Housing Market Slips Into Depression Territory

[Joseph Burkeson, CMI]

As suspected...

Housing Market Slips Into Depression Territory

In the past few years, we’ve all been careful to choose our words carefully, not calling it a recession until it fit the technical definition and avoiding any inappropriate use of the “D” word — Depression.

Things were bad but the broader economy never reached Depression territory. The housing market, on the other hand, just crossed that threshold.

Home values have fallen 26 percent since their peak in June 2006, worse than the 25.9-percent decline seen during the Depression years between 1928 and 1933, Zillow reported.

November marked the 53rd consecutive month (4 ½ years) that home values have fallen.

What’s worse, it’s not over yet: Home values are expected to continue to slide as inventories pile up, and likely won't recover until the job market improves.

Excerpt: http://www.cnbc.com/id/41019790

[James E. Braun, CMI]

Realtors in my area are dropping out like flies.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by jbraun

Realtors in my area are dropping out like flies.

A number of offices have closed here and others are consolidating.

[Joseph Burkeson, CMI]

Home values have fallen 26 percent since their peak in June 2006

This is a very interesting graph and it is hard to tell whether we will double-dip or bounce from here, this might be the bottom.

[Bob Elliott]

Terrible for us at the moment but in the long run these price adjustments are needed .
How in the heck can anyone not rich afford all these Million dollar homes.
See the big picture.

[George E. Russell]

Agreeing with Bob. Home prices are just settling back down to where they should be realistically. Homes have been over valued for years.

[James H. Bushart]

I really don't see the problem, here.

If I were selling a house...or was dependent upon the sale and price of a house for a commission....I'd be worried.

But what a great opportunity it is to be able to buy a house....a house that was built in 1975 and sold for $30,000.00.....that in 2005, was on the market for $180,000.....and can now be bought for $75,000?

In the mean time....prudent home owners should be investing in energy audits and using them to guide them toward efficiency upgrades so that the homes that they presently live in will not only serve them more comfortably and efficiently....but will be suitable to compete with the newer, energy efficient homes that will be on the market when it comes time to sell in better times.

Savvy buyers and home owners will not only be able to profit during this "depression" (as many did during the Great Depression of yesteryear) but can exploit it.

Or, they can sit around and blame the politicians and do nothing.

I wonder what those looking back on this 50 years from now will say.

[George E. Russell]

Yup Jim I agree. The wife and I are hoping to take advantage of this situation if possible. Homes are becoming more and more affordable for sure.
We just need to market re-model inspections a little harder for awhile.

[George A. H. Luck]

"I wonder what those looking back on this 50 years from now will say."

Probably something like;

"Wow! Look at the funny clothes they wore and the HUGE cars they drove! Did great - grampa Jim really have a comb-over? "

Or words to that effect.

[Greg Bell]

The market here is going crazy. It appears to be going from one extreme to another. Did 2 condos this week that went for $14000 and $16000. The second sold for $131900 in 2007.

[Gary Farnsworth]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41051419...s-real_estate/

Who do you believe? MSNBC says that 2011 will be worse.

[James H. Bushart]

I think it will, too.

Things cannot possibly improve for those selling and profiting from the sale of real estate until the foreclosures trickle off...and they have not even peaked, yet. Supply is so far exceding demand...except for waterfront or other unique properties....that there is nothing else to do but wait it out.

[Joseph A. Ferry]

Change.

[Bob Elliott]

I cant wait till they double income tax in Illinois. I think they are all giving themselves 5% raises for a job well done.
Things are just getting worse for now and may continue for another few years.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by belliott

I cant wait till they double income tax in Illinois. I think they are all giving themselves 5% raises for a job well done.
Things are just getting worse for now and may continue for another few years.

Why do you stay?