markets or to be able to compeat with the Chinese labor mkt. the dollar is fast becomming weaker and weaker to the point that the Canadian dollar is almost on a par with the American Dollar, and the Euro which started out on a par with the US Dollar is now way above the US Dollar and the Oil suppliers are
getting smart and starting to price oil according to the Euro....That answers why gas. prices are so high !
Have the Legislators in Wash. D.C. screwed up the economy ?? Yeah,...big time !! And for a long time !!
LC]]> Sun, 08 Jul 2007 23:15:33 -0400 the pay scale. And had no kids. In todays market, , even with 2 people working, or one person w/ 2 jobs, it's very tough to make a living and have anything left over. Why do you think Wal Mart is staffed up with people in their 70's ? People that age should be retired, and relaxing, but can't afford to stop working.
It's a far different economy today than 30-40 years ago. The Gov. especially,..doesn't like to tell how many people have 2 jobs or how many people over 70 are still working. It ain't good for the elected officials resumes !
To top it off, with the way the gov. is allowing imports and the USA not being able to sell in the overseas markets or to be able to compeat with the Chinese labor mkt. the dollar is fast becomming weaker and weaker to the point that the Canadian dollar is almost on a par with the American Dollar, and the Euro which started out on a par with the US Dollar is now way above the US Dollar and the Oil suppliers are
getting smart and starting to price oil according to the Euro....That answers why gas. prices are so high !
Have the Legislators in Wash. D.C. screwed up the economy ?? Yeah,...big time !! And for a long time !!
LC]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/40179-office-properties-sizzle-as-home-sales-slacken?source=feed#comment-90475 90475 Then Real Estate, ( housing ) tht went thru the roof but fizzled out,...Now you want me to believe that
all these Office sales are the new boom ???
Give us a break,..I said it before and I'll say it again, Investors have a "herd" mentality. All
those commercial properties will be back on the market in a year at lower prices and sitting empty !!
Most investors are too lazy to do any homework,..they just follow the leader ! How many more of these cycles do we have to go thru before those Investors have spent it all ? LC]]> Thu, 05 Jul 2007 15:56:11 -0400 Then Real Estate, ( housing ) tht went thru the roof but fizzled out,...Now you want me to believe that
all these Office sales are the new boom ???
Give us a break,..I said it before and I'll say it again, Investors have a "herd" mentality. All
those commercial properties will be back on the market in a year at lower prices and sitting empty !!
Most investors are too lazy to do any homework,..they just follow the leader ! How many more of these cycles do we have to go thru before those Investors have spent it all ? LC]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/39833-s-p-case-shiller-shows-housing-continues-to-worsen?source=feed#comment-90215 90215 Being a Realtor for 26 years, I personally would not buy a house or condo at this time because it has a MINUS return on investment !!
I have had the recent experience of selling a condo at what I thought was a high price considering it's condition, only to find out the day after the closing, it was back in the MLS, by another broker at a MUCH HIGHER price. Fortunately, after being on the market for several months, the seller reduced the price considerably and sold it to another investor, (AT A LOSS !) and the new investor, spent a ton of money rehabbing the place, only to find that it was not salable at the new higher price. ! Brilliant thinking by these investors !!!
Way too many investors have a "herd" mentality !... "If 'Mr. Jones' did it and made money, then I'll do the same thing !",... No real market analysis, no looking at what else is on the market, no looking at recent sales, etc. so in fact it bacame the blind leading the blind.
Unfortunately, all this buying and reselling pulled up the market prices so fast that NON-Investors, had to pay prices for homes that were really overpriced in the first place. !!!
Sad to say it but Realtors participated in this insanity because it was another commission ! If they gave good advice to an investor, and the investor didn't like it, there are hundreds more Realtors out there who would let the investor go thru with a very high purchase price. So, who is to blame ,...It's just really investors who didn't get educated about the market !!! When you are playing with big bucks, you must become aware of the risks !!
LC, Clearwater]]> Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:07:35 -0400 Being a Realtor for 26 years, I personally would not buy a house or condo at this time because it has a MINUS return on investment !!
I have had the recent experience of selling a condo at what I thought was a high price considering it's condition, only to find out the day after the closing, it was back in the MLS, by another broker at a MUCH HIGHER price. Fortunately, after being on the market for several months, the seller reduced the price considerably and sold it to another investor, (AT A LOSS !) and the new investor, spent a ton of money rehabbing the place, only to find that it was not salable at the new higher price. ! Brilliant thinking by these investors !!!
Way too many investors have a "herd" mentality !... "If 'Mr. Jones' did it and made money, then I'll do the same thing !",... No real market analysis, no looking at what else is on the market, no looking at recent sales, etc. so in fact it bacame the blind leading the blind.
Unfortunately, all this buying and reselling pulled up the market prices so fast that NON-Investors, had to pay prices for homes that were really overpriced in the first place. !!!
Sad to say it but Realtors participated in this insanity because it was another commission ! If they gave good advice to an investor, and the investor didn't like it, there are hundreds more Realtors out there who would let the investor go thru with a very high purchase price. So, who is to blame ,...It's just really investors who didn't get educated about the market !!! When you are playing with big bucks, you must become aware of the risks !!
