Tax Lien Certificates Offer Stability During Unstable Times
October 1, 2009
Tax Bills Put Pressure on Struggling Homeowners | www.nytimes.com
Present estimates of unpaid property taxes in the United States place the figure as high as $15 billion annually. The choices available to government officials for remedying this shortfall are limited. Counties and cities could increase the tax rate,borrow (maybe) the necessary capital,reduce services (again) or sell the tax debt to investors willing to take the risk they will be repaid. The first three options are distasteful to most property owners,particularly those who pay on time.
Foreign & Domestic Investors Positioning For Florida Distressed Real Estate Deluge
June 8, 2009
IS IT A GREAT TIME TO BUY PROPERTY IN FLORIDA NOW? | www.overseaspropertymall.com
South Florida's depressed real estate market is still about six months from rock bottom, but now bargain hunters are out in force. At a recent conference, real estate brokers and lawyers agreed the sharpest declines in value and the highest spikes in foreclosures will hit once most of Miami's new condo units are built in late 2008 and into 2009. Still, several brokers are noticing that distressed properties are starting to sell, and buyers - especially foreign buyers - are already eyeing the market to make sure they don't miss a feeding frenzy for cheap real estate. The trifecta of the housing glut, the subprime crisis and the weak dollar has made South Florida real estate attractive again - but for a very different reason than in 2005.
South Florida's Real Estate Armageddon Presents Huge Acquisition Opportunities
January 15, 2009
Nonresidential Construction Seen Falling 11% in 2009 | www.cnbc.com
South Florida's commercial and residential real estate markets suffered in 2008, and the New Year doesn't figure to offer much relief. Continued foreclosures and the weak economy will continue having an impact on prices and number of properties available with only aggressive sellers disposing of properties. Although home sales started picking up this past summer, the beleaguered housing market has been hammered by foreclosures and falling prices. Meanwhile, the sputtering economy has local businesses retrenching and cutting jobs, dealing a blow to the retail, office and industrial sectors. All this carnage creates an opportunity for those positioned to take advantage of the adjustment in prices, and higher expected returns.
Valuation Vendors Critical to the Home Sale Rebound
December 12, 2008
U.S. Eyes Plan to Lift Home Sales | online.wsj.com
As markets change,servicers and lenders need to choose a valuation company that can quickly and easily adapt. Questions to ask include: Does your valuation vendor use a quality evaluation logic that can be changed on the fly? The preferred valuation model would weigh more heavily on comps in an appreciating market and listings in a declining market.
Credit Default Swaps Are Dangerous Should the Waters Rise
December 5, 2008
N.Y. Approves ICE Credit-Default Swap Clearing Plan (Update 2) | www.bloomberg.com
Credit default swaps have been a major element in the ongoing financial crisis. That doesn't mean it's necessarily easy to understand just what the problem is with them. In an effort to gain clarity I have engaged in a self-directed study on the topic with the following analogy to report.
Nationalization of the Finance Industry Will Doom Middle Class America
September 16, 2008
Capital Markets' Turmoil Clouds Some Realities | www.globest.com
The government takeover of ailing mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac was no surprise and has been jumped all over by the mainstream press. This move was intended not to cause something to happen, but to prevent something from happening. That something was the imminent bankruptcy of the two entities that account for about 80 percent of U.S. mortgage issuance. What does it mean for those who watch from afar in locales like Omaha,Denver,Orlando and Atlanta?
State & Local Tax Reforms May Cripple Municipal Development
July 15, 2008
Cleveland Sues Banks Over Foreclosures | www.msnbc.msn.com
July 1 marked the beginning of a new fiscal year for most states and about one third of local governments, and, as a result of declining economic conditions, ushered in a period of cutback management and difficult decision making for many state and local leaders. Reduce taxes,reduce spending is the hue and cry from John Q. Public and understandably so. However,we as voters sometimes shoot ourselves in the foot when it comes to government reform predicated solely on the idea "not if it impacts me". Reductions in infrastructure funding,cutbacks in nonessentials such as public parks, street festivals,art appreciation events can spell doom for commercial developers and retailers who had earlier held plans to locate within municipal boundaries.
HELOC Losses are Increasing and Will Reduce Access to the American Dream
June 23, 2008
The American Dream Goes On | www.usnews.com
In their first quarter results, several banking organizations reported stunning losses and provisions generated by these loans, with predictions of much more to come in future quarters. Indeed, national banks, which hold about half of all home equity loans, sustained as much loss from this type of credit in the first quarter of this year than they did in all of 2007. Home equity lending has grown dramatically in recent years, more than doubling since 2002 to about $1.1 trillion outstanding!
Stain Upon Mortgage Industry Will Not Be Easily Removed
June 4, 2008
Survey Says Americans Have No Faith in Lenders | www.dsnews.com
Kerri Panchuk's article addresses the most significant intangible loss brought about by the subprime mortgage failures. Namely,the loss of consumer borrower trust which may never be fully regained as long as predatory mortgage horror stories continue to capture headlines and replace mortgagor confidence with skepticism and even disdain.
Connecticut Bucks National Trend of Inventory Overbuild
May 23, 2008
Housing Prices Going Lower | www.lvrj.com
It easy to think nationally when reading of the foreclosure number increases;the glut of homes and the downward impact on price point when,in fact,there are many regions of the country that have not been as adversely affected by speculator development and inflated land values. Connecticut is one of several states that have weathered the storm and continue to have considerably healthier residential markets.
February 6, 2012
Las Vegas real estate: A happy new year?
January 20, 2012
Commercial property sales plunge in New York City: Why should everyone care?
January 19, 2012
Are Macy's closures a leading indicator of mall REIT values?
January 18, 2012
Ireland's commercial property outlook
January 9, 2012