This morning, we heard that housing prices had a record year-over-year plunge at 16.3%. They went on to say that “Las Vegas prices plunged the most at nearly 30%,” and some economists see no sign of a bottom. Some economists aren’t even looking for signs of a bottom on the horizon until the end of [...]

UPDATE: Many thanks to the House of Representatives for making almost everything below obsolete by defeating the bill. Since some reincarnation of it is almost certain to ensue, it’s still a good idea to let your Congresscritters know what you think. Here’s some ideas about what the bill should say. It is worth noting that [...]

What the heck! I went out for the evening and came home to find that Washingon Mutual had been closed by the Feds and its assets sold — sold already! — to J. P. Morgan. It’s the 13th bank failure this year, and the biggest American bank failure ever, outstripping a record set all the [...]

USA Today tells us that a lot of Americans spend more than 30% of their monthly income on housing. And as the map shows, renters are not much better off. By way of comparison, here’s CNN on housing affordability. And so, what’s the obvious solution? USA Today tells us about that too! Just like in [...]

I will be attending BlogWorld this weekend. Specifically, I will be on a panel Saturday called “The Political Blogosphere In Transition.” Here’s the official description: The political blogosphere was born after the divisive 2000 presidential election and has matured rapidly in the eight years since. The selection of a new president in 2008 will be [...]

As Baby Boomers get older, they are going to push real estate in a new direction:  homes with “senior friendly features.” While some states and municipalities are focusing on things like “no steps at the entrance, a bathroom on the ground floor and wider doorways,”  there are other things to make a home more senior [...]

Breaking News… I may be at REBlogWorld this Friday after all, and sticking around for BlogWorld.  More details as they become available.

Do not get me wrong.  It is a good idea to make sure your dogs and cats can’t reproduce. Every pet I have ever had was spayed or neutered.  Well, fish don’t count. However, I think the mandatory spay and neuter law favored by Clark County Animal Control is misguided at best.  Admittedly, the statute [...]

Minyanville has an interesting take on the story that Towbin Hummer will be closing down sales: If any American city is emblematic of the Hummer, it would be Las Vegas. Surrounded by endless desert, Sin City is home to all things big and bling. Which is why General Motors (GM) should be particularly concerned that [...]

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are now officially subsidiaries of the Federal Government. Because we all “know” that it is best to minimize government involvement in the private sector.  Ok, strictly speaking they are not “subsidiaries”, but rather they are in “conservatorship” managed by the FHA.  TheStreet.com also tells us that “The current CEOs of [...]