“I like knowing what something will cost before I commit to it. I’ll bet you do, too. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has revised some home-loan rules that attempt to give us what we want.”
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Much of what I have written about the “state of the market” in and around Austin has focused on resale homes. New construction is obviously an important part of the market, and it’s a great barometer for confidence in the local economy, job growth, investment opportunities, etc. Continue reading
I view my relationship with my clients as primarily consultative. I provide information about neighborhoods, commuting considerations, schools, potential property-related issues before and after inspections, etc. Good third-party advice is always valuable, though … Continue reading
Warren Buffet has made a lot of money by being right in his forecasts more often than he has been wrong. Bloomberg News reported yesterday on his recent report to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders. Continue reading
Austin and Central Texas remain in a very strong position, not only to weather the continuing national economic storm, but to attract new growth and jobs and investment even as the rest of the country works through a very difficult recovery. Continue reading
Are we really over the crest or just in a trough between waves? Continue reading
Even with sales soft, however, Austin area prices have held their own, and continued to increase slowly in some important market segments. Continue reading
Austin is still in a much better place than the states that saw the most serious declines in home values over the past couple of years. Here too, though, this problem will likely get worse before it gets better. Continue reading
I have seen other credible forecasts that when the Fed withdraws support, mortgage rates could increase 1% to 2% about current rates. These “power brokers” are more optimistic, and generally see the market stabilizing. Continue reading
NOW, we have tax incentives and very low interest rates and seasonally low home prices. LATER, tax incentives will expire (contracts after April 30) and interest rates and home prices are likely to increase. Continue reading