patrick.net

What's happening in Portland now is what I've been curious about all along. Mind you our pay scale/housing prices are lower than the Bay Area. So started homes, around $225-250K are still supposedly experiencing bidding wars (wonder how much of that $8K housing credits comes into play in that mindset) BUT anything over $500K is just sitting, houses that were once listed at $1.2 mill eventually MIGHT sell for $900K if they sell at all. One of the local realtor blogs (www.agent503.com) tracks the desperate sellers (defined as X number of days on the market and/or X% of price reduction, sorry, I don't recall his exact definition). He is noticing that a lot of previously listed $500K homes now have asking prices near $300K which he thinks is in the first time home buyers range though I think is still pretty steep but hey, I have childcare and baby expenses in my world.

So my thoughts are...how many of those in the $250K area/bidding wars will now think hey, $300K is not that much of a stretch, let's go for it and get into our 'dream home' of course neglecting the thought that they will likely have much higher taxes, utilities and upkeep but let's not think about THOSE things.

So what kind of twist is this going to bring to the Portland market? Do you guys see outrageously priced homes now coming w/in reach of the better off 1st time home buyer?

dream homes still require DP's and if anyone goes into debt beyond 3X HH income, they deserve what's coming. So, if the Portland crowd is walking around with great job prospects, $60K DP, and make $100K HH income, then they just might be good-to-go on a $300K home.

Not with FHA's loan limit at about $418K for Portland, only need what? 3% DP and closing costs?

Sure as hell ain't saying it's wise to get in over one's head but many folks haven't had reality hit 'em over the head yet. I still remember the day the spouse and I got approved for our VA loan in 1999. Got approved for $250K. We were making about $70K together. We had only about $5k in savings, a boat load of student loans as we were just out of college, a crappy car about to die. I knew we could only afford about $180K at 7%. I asked the mortgage lady what we were supposed to eat if we took out the $250K, she just ignored me.

I do wonder if FHA is tightening their lending?

rblack says

Chrisborden
Using your earlier example of a 117k loan at 9%, you will have paid $ 1.5 mil at the end of the 30 years. If on the other hand you had waited several years and say the house more than doubled in value (inflated), and you paid $ 300k at 5% interest, your total payout would then be $ 1.2 mil at the end of the 30 years. Which is the better deal?

Hey rblack, could you please explain your math? Is it the following?

[Principal Balance] x [Interest Rate] x [Length of Loan] = [Interest Paid]

Just curious how you are coming up with these numbers...

Bap33 says

dream homes still require DP’s and if anyone goes into debt beyond 3X HH income, they deserve what’s coming. So, if the Portland crowd is walking around with great job prospects, $60K DP, and make $100K HH income, then they just might be good-to-go on a $300K home.

A $300K mortgage at 5% is $1610/month not including taxes and insurance. If we didn't have kids we could pull it off though it would be tight. We make about 15-20% less than 100K you mention ( I always feel odd stating my income on these blogs).

in case you missed it the first time around ... "how-much-a-month" was a very big part of the first bubble. Never - EVER - buy anything based on that. Step 1) stay within budget. 3X HH income is the absolute max .. MAX .. so shoot for 2X to 2.5X of HH income. Step 2) do not pay anywhere near "asking" price. 1998-99 prop-tax assessed amounts are fair for a live-in ready REO home. Subtract from there for repairs. Step 3) Do not buy anything built in the last 10 years unless it is absolutly EXACTLY where you want to live. There's more coming, just wait. The bottom will not be going anywhere but flat, so relax. Save more money.

don't listen to all the unproven theories ...just look for case shiller index for your area and if its in line with long term trend and you want to buy a home...go for it. If the prices are higher than historical case shiller index, there is a "high probability" that it will return to mean or if the prices are much lower than historical case shiller index there is "high probability" that it will go up and return to mean. this is all true assuming not much has changed in your area fundamentally like industries gone or other major "permanent" shifts in employment or population or macro economics.

return to mean of cases shiller index is a "proven" thing for predicting housing.

http://www.recharts.com/cme.html gives you case shiller index and also what some traders predict about housing in future.

