Matrix Blog

Posts Tagged ‘FEMA’

Incentivized by FEMA, ‘Houses on Stilts’

March 31, 2014 | 6:00 am |

Nearly a year ago, my wife and I went for a drive in the next town over from where we live in Connecticut and stumbled across a slew of houses being modified to the FEMA Base Flood Elevation (BFE). It was eye opening for me since I never envisioned a house – especially houses built 30-50 years ago – as so readily moveable. As a kid I had observed my dad have his real estate office moved 2 doors down so he could sell his lot to an adjacent condo developer….and 40-years later both of those buildings are standing.

Note all the”tall” garages.

IMG_3703
IMG_3707
IMG_4555
IMG_4557

It also raises valuation issues. How will an appraiser handle the valuation of the house next to the house that was raised? We may see the market apply a penalty to the house not on stilts in a flood zone.

This was a home being lifted last spring…

IMG_3715

and with the work complete…

IMG_4559

What would a potential buyer of the house next door (in a flood zone) think?
IMG_4560 2

Tags: , , , ,


The Good Life Magazine – The French View of NYC

November 25, 2012 | 7:53 pm |

I provided some insight to a recent edition of a new French Magazine called The Good Life – the issue was dubbed 100% New York.

Since we make so much of the influence of international buyers in the New York City market, I found the issue to be refreshing as I flipped through it in its entirety, as if providing some sort of validation that the way we see the market as locals is how others outside of the US see it.

Of course this is a stretch because the issue is entirely in french, but hey, I took five years of french in school and on a good day can remember how to ask for permission to sharpen a pencil.

For the real estate portion, you can open it here, for the entire magazine – you can buy it here.

With the recent ratings downgrade to French banks, I wonder if the flow to US assets will accelerate.

Jonathan Miller
fondateur et président de Miller Samuel Inc.

Tags: , ,


Sandy Language Summary: Snor’eastercane, SoPo and a Sturdy Mailbox

November 2, 2012 | 5:36 pm | |

Remember this mailbox? It’s been through a lot. The photo is of my street in my CT home town, one of many downed trees and wires on my street. It’s been a long work week, especially since I haven’t been able to work much without power at home or work and it’s not nearly been a week since Sandy wreaked havoc on the Northeast US. My family and friends are safe and I feel very fortunate.

I’ve expanded or refreshed my vocabulary since Super-Storm Sandy – here’s my slow wifi, town library recap:

%$$%%!!! Your one word profanity-laden scream (insert word of your preference) when one of your favorite healthy 6-story shade trees falls down next to your house during the storm and you realize the storm is no longer an adventure (incidentally a tree falls really fast, not like in the movies).

OMG – The word you utter when your fireman son tells you about all the near misses with falling trees while they were out on the truck responding to emergency calls while your other adult child is taking pictures of the storm and submitting them to the local paper’s web site.

Boom of Doom – What my friend Michael Gross called the collapsed crane on West 57th Street, which forced the evacuation of his apartment nearby.

Zone A – A FEMA designation that few were familiar with (as appraisers we are) that now smoothly rolls off everyone’s tongue in everyday conversation.

Waterfront – That highly sought after real estate amenity that has everyone wondering if living away from the water would be better. Nah.

Flood – See “Waterfront”

“Coned” – The way a long-time Weather Channel anchor was pronouncing the NYC’s electric utility “Con-ed”

SoPo – (h/t to my friend Dan Alpert) was an overheard description for “South of Power” – Manhattan below 39th Street is without power. Of course, my office is located on 38th and remains dark.

NoPo – My alternative to “SoPo” and it is not location specific – it refers to anywhere that has power.

Electricity – It’s that crazy magical force that makes pretty much everything we rely on actually work and we only notice it when we don’t have it.

Primary (Service) Wire – The name my fireman son gave a large thick black wire – if you touch it while electricity is coursing through it – you catch on fire – incidentally one of these wires is still laying on my front lawn.

Snor’eastercane – The nickname given to the storm coming to our area next week bringing cold weather, snow and rain. Has it’s own twitter handle.

Sandy – A hurricane we won’t forget. Replaces “Back in ’38” with “Back in ’12”

Frankenstorm – See “Sandy”

Super-Storm – aka Mega-Storm. See “Sandy”

Puzzles – Those arcane cardboard pieces of art cut into odd shapes that you try to reconnect when you have no power and have to actually speak to your significant other and your kids.

YES!!!! – The near-expletive yelled with joy when we discovered our boat dock came within 6 inches of lifting over the piling and floating away with our boat. Always have a “YES!!!” “chambered” and ready to use it when your power turns back on.

UPDATE

Treemaggedon – What it felt like to see huge trees down all over our street and yard.

