aggregated from: Seattle Bubble

Astute readers have no doubt have learned by now of yesterday's announcement by HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan that the federal government's Making Home Affordable plan will now allow mortgages owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to ...

topics: housing, real-estate

aggregated from: Seattle Bubble

In our discussion this weekend about why people would walk away from a mortgage, even though they can afford to continue paying, Tim Kane (S-Crow) pointed out:It doesn't take much emotional pull to consider walking away when you see property being pu...

topics: development, mortgage

aggregated from: Seattle Bubble

Please vote in this poll using the sidebar.This poll will be active and displayed on the sidebar through 07.04.2009....

aggregated from: Seattle Bubble

I think yesterday's Dilbert is front-page worthy. At least for a Saturday....

aggregated from: Seattle Bubble

Due to the definition change by the NWMLS in both the numerator and the denominator in the months of supply calculations, I am changing the regular monthly neighborhood update to Seasonally-Adjusted Active Supply (SAAS). For an explanation of ...

topics: auburn, beacon-hill, condos, des-moines, downtown

aggregated from: Seattle Bubble

KIRO radio ran a mildly interesting piece about a spec builder in my neighborhood with especially poor timing: Local spec homes sit empty, cheap.What started as a fun project turned into a nightmare for a builder in Kenmore.Ken Youch, with Kenmar Con...

aggregated from: Seattle Bubble

I'm starting to sense something of a theme in some recent news pieces about the housing market. Consider the following quotes from two recent articles (emphasis mine).Reuters, June 22: Two U.S. Democratic lawmakers want Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to...

topics: foreclosures, housing, housing-market, neighborhood, real-estate

aggregated from: Seattle Bubble

Regular readers may recall this post from last October: Construction Defaults Over 10%, Tacoma Condos Empty.Tacoma News Tribune: Downtown condo sales at a crawlHow's the market for condominiums in downtown Tacoma? What market? says Judy Mayfield...

topics: condo, condos, developer, downtown, housing

aggregated from: Seattle Bubble

With the housing downturn in full swing, it's interesting how many housing developments have slowed to a near stop or stalled completely. I've begun mapping out some of these fallow construction sites in the areas that I frequent (north King / south...

topics: condo, housing

aggregated from: Seattle Bubble

Thanks to everyone who responded to the call earlier this month from KUOW for help on their story about the soft market.Here's the resulting piece: It's a Tenants Market for Downtown Seattle Office SpaceThere may be signs of recovery in the region's ...

topics: downtown, foreclosures, housing, housing-market, real-estate