June, 2007
Opportunity is Knocking as many distressed properties start hitting the market in the United States, England and Europe. The real estate bubble has burst in many prime markets and bankruptcies are at an all time high. Some markets in California, Florida and Nevada have seen closing prices drop from their peak as much as 40%. Recovery is not expected soon - I'm guessing 2009, after the 2008 USA elections.
While the industrialized nations are facing multiple economic problems, international second home acquisitions in less developed nations are at an all time high.
Good News For Mexico: Playa del Carmen has a new multiple listing service and the State of Sonora is the first state in Mexico to require licensing for real estate agents. Find excellent source for Mexico News.
Caution: Sitting under a palapa on a white sand beach while watching the sun set with your favorite beverage may cause serious mental impairment! A real estate transaction in a foreign country should require the same documentation as your own country. Always try to work with established area professionals and always seek independent legal advise in foreign countries. Title insurance is now available in most foreign countries through First American Title Company or Stuart Title Company - a good start to assuring you will have legal title to the property you are purchasing.
Very Good Read: Inflation and Peak Oil.
Investment Scams: Always prudent to check with North American Securities Administrators Association when approached with any new investment proposal.
May, 2007
Commentary: YES....and NO. The big burst has yet to happen but the housing bubble is deflating in many prime real estate markets world wide. The high profile glamour markets that have enjoyed multiple years of double digit appreciation are being hit the hardest while many lesser known markets are showing considerable strength as baby boomers seek second homes in warmer climates.
Good News: There is always opportunity for the long term, conservative investor in a declining market. Investment in vacation homes is still strong as millions of baby boomers seek warmer climates.
Caution: Vacation rental markets are saturated in many popular resort areas. Avoid investments based on rental income "projections".
Warning: The stock market is hitting new highs...and a profit taking sell off is just around the corner. News spin is suggesting we have a strong economy - I think NOT! The stock market is a glorified gambling casino which has very little to do with the existing economy. We are living in a global economy. Only weeks ago, the USA stock market was in free fall due to a glitch in the Asian stock markets.
Strategic Reality: A healthy and sustainable economy for any country requires a sustainable source of reliable energy....DUHHH! We will NOT have a healthy economy until we end the Iraq war and resolve our dependency on middle east oil.
Economic Reality: The USA consumer is drowning in mortgage and credit card debt, the cost of oil is out of control and our new congress, empowered by the people to find a solution for the Iraq war, responds with the single biggest pork barrel spending bill in history.
A Simple Solution: End our dependency on middle east oil. The USA needs to lead the world in the development of sustainable sources of energy.
USA Real Estate News: Housing Predictor provides real estate news and independent housing market forecasts for more than 250 cities in all 50 U.S. States. Find out whether your market is appreciating or depreciating.
UK Real Estate News: Find up to date market data and commentary on the UK housing market from HousePriceCrash.co.uk.
Europe Real Estate News: Spain, Ireland, Scandinavia, Holland and Italy - as well as Britain - have all enjoyed housing booms which are turning to deflating bubbles. New construction is down in France and home prices have begun to slip in the first sign that America's housing woes are spreading to Europe. Good Article - Read More.
Global Economics: Interesting article by Paul Volker, the former Governor of the Federal Reserve, discusses "An Economy On Thin Ice".
Caution: Sub Prime Mortgage Defaults in the USA may be a very serious problem by the end of this year. While various news articles may indicate that sub prime mortgage defaults will "not pose a serious problem", I have read some very disturbing articles otherwise:
"Troubles in the sub-prime market have just begun to materialize and already 38 main sub-prime lenders have gone kaput. Foreclosures have reached a 37-year high, and an estimated two million homeowners will be put out on the street in the next few years." Read More