Tags: , , , ,


Housing Fantasy Is The New Reality Television

March 12, 2008 | 11:56 pm | |

Housing has long been viewed as an emotional investment. Along with the housing boom of the past 5 years, there has a been a boom in reality television shows. My first obsession was This Old House when Bob Vila was host.

Housing has morphed into a national obsession. No surprise there.

Take a look at this week’s television schedule for HGTV.

If we aren’t watching people decorate, we are watching them, sell, buy and flip houses.

This AP story I came across in the Washington Post called Real Estate Cold, Real Estate TV Hot seems to defy reality. Ratings are very high.

Given the downturn in many real estate markets across the country, I am struck by the dated nature of the reality show title “Flip This House”.

  • Are people still flipping?
  • Will buys consider a flip with so much excess inventory?
  • What banks are providing investors financing these days…reality shows???

The irony here is that housing reality shows have become housing fantasy shows.

index.html. index1.html. index2.html. index3.html. index4.html. index5.html. index6.html. index7.html. index8.html. index9.html. index10.html. index11.html. index12.html. index13.html. index14.html. index15.html. index16.html. index17.html. index18.html. index19.html. silagra generic viagra cialis cumwithuscom viagra by mail order kansas city ultrasound jobs viagra buy cheap generic online viagra viagra and optic neuropathy viagra do don’ts splitting viagra pills lisinopril viagra viagra online from us pharmacys herbal lotion natural viagra viagra ch viagra definiiton cialis viagra levitra effects generic viagra forumes viagra for horses ace inhibiters and viagra viagra taken ranitidine singapore cailis viagra drugstore viagra delaware caverta generic viagra veega 2 00 viagra compare levitra viagra cialis cheapest prescription viagra women take viagra viagra cialic levitra compare cialis levitra viagra generic viagra sildenafil scary movie viagra mexico and viagra viagra before and after diferencia cialis viagra order forms for buying viagra generic propecia viagra viagra rx buy viagra online order viagra tv commercial girl does viagra enlarge the penis viagra norvasc viagra erection after ejaculation faster viagra working fill online prescription viagra annals of internal medicine viagra drug interactions with cocaine and viagra viagra cystic fibrosis herbal natural viagra viagra online student loan consolidation buying viagra internet heart attack generic viagra pay online check viagra order online pharmacy prescription drug viagra bob dole viagra tv ad ecstasy and viagra online viagra canada best price for viagra buying online risk viagra phentermine viagra pharmacy online viagra is viagra prescribed buy viagra phentermine weight loss prescription buy online viagra securely buy phentermine second best to viagra female viagra free emailing woman use viagra viagra patent expires viagra and unstable angina over the counter viagra london generic viagra cheapest substitute viagra simple amino acid asia generic viagra viagra with penicillin kazinaki online viagra generic lowest price viagra sex on viagra pharmsupport viagra viagra or cialis free viagra consultations failed anti-depressant used as female viagra free viagra online male infertility viagra viagra and levitra viagra model generic overnight shipping viagra impotence uk viagra master mine cheap viagra best pill viagra superlar viagra viagra mexico online viagra no generic buy viagra softtabs cialis versus viagra best viagra zenetra viagra cheaper viagra levitra apcalis get viagra drug online viagra cialis levitra online viagra dick viagra vasolidadtor in muscle contest viagra pushups generic viagrageneric viagra natural viagra natural male enhancement viagra substitue buy viagra in toronto viagra cialis levitra reviews side effect viagra cialis generic viagra for sale on line alternative qoclick se viagra generic viagra mg blue pill vasoderm better than viagra lowest dosage of viagra straight boy drugged and given viagra comparison viagra cialis levitra female use of viagra az tempe viagra buy online pharmacy viagra buy cheapest viagra online cheapest viagra in the uk free online viagra pill sample buy online viagra where internet viagra source get approved online compare viagra prices viagra bullshit viagra ejaculate viagra causing blindness 2007 viagra hmo college viagra generic viagra cialis pills viagra compairsons comparison of levitra and viagra viagra depression women viagra line 25mg viagra and online medical consultation viagra diovan mark martin viagra jacket effects viagra women active drug in viagra sophia viagra tom cruise altace viagra viagra what to expect generic for viagra fda approved medications viagra online shop viagra san luis rio colorado viagra kamagra aangeboden 50mg viagra retail price viagra small prices index women does viagra work alternative to viagra cialis levitra strong viagra ron jeremy quote viagra buy in uk viagra pharmaceuticals viagra nascar viagra car viagra stores to buy viagra online australian viagra alternative can act like viagra and keep compare