Author Archives: Leonard

Leonard

Publisher

Metro Forecast – Thanks OPB

“The greater Portland area is expected to grow to nearly 3 million people in the next twenty years, according to population forecasts the Metro government released Tuesday.

Metro did the forecast mainly to help planners see if the Portland area’s urban growth boundary needs to move, and make room for more development. The area covered by the forecast stretches far beyond the current growth boundary. It includes parts of seven counties, including two in Washington state.

Oregon law requires Metro to ensure it has sufficient land inside the growth boundary to accommodate 20 years of growth. This 20-year forecast finds that birth and immigration rates will combine for growth much like the region has seen in the recent past. Planners expect between 600,000 and 750,000 more people, by 2035. Add that to the current 2.3 million people, and you’re close to three million.

Metro councilors will take up the forecast next month, as part of the urban growth report, one of the first steps in possible expansion of the growth boundary.”

Increased Interest Rates

While the rise in interest rates has taken the wind out of the sails of the housing market, 2013 will prove to be the best year for housing markets since the collapse with values increasing in all but the most rural markets. the biggest city center markets will see double digit increases in prices for the year with some markets returning to the activity similar to the easy money days of the early 2000’s.

1st Quarter Results

The housing market’s recordings are on track to make 2013 the best year since the crash. Enjoy it.

Sequester

If it happens, we expect housing to feel some pain, too. Many analysts have been saying that it will stop any recovery in its tracks.

Forecasts

2013 forecasts for all counties are done. The urban market will do better than the rural markets for housing. Details on all sixteen counties will tell you which one’s will see prices rise, foreclosures decline, and sales improve. Some are better for builders than others. Will this be the best year since the crash? Buy now.

4th Qtr contraction

What will the economic contraction of the 4th Quarter mean for the housing markets? The cost of financing continues to increase while the availability of credit stays tight, at least compared to six years ago. The foreclosures are not going away in the largest markets. Real Estats suggests that you remain cautious and go with the flow.

2012 Reports Published

All counties have been published. 2012 was the best year for all counties since the crash. While we projected prices to decline, they did not in most counties, especially the major counties. Our january data is due out in February. These reports will give us some idea of the future strength of the housing markets in the Northwest. Should you want to subscribe or to test drive our reports just contact us through this web site.

2013 forecasts are in.

Projections Were Spot On

Every February, Real Estats projects the rest of the year based on January’s recordings. The level of accuracy is greater than 75% for all counties with some being much better than others. So far, our forecast has proven right on in four counties, Lane, Yamhill, Clackamas and Multnomah. Don’t miss out on this year’s projections by subscribing today.

Our first report for January 2013 is done for Clark County, Washington. If you want to know what it says, or what we are projecting for the year, it is in the this report.

Nouriel Roubini

One of best articles I have read is in the Financial Times of London where Nouriel Roubini argues that a deal that extends unsustainable tax cuts for 98 per cent of Americans is “a pyrrhic victory for Mr Obama”.

The First Day of 2013

Wow, the first day of the year was a whopper with stocks seeing their best gains in more than a year. Hopefully, this will benefit the housing markets.