Bap33 says

in case you missed it the first time around … “how-much-a-month” was a very big part of the first bubble. Never - EVER - buy anything based on that. Step 1) stay within budget. 3X HH income is the absolute max .. MAX .. so shoot for 2X to 2.5X of HH income. Step 2) do not pay anywhere near “asking” price. 1998-99 prop-tax assessed amounts are fair for a live-in ready REO home. Subtract from there for repairs. Step 3) Do not buy anything built in the last 10 years unless it is absolutly EXACTLY where you want to live. There’s more coming, just wait. The bottom will not be going anywhere but flat, so relax. Save more money.

90% True.

1) How much per month got twisted from renting from a landlord -> Renting from the bank -> holding it for a greater fool -> Slavery and/or bankrupcy (morally and financially)
2) Asking prices are just that. When do you pay MRSP on a car, jewlry, etc.
3) Lots of bad construction out there in the last 10 years. Some good.

Save your money. but don't do it in USD.

@homeowner in SanHosebag,
really? dig up that index from 2001 and tell us what was predicted for 2005. It was way way wrong.

The bubble was predicted by the case shiller index? That would mean it was published before 2001 and foretold the peak date and bubble size. I have to say, I must have missed that news. Please put up a link to that. Thank you.

a link to something other than a historical graph is what I'm wanting ... from a pre-bubble date. Thanks again.

my bad, the bubble was observed not predicted. it was observed in 2005 when shiller pointed out that there is a housing bubble because the index is way beyond historical norms. shiller observed that housing should increase just 3%/year ( inflation) and anything more is a bubble. his observation that housing only appreciated by inflation was based on past 100 years of data.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4679264

Bubble wasn't observed/predicted solely based on C-S Index. That's utter nonsense. Just ask Patrick.

Secondly, C-S index for SF metropolitan area does not cover Santa Clara county.
Thirdly, You have to take 3-tier C-S index into account, depending on what price range you are looking for.
Case-Shiller SF SFH Tiers Graph

1987 to 2009 is a very small duration...please check the C-S "long term" index

the index should be around 100 - 110 for national average

homeowner_for ever_san jose says

1987 to 2009 is a very small duration…please check the C-S “long term” index

Thanks for the chart. It just shows that the current bubble is bigger than anything happened in last 100 years and has long way to fall. In addition, don't forget the great bottom that started after WW1, continued through Great Depression. I won't be surprised if we find another Great Bottom now.

The index has already returned close to the mean ( 100 - 110) in 2009.
anything more or less is irrational. It can happen but will be as irrational as the bubble was. i won't count on it.

homeowner_for ever_san jose says

The index has already returned close to the mean ( 100 - 110) in 2009.

The above statement is not valid for all the areas in all the tiers. As the SF 3-Tier chart shows, the top tier is nowhere near 100.

ofcourse its not true for all tiers but in many areas, the index returned to mean ..esp in areas outsite bay area.
do you have the long term C-S index for Sf bay area to find where we stand W.R.T the mean ( which could be different than 100). i could only find the national C-S graph.

C-S index is always normalized to 100 - even Tier-ed index.

BTW, C-S index is composite index for either 10 or 20 cities. It's not national index.

Bap33 says

in case you missed it the first time around … “how-much-a-month” was a very big part of the first bubble. Never - EVER - buy anything based on that. Step 1) stay within budget. 3X HH income is the absolute max .. MAX .. so shoot for 2X to 2.5X of HH income. Step 2) do not pay anywhere near “asking” price. 1998-99 prop-tax assessed amounts are fair for a live-in ready REO home. Subtract from there for repairs. Step 3) Do not buy anything built in the last 10 years unless it is absolutly EXACTLY where you want to live. There’s more coming, just wait. The bottom will not be going anywhere but flat, so relax. Save more money.