or viagra news release viagra for woman canada and generic viagra buy cheap cialis generic levitra viagra which is better viagra lowest viagra prices viagra john m bouchie vigorelle viagra cream for women prescription required for viagra manila philippines viagra philippines generic viagra sold on line viagra comics free cialis free levitra free viagra alternate uses for viagra viagra pour femme herbal viagra for woman cheap no prescription viagra get viagra prescription 5 viagra tablets cheapest generic substitute viagra alternative baikalguide viagra viagra alternative research women who take viagra viagra versus cialis viagra effects how long cheap cialis viagra viagra commercial girl mix beer and viagra comment written prescription for viagra impurity related substance viagra cheap online prescription ultram viagra zoloft giant viagra pill viagra los algodones pharmacy compare generic viagra wholesale prices aeroflot open view topic order viagra viagra online cheap discreet cialis viagra online pharmacy ramipril and viagra sildenafil citrate viagra viagra women online cheap viagra four bitchin viagra mp3 crohn’s viagra viagra pay pal viagra vancouver viagra tips viagra cialis canadian pharmacy viagra commercial clips comparison cialis levitra viagra viagra recreational use viagra hgh discount drug viagra discount viagra brand drug after availability effects viagra real viagra man on viagra bangs his wife generic viagra fast shipping safety of buying viagra on line drug viagra zenegra tlf can you copyright viagra xenical viagra zyban proscar generic viagra side effects buy citrate generic sildenafil viagra generic viagra softabs viagra and lipitor fr d ric von anhalt viagra viagra crohn viagra buy in uk online generic viagra viagra uk purchase viagra generique bon marche mixing cocaine and viagra viagra compared to others buying generic viagra viagra uk viagra like pills zenegr viagra generic sample viagra a href viagra a viagra dangers ed treatment for use with viagra viagra doses discounted viagra compare cialis viagra levitra viagra use in women no perscription generic viagra chemical compound of viagra nbc viagra viagra doesnt work viagra and champagne combination order cialis and viagra viagra plant photo 100 mg viagra prices viagra lawyers natures viagra premium generic viagra sildenafil generic viagra berman sister female viagra study buy cheapest online viagra viagra cialis and levitra buy viagra porno at maygreat org buy viagra generic viagra fertility research alternative herbal review viagra best buy for viagra geniric viagra viagra sample canada viagra experience maryland cialis tadalafil viagra compare generic price viagra tadalafil versus generic viagra viagra generic brand viagra cialis levitra free viagra pour feme liquid viagra shot recipe viagra alternatives cialis info viagra for the brain viagra vs cialis joke viagra generic viagra bz cheap viagra phone prescription viagra viagra effect on semen production generic viagra soft tab fast $2.00 calias viagra deine nachricht site viagra british heather tea viagra effects effects long side term viagra viagra on dogs bob viagra commercials cheap viagra overnight viagra onlin viagra alternative viagra side effects alcohol homemade viagra viagra levitra online 12generic sildenafil viagra viagra racing generico impotencia viagra viagra herbal alternatives viagra soft tablet buy cialis online viagra viagra and diabetes discovery health peru s natural viagra viagra canadian prescriptions viagra compare prices no questions viagra generic 20 cents from india sex injury with viagra generic viagra uk buy viagra now online buy viagra powered by phpbb generic brands viagra online canada free sample viagra comparing cialis and viagra product information viagra spanish levitra verses viagra cheap meltabs online viagra viagra sale online viagra doctor effectiveness of viagra directions for using viagra lady viagra cost viagra supplements viagra viagra ad ecstacy and viagra addiction to viagra viagra chemical compound penrex as viagra substitute viagra store coupons female libido viagra discount generic viagra volume information for viagra internet viagra pharmacy pulmonary hypertension infant viagra picture of viagra viagra doesn’t work viagra success stories impotence aids for use with viagra fda approved generic viagra sildenafil citrate safe for females to use viagra respiratory ailment pulmonary fibrosis viagra free sample herbal viagra depression libido viagra viagra divorce viagra shorts viagra on the market there’s viagra in the water does viagra works after casteration drg generic viagra viagra sample size buy viagra cialis levitra viagra erection duration generic viagra master card purchase generic viagra sent overnight viagra home remedy british tea heather viagra primary sources for viagra insurance viagra oysters viagra abuse herb viagra does viagra increase number of ejaculations generic viagra new au book buy online order viagra viagra boys clips viagra half life viagra nclex question viagra women study viagra cialis online cost low viagra viagra cialis on line continuing medical education california viagra buy viagra in mexico