Murky future for real estate - 2003-11-21
The Bay Area's dismal market for office space won't recover for at least three years while the housing market -- which stayed strong through a recession -- appears vulnerable to interest rate hikes likely to follow the 2004 election.

Real estate investors have benefited from central bankers' success at keeping interest rates "artificially low," Rosen said. But mortgage rates are likely to rise to 8 percent some time during 2005 and 2006, and that would slow house building and depress prices nationwide.
Read the full story at Contra Costa Times

Anyone can purchase a house - but will home be where the pain is? - 2003-11-21
Anyone who is breathing can get a home loan in Australia these days. Pauper, liar or cheat - come in and sign here.

Actually, you cannot be both broke and a serial defaulter - the modern Australian mortgage industry has standards, you know. But that is about it: if you are "credit impaired", as they say, you have got to have a bit of a deposit (no questions asked about where you got it), otherwise you just need a smile and a pen.
Read the full story at Melbourne Age