Interest rates not best metric for real estate prices, what is better?

Interest rates not best metric for real estate prices, what is better?

For years interest rates were the number one indicator for real estate prices.  In this cycle interest rates have more than doubled yet real estate prices have barely budged.  If we look back at 2008, the impetus for the large real estate crash was rising interest...
Banks tighten lending; 46% rejection rate on mortgage loans

Banks tighten lending; 46% rejection rate on mortgage loans

It was already difficult for businesses and households to borrow money earlier this year — but after the collapse of three US regional banks and a cascade of rate hikes by the Federal Reserve, getting money has become considerably harder.   What does the decline in...
Rising Rates increase Distressed Homeowners. Regulators have a fix.

Rising Rates increase Distressed Homeowners. Regulators have a fix.

I always cringe when I see a press release that “regulators” have a solution!  FHA has yet another new proposal that sounds great on the surface, but as typical misses some very important items that will cost taxpayers millions or considerably more as government...
Home Depot slides, house prices stabilize, consumers will keep spending

Home Depot slides, house prices stabilize, consumers will keep spending

  Interesting times we are in.  Consumers keep spending big on services like travel and eating out, but on the flip side Home Depot just reported its first drop since the pandemic.  On the other hand Target tops earnings estimates.  What is driving the continued...
Real Estate Market continues outperforming, what time period are we beginning to resemble?

Real Estate Market continues outperforming, what time period are we beginning to resemble?

  Although the spring real estate market has slowed drastically from the pandemic days, the bottom has not fallen out.  Quite the opposite has occurred, in suburban markets and sunbelt cities, real estate keeps charging higher.  A good example is Boulder, CO, a...
US bank lending slumps by most on record; The fed now predicts a big change

US bank lending slumps by most on record; The fed now predicts a big change

US bank lending contracted by the most on record in the last two weeks of March, indicating a tightening of credit conditions in the wake of several high-profile bank collapses.  Why the sharp pullback in lending?  What does this mean for commercial and residential...