Doors Close for Real Estate Speculators

[Joseph T. Burkeson, CMI]

Doors Close for Real Estate Speculators

After Pushing Up Prices, Investors Are Left Holding Too Many Homes


By Kirstin Downey
Washington Post Staff Writer

Saturday, April 22, 2006

Investors who sought quick profits buying and selling real estate in the Washington region are in full retreat, dampening demand for homes, most notably for condos.

What is becoming apparent, market watchers say, is how big a part speculators played in the region's real estate boom of the past few years. Not just condominiums, but also townhouses and single-family houses, were snapped up by investors using no-money-down financing and non-traditional loans. They helped send prices soaring at unprecedented rates. And now many are trying to sell, or rent at a loss. Some may eventually dump properties at low prices to get rid of them. That could weigh down values for everyone.

Read the rest of the story here and dig all of the lock boxes attached to the benches.