buy viagra assist cheap cialis generic viagra in canada recreational viagra use cialis viagra levitra comparisons viagra result take viagra woman viagra doctor free endometrium viagra free viagra for woman viagra calgary viagra travel where do i buy viagra in paroxetine viagra 2737 amerimedrx viagra wetrack it zyban discount generic viagra pokemon gold buy viagra cohort studies on diabetes viagra natural viagras viagra next day delivery lawsuits involving blindness caused by viagra generic risk using viagra wikipedia viagra wine bottle opener tablet viagra tramadol viagra valentines viagra viagra moa going through customs with viagra pulmonary hypertension trials viagra human viagra woman viagra for sell pfizer drugs viagra viagra goes public viagra for womenn joke important bulletin viagra mexican bean generic softtabs viagra viagra best ad viagra what goes up is viagra safe cheap sale viagra viagra cost at walmart viagra financials viagra for sale in uk cheap deal viagra prescription viagra soft tab viagra generic viagra in british columbia viagra 24 hours delivary viagra class action buy cheapest viagra generic viagra rip-offs achat viagra generique viagra no prescription viagra and vascular disease cheapest viagra prices estate sale viagra best generic viagra generic names for viagra buy viagra for women cheap viagra overnight delivery referrers viagra can viagra cause blindness the effects of viagra cialis und viagra forum viagra prescribed females search results cheap generic viagra discount viagra mastercard best discount free viagra via viagra causes blindness who use viagra viagra prescribing info sildenafil citrate viagra generic 6 free sample viagra viagra comercial actress viagra and woman buy viagra on line uk a q name buy viagra soft tabs viagra recreational use of viagra viagra cialis desire generic viagra zenegra cialis levitra holistic viagra court lawsuits on viagra legal viagra purchase site viagra leveren kamagra viagra gel tab viagra viagra alternative colloplast is there generic viagra zenwgra viagra real take viagra phillip frost viagra buy real viagra pharmacy online natural viagra woman best herbal viagra viagra engineer search results for generic viagra medicare coverage of viagra viagra heck reaction expired viagra viagra 9 viagra fda alternative for viagra australia viagra to order viagra yybbs is generic viagra real sialis or viagra generic meltabs viagra php healthy loss viagra weight 20 ace inhibiters taken with viagra order viagra canada order viagra now viagra money order 12 cod generic pal pay viagra viagra mix up smoking viagra dosages feds close viagra loophole cbs news making of viagra australia viagra cialis supply cialis generic levitra propecia viagra generic mexico pharmacy viagra don’t mix beer and viagra comment citalopram viagra viagra prescription online cialis levitra viagra index comment moderation pending say viagra viagra facts find viagra online viagra available from online doctor understanding viagra price generic viagra buy buying sale viagra vendo viagra plant heather viagra buy generic viagra pharmacy online online prescription for viagra mindful musings cheap viagra trick viagra mixing vicodin with viagra anxiety relief online prescription medicine viagra use of viagra viewing pornography viagra versus levitra viagra damage webresults buy viagra cheapest prices on generic viagra canadian pharmacy for viagra viagra lozenges viagra seuss information viagra woman generic viagra soft tabs online adipex meridia phentermine prescription viagra cheapest viagra world viagra winstonsalem airport security viagra generic cialis pills generic viagra levitra viagra or kamagra or cialis viagra sale cheap source viagra viagra propecia buy online black market viagra alert joke online us pharmacies generic viagra softtabs natural viagra alternative impotence viagra generic viagra cheap contact lenses prozac viagra joke viagra for transsexual 2006 followup march post viagra generic viagra discount viagra norco methadone and viagra drug interactions with viagra viagra lakeland fl viagra nitroglycerin viagra generic soft tabs 100mg book burning by powered site viagra buy cialis ejaculation premature viagracom buy female viagra bean jumping mexican viagra generic viagra new zealand buy pfizer viagra vipps pharmacy viagra online consultation and overnight viagra websites cialis info viagra mdma and viagra propecia cialis viagra uk viagra supplier viagra london clinic regents singapore shop cailis viagra compare cialis viagra cheap viagra pythonmexico org do you last longer on viagra women use viagra taking viagra negative reinforcement guaranteed cheapest viagra viagra zyban female viagra alternative all pills generic viagra calamus root viagra female injury with viagra viagra alternativ sverige viagra in the uk paxil with viagra viagra on internet prescription online vega generic viagra mark martin viagra car buy viagra online in the uk viagra steroids viagra online without rx buy viagra online get prescription viagra tabs how long will viagra last buy real viagra online generic viagra with money order levitracialis compare levitra viagra viagra indication natural