Nevertheless, our attention was taken this week by a couple of relatively negative stories. First, the S&P/Case–Shiller home price index “warning,” suggesting that the housing recovery is faltering received a lot of attention. However, the commentary appeared to be based (largely) on month-over-month indicators of less than 1%, both upward and downward, citing flagging construction and limited new home sales as the primary culprits for a purportedly floundering industry. The second story was somewhat more disconcerting, pointing out that the … (1 comments)
Here’s hoping we can get off this shtick soon, but in the meantime, what else is there to say as the media continues to be contrary, contradictory, and often wrong. Two headlines make our case.
“New Home Sales Gains Screech to a Virtual Halt in September”
and . . .
“U.S. New Home Sales at Six-Year High”
Which do you prefer? It doesn’t really matter because the respective articles say essentially the same thing. Yes, sales of new homes DID rise to a six-year high in September, and yes, the month-over-month rate of gain … (0 comments)
bowdens market barometer: Bowden's Market Barometer - Feb/Mar 2014 - Just Published!
- 02/12/14 12:00 AM
Great issue -- Good perspective on a year that was transitional for most markets. Sales and prices are up, foreclosures are down and based on CoreLogic/Case Shiller data, no bubble is in sight. Includes a great interview with Margie Casey, founder of Real Estate Scorecard and the brains behind the Bliss Awards. Her take on what motivates buyers is priceless. Visit Bowden's Beat or Bowden's Market Barometer to see what's inside this issue and catch up on housing and economic highlights going forward in 2014. … (1 comments)
bowdens market barometer: Current Housing and Economic Climate
- 12/12/13 05:01 AM
Almost ready to publish the Dec/Jan edition of Bowden's Market Barometer. Until then, click here http://bowdensbeat.typepad.com/bowdens_beat/current-climate.html for housing and related economic highlights. Happy Holidays to all! … (0 comments)
bowdens market barometer: Bowden's Market Barometer Aug/Sept 2013
- 08/26/13 04:19 AM
Just published and I must say things appear truly in recovery. Nevertheless, all real estate is local and while statewide stats are often encouraging, your market is your market and it may not be as "happy" as the one next door. This too will pass as we continue to achieve further economic stability. Posted Current Climate/Housing Highlights on the blogsite for your reading enjoyment. Any and all comments are welcome. :) … (1 comments)
bowdens market barometer: Housing Market Recovery - Forward!
- 07/01/13 12:26 AM
Colleagues, Just published the June/July '13 edition of Bowden's Market Barometer. It's becoming an increasing pleasure to put it together as there is so much positive news, and it's spreading across the majority of the major markets. In addition to the usual housing market and economic highlights set specifically in the context of our industry, (which you can read at Bowden's Beat or Bowden'sMarketBarometer.com -- just click on Current Climate) this issue's cover story focuses on the factors that point to a sustainable recovery, while recognizing that not all markets are created equal. There's also a discussion about the resurfacing … (0 comments)
bowdens market barometer: Bowden's Market Barometer -- All the trends fit to follow . . .
- 05/01/13 02:15 AM
Just published the April/May edition of Bowden's Market Barometer. Great cover story -- all about "bubbles." Bowden’s MARKET BAROMETER Vol. XXII / #1 – April/May 2013 Bowden’s Market Barometer is an “Insider” news forum. It is unique. It is diagnosis – the prescription for a challenging news environment where confusing and often contradictory data, misinformation, and biased opinions serve to waste time. We do the work -- distilling and verifying the myriad data -- so you the decision-maker have a clear understanding of today’s market dynamics. Inside this edition . . . Barometric Beat – … (0 comments)
bowdens market barometer: Bowden's Market Barometer - April 2013
- 04/30/13 02:52 AM
The real estate industry seems to have achieved stablized momentum at this juncture. While economic conditions have not changed measurably since our last report, the way Washington is acting, we’re lucky it hasn’t worsened. The housing recovery is in full swing despite reports of another bubble, which we discuss at length in the latest issue, and the “new norm” includes some pretty encouraging statistics. Click here to read the April/May "Current Climate and Housing Highlights."
… (0 comments)
bowdens market barometer: Barometric Beat March 2013
- 03/11/13 12:47 AM
Good news on the jobs front with the additon of 236,000 positions in February edging unemployment down to 7.7%. Coupled with recent economic news showing that Americans have recovered the $16 trillion in wealth that was lost during the Great Recession suggests more than a speculative recovery. Zillow recently observed a 16.6% year-over-year decline in the overall number of listed homes, indicating a Spring seller's market, particuarly at the high end -- nationwide, the largest year-over-year inventory declines were evidenced by the upscale sector, which fell 20.5 Y/Y, followed by the middle-tier, down 17.2%. The entry level market sector saw a … (0 comments)
bowdens market barometer: Welcome to the Housing Recovery!