I am a professional bubble sitter. I have been trying to grasp all this since around 2003-2004 when I saw prices were way out of line with Portland incomes but we can partially thank California and their truckloads of cash for some of it. My statement indicating it would be a stretch, ie $1,600, taxes, insurance , etc is how 95% of homebuyers think. This is what I am up against. We will be sitting for at least another 18 months and then see what has happened to our country and it's financial system. The spouse and I got burned the first time around buying too much mortgage in 1999, we will be buying something that only needs one income, comfortably. And since we are buying late, I am 38, we will be buying something that can be paid off by age 67, there are MANY factors to be considered as you mention, ie repairs, routine maintainance.

What I find frustrating is that unless people do start buying w/in their means we will be living in a much smaller home than we want, we do NOT want a McMansion;O) It irritates me to no end that there are bidding wars for starter homes which leads to people spending more than they planned to. I'm tired of the hype that is skewing a basic part of life. Everything has to be about making money and looking good in front of the neighbors/friends no matter what the debt load.

And I agree, don't buy anything built in the last ten years. There have been three condo complexes in my neighborhood that have been stripped to nearly the bones. The lawsuit settlement didn't cover all the costs so owners are stuck w/ the difference.

"Professional Bubble Sitter"..... lmao ... me too!!

""there are bidding wars for starter homes""
The next time your REALturd tells you there are "multiple offers" ... "bidding war" ... "it will go way above asking" ... "now's the time" ... "this is the bottom" ...... slap them right across the face with a rolled up collection of printed out facts from the Patrick.net front page. "Starter Home" = "A REALturd needs to dump this unrentable POS with Section8 renters on both sides that are in opposing gangs"

Do not believe there are any other offers until you are sitting at a desk with your offer and the other offers all spread out infront of you. Here's why, REALturds are liars. Just like usedcar salesmen are liars, only worse --- much much worse.

Just do not fall for the "keeping up with the Jones'" crap. Find the history of the home, find proof of permits, look at police call records for that area, ... basicaly do the REALturds job and educate yourself about every aspect of the entire deal before you take a step. This is not the time to get lazy and relax. You can get good hostorical data off of Zillow for free. Do not even look at "zestimates", they are crap, but DO use the sales history to find activity and amounts. Also, check the nearby homes for sales history in the last 10 years .. if they have sold in the last 10 years and have not went REO, they soon will, so your neighbors are going to change and may even be renters for the REALturd that picks up that bargain down the street from you.

Well after last night I am just sickened. There's absolutely no hope for the future, the world (esp the Bay Area) is full of idiots.

Sitting around with a few people shopping for homes right now, listening to their total sense of urgency and desperation as they wailed "prices are going back up, we need to buy now or be priced out again!". I am dead serious, this is the mentality of many if not most of the people I work and socialize with.

Those that do have homes they want to sell? All sitting around waiting for the market to "come back". Which should be next year...

Seriously, we're doomed.

Tude says

Well after last night I am just sickened. There’s absolutely no hope for the future, the world (esp the Bay Area) is full of idiots.
Sitting around with a few people shopping for homes right now, listening to their total sense of urgency and desperation as they wailed “prices are going back up, we need to buy now or be priced out again!”. I am dead serious, this is the mentality of many if not most of the people I work and socialize with.
Those that do have homes they want to sell? All sitting around waiting for the market to “come back”. Which should be next year…
Seriously, we’re doomed.

My sentiments exactly, only I'm in Portland, Oregon:O(

Fundamentals has all the time in the world, physics is on its side after all.

Eventually something else will capture the attention of those that seek to get rich quick flipping houses, and regardless of what anyone thinks their 4br 800 sq ft crap hole on MLK blvd. is worth. Economic gravity will prevail in the end. If there's a Bubble 2.0 along the way. Then there's just a greater chance that, that 2100 sq ft 4 br on a 10k sq ft lot that I'll eventually buy for 120K will also have the hardwood cabinets, floors and granite counter tops.