viagra uk buy cheap viagra online uk combination viagra zanaflex viagra ukraine viagra and attacks heart viagra song lyrics need some viagra why women shouldnt take viagra mixing viagra and cialis viagra soft tabs generic 100mg renova viagra purchasing viagra australia viagra ruduces iop 78 zenegra viagra dose viagra healthy weight loss viagra memphis tn viagra knock offs viagra safety information best viagra online levitra and cialis and viagra viagra on line canada herbal viagra fda eznegra viagra machaca natural viagra effects viagra natural viagra for women sildenafil viagra 2007 crohn what happen from viagra herb that works like viagra viagra blocker about viagra cheapest viagra fake generic viagra order viagra onlineovernight inventor of viagra line prescription viagra viagra discount viagra and drug testing viagra recvomendaations for use buy online p viagra natural viagra alternative review viagra dosage and cost viagra warnings buying cheap viagra 100 mg viagra price viagra investigator boards buy googlepray viagra free female viagra gneric viagra viagra high blood pressure drug like viagra female impulse viagra when will generic viagra be available viagra online pharmacy review generic viagra generic meltabs viagra canadian viagra online viagra to buy uk acheter viagra viagra for lung disease viagra discussion minister viagra negative effects of viagra substitute viagra are generic viagra doesent work neil miller and viagra and research viagra h jt blodtryk viagra substitute internet businesses viagra levitra comparison 5viagra levitra cialis apcalis regalis zenegra order viagra cheap viagra online ordering viagra sale prices viagra and heartburn 2006 cialis followup january post viagra silagra generic viagra silagra cumwithuscom buy pharmacy pill viagra prescription viagra without pill price viagra viagra online uk delivery viagra use girl on viagra commercial viagra bon marche viagra para que buy viagra no prescription best viagra subsititue buy viagra internet viagra in mexico non-prescription viagra over the counter drug to viagra medil journals pulmonary hypertension viagra viagra dreampharm how viagra affects glaucoma what is better viagra or levitra viagra bicycle shirt viagra cialis vs xanax viagra diazepam annals internal medicine viagra womens viagra uk viagra sample 50mg sides effect of viagra viagra how young is too young viagra pulmonary hypertension everest does viagra help premature ejaculation herbal alternative viagra levitra herb compare viagra cialis levitra story viagra mark martin viagra buying viagra viagra free without prescription viagra uk buy cheap drug retin tramadol viagra buy drug satellite tv viagra viagra package insert viagra price uk buy cheap viagra prescription online generic review viagra viagra overnight delivery 1 800 canada generic in sold viagra bush fetches george porn viagra w buy in spain viagra viagra 6 free samples buy viagra order viagra hotwheels viagra viagra heart generic viagra accepting american express generic viagra versus generic cialis pills boy tied drugged viagra viagra brunette commercial babe viagra dealers that acceplt paypal ordering generic viagra in canada generic sildenafil viagra viagra and zoloft and premature ejaculation kamagra cheap viagra viagra is it necessary uk free viagra delivery viagra hamsters viagra methyl 12 viagra zeenegra viagra viagra cialis levitra buy viagra counterfeit viagra halogram connecticut generic meltabs viagra 5 sildenafil citrate viagra 12citrate generic sildenafil viagra viagra coupon code flomax 2b viagra cialis viagra joint corporate renewal cialis and levitra viagra medications internet how to purchase viagra viagra and liver disease buy cheap viagra online here kamagra viagra uk uk viagra prices norvasc viagra and viagra doctor tempe generic viagra online order get a free viagra pen drug insert viagra 25mg viagra buy viagra cheapest x cite herbal viagra for woman viagra immediately started sucking and licking 2cialis generic levitra viagra viagra for heart attack viagra ed viagra clones can viagra be taken with norvasc viagra and purchase liquid viagra shot viagra prescribing information the effectof viagra on the eyes cheap free viagra jack nicholson quote viagra songs about viagra levitra viagra vs is viagra cheaper in mexico viagra equivalent cheap pharmaceutical viagra viagra mail order pfizer stock and viagra infertility primary sources for viagra price for generic viagra viagra may help reduce add yahoo free levitra free cialis free viagra provesrta women viagra viagra and flying generic viagra x mg alcohol and viagra buy viagra the best quality pills viagra rezeptfrei ways to get viagra viagra cialias viagra secondary pulmonary hypertension baby compare price best viagra generic generic zenegra viagra online is viagra addictive cheap online softtabs viagra alternative to viagra online viagra england erectyle dysfunction viagra generic list new site viagra low price for viagra viagra canada price buy viagra online bingo game european viagra mistress viagra dysfunction erectile viagra herbal online viagra what is the price of viagra viagra levitra sexual health 1998 medical