LC, Clearwater]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/38910-new-gallop-poll-americans-feel-the-economy-is-getting-worse?source=feed#comment-89459 89459 Fact,..we have way too many dollars going out ,..overseas,..and all the jobs are going overseas, and the dollar is dropping like a rock, ...anyone ever look at the exchange rates between the US dollar and the Canadian dollar lately Or the Euro and the dollar,...they used to be equal, but now the Euro costs $1.30 ,..approx. ...meaning that other countries are accumulating dollars that have less and less value, but no one seems to care,..One day,.. after the Fed finds that they can't run the printing presses fast enough, people will wake up only to find that the rest of the world is going to own every company in the US and really don't have any use for us except for Disneyworld winter homes, and the National parks !
....We really need to enter a true free trade policy that mandates "FAIR" trade, meaning if we buy a dollars worth of foreign goods, then the Foreign countries must buy a dollars worth of our goods and services.
Continuing our present ways is a sure way to a complete melt down of our economy ! L.C.]]> Sat, 23 Jun 2007 12:47:10 -0400 Fact,..we have way too many dollars going out ,..overseas,..and all the jobs are going overseas, and the dollar is dropping like a rock, ...anyone ever look at the exchange rates between the US dollar and the Canadian dollar lately Or the Euro and the dollar,...they used to be equal, but now the Euro costs $1.30 ,..approx. ...meaning that other countries are accumulating dollars that have less and less value, but no one seems to care,..One day,.. after the Fed finds that they can't run the printing presses fast enough, people will wake up only to find that the rest of the world is going to own every company in the US and really don't have any use for us except for Disneyworld winter homes, and the National parks !
....We really need to enter a true free trade policy that mandates "FAIR" trade, meaning if we buy a dollars worth of foreign goods, then the Foreign countries must buy a dollars worth of our goods and services.
Continuing our present ways is a sure way to a complete melt down of our economy ! L.C.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/39150-the-ethanol-industry-an-insider-s-take?source=feed#comment-89456 89456 Right now , it seems that a lot of people still don't really care that gasoline or alternatiives are so expensive. The automotive industry seems to have developed into two sectors, ...one market for those "gas guzzeling" pickups, and SUV's and another for commuters who just want to get to work and back cheap. Fortunately, at some point,..as dictated by economics,..people will find alternatives for those high priced fuels and big cars, pickups or SUV's !. At this point in time,.., people simply are not hurting enough to change ! Lee]]> Sat, 23 Jun 2007 12:22:27 -0400 Right now , it seems that a lot of people still don't really care that gasoline or alternatiives are so expensive. The automotive industry seems to have developed into two sectors, ...one market for those "gas guzzeling" pickups, and SUV's and another for commuters who just want to get to work and back cheap. Fortunately, at some point,..as dictated by economics,..people will find alternatives for those high priced fuels and big cars, pickups or SUV's !. At this point in time,.., people simply are not hurting enough to change ! Lee]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/39141-eleven-good-points-on-residential-real-estate?source=feed#comment-89450 89450 Sat, 23 Jun 2007 03:35:02 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/38487-betting-on-oil-pay-close-attention-to-the-facts?source=feed#comment-88822 88822 Oil companies have much to gain by higher prices, but there is no shortage, so they blame it on the shortage of refineries,..and lets not forget the guys who buy oil futures but never take delivery,..
and wind power is not the answer as you have to have at least a wind speed of 12 MPH continually to make them work, and most of the US doesn't have that kind of wind,..ethanol,...? ..It's only got 70 pct. the energy of gasoline and thats why some gas has to be added to ethanol, and yes,...someday we can make the ethanol more efficiently,...but then we would have to get the Gov. off our backs because of the big tax on "FUEL" and fuel is defined as anything you put in the tank !!!
The bottom line is that we have to use every method we can come up with to power cars, and power plants, etc. We can't anymore blame it on just a shortage of gas !! It has to be a combination of methods, even more effective insulation on homes and factories, shorter trips, and even perhaps shorter wars !
Ever stop to think how much fuel is used by an aircraft carrier to get planes to the mid-east and then to contimually refill the planes which go thru fuel like crazy !!! So guys,...there ain't just one simple solution, it's a combination of conservation, perhaps geothermal, insulation, smaller cars, nuclear power, etc. etc. but some people will continue to blame it all on one company or perhaps even one person,..who knows but as I said, the debate goes on !!! Have fun !]]> Sun, 17 Jun 2007 01:54:11 -0400 Oil companies have much to gain by higher prices, but there is no shortage, so they blame it on the shortage of refineries,..and lets not forget the guys who buy oil futures but never take delivery,..
and wind power is not the answer as you have to have at least a wind speed of 12 MPH continually to make them work, and most of the US doesn't have that kind of wind,..ethanol,...? ..It's only got 70 pct. the energy of gasoline and thats why some gas has to be added to ethanol, and yes,...someday we can make the ethanol more efficiently,...but then we would have to get the Gov. off our backs because of the big tax on "FUEL" and fuel is defined as anything you put in the tank !!!
The bottom line is that we have to use every method we can come up with to power cars, and power plants, etc. We can't anymore blame it on just a shortage of gas !! It has to be a combination of methods, even more effective insulation on homes and factories, shorter trips, and even perhaps shorter wars !