I just look at this period as Investors are out there making my house I'll eventually buy for pennies on the dollar, as a better place to live in.

Just do me a favor O.K!?

Please for the love of GOD! do not put any exterior McMansion appointments and accouterments. Like those gaudy faux Greek columns people trim the front door with. That are only a third of thickness in a cross section. I can look at it and tell it's not marble, nor does it fit the architecture of Urbandale Ranch style house you morons.
Then there's that stucco pin striping about four feet off the ground runs the length of the front of the house ONLY, and trims the windows. Then just in case you missed it, they paint the house Turkey shit green and that stucco trim in creme.
And if you destroyed Art Deco architecture to inflict your Home Depot credit card justification on said structure with such abominations, I swear I will haggle another 50K off the price of the house, no matter how sweet the deal is.

Now enjoy your manipulated RE market while it's in Vogue.
But don't waste your time trying to convince me, I'll be priced out for ever.

So when the folks buy way too much mortgage and can't afford healthcare, can't afford savings, can't afford retirement DON"T come whining to me...

So what are YOU getting at nowhere but up from here?!?!?! Despearate realtor?

As for those freaking out about prices taking off ask yourself what caused prices to take off 5-7 years ago? Are any of those factors in play now? Look at foreclosure rates. Look at unemployment. Then grab some popcorn and sit back and watch this debacle. We ain't no where near bottom yet! The fun will certainly take off when this $8K prop expires, add to it the seasonly slow period, the spike in foreclosures....oh, my. And prices are still WAY out of line with incomes...basic fundamentals...

nowhere but up from here says

The graphs….the charts….the opinions……sheer entertainment. There are those that will….those that want to….and those that never will……I can only surmise what the bulk of the pundits here are…….
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAAH….Patrick.net……I Loooooooove You

You left out those that had everything handed to them by mommy, daddy and gramps.

Case Shiller Composite is around 140-145 right now. It still has a way to go to get to 100-110.

The question that those who are vested in RE bottoming now and going back up can never answer is, who is going to buy their house for these inflated prices? Incomes are what they are, and granted some areas have higher incomes than others, they should also have higher house prices. But the fact remains that if someone like me, who has a household income that is roughly double the area median and is in the top 15%, AND has 20% cash down for a house that I could afford on a 30 year fixed even at these low interest rates can only barely afford a house that is around the MEDIAN listing price, then who is going to buy a house for double the median? i.e. Someone who has roughly double my income and double my downpayment. The important thing is double my income. That would be four times the median income for my area (Jacksonville), the population of which in Jacksonville is less the 3% of the total. I'll never buy a median house on my income, because frankly, I wouldn't live in those neighborhoods. Either they are small bungalows in neighborhoods struggling with the gentrification process or mid sized homes in the exurbs that would give me an average one hour commute each way. Especially not when I can rent a home in a good neighborhood with a 15 minute tops commute (like I am currently doing) for about 60% of what it would cost me to buy and pay the mortgage, insurance and taxes on the home that is for sale right next door.

That is a home that only a family that makes 3-4 times the median could afford. About 160-215K per year, less than 5% of the population here. I'm sorry to say but I bet close to 5% of the homes in Jacksonville are waterfront. Not all of it would be desireable, but a significant portion of the waterfront homes here are. I guess my point is if you are trying to sell a house that only the top 5% of the population could afford, then it better be close to one of the nicest 5% of houses in the area.

There are those that will….those that want to….and those that never will...yada, yada, yada

"Marina is Prime"--is that you? I recognized the same old "haves vs have-nots" banter that will somehow keep RE stratospheric. So, how is bubbly Marina doing these days--not quite as uppity in 2009? No surprise...not even SF can subsist on leverage and parental trickle-down economics forever.

Dear rblack or whoever commented on my loan: I still have my amortization table for my original loan in 1994 (117K at 8.75%). It shows that at the end of the 30 years I would have paid $232,574 total for the loan had I stayed in it. I don't know where or how you got $1.5 million, but it is definitely ridiculous. I have the proof.

