On Thursday, October 15, 2009 (tomorrow evening), real estate developer David Nyberg will be hosting a social hour, giving site tours of two Downtown Hartford projects, and participating in a roundtable discussion. I am coordinating the event through HYPE, and would like to extend an invitation to those outside of the HYPE membership to join us. Please RSVP to me (Kyle Bergquist) to register if you are interested in attending; seating is limited. Mr. Nyberg
There have been a few interesting real estate stories and announcements around the nation this week. But first, the changing seasons along tree-lined Farmington Avenue in West Hartford Center. Today’s Wall Street Journal has a piece on Shadow Inventory (Subscription Required), which are homes that are not currently on the market but are expected to be listed for sale in the near future. They focus on foreclosures, and found about 1.5 million mortgages currently in
Should the threat of rising sea levels factor into the real estate decisions of home buyer or home owners? We hear frequent debate about whether the globe is warming, and if so, whether or not our civilizations and lifestyles are the cause. We also hear about large chunks of ice that break off into the ocean. But we do not hear much about specific consequences of rising sea levels in the news. Satellite images show
The real estate appraisal business has been under increased scrutiny in the wake of the national housing bust. An article in today’s Wall Street Journal highlights the current challenges in securing an independent, yet accurate, property valuation. Appraisals are an important part of a real estate purchase, helping to make sure that the negotiated purchase price is in line with recent comparable sales. Mortgage underwriters require an appraisal so that they can feel comfortable that
Although here in Hartford we’re generally more concerned about the local real estate markets, the national picture is of interest because of its impact on the overall economy. We believe that housing markets need to broadly stabilize before homeowners (consumers) feel comfortable with their personal financial situations and the banks/investors that hold the mortgages feel comfortable with their balance sheets. In other words, finding a bottom in the housing market is an important first step