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Non-Tech : Banks--- Betting on the recovery -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Road Walker who wrote (858)	4/23/2010 5:01:00 PM
From: tejek	Respond to of 1428

Aren't you guys at least a little concerned about how the bank stocks will react to the new government regulation? Just thinking out loud but it might be a better time to buy after they pass whatever bill gets passed... when that info is priced in. I'm not sure it is priced in right now. I think the banks esp the regionals are more effected by what's happening with housing and the rest of the economy.

To: Road Walker who wrote (858)	4/24/2010 10:45:41 AM
From: Asymmetric	1 Recommendation Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1428

When everything gets said and done, regulation gets factored in as just another cost of doing business. My focus is more on the turnaround, recovery in the banking sector, and the end of loose and reckless lending standards. I am in favor of regulation, and stiff ones at that, and vigorous enforcement. The damage to the banking sector in my book was caused obscene and improper pay incentives, fraud, and a lack of accountability. Banks have shown an utter inability to discipline themselves, so let the discipline come from without. Banks have done far, far more damage to themselves, and to the national and world economy, by themselves, to themselves than any outside government regulation. - A.

To: Road Walker who wrote (858)	5/10/2010 11:40:28 AM
From: tejek	Respond to of 1428

Renters test the waters Thinking of buying a home? Consider this: The gap between monthly rents and mortgage payments is at its lowest level in almost 20 years. By Alex Veiga The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Thinking of buying a home? Consider this: The gap between monthly rents and mortgage payments is at its lowest level in almost 20 years. In some markets, the difference can be less than $100, according to a national study conducted for The Associated Press by Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services. The study found years of falling home prices and low interest rates have created the ultimate buyer's market. But while buying a home is more affordable, it isn't necessarily easier. Tougher lending standards have made it harder to qualify for a home loan, and unemployment is at 9.7 percent. Tax incentives for homebuyers will expire April 30, and interest rates are expected to increase this year. "Statistically, it's a great time to buy," said Hessam Nadji, managing director of Marcus & Millichap. "Psychologically, the consumer doesn't feel like it's a great time to buy." The analysis of 45 metro areas found the difference between the monthly mortgage payment on a median-priced home and the median rent is down to $256. The last time that gap was anywhere near that small was in 1993 when it fell to $264, according to the study. Marcus & Millichap used median prices for the last three months of 2009 and calculated mortgage payments by assuming a 10 percent down payment and a 30-year fixed loan at 5.07 percent, among other factors. It also assumed borrowers paid for private mortgage insurance and didn't include repair costs and tax benefits. In Detroit, which has been hard hit by unemployment and falling home values, it's cheaper to rent than own, though not by much — $75. The difference is less than $200 a month in markets such as foreclosure-ravaged Las Vegas, Atlanta, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Orlando, Fla. Renting remains far more affordable than owning in traditionally pricer markets such as New York. In Manhattan, the gap is more than $4,000. Renters will save $1,000 or more a month in metro areas such as Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose, Calif. But even in some of these markets, longtime renters are testing the market. Whitney Morris and fiance David Welsch bided their time as home prices dropped before agreeing to buy a two-bedroom, condo in San Francisco listed at $739,000. "A couple of years ago, if we had purchased a place, we would have been living in a shoe box that needed a lot of renovations," said Morris, 29, who had saved up more than $100,000 to make a 20 percent down payment. "And now we can afford a place that feels really good, that we know we can grow into." read more......... seattletimes.nwsource.com