Ever stop to think how much fuel is used by an aircraft carrier to get planes to the mid-east and then to contimually refill the planes which go thru fuel like crazy !!! So guys,...there ain't just one simple solution, it's a combination of conservation, perhaps geothermal, insulation, smaller cars, nuclear power, etc. etc. but some people will continue to blame it all on one company or perhaps even one person,..who knows but as I said, the debate goes on !!! Have fun !]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/38487-betting-on-oil-pay-close-attention-to-the-facts?source=feed#comment-88800 88800 There is no shortage of oil, and there has never been a shortage of oil,..or gasoline.
Do you see any back-ups at the gas stations ?? Yet the prices go up and down like Yo yo's ! But always gradually higher. It won't end until there are real alternatives to oil or less demand for oil !! Like more insulated homes, like more fuel efficient cas, like we haven't built a Nuclear power plant in 30 years, like the people who have to have the biggest car or truck on the block because it shows the world that they have "many bucks". All factors in the game. Countries like France get about 80 pct. of their power from Nuclear power plants and drive small cars, but there is no incentive to build more here ??
Doesn't really make any sense, does it ?...Well, it does to the major oil companies !
Did everyone forget about the laws of supply and demand ? When demand goes down, Oil will be cheap again ! Until then,..it's just a game !! LC]]> Sat, 16 Jun 2007 14:03:58 -0400 There is no shortage of oil, and there has never been a shortage of oil,..or gasoline.
Do you see any back-ups at the gas stations ?? Yet the prices go up and down like Yo yo's ! But always gradually higher. It won't end until there are real alternatives to oil or less demand for oil !! Like more insulated homes, like more fuel efficient cas, like we haven't built a Nuclear power plant in 30 years, like the people who have to have the biggest car or truck on the block because it shows the world that they have "many bucks". All factors in the game. Countries like France get about 80 pct. of their power from Nuclear power plants and drive small cars, but there is no incentive to build more here ??
Doesn't really make any sense, does it ?...Well, it does to the major oil companies !
Did everyone forget about the laws of supply and demand ? When demand goes down, Oil will be cheap again ! Until then,..it's just a game !! LC]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/38303-fed-beige-book-s-benign-economic-picture-contradicts-real-estate-reality?source=feed#comment-88616 88616 What it means is that the weaker dollar is forcing the oil producers to start to set prices by the Euro, not the dollar because the dollar is becoming worthless. This is already happening ! When the Euro first came out, it was pegged to the dollar and now the Euro is worth about 30 pct. more than the dollar.
The last few Presidents have listened to very bad advice. They agreed to Free Trade,..instead of Fair Trade. We cannot continue to import everything we need and pay with dollars that are worth less every day. That means imports are getting more and more expensive but our brilliant Fed. Reserve thinks this can go on forever !
On the plus side,..when the dollar gets cheap enough, jobs will come back to this country. This is one reason that oil is more expensive ! The dollar isn't worth much anymore and so it is being sold by a different standard, EURO's !
The Fed. thinks all they have to do is print more money to solve the problem but any first year student of Economics will tell you this cannot last long before the dollar won't buy anything from overseas and things purchased from this country are going to get less and less expensive for foreigners. !!
This country's products will become cheap again,..to foreigners, and they will be coming here for vacations , Disneyland, and winterhomes ! What we really need is a whole new bunch of people on the Fed. Reserve who really understand economics ! LC]]> Thu, 14 Jun 2007 13:24:40 -0400 What it means is that the weaker dollar is forcing the oil producers to start to set prices by the Euro, not the dollar because the dollar is becoming worthless. This is already happening ! When the Euro first came out, it was pegged to the dollar and now the Euro is worth about 30 pct. more than the dollar.
The last few Presidents have listened to very bad advice. They agreed to Free Trade,..instead of Fair Trade. We cannot continue to import everything we need and pay with dollars that are worth less every day. That means imports are getting more and more expensive but our brilliant Fed. Reserve thinks this can go on forever !
On the plus side,..when the dollar gets cheap enough, jobs will come back to this country. This is one reason that oil is more expensive ! The dollar isn't worth much anymore and so it is being sold by a different standard, EURO's !
The Fed. thinks all they have to do is print more money to solve the problem but any first year student of Economics will tell you this cannot last long before the dollar won't buy anything from overseas and things purchased from this country are going to get less and less expensive for foreigners. !!
This country's products will become cheap again,..to foreigners, and they will be coming here for vacations , Disneyland, and winterhomes ! What we really need is a whole new bunch of people on the Fed. Reserve who really understand economics ! LC]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/38041-the-ethanol-boom-s-unintended-consequences?source=feed#comment-88383 88383 Just this past week when shopping , I picked up some fresh corn on the cob, and it was the same price as last year,..6 ears for a buck !
LC]]> Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:50:58 -0400 Just this past week when shopping , I picked up some fresh corn on the cob, and it was the same price as last year,..6 ears for a buck !
LC]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/38050-housing-slump-continues-are-economists-ready-for-reality?source=feed#comment-88377 88377 don't live in the real world ! Even the NAR economists,...With regard to Emily, above,..buying a home for yourself may be partly an emotional experience, but buying investment property, especially for immediate resale, is super high risk as many have found out ! This is where "crunching the numbers" and asking the right questions from those that have gone on before, would have helped a lot ! Having lived in FL for the past 27 years, I have seen nothing to compare with the insanity that took place in the past few years,..people buying million dollar tiny waterfront condos that cannot possibly pay for themselves tells me that the buyers of those properties had more ego and money than brains, and being "emotionally charged" means nothing more than they left their common sense at home before making that kind of decision ! Being a Realtor for the past 26 years, common sense told me to avoid selling those properties when they started !! Sure I could have made a fortune during that short time, but then I would have had to listen to years of complaining by "emotionally charged" SELLERS now, who suddenly realized that they made a very big bad mistake and simply want to get their money back !!
