Rick Mons inquires: I'm not sure where you -- or the author you quote -- are getting your data.
Vicky replies: I was quoting the book author, John Talbot, who was interviewed on CNBC last week. I am sure that he was using national data, but I do not know his source. In many markets, real estate prices have already dropped significantly. In Minneapolis for example, City Center's value dropped more than 80% since 1988 -- from $37.5 million to $7 million. It is important to distinguish between investment real estate and single family homes. With the latter, emotions are involved and the individual purchaser's income and/or assets determine his or her perceived value of the house. When a market is topping out, people will pay any price - fearful that they will "miss the boat." This psychology is fueled by low interest rates. Real estate prices adjust themselves more slowly than other more liquid markets. So long as there are willing and able buyers, and a short supply, prices can continue to rise. Minneapolis has a short supply of single family homes, according to the 2000 census roughly 50% vs. 75% nationally. This could account for the faster price inflation locally. The danger is that people wishing to purchase a home will have to do so outside of Minneapolis. The fact that property taxes in Minneapolis are going to double over the next few years could hurt the market as well. A lot depends on the general economy and job growth. Time will tell. About a month ago I searched www.edinarealty.com for Minneapolis homes for sale priced less than $200,000 and found 381. Just now, I went to the same site to search again for comparative purposes, but Minneapolis has been deleted from the available cities to search. I wonder what's up with that. Two of my sisters live in Minneapolis and both have expressed concern over the number of "for sale" signs that they see. I wish we had accurate data from which to base decisions. Vicky Heller, North Oaks .....on my way out of Cedar-Riverside TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
