The Home Front

Real Estate, the Bargain of the Century?

By Luke Mullins

Posted: March 20, 2008

So says analyst Dick Bove of Punk Ziegel in a research note released this morning (bold is mine):

Every study I have read is convinced that housing prices will continue to drop for an extended period. This is as dead wrong as the reports that argued some years ago that housing prices would keep rising for an extended period. Think of this:

  • Money supply is growing rapidly;
  • Commodity prices are soaring;
  • The dollar is falling sharply; and
  • Real estate prices are falling.

Does this last line make sense? When was the last time real estate prices fell in a general period of commodity inflation?

I cannot think of such a time. I live in Florida where foreigners can and are buying prime real estate at deeply depressed prices with very, very cheap dollars. This may turn out to be the bargain of the century and I mean century.

Real estate prices

Real estate outlook from www.infotube.net. Prices for real estate will not and can not stabilize until the excess inventory of unsold homes declines to a 6 month level. In over built states such as FL, NV and CA, this will take some time, as new building continues. Obviously, there will be no appreciation before we go through a period of bottoming and stabilizing. It may be a decade before buyers can brag they got the deal of the century. The best advice is to buy something you like and then, stay put.

Tommi Crow of NC @ Mar 27, 2008 13:33:07 PM

foreign buyers beware

prices will fall much further on real estate if the crisis continues. and it will be years before the dollar recovers, if ever given the financial mess we're in. in the meantime dear canadians and brits enjoy skyhigh taxes and insurance, hurricanes and tornadoes in sunny florida.

marc of FL @ Mar 20, 2008 19:04:15 PM

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The Home Front

The Home Front

Associate Editor Luke Mullins tracks the treacherous housing market and explains how to unload a five-bedroom McMansion or even find that dream home.

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