The Ups and Downs of the real estate market are predictable.
When home improvement companies are busy with home owners upgrading and improving
their property, it's a reliable indicator that home sales will fall.
FACT:
Lenn, once again, the Madam of all things real estate has landed an important message upon us!
Evelyn Johnston
Elkhart, IN
Hi Lenn, I would have thought just the opposite. At least we know who we could blame for the sluggishness in the markets. 
Evelyn Johnston
Elkhart, IN
Such and easy thing to predict then...just check the stocks and the total sales in the MLS.
Hi Lenn - Yes indeed, those two are tied together. When selling becomes attractive again, which means that sellers, in addition to making gains on their sale, are willing to become buyers, we should short Home Depot and Loews.
Yes...it does seem when my local do-it-yourslef storre is busy, my phone is not.
What is the time frame for that Lenn? One year?
Another reliable indicator used to be paper sales, indicating office involvement. But that has been superseded by cardboard, used in boxes, used in shipping, indicating consumerism. Consumption makes up a huge percentage of economic activity and when that is down, all is down.
Lenn I will take your word for it. But if I could predict what the housing market was going to do I would be sitting on a beach in a very warm place in stead of being waist high in snow and in freezing temperatures ....... LOL
Lenn, you are one smart cookie. I never would have thought. Hate t say it, I would be happier if their profit margin would fall.
Good morning Lenn. Your logic makes perfect sense. Every market has a life of its own, but for sure you are right on top of what is going on in your real estate market.
Interesting indicator Lenn. The question is how long will these improvements satisfy? I did a little study on this a few years ago and found that they don't lst long. There is opportunity there if it is pursued.
Downloading the Home Depot App right now. (smiley emoticon goes right here.)
Gayle. I love trivia.
William. I treat these stats as a bellweather for the future.
Evelyn. That's it.
Dick. Spoken like a market guru.
William. BINGO!!
Indeed. Reflected in the home sales stats - down.
George. Predictions are for those with crystal balls. I merely report.
Andrea. You and me both. There's no real estate business in property upgrades.
Joe. You know I'm a statistical addict. Statistics speak to me.
Debbie. Right you are. Consumers would be surprised at how volitile the real estate market can be.
Chuck. Enjoy.
Lenn: Conversely, if you are one of those who try to get listings by knocking on doors, go to the ones who are not obviously improving their property. You know they haven't talked to a realtor who told them to spruce it up before selling.
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mort...
New Lenox, IL
I once read that men's underwear sales were a good indication of the health of the economy, Lenn Harley. No sales, poor economy. And the opposite ...
Now you add this! Who needs Wall Street???
Gene
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