breakthrough viagra viagra ejaculation equivalentes de viagra viagra for pulmonary hypertension viagra bournemouth ads kamagra kwiktabs meltabs generic viagra about generic viagra levitra regalis viagra trivia viagra pfizer lower price using viagra and upset stomach steroids and viagra cheapest uk supplier viagra online viagra prescription canada cialis and levitra viagra order pharmacy kamagra viagra oral jelly viagra no prescreption uk viagra sales free viagra videos viagra use longterm cialis or viagra viagra cialis heart problems viagra 100mg usage google groups cheap order viagra after ejaculation viagra free generic sample viagra viagra drug testing can i buy viagra flomax vs viagra best prices on viagra cialis imperial levitra libidus viagra yohimbe viagra nz viagra and speed viagra safety information medical viagra sildenafil citrate generic viagra like pill viagra women’s natural viagra generic viagra reviews viagra best prices compare viagra and levitra generic viagra and generic soma is viagra a schedualed drug viagra compared to levitra cheap free price viagra fake online viagra viagra for sale viagra ireland viagra life abc video premature baby viagra chemical formula of viagra zeengra viagra woman using viagra cheapest generic viagra 99 cents each viagra nyquil which is better lavitra or viagra is viagra illegal viagra viris high blood pressure collegehumor picture viagra for women gifts ambien viagra eebm diabetes viagra viagra alternative review viagra vs cialis licensed pharmacies online non perscription viagra generic viagra without visa is viagra safe for dogs viagra purchase viagra etc cialis comparison viagra cat 16 viagra viagra generic best one counter drug over viagra buy cheap site viagra overnight delivery generic viagra using viagra recreationally local viagra egyptian viagra online prescription viagra phentermine meridia adipex viagra cancun viagra lead investigator viagra cialis compared ru viagra yybbs viagra online no doctor prescription viagra sample free viagra genaric cheapest viagra tablets can viagra cause peyronie’s disease cheap viagra without prescription 2737 aid prevacid viagra zyrtec toprol-xl and viagra virtual viagra female viagra drink viagra paypal france sale online viagra legitimate viagra viagra and blood pressure pills viagra coverage california viagra 24 hours delivery buy viagra in reliable online drugstore viagra pills online horn herbal viagra $2.00 viagra viagra instructions dosage comparison levitra cialis viagra attack heart viagra illegal viagra viagra pfizer viagra sideaffects cheapest viagra in uk che how long does viagra last viagra cure for jetlag tabs viagra tadalafil viagra vs viagra generic buy supplements of viagra viagra casino poker blackjack discount phentermine and viagra texas viagra caverta generic viagra fr women cheap online purchase viagra viagra after prostate surgery viagra best way to use cialis levitra viagra compare nascar viagra expiration date viagra daily viagra for erectile dysfunction viagra warning viagra refills herbal viagra wholesale what to expect from viagra generic name for viagra viagra uk viagra prescription alternative viagra cheap pharmacy viagra free sample viagra online viagra online shop online approval buy viagra other drug online viagra over the internet mail order for viagra tablets viagra for geritol song using viagra suppository viagra for less that 2 dollars using viagra and cialis viagra affiliate program results and risks of viagra new viagra does it viagra work 5citrate generic sildenafil viagra 100 viagra online overnight delivery viagra non-formulary question health net viagra music pc100 viagra motherboard murder mystery character holly long viagra viagra as vasolidadtor in muscle contest viagra alternative herbal supplement buy viagra without a prescription viagra what goes up time viagra cheap prescription district of columbia viagra flomax interaction free viagra samples befor viagra blue haze 1viagra cialis levitra how to take viagra interresults order viagra charlotte wells viagra be a man use viagra viagra and cialas tonytigeraz viagra 2007 mexican buy viagra from safeway oysters spiked viagra maryland kamagra about viagra being stressed while using viagra viagra reminder ads buy online viagra securely viagra valium kamagra discreet uk europe nascar driver s viagra viagra for women pfizer mexican viagra viagra discussion forum viagra theme viagra sydney levitra dosing compared to viagra viagra and heart problems phentermine tramadol viagra adipex effects of viagra on women palmeiro viagra ddmac viagra free trial sample of viagra viagra for under $2 viagra and prostate viagra plant leaf online viagra buy viagra online tadalis free try viagra viagra t shirt buy kuroeb online viagra viagra best quality lowest prices cheapest viagra cialis compare levitra viagra best alternative for viagra viagra andbeer keywords viagra when was viagra released in australia kakao site viagra viagra safe for dogs buy viagra prescription america carisoprodol generic viagra softtabs php viagra interaction with doxizosin viagra and bodybuilding viagra generics in india online pharmacy uk viagra mexico viagra

