Perception Is Not Always Reality

By David Hart

With all the sensationalized media reports about Florida’s housing conditions, you would think the end is near for the housing market. Not true.

The New Realities

By Brad Hunter

A great line form my favorite sci-fi thriller Aliens is spoken by Newt, the film’s little-girl-in-distress: “My mommy told me there aren’t any monsters.  No real ones.”  Sigourney Weaver replies: “Most of the time it’s true.”  There have been some builders and speculators who were told (not by me,) “Florida home prices never go down.”  Most of the time, it was true.

Absorption Conundrum Colors Housing Outlook

By Bradley Hunter

In 2005, the saying was, "if the house doesn't sell, raise the price."  This year, and in 2007, that strategy won't work.  Normal price sensitivity (“elasticity,” for those of you who remember Econ 101) has returned to the market, meaning that high prices mean slow sales.

Florida Housing Now Robust But Realistic

By Brad Hunter

The housing market is starting to slow, both nationally and locally.  The slowdown was postponed by a longer-than-expected period of low mortgage rates, and also by stronger-than-expected speculator demand.  Now, a return to a normal market is probably finally beginning.