What do Tariffs mean for real estate and interest rates

What do Tariffs mean for real estate and interest rates

  70% of lumber and 30% of drywall comes from Canada which could be subject to tariffs, what does this mean for the average build cost of a house?  What does the chart above have to do with Tariffs?  Will tariffs meaningfully impact real estate build costs and...
Year of the elk, are you ready

Year of the elk, are you ready

The above is a picture of my windshield after a chance early morning encounter with an elk; I walked away while my car was basically totaled.  Why is 2025 the year of the elk as elk should typically be the least of your worries?   What does this mean for the upcoming...
Pretend and extend, will commercial real estate take down the economy in 25?

Pretend and extend, will commercial real estate take down the economy in 25?

There is a mantra being used in small/regional banks that is “survive until 2025”.  In essence the theory is that rates will drop precipitously and basically “bail out” many banks’ portfolios.  Banks are in turn pushing out maturity dates hoping for a market bail out....
Is inflation now driving housing prices higher?

Is inflation now driving housing prices higher?

The conventional wisdom is that inflation causes higher interest rates which in turn causes lower housing prices.  We are now seeing an interesting phenomenon where housing prices continue to stay high and in some markets head even higher with interest rates double...
Huge increases in inventory, what does this mean for prices?

Huge increases in inventory, what does this mean for prices?

Even with falling interest rates, inventory has quickly increased. We have gone from a supposed shortage of housing to an inventory surplus in many hot markets.  Home sales in July were at the lowest recorded level.  What is driving the increase in inventory?  Will...
Federal reserve cuts rates, should you rejoice?

Federal reserve cuts rates, should you rejoice?

  The stock market went crazy after the half point cut by the federal reserve?  Should you rejoice like the stock market?  Take a look at the chart above showing all the recessions in the last 30 or so years.  Do you notice a trend?  What is the chart telling us...