This is the kind of situation that Economists should report on, but most are fearfull of their Employers ,..meaning builders, bankers, NAR, etc. Zero down loans and subprime loans were never
mentioned by those famous Economists and a one month uptick in the market does not indicate a "Trend" !! In my experience, following the "herd" is very poor advice ! Want proof,..just look at the stock market plunge just before the start of the new R.E. BULL market ! Real Estate is a safe investment , right ? YES,..if you buy it right and do the math,..or is that asking too much ?
Lee Carlson]]> Tue, 12 Jun 2007 14:25:46 -0400 don't live in the real world ! Even the NAR economists,...With regard to Emily, above,..buying a home for yourself may be partly an emotional experience, but buying investment property, especially for immediate resale, is super high risk as many have found out ! This is where "crunching the numbers" and asking the right questions from those that have gone on before, would have helped a lot ! Having lived in FL for the past 27 years, I have seen nothing to compare with the insanity that took place in the past few years,..people buying million dollar tiny waterfront condos that cannot possibly pay for themselves tells me that the buyers of those properties had more ego and money than brains, and being "emotionally charged" means nothing more than they left their common sense at home before making that kind of decision ! Being a Realtor for the past 26 years, common sense told me to avoid selling those properties when they started !! Sure I could have made a fortune during that short time, but then I would have had to listen to years of complaining by "emotionally charged" SELLERS now, who suddenly realized that they made a very big bad mistake and simply want to get their money back !!
This is the kind of situation that Economists should report on, but most are fearfull of their Employers ,..meaning builders, bankers, NAR, etc. Zero down loans and subprime loans were never
mentioned by those famous Economists and a one month uptick in the market does not indicate a "Trend" !! In my experience, following the "herd" is very poor advice ! Want proof,..just look at the stock market plunge just before the start of the new R.E. BULL market ! Real Estate is a safe investment , right ? YES,..if you buy it right and do the math,..or is that asking too much ?
Lee Carlson]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/37593-housing-prosperity-just-around-corner-i-don-t-think-so?source=feed#comment-88129 88129 After the dot.com. bust those that had any money left started putting into Real Estate and
overpaid tremendously. As you said, they didn't even consider the "fundamentals ".
In FL alone,..there are 4 times as many homes on the market than ever before and half the historical number of sales. Home Prices are already taking big cuts and still not selling as there are still way to many on the market and buyers have so many homes to choose from, it's mind boggeling !
I have had numerous people ask me for help in getting out of contracts in which they paid around a million $$$ for an 1100 sq. ft. condo. and put 10-20 pct. Dn. but changed their mind and now want to get out of the contracts. !! Fat chance !!
Many thanks,
Lee Carlson]]> Fri, 08 Jun 2007 18:23:12 -0400 After the dot.com. bust those that had any money left started putting into Real Estate and
overpaid tremendously. As you said, they didn't even consider the "fundamentals ".
In FL alone,..there are 4 times as many homes on the market than ever before and half the historical number of sales. Home Prices are already taking big cuts and still not selling as there are still way to many on the market and buyers have so many homes to choose from, it's mind boggeling !
I have had numerous people ask me for help in getting out of contracts in which they paid around a million $$$ for an 1100 sq. ft. condo. and put 10-20 pct. Dn. but changed their mind and now want to get out of the contracts. !! Fat chance !!
Many thanks,
Lee Carlson]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/37593-housing-prosperity-just-around-corner-i-don-t-think-so?source=feed#comment-87999 87999 Great,...I have a bridge I would like to sell to you also !
There is a lot of property to buy,...but I strongly urge you to do some homework ,..like what will your return on investment be ?, and ,..will you be able to sell what you buy ?? It's guys with attitudes like yours that buy anything offered and then blame the Realtor if it doesn't work out the way you hoped !! Go for it !!! If you haven't alredy lost all your money !
L. Carlson]]> Thu, 07 Jun 2007 12:47:02 -0400 Great,...I have a bridge I would like to sell to you also !
There is a lot of property to buy,...but I strongly urge you to do some homework ,..like what will your return on investment be ?, and ,..will you be able to sell what you buy ?? It's guys with attitudes like yours that buy anything offered and then blame the Realtor if it doesn't work out the way you hoped !! Go for it !!! If you haven't alredy lost all your money !
L. Carlson]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/37593-housing-prosperity-just-around-corner-i-don-t-think-so?source=feed#comment-87964 87964 Two reasons, ..INVESTORS thought everything in Fl was underpriced and so bought everything in sight about 2-3 years ago,..and paid full price and immediately put it back on the market at a very much higher price. The next buyer to come along was another investor who again paid the full asking price and placed it again, right back on the market ! I have seen the same condos resell 3 times in a year at progressively higher prices ! This was just plain stupidity on the Investors part ! Not using good judgement at all ! Appraisers were also part of the problem, they would approve just about anything !

