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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: LindyBill who wrote (109954)	4/18/2005 1:00:19 PM
From: D. Long	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793782

I am not yet convinced there is a housing bubble. But since I bought close to the peak -- had to buy close to the peak -- perhaps I am deluding myself Since I'm going to be in the market for a house in the next 5 years or so, I sure hope it's a bubble - and hope it pops. <g> Derek@rockbottomprices.com

To: LindyBill who wrote (109954)	4/18/2005 1:11:44 PM
From: Neeka	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793782

Our area is so hot that houses sell the same day they are listed and the realtors are receiving multiple offers. Prices are generally 19-25% higher than a year ago. Raw land is particularly hot including out of the way areas that might be perfect retirement communities. In the last year we have purchased property for our retirement in the cascade mts and on an island in the puget sound. Our reasoning is...........why pay 2015 prices when you can save money paying 2005 prices. We are going to try to pay them both off while we are generating an income. And we are also trying to stay ahead of the curve. The boomers are coming on strong.

To: LindyBill who wrote (109954)	4/18/2005 1:35:13 PM
From: Hoa Hao	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793782

I don't thing that a rental relationship with housing prices tells you much. Low interest rates sort of collapses the rental markets as new housing is built. I am more concerned on the affordability index of housing and the financial manipulations which attempt to keep the market afloat. No money down loans are now available for regular buyers, not just VA like years ago. Other gimmicks will put people more on the margin for foreclosure. If interest rates go up and ARM buyers are hit with higher payments and they are paying more for gas to get to work, they have to go into other discretionary spending to make up for it. Ultimately, housing is driven by population growth. Be interesting if we end up with a sour economy, high gas prices, high interest rates, high material costs for house building due to the cost of gas; making and carting that material to site, yet nobody can afford to buy a new built house either. Go into a recession but the cost of gas does not go down, interest rates might not drop enough now either. The country was built on low energy prices.