Tags: , , , , , , , ,


Paying For The Sins of Lending

May 5, 2007 | 11:42 am |

New York Senator Charles Schumer wants to throw some compassion (and money) to consumer groups to bail out troubled homeowners. Its a noble gesture that will certainly help some people, but its really just a drop in the bucket. Salve in the wound so to speak.

Here is my problem with this sort of throwing money at the solution solution:

  • The idea of government providing help to its citizens have a very recent bad history (remember the extra FEMA trailers for New Orleans?)
  • The amount proposed has got to be a fraction of what is really needed as evidenced by the nearly 30 subprime lenders that have gone out of business in the past 2 months.
  • I would imagine that not every one of people hurt by subprime lenders, were unaware of the gamble they were taking. At what point does personal responsibility start?
  • And most importantly, this will virtually guarantee that if this bill is passed, a few years from now we will read about how the money was mismanaged.

In the rush for profits and lack of supervision, subprime lending will have a lot more to answer to in the future. Pointing the finger is a natural reaction to this and its deserved, but it doesn’t change the system. A lot of people were hurt, and so far, no meaningful discussions on how this could have been prevented have taken place.


Tags: ,


Talkin’ About The Weather Around The House (In Your Hip Boots)

March 12, 2007 | 10:47 am | |

After the nation was able to make it past the annual Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, we were faced with an SI cover story on global warming.

One of the lessons from Hurricane Katrina and made official recently from climatologists, is that we are influencing to a certain degree, the weather. In fact, if we all go green right now, its probably too late to undo the damage. I had read somewhere that every mile of lost wetlands around New Orleans results in one foot of additional storm surge. The loss of wetlands over the past 50 years escalated the damage of Katrina…it wasn’t all about the levees.

A few degrees of warmer weather and a few inches of water can cause havoc in the housing market, especially with the surge (no pun intended) of second homes, of which a significant portion are located on coastal waterways and shoreline. There was an interesting cover story by Teri Rogers called The Real Riddle of Changing Weather: How Safe Is My Home? in last Sunday’s New York Times Real Estate section about consideration given to these changes in a high density urban market like New York City.

Click here for full sized graphic.

One of the take aways from the article for me was the potential underground damage to transportation and utilities and the rise in the use of glass in architectural design.

Incidentally, the FEMA flood zone maps for New York City haven’t been updated since 1983 and Battery Park City, which is a neighborhood created on the Hudson River from a landfill using the earth from the World Trade Center site isn’t even on the FEMA map. The maps still show the pre-existing piers. FEMA flood zone maps rate areas as zones of risk such as A5, B and C, usually in one hundred year increments. Perhaps, the time frame might need to be rethought.


Tags: , ,


Real Estate “Get Rich” Euphoria May Be Distasteful, But Not The Root Of All Evil

December 11, 2006 | 10:57 am | |

The billboards and announcements proclaiming that you can get rich in real estate, while distasteful to many (self-included – wondering how people that attend these seminars can be so gullible, but it does make them feel good, I suppose), haven’t created much of a cynical backlash, probably based on the values of most Americans, according to a recent Gallup Poll Most Americans Do Not Have a Strong Desire to Be Rich [link expires tomorrow]. In other words, over half of Americans seek more money as a personal goal but does not think badly about people already with wealth.

Of course, this is only a poll, and I wonder if the results wouldn’t have been reversed about two years ago, when real estate was a different animal.

Look at the game show phenomenon [WSJ].

Recently we had “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” and now there are others:

Next Tuesday, Walt Disney Co.’s ABC unveils “Show Me the Money,” a splashy series hosted by William Shatner. Contestants win money by answering trivia questions and then choosing among 13 female dancers, who carry scrolls containing secret dollar amounts.

It joins the popular game shows “Deal or No Deal” and “1 vs. 100” on General Electric Co.’s NBC. Meanwhile, News Corp.’s Fox has “The Rich List” and CBS is working to remake “Name That Tune,” a program that first aired in 1953.

Get rich seminars seem to be more about energy and optimism than specific investment techniques. Here’s a seminar recap shared by someone who attended one held here in New York this year. (note: I accurately guessed what was said before they shared the substance of the event) :

  • You have to love what you do
  • Be passionate about your efforts
  • Look for hidden value, think differently
  • Surround yourself with smart people
  • Work hard and never give up
  • Work smart and take calculated risks

Of course, there were also some specifics, primarily dealing with tax implications.

I might have missed a few choice ideas but you get the idea. Of course there are always exceptions and those who succeed are who get included in the advertising campaign. I’d be wary of anyone who teaches get rich in real estate seminars for a living. If they were so successful as real estate investors, then why are they teaching you instead of doing deals? Carlton Sheets on the late night infommercials comes to mind. Here’s a great summary of all the supposed real estate gurus.

Trump is the exception. He made his fortune in real estate and keeps working at it and has greatly expanded his efforts, seemingly everywhere in the US these days. He provides the celebrity factor to the Learning Annex efforts and gets paid a fortune for very little time committment. Its a smart investment on his part.

I sort of view these seminars like playing the lottery. The demographics of people that play the lottery on a regular basis are least likely to afford playing it.

Ok, back to the poll…

recent Gallup Panel survey asked a nationally representative sample of American adults for their attitudes about money and wealth. The poll finds that most Americans apparently do not have a strong desire to be rich, although half say making more money is a personal goal. The public tends to think that those who make a lot of money deserve it, but not to think that those who are poor deserve their lot in life. A majority also believes that anyone can get rich. Men, especially younger men, tend to desire to be rich more than women do.

Some other results…

The public does not begrudge rich people — a majority of Americans, 54%, say that those who make a lot of money deserve it. They also believe that almost anyone can get rich if they put their mind to it, by a 53% to 46% margin. At the same time, Americans strongly reject the notion that those who are poor merit their situation — only 14% agree and 85% disagree that “people who are poor deserve it.”

