Testimonials for Economy

Technology Leads a Rebound in U.S. Office Rents as Occupancies Increase

Image via CrunchBase Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) drew attention from landlords in March when it leased most of a 36-story downtown Seattle tower built during the recession, a sign that technology job growth would help lift U.S. office rents and occupancies. “The reduction of big blocks of space is always the first indicator of recovery,” said Patrick Callahan, chief executive officer of Urban Renaissance Group, a Seattle-based commercial real estate developer and investor that manages about 2 million square feet (186,000 square meters) of properties. The U.S. office market gained 3.7 million square feet of net occupied space in the three

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Foreclosure Volume Expected to Peak in 2011

Image via WikipediaNext year could very well be a peak year for foreclosures, says Rick Sharga, a senior vice president at RealtyTrac, an online marketplace for foreclosure properties. The market is expected to tally about 1.2 million bank repossessions in 2010, up from 900,000 in 2009, he says. “We expect we will top both of those numbers in 2011.” That’s partially due to issues the industry has faced with foreclosure processing that began in the fall and delayed a portion of foreclosures from being completed this year, he says. In the so-called robosigning controversy, some lenders halted foreclosures after learning

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Economy Shows First Signs of Growth

We are seeing the first signs that the US economy is showing growth. Though US gross domestic production remained flat in its August 2010 report, other economic gauges are showing that the US economy is increasing production. In it’s Beige Book report released on September the 8th the US Commerce Department said that tourism, agriculture, consumer spending, non-financial services and transportation numbers expanded while manufacturing eased. Most of these industries were in decline through the summer and now are showing signs of increased production. The real estate industry numbers were not as optimistic. As a result of the expiration of

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Why Economic Recovery Will Be Slow

I have been thinking of a good analysis for our economy. Imagine if you were told 2 years ago that you had cancer and needed emergency surgery to live. After the surgery the doctors told you they successfully removed the cancer, but there were several infections that will remain and you need to prepare for a long, slow recovery. I feel the same about the US economy. We are past the bad stuff, but recovery will take time. One of the “band aids” that was put on the economic “wound” initially was the Obama Stimulus Program. The program was designed

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Let’s Get Back to Work!

There have been several economic theories mentioned in the news lately about the correct plan to stimulate economic growth. The current plan is for the Federal Reserve to begin an aggressive attack on lowering interest rates. There are many tools in the Fed toll belt that could be used, but recently the Fed has been purchasing Treasury bonds with the proceeds of maturing mortgage bonds. The Fed did so to make sure that the money supply wouldn’t start contracting at a time when cash-strapped states are cutting spending to close their budget gaps. Buying bonds in the open market lowers

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Prepare for an Uppercut!

I hate getting hit in the face, so when I see a punch coming my way I try to duck. An uppercut to the jaw is coming to most Americans next year so here is your chance to dart and weave. Not that you need more bad news, but the Obama Administration will have sweeping tax increases waiting for most Americans in 2011 and 2012. This is especially bad news for small business owners struggling to stay afloat. If your best friend is not a tax consultant you may want to begin to find one, because your net income for

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It’s the Spending Stupid!

News reports are commenting on how the US consumer is spending less these days.Why is consumer spending so important to the recovery of our economy? What about government spending, corporate spending, industrial or agricultural spending? Shouldn’t these numbers far surpass the spending of Johnny Lunchbox? Consumer spending taps into the very psych of the consumer. Think of it like a pulse on a patient in a doctors care. If the pulse is weak it says much about the patients overall health. Consumers spend with their emotions. Low confidence about future employment will equate to low spending at the retail counter.

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The Truth About Inflation and Deflation

There are warnings from the economic forces that we are in a new period of deflation and there needs to be a mindset adjustment to survive financially. The past 20 years or so have been a blessed time where jobs were plentiful, companies sales volumes increased and stock prices rose accordingly. The next several years will be plagued with quite the opposite. In these times of economic contraction what skills do consumers need to stay afloat? First let’s define inflation and deflation. Inflation is a good and bad thing. The good thing about inflation is that companies are increasing prices

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The New Value

I have been reading articles lately how determining value is becoming an art form. How do you appraise an asset today when so many economic variables effect its value tomorrow? New appraisal repositories are entering the field of reference. A once easy task is becoming a sophisticated venture. When it comes to financial assets (houses, boats, cars, stocks, cash, gold) which is the best to hold when most hard assets are in decline? As the economy contracts so does the value of most hard assets. Some will reduce in value greater than others. The most expensive of financial assets would

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Gains Are Found in the Highs and Lows

It is always insightful to see changes in the landscape. The feeling you get after a rain and seeing the flowers in full bloom. Being in the finance industry since 1985 I have gained much perspective (and a grey hair) in the highs and lows that come with investing. It is insightful as well to see the many changes that come when financial reforms are put into place. The feeling you get when you know the impact reforms will have on an industry will shift the balance of power. During the meteoric rise of real estate values during the years

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