The second problem was all the Mortgage brokers who gave adjustable rates loans without regard to the credit worthyness of the buyers, and now the rates have adjusted to much higher interest levels,...the result was predictable. We have thousands of listings available at inflated prices owned by sellers who are just trying to get their money back ! Fat chance !! One look at a Sunday paper will show you that half the ads. are Auctions, or Forclosures !

There are now four times the number of listings on the market as compared to "Normal levels", and half the number of buyers !! Also, Insurance costs were raised dramatically to outrageous levels and taxes also had huge increases because of the higher prices paid, and so now, the average working family is priced out of the market and the brilliant investors have left the state, with their listings on the market, ...sitting empty,..while the out of town owner hopes for another sucker to pick up their overpriced property !
After selling in this market for 26 years, my opinion is that it will take at least 2-3 years for the market to readjust to reasonable levels !!
My opinion of most investors isn't very high !! They have a "Herd" mentality ! If their friend Joe Blow, made one good deal, then everybody with a few extra bucks jumpes on the same bandwagon ! No thought given to the realities of the market, just do it because their friend did it once and made out ok !
Four to five years ago, a small home or condo in FL sold for about $100-$125 per sq. ft. Today the asking prices are in the range of $500. per sq. ft. ! BUT THEY AREN'T SELLING !!! Is it any wonder !
A "Market Analysis" means nothing to these investors.
Even Donald Trump bailed out ! But he was smarter than most investors, he contracted to simply lend his name to a development and to take a percentage of the profit,...no real investment in terms of money at all ! Now that's smart Investing !! People could learn a lot from Mr. Trump !
L. Carlson, Clearwater, FL]]> Thu, 07 Jun 2007 10:27:21 -0400 Two reasons, ..INVESTORS thought everything in Fl was underpriced and so bought everything in sight about 2-3 years ago,..and paid full price and immediately put it back on the market at a very much higher price. The next buyer to come along was another investor who again paid the full asking price and placed it again, right back on the market ! I have seen the same condos resell 3 times in a year at progressively higher prices ! This was just plain stupidity on the Investors part ! Not using good judgement at all ! Appraisers were also part of the problem, they would approve just about anything !

The second problem was all the Mortgage brokers who gave adjustable rates loans without regard to the credit worthyness of the buyers, and now the rates have adjusted to much higher interest levels,...the result was predictable. We have thousands of listings available at inflated prices owned by sellers who are just trying to get their money back ! Fat chance !! One look at a Sunday paper will show you that half the ads. are Auctions, or Forclosures !

There are now four times the number of listings on the market as compared to "Normal levels", and half the number of buyers !! Also, Insurance costs were raised dramatically to outrageous levels and taxes also had huge increases because of the higher prices paid, and so now, the average working family is priced out of the market and the brilliant investors have left the state, with their listings on the market, ...sitting empty,..while the out of town owner hopes for another sucker to pick up their overpriced property !
After selling in this market for 26 years, my opinion is that it will take at least 2-3 years for the market to readjust to reasonable levels !!
My opinion of most investors isn't very high !! They have a "Herd" mentality ! If their friend Joe Blow, made one good deal, then everybody with a few extra bucks jumpes on the same bandwagon ! No thought given to the realities of the market, just do it because their friend did it once and made out ok !
Four to five years ago, a small home or condo in FL sold for about $100-$125 per sq. ft. Today the asking prices are in the range of $500. per sq. ft. ! BUT THEY AREN'T SELLING !!! Is it any wonder !
A "Market Analysis" means nothing to these investors.
Even Donald Trump bailed out ! But he was smarter than most investors, he contracted to simply lend his name to a development and to take a percentage of the profit,...no real investment in terms of money at all ! Now that's smart Investing !! People could learn a lot from Mr. Trump !
L. Carlson, Clearwater, FL]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/37114-may-2007-big-3-vehicle-sales-preview?source=feed#comment-87540 87540 Everyone old enough can remember the introduction of the 57 Ford,...Simply gorgeous and a short time later the 60 Ford,...followed by the 64 Mustang, those were cars that you would sell your wife to get the money to buy one !! Today, they are so obsessed by aerodynamics that all cars look the same.
Another huge mistake that Ford made was to come out with the present retro Thunderbird. It's generally a good looking car, but if you look at the history of Fords most succesful cars, it was the 4 passenger 58 Thunderbird that made sales sky rocket ! The market if full of used 2 passenger sporty cars on used car lots, but a 4 passenger T-bird would have made all the difference in the world. All of todays cars, by most manufacturers look like Toyota Camrys !! Give us a break Ford and make a stylish 4 passenger luxury smaller car ! The bigger you make them, the harder to sell. Think more like BMW !
OK ? Lee Carlson, Fl]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 10:55:41 -0400 Everyone old enough can remember the introduction of the 57 Ford,...Simply gorgeous and a short time later the 60 Ford,...followed by the 64 Mustang, those were cars that you would sell your wife to get the money to buy one !! Today, they are so obsessed by aerodynamics that all cars look the same.
Another huge mistake that Ford made was to come out with the present retro Thunderbird. It's generally a good looking car, but if you look at the history of Fords most succesful cars, it was the 4 passenger 58 Thunderbird that made sales sky rocket ! The market if full of used 2 passenger sporty cars on used car lots, but a 4 passenger T-bird would have made all the difference in the world. All of todays cars, by most manufacturers look like Toyota Camrys !! Give us a break Ford and make a stylish 4 passenger luxury smaller car ! The bigger you make them, the harder to sell. Think more like BMW !
