I'm back (apologies)

On Fox Business discussing the Wall Street Crisis

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Topics: house prices , home values , TV , politics

Resources to explain the current housing & financial crisis

Like much of the country, I've been consumed and fascinated by the financial bailout discussions over the last few weeks. It's pretty amazing how all roads are leading back to housing prices, something that I spend a lot of thinking about at Zillow.... Read More
Topics: house prices , home values , politics

Mortgage rates drop on news of Fannie and Freddie rescue

Like a caped crusader flying through the doom and gloom, Uncle Sam swooped in and rescued Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, helping stocks surge (when is the last time stocks have surged?) on news of the government's heroics. But, what does Freddie and Fannie's... Read More
Topics: mortgages

Home Prices

I was on Bloomberg television last week talking about home prices. I wish the news weren't so depressing, but here you go:  ... Read More
Topics: house prices , home values , TV

John McCain's Houses, All 7 of 'Em

 Last week, we all giggled when Republican presidential nominee John McCain flubbed the question, "How many houses do you and Mrs. McCain own?" For most people, it's a simple enough question and the answer is likely one or two, But, if... Read More
Topics: celebrities

Real estate porn - August Edition

So now that I have your attention....Today's theme is water. Check out this eye candy.Recently sold home for $1.15M on  Linda Vista Avenue in  Tiburon, CA  a home on   Firenze Boulevard in   Orlando FL   a... Read More
Topics: remodeling , dueling digs

The new housing bill

As you might have heard, Congress and the President signed a sweeping housing bill this week which in an attempt to jumpstart the housing market, or at least to stabilize the mess that we're currently in.Here are the highlights:Any first-time home buyers... Read More
Topics: mortgages , politics

Jon Stewart Dissects the Mortgage Mess in 5:39

   Want a quick rundown on the mortgage crisis? The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart had Richard Bitner on as a guest recently. Bitner is a wholesale mortgage lender who recently authored a book, “Confessions of a Subprime Lender —... Read More
Topics: mortgages

The psychology of a listing price

Chalk this one up in the "sad but true" category. Not all listing prices are created equal, even if the numbers are the same. There are many examples of sellers who list their home for X and don't sell. They then lower the price to Y (or even... Read More
Topics: house prices , home values , buyer tips