This is from the actual loan document dated 10/7/1994:
Loan Amount: $117,000.00 Term of Loan: 30 years Interest Rate: 8.750% Monthly mortgage payments: $920.44 Total interest paid over the life of the loan: $214,358.21.

Do the calculation yourself, and please tell me how you came up with $1.5 million total cost of loan over 30 years. I am dying to know.

Sorry, typo. Total loan cost $332,574.

Oooh, NBUFH -- Marine Prime of yesteryear(s)? Could very well be.

Use this to calculate how much you pay at the end of 30 years
http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/mortgages/loan-calculator.aspx

Bap33 says

“Professional Bubble Sitter”….. lmao … me too!!
“”there are bidding wars for starter homes”"
The next time your REALturd tells you there are “multiple offers” … “bidding war” … “it will go way above asking” … “now’s the time” … “this is the bottom” …… slap them right across the face with a rolled up collection of printed out facts from the Patrick.net front page. “Starter Home” = “A REALturd needs to dump this unrentable POS with Section8 renters on both sides that are in opposing gangs”
Do not believe there are any other offers until you are sitting at a desk with your offer and the other offers all spread out infront of you. Here’s why, REALturds are liars. Just like usedcar salesmen are liars, only worse — much much worse.

Bap33, you speak the truth.

- Professional Bubble Sitter #3

Tude says

Well after last night I am just sickened. There’s absolutely no hope for the future, the world (esp the Bay Area) is full of idiots.
Sitting around with a few people shopping for homes right now, listening to their total sense of urgency and desperation as they wailed “prices are going back up, we need to buy now or be priced out again!”. I am dead serious, this is the mentality of many if not most of the people I work and socialize with.
Those that do have homes they want to sell? All sitting around waiting for the market to “come back”. Which should be next year…
Seriously, we’re doomed.

Well, just don't become one of those poor fools you are talking with, and you'l be ok!

'waiting for the market to "come back"'. Yeah, sure, just tell 'em, "good luck with that".

a lot of people do not know the the housing bubble. they think there are problem with the market, and the government is trying to fix them so that the prices can go up again.

i have a friend who bought a 2BR condo in Daly City for 500K. he is underwater now, and paying only the interest.

his ARM will reset in 2 years, and he is hoping he can see before that, which means "the market will come back" before his loan resets

Tude says

Well after last night I am just sickened. There’s absolutely no hope for the future, the world (esp the Bay Area) is full of idiots.
Sitting around with a few people shopping for homes right now, listening to their total sense of urgency and desperation as they wailed “prices are going back up, we need to buy now or be priced out again!”. I am dead serious, this is the mentality of many if not most of the people I work and socialize with.
Those that do have homes they want to sell? All sitting around waiting for the market to “come back”. Which should be next year…
Seriously, we’re doomed.

you seriously speak the truth! its absolutely RIDICULOUS the mentality of most people looking to buy/sell. Literally 98% of them have no idea what's going on with the market, economy, etc. I listen and watch my friends participate in this housing frenzy that still exists. I can only sit back and watch, with my jaw dropped at their comments/actions...

maybe in 30 years things will be back to normal, however, I'm starting to doubt that even...

Nowhere but up from here, if you haven't figured it out yet 99% of us are serfs. Do yourself a favor and educate yourself about the hx of banks, ie, the Federal Reserve.

Some of us are just trying to figure out how to live a moral, ethical, comfortable life. Hard to do when you get stomped on by the greedy, the ignorant, and the top 1%. And then we get to bail them all out.

Bankers and other thieves have ruled the globe for centuries. Their aim is to control and conquer, and such has been the course of history and the fate of nations for thousands of years. It's our turn now.

Yes, and there's a great insight about that in the book "Who Rules America": what they really want is control over labor.

They want you to control you, make you work for them, do things for them, serve them. Money is just a proxy for that.