OK ? Lee Carlson, Fl]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/36748-housing-freefall-continues-unabated?source=feed#comment-87253 87253 As a Realtor for the past 26 years, I would never let anyone buy a home without a home inspection !
Builders have been making huge profits for years and can afford to build them well !
If they won't sell under your terms, then walk away !!! Also, It's wise to be represented by a Realtor when buying a home,..New Home or a resale, as it is the Realtors responsibility to look out for your interests ! It doesn't cost a penny more to buy thru a Realtor than it does thru a builder. And you
have the protection of having someone, experienced, looking out for your interests !
Next time, for your own good,...USE A REALTOR !!!
Lee Carlson, Clearwater, FL]]> Wed, 30 May 2007 10:27:13 -0400 As a Realtor for the past 26 years, I would never let anyone buy a home without a home inspection !
Builders have been making huge profits for years and can afford to build them well !
If they won't sell under your terms, then walk away !!! Also, It's wise to be represented by a Realtor when buying a home,..New Home or a resale, as it is the Realtors responsibility to look out for your interests ! It doesn't cost a penny more to buy thru a Realtor than it does thru a builder. And you
have the protection of having someone, experienced, looking out for your interests !
Next time, for your own good,...USE A REALTOR !!!
Lee Carlson, Clearwater, FL]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/36363-housing-bubble-and-real-estate-market-tracker?source=feed#comment-86959 86959 staying level.... Not up ,..Not down... Also, the old "Rule of Thumb" on how much one should pay for rental properties is being ignored and the "Brilliant" investors have , by and large, way overpaid for rentals.
Rental properties should be a pure and simple mathetical decision, but unfortunately have not been during the past few years. Now there is a lot of Rental property on the market and most of it ,..not in great condition, so it's another reason that rents are not going up !!
To make money in the rental business, one should look carefully at the projected income as compared to the expenses and it should pay for itself as well as give some return on investment, meaning,..money in your pocket,...cash flow,...terms most investors seemed to have overlooked during the past few years. One must KEEP IN MIND THAT IT IS STRICTLY A FINANCIAL DECISION, not a decision based on how great the building looks or the "fine neighborhood". Keep emotion out of it !! Sincerely, Lee Carlson, Clearwater, FL]]> Thu, 24 May 2007 18:05:47 -0400 staying level.... Not up ,..Not down... Also, the old "Rule of Thumb" on how much one should pay for rental properties is being ignored and the "Brilliant" investors have , by and large, way overpaid for rentals.
Rental properties should be a pure and simple mathetical decision, but unfortunately have not been during the past few years. Now there is a lot of Rental property on the market and most of it ,..not in great condition, so it's another reason that rents are not going up !!
To make money in the rental business, one should look carefully at the projected income as compared to the expenses and it should pay for itself as well as give some return on investment, meaning,..money in your pocket,...cash flow,...terms most investors seemed to have overlooked during the past few years. One must KEEP IN MIND THAT IT IS STRICTLY A FINANCIAL DECISION, not a decision based on how great the building looks or the "fine neighborhood". Keep emotion out of it !! Sincerely, Lee Carlson, Clearwater, FL]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/35828-currency-debt-and-stock-markets-point-to-interesting-times?source=feed#comment-86544 86544 ONE CAN'T GO INTO A GROCERY STORE AND BUY BREAD WITH A GOLD COIN ! AT LEAST NOT YET !
IT'S PURELY GAMBLING !... BUYING COPPER, SILVER, PLATINUM, ETC. MAKES SOME SENSE BECAUSE THEY ARE COMMONLY USED IN MANUFACTURING . GOLD, LIKE THE STOCK MARKET IN GENERAL, HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GAMBLE TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, BUT STOCKS LIKE THE UTILITIES, ENERGY, ( OIL AND GAS ) AND THE RELATED INDUSTRIES, PIPELINES, REFINING, ETC. ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE STABLE,
AS MUCH AS COCA COLA !
UNFORTUNATELY, INVESTORS HAVE A "HEARD" MENTALITY AND WHEN THEY GOT BURNED IN THE LATE 90'S STOCK MARKET , ..THEY TURNED TO HOUSING, BECAUSE THAT'S VERY STABLE, ..RIGHT ?
IT'S "RIGHT" WHEN THEY BUY PROPERTY THAT WILL GIVE THEM A RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENT, BUT THEY OVERPAID TREMENDOUSLY AND TRIED TO "FLIP" PROPERTIES LIKE THE REAL PROS. AND THEY ALL GOT BURNED, REALLY BAD IN MOST CASES ! NOW THE MARKET IS TRYING TO RE-ADJUST TO REALITY
AND THERE IS SO MUCH REAL ESTATE ON THE MARKET NOW THAT IS STILL OVERPRICED,..SO MUCH SO THAT IT WILL TAKE YEARS TO REALLY RE-ADJUST !