- 03/03/13 10:33 PM
Bowden's Market Barometer is closing out its 21st year in publication with this edition, which is "chock full" of good news and good trends. Visit Bowden's Beat for an overview of what's inside this edition. While there, click on "Current Climate" for current economic and housing news. Welcome to Recovery! … (2 comments)
bowdens market barometer: Current Climate Housing Highlights
- 01/07/13 03:16 AM
Lookin’ Good! Builder confidence has been gaining momentum for eight consecutive months and now sits at an index level of 47, up 21 notches since July -- and there are valid, and sustainable, reasons. To name just a couple:
§Demand has begun to outpace supply. There are just 2.14 million homes available for sale in the US, the lowest level in ten (10) years.
§Estimates call for approximately one (1.0) million new US household formations in 2012, up 37% from 630,000 last year, and a significant improvement over the five-year average of 570,000.
… (0 comments)
bowdens market barometer: Economic and Housing Conditions
- 07/31/12 02:18 AM
While all reports have us heading for a fiscal cliff, the truth is, we have made significant progress over the last many months. Our cover story in the June/July issue of Bowden's Market Barometer speaks to the many positive indicators. (Read more . . . ) … (0 comments)
bowdens market barometer: Good Economic and Housing News!
- 06/27/12 01:17 AM
As reported in the June/July issue of Bowden’s Market Barometer, the economy is stepping up to the plate and housing is humming in many markets. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment rates were lower in May than a year earlier in 331 of the 372 metropolitan areas, and the national unemployment rate dropped to 7.9%, down from 8.7 percent a year earlier.
Click here to see what's inside the current issue and read our synopsis of the "Current Climate."
… (1 comments)
bowdens market barometer: Green Building Growth
- 05/15/12 12:14 AM
Bowden's Market Barometer reported in the April/May issue that the McGraw-Hill Companies (www.mcgraw-hill.com) recently released findings from its Green Home Builders and Remodelers Study. According to the study, the construction of green homes is projected to see a five-fold increase over the next five years growing from 17% of all residential construction in 2011 to 29% to 38% by 2016. The study also found that green building provides a competitive marketing advantage as most buyers recognize the cost efficiencies associated with the operation of a green home.To read the full press release, click here. … (0 comments)
bowdens market barometer: Foreclosure Down, Investment Up!
- 05/09/12 11:44 PM
Bowden’s Market Barometer discussed the declining foreclosure activity in the April/May edition, and continuing coverage on the subject indicates that the trend has legs!
The volume of homes entering the foreclosure process was down more than 30% in March. This flies in the face of predictions that the number of homes entering the foreclosure process would rise immediately following the recent $25 billion settlement between banks and state governments over fraudulent mortgage servicing. New data indicate that the rate of borrowers past-due 60 days or more fell to 5.78% in Q1, the lowest delinquency rate since 2009. Further … (0 comments)
bowdens market barometer: Current Economic and Housing Conditions
- 04/24/12 05:12 AM
The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® increased for the sixth straight month in March, up 0.3%, following a 0.7% increase in February. Forecasts call for continued economic momentum “past the summer months.” And -- Total housing inventory declined 21.8% in March, year-over-year, to 2.37 million homes representing a 6.3-month supply at the current pace. Inventory has now declined 41.3% from a record 4.04 million in July 2007. Much more at www.bowdensmarketbarometer.com. Click on Current Climate for complete rundown. … (0 comments)
bowdens market barometer: Making Workouts Work
- 03/12/12 04:19 AM
Our interview in this edition of Bowden's Market Barometer is with Bill Lee, President of Madison Residential Advisors and a specialist in workouts and restarts of distressed properties. BMB: The term “workout” tends to be painted with a broad brush. Can you define the term more specifically as it relates to residential, resort or mixed-use projects and what it takes to have a successful workout? Lee: It depends on the nature of the project, who has the reins, and where the project is in the distress cycle. First, all the players – whether the original owner, new owner, or the lender/investor, … (2 comments)
bowdens market barometer: Current Climate - February 2012
- 02/20/12 03:55 AM
Latest edition of Bowden's Market Barometer just published. "Homes are being marketed via coupons, Justin Timberlake is refining golf marketing, President Obama is covering Al Green, and the Republican Party is stealing the (side) show. It’s a brand new year and our industry continues to advance through the recovery process, which seems to have actually started in some markets."
To see what's inside the February/March 2012 edition of Bowden's Market Barometer, go to the website and click on "Inside this Issue." Lots of good encouraging news and a couple of great feature articles by industry experts. … (0 comments)
. . . In nearby Palm Beach Gardens, high-priced residences continue to sell. “Given the economy and the international situation, we have had a surprisingly good summer,” said Connie McGinnis, who heads up sales at Old Palm, which is located at the epicentre of some of Florida’s top high-end, golf-oriented private club communities. “We are relying strongly on the internet, selecting the right places to be, and making sure our website is visited by the market we’re seeking. We also have very successful … (0 comments)
bowdens market barometer: Florida Renaissance?
- 01/09/12 04:15 AM
Florida made big news a couple of years back when, for the first time in its (reported) history, it lost population. But new IRS migration data show that between 2009 and 2010, the Sunshine State saw net migration of 30,000. Further, the state ranked third nationwide in personal income gains from net domestic migration, outpaced only by Montana (#1) and South Carolina (#2). While the 2010 rate of growth . . . (more) … (0 comments)
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