The Plunge in Housing Affordability Raises the Stakes for the Federal Reserve

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on September 15, 2013. Click here to read the entire piece.) As markets worldwide await the Federal Reserve’s meeting September 17-18th, I imagine that housing will play a major role in the decision-making for monetary policy. Interest rates have risen sharply in … Read more

Credit Conditions for Housing Continue to Tighten

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on May 27, 2013. Click here to read the entire piece.) In December of 2012, I provided a description of the housing recovery from the eyes of mortgage investors who could see the recovery but worried about tightening credit conditions. Six months … Read more

Trulia’s New “Bubble Watch” Nudges California and Texas Housing Into Overvalued Territory

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on May 15, 2013. Click here to read the entire piece.) {snip} In Bubble Watch, Trulia Chief Economist Jed Kolko, Ph.D. explains that housing is not back in bubble territory based on incomes (which determine how much people can pay), rents (which … Read more

TRI Pointe Homes Versus Whirlpool: A Disconnect In Response to Bullish Housing-Related Reports

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on August 15, 2013. Click here to read the entire piece.) TRI Pointe Homes (TPH) reported very strong earnings for the second quarter of 2013. {snip} Year-over-year results were strong, and TPH raised guidance for the year. {snip} Based on strong demand, … Read more