TAKE IT FROM ME, AFTER 26 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS OF REAL ESTATE SALES, BETWEEN MORTGAGE BROKERS LOW INTRODUCTORY RATES, .. THE OVER PAID PROPERTIES ARE GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF INVESTORS DOWN ! WAY DOWN,....! THE DEMAND IS VIRTUALLY GONE ! MAKING THE PROBLEM EVEN WORSE IS THE FACT THAT THE HIGH PRICES PAID FOR REAL ESTATE ALSO DROVE UP TAXES AND INSURANCE MAKING IT EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO "DUMP" THE BAD INVBESTMENTS.
INVESTORS NEED TO TRULY RESEARCH THEIR INVESTMENT STRATEGIES BEFORE MAKING THOSE INVESTMENTS.
FINALLY,..GOVERNMENT POLICIES OF TAX AND SPEND HAVE REACHED THE POINT THAT THE DOLLAR IS BECOMING VERY WEAK, MEANS THAT FOREIGN INVESTORS ARE GOING TO BE THE NEXT GROUP TO INVADE THE COUNTRY. THEY WILL START OWNING EVERYTHING AND WILL FORCE OUR DOMESTIC COSTS UP AGAIN ! OUR ONLY HOPE IS A RADICAL CHANGE IN GOV. POLICY THAT WILL INSIST ON "FAIR TRADE",..NOT JUST A TRADE POLICY THAT FAVORS EVERY COUNTRY BUT OURS !
DON'T BELIEVE ME ??,..JUST LOOK AT THE VALUE OF THE EURO AND THE CANADIAN DOLLAR, AS COMPARED TO 5 YEARS AGO. THAT'S OUR FUTURE GUYS !!!
SINCERELY,
LEE CARLSON, SPRING HILL, FL]]> Fri, 18 May 2007 23:48:18 -0400 ONE CAN'T GO INTO A GROCERY STORE AND BUY BREAD WITH A GOLD COIN ! AT LEAST NOT YET !
IT'S PURELY GAMBLING !... BUYING COPPER, SILVER, PLATINUM, ETC. MAKES SOME SENSE BECAUSE THEY ARE COMMONLY USED IN MANUFACTURING . GOLD, LIKE THE STOCK MARKET IN GENERAL, HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GAMBLE TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, BUT STOCKS LIKE THE UTILITIES, ENERGY, ( OIL AND GAS ) AND THE RELATED INDUSTRIES, PIPELINES, REFINING, ETC. ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE STABLE,
AS MUCH AS COCA COLA !
UNFORTUNATELY, INVESTORS HAVE A "HEARD" MENTALITY AND WHEN THEY GOT BURNED IN THE LATE 90'S STOCK MARKET , ..THEY TURNED TO HOUSING, BECAUSE THAT'S VERY STABLE, ..RIGHT ?
IT'S "RIGHT" WHEN THEY BUY PROPERTY THAT WILL GIVE THEM A RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENT, BUT THEY OVERPAID TREMENDOUSLY AND TRIED TO "FLIP" PROPERTIES LIKE THE REAL PROS. AND THEY ALL GOT BURNED, REALLY BAD IN MOST CASES ! NOW THE MARKET IS TRYING TO RE-ADJUST TO REALITY
AND THERE IS SO MUCH REAL ESTATE ON THE MARKET NOW THAT IS STILL OVERPRICED,..SO MUCH SO THAT IT WILL TAKE YEARS TO REALLY RE-ADJUST !
TAKE IT FROM ME, AFTER 26 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS OF REAL ESTATE SALES, BETWEEN MORTGAGE BROKERS LOW INTRODUCTORY RATES, .. THE OVER PAID PROPERTIES ARE GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF INVESTORS DOWN ! WAY DOWN,....! THE DEMAND IS VIRTUALLY GONE ! MAKING THE PROBLEM EVEN WORSE IS THE FACT THAT THE HIGH PRICES PAID FOR REAL ESTATE ALSO DROVE UP TAXES AND INSURANCE MAKING IT EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO "DUMP" THE BAD INVBESTMENTS.
INVESTORS NEED TO TRULY RESEARCH THEIR INVESTMENT STRATEGIES BEFORE MAKING THOSE INVESTMENTS.
FINALLY,..GOVERNMENT POLICIES OF TAX AND SPEND HAVE REACHED THE POINT THAT THE DOLLAR IS BECOMING VERY WEAK, MEANS THAT FOREIGN INVESTORS ARE GOING TO BE THE NEXT GROUP TO INVADE THE COUNTRY. THEY WILL START OWNING EVERYTHING AND WILL FORCE OUR DOMESTIC COSTS UP AGAIN ! OUR ONLY HOPE IS A RADICAL CHANGE IN GOV. POLICY THAT WILL INSIST ON "FAIR TRADE",..NOT JUST A TRADE POLICY THAT FAVORS EVERY COUNTRY BUT OURS !
DON'T BELIEVE ME ??,..JUST LOOK AT THE VALUE OF THE EURO AND THE CANADIAN DOLLAR, AS COMPARED TO 5 YEARS AGO. THAT'S OUR FUTURE GUYS !!!
SINCERELY,
LEE CARLSON, SPRING HILL, FL]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/35567-matching-management-with-culture-how-the-wrong-ceo-can-ruin-a-company?source=feed#comment-86306 86306 I could never understand how a person could rise to the top of a ccompany and have such a low opinion of other people, as did Nardelli. It tells a lot about the quality of quality, or lack of quality, of the Bd. of Directors also. I had, in younger days, always looked up to the Bd. of Directors of many companies as very insightful people, smart, and having a great concern for co workers and especially customers.