Some other points:

  • 42% of lower-income respondents (residing in households in which the annual income is less than $35,000) say they would be happier if they were rich, the same percentage as respondents in higher-income households ($75,000 or more per year). Thirty-three percent of middle-income respondents (incomes between $35,000 and $75,000) say they would be happier if they were rich.

  • Just 34% of people in upper-income households agree that money is the root of all evil, compared with 48% of those in middle-income households and 52% of those in lower-income households.

  • 23% percent of lower-income respondents say that poor people deserve to be poor, a much higher percentage than found among middle- (12%) or upper-income (5%) respondents.

Of course, with all my cycnism about get rich seminars, I didn’t make a fortune in real estate either.


Tags:


Silent Mortgages Could Make A Lot Of Noise In The Gulf

January 17, 2006 | 12:01 am | |

Jeffrey Lubell, the Executive Director of the Center for Housing Policy in Washington, DC writes commentary called: Let’s Talk Out Loud About ‘Silent Mortgages’ [WSJ]

For the devastated Gulf Region, silent mortgages could be an effective way to rebuild in addition to FEMA grants and SBA loans.

Download the discussion draft [pdf]

With silent mortgages, no payments are due until the homes are resold. Because the source of repayment is the property itself, rather than the family’s income, poor credit and low incomes are less significant obstacles, enabling far more families to qualify.

Tags:


All Is Not Well On The Gulf Coast (FEMAVille)

December 13, 2005 | 12:01 am | |

Can we imagine a country without New Orleans? One could argue it will never be the same. Of course this story is not running on CNN all day so public interest in the devastation appears to be waning.

The housing.com post FEMAVille Update makes the point if many of the developers jockeying for reconstruction rights get their way, the whole Gulf Coast may end up not resembling anything like its old self. [NYT]

Some other developments:

FEMA is could cut its federal obligation by counting as in-kind contributions if a proposed law if adopted. [Louisiana Weekly]

Wells Fargo & Washington Mutual are giving an extra three months to storm victims to resume making mortgage payments and possibly longer [WSJ]

I know of an appraiser in New Orleans who lost all of her investment properties – wiped clean off their foundations. How long will they take to be rebuilt, if ever? FEMA wants the properties rebuilt higher off the ground and sturdier. There are many who simply want to rebuild it the way it was [NYT].

Whats the best way to proceed? Its not clear to me what the best course of action is. To simply rebuild the levees to withstand category 3 storms proved to be ineffective and costly in terms of lives and resources. To rebuild at category 5 or 6 strength is signficantly more expensive and would take years. FEMA has encouraged development in flood plains by providing (subsidizing) low cost flood insurance [Matrix] that encourages construction in low lying areas.

What a mess.


Tags:


I Just Saved A Bunch Of Money On My Flood Insurance By Switching To The National Flood Insurance Program!

September 22, 2005 | 9:36 pm |

With all the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina and possibly more from Rita in two days, its probably a good idea to consider flood insurance if your property is vulnerable. Yet only about one-quarter of the homes in areas most vulnerable are insured against flood loss [Insure.com], according to the Federal Insurance Administration (FIA). In those areas, flooding is 26 times more likely to occur than a fire during the course of a typical 30-year mortgage.

[FEMA’s official flood insurance web site [floodsmart.gov]]

John Stossel of ABC News provided commentary on his experience with his waterfront beach house that was washed away in a winter storm [ABC News]. He contends that the federal government should not be in the insurance business. The low premiums (hundreds instead of thousands) actually encourages development in low lying areas. There is a cap on the amount covered but not the number of times the property owner can be reimbursed.

The average annual cost is $450 per month and many homeowners don’t realize flood damage is not covered in standard household insurance policies. Now insurance companies are offering high end houses full coverage or supplemental coverage [REJ] in addition to the federal program.


Tags: ,


Disaster Relief Aid After Hurricane Katrina

September 1, 2005 | 5:19 pm |

This has turned out to be a larger disaster than anyone imagined. Here are some ideas on how you can help in the relief effort.

Relief Organizations

[American Red Cross through Apple iTunes]

I used Apple iTunes (100% goes to the Red Cross) but all are great organizations.



[American Red Cross]



[Salvation Army]



[North American Mission Board Disaster Relief Fund]



[FEMA]


Tags: , ,

Get Weekly Insights and Research

Receive Jonathan Miller's 'Housing Notes' and get regular market insights, the market report series for Douglas Elliman Real Estate as well as interviews, columns, blog posts and other content.

Follow Jonathan on Twitter

#Housing analyst, #realestate, #appraiser, podcaster/blogger, non-economist, Miller Samuel CEO, family man, maker of snow and lobster fisherman (order varies)
NYC CT Hamptons DC Miami LA Aspen
millersamuel.com/housing-notes
Joined October 2007