It seems that todays Boards of Directors are more concerned with the CEO's pay package than anything, and when I see those golden parachutes of $210,000,000. to "Go way ! " It boggles my mind !
Thee guy treats everyone like dirt and the Directors give him a huge present to leave,..that makes no sense what so ever and says a lot about the Bd. of Directors abilities and common sense,..or lack there of !
Any CEO can make "short term" profits, by cutting costs in many ways but they should have a long range outlook that keeps customers coming back and feel like they are wanted. Also, by treating other top management poorly, it does nothing more than filter down to the lower levels and you loose good employees and good supervisors and finally CUSTOMERS ! And, finally , CEO's MUST remember, that in any business, the customer is king !
Last point,...One company I worked for years ago, hired a new CEO who didn't want the job, didn't know anything about the industry, which was one that was built on close customer ties,..and so the departing CEO, paid him a million up front to take the job ! The result was predictable, within 3 years the Company was in big trouble to say the least ! The Company,...Internation... Harvester Co, now called International Truck and engine Co. (NAV) (Navistar ) The Company used to be one of the 30 Industrials,..
now they are traded OTC ! Struggeling to keep alive. ! All of this was so unnecessary, as it was poor judgement by the departing CEO and the Bd. of Directors, who were scared to speak up ! GUTLESS DIRECTORS !
Thanks for the article, and keep up the good work ! Lee Carlson, Spring Hill, FL]]> Wed, 16 May 2007 12:07:08 -0400 I could never understand how a person could rise to the top of a ccompany and have such a low opinion of other people, as did Nardelli. It tells a lot about the quality of quality, or lack of quality, of the Bd. of Directors also. I had, in younger days, always looked up to the Bd. of Directors of many companies as very insightful people, smart, and having a great concern for co workers and especially customers.
It seems that todays Boards of Directors are more concerned with the CEO's pay package than anything, and when I see those golden parachutes of $210,000,000. to "Go way ! " It boggles my mind !
Thee guy treats everyone like dirt and the Directors give him a huge present to leave,..that makes no sense what so ever and says a lot about the Bd. of Directors abilities and common sense,..or lack there of !
Any CEO can make "short term" profits, by cutting costs in many ways but they should have a long range outlook that keeps customers coming back and feel like they are wanted. Also, by treating other top management poorly, it does nothing more than filter down to the lower levels and you loose good employees and good supervisors and finally CUSTOMERS ! And, finally , CEO's MUST remember, that in any business, the customer is king !
Last point,...One company I worked for years ago, hired a new CEO who didn't want the job, didn't know anything about the industry, which was one that was built on close customer ties,..and so the departing CEO, paid him a million up front to take the job ! The result was predictable, within 3 years the Company was in big trouble to say the least ! The Company,...Internation... Harvester Co, now called International Truck and engine Co. (NAV) (Navistar ) The Company used to be one of the 30 Industrials,..
now they are traded OTC ! Struggeling to keep alive. ! All of this was so unnecessary, as it was poor judgement by the departing CEO and the Bd. of Directors, who were scared to speak up ! GUTLESS DIRECTORS !
Thanks for the article, and keep up the good work ! Lee Carlson, Spring Hill, FL]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/35012-how-is-a-real-estate-bubble-great-for-the-economy?source=feed#comment-85987 85987 Even the National Association Of Realtors says that prices are dropping in all states and there are only a handfull of cities that are experiencing a small growth in sales, but on the low end of the market.
In spite of the facts, the Florida cities, counties and the state in general are still asking for an increase for the next year ! Want more proof,...Realtors are leaving the profession in droves ! Investors had invaded FL about 4 years ago and paid outrageous prices for homes, especially waterfront homes and placed them right back on the market at very much higher prices, and amazingly enough another investor would come along and pay the increased prices. Now they are stuck !! Nothing's selling and people are bailing out of this state ! To top it off, our State and county Governments are continuing to raise taxes !! It's absolutely insanity here in FL !
L. Carlson]]> Fri, 11 May 2007 19:41:34 -0400 Even the National Association Of Realtors says that prices are dropping in all states and there are only a handfull of cities that are experiencing a small growth in sales, but on the low end of the market.
In spite of the facts, the Florida cities, counties and the state in general are still asking for an increase for the next year ! Want more proof,...Realtors are leaving the profession in droves ! Investors had invaded FL about 4 years ago and paid outrageous prices for homes, especially waterfront homes and placed them right back on the market at very much higher prices, and amazingly enough another investor would come along and pay the increased prices. Now they are stuck !! Nothing's selling and people are bailing out of this state ! To top it off, our State and county Governments are continuing to raise taxes !! It's absolutely insanity here in FL !
L. Carlson]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/34346-pimco-we-re-in-the-middle-of-housing-downturn?source=feed#comment-85438 85438 No one's even looking for a home and it's a combination of taxes,..which are exploding upwards, and Insurance which has taken a huge jump in the last couple years.
Thise properties that are on the market and giving huge price reductions ,..but still nop sales !!]]> Fri, 04 May 2007 01:27:35 -0400 No one's even looking for a home and it's a combination of taxes,..which are exploding upwards, and Insurance which has taken a huge jump in the last couple years.
Thise properties that are on the market and giving huge price reductions ,..but still nop sales !!]]>