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I disagree that Americans don’t need trips to Europe.  I need them.  Just went to Vienna for a week, and it was absolutely wonderful.  

By Pucklore | July 25, 2024

Europe runs at a slower speed than the U.S. – at least vs the East Coast and Midwest where I have lived.  They also appreciate some of the basic routines of life more – like eating.  No seriously, let’s just…

The Fed should not lower interest rates at the September meeting.  Based on my local markets, we are operating at the Neutral Rate.  I’d even argue for a 25 bps increase.

By Pucklore | July 11, 2024

Why are we at the Neutral Rate?  Because some of the profligate easy money home buyers that bought late-and-large on debt are selling now.  Many of these homes have been completely gutted, too but are now for sale indicating their…

So sellers are waiting to list their homes, because (as always) rate cuts are just around the corner. And buyers are waiting to buy, because (as always), rate cuts are imminent. 

By Pucklore | June 24, 2024

But what about this scenario? The runaway national debt forces higher rates.  Will buyers retreat and sellers sell to make a market then? In my local markets, I’m seeing sellers already selling and buyers cherry picking the right properties.

Do higher rates really hurt Main Street more than Wall Street?  I’d argue we need to raise rates to loosen up the finish on profligate single-family home and multifamily “investors” who bought at ridiculous cap rates – like sub 4%. 

By Pucklore | June 18, 2024

Lower rates, by definition, raise asset prices.  Also, in lower rate environments, non-recourse type private equity firms and individuals with more unlimited capital means and relationships are able to acquire assets more easily than the normal home buyers.  And many…

With High Debt and Deficits, a Gangbusters Economy and Impending AI Job Displacement, the Fed should consider Hiking Rates another 25 bps

By Pucklore | June 12, 2024

In a couple years, the United States should experience a complex and rapidly changing economic landscape.  Looming on the horizon are potent threats that could converge to trigger an economic collapse by 2027: unsustainable budget deficits and widespread job losses…

So a 100 bp “overage” in the T-Bill rate is the culprit of higher inflation? I think businesses are just raising prices, because they can now.

By Pucklore | May 27, 2024

If T-Bill revenue is about $300B per year based on $6T outstanding at 5%, and foreigners own 30%, that’s about $200B of income here in the U.S.  Berkshire Hathaway alone takes about $9B of that with other major corps like…

If the U.S. economy is falling off the edge of the cliff, I don’t see it this year or even early next year. 

By Pucklore | May 10, 2024

My small business tells me that people are just consolidating.  Those that work are working harder and maneuvering to make ends meet.  And the ones that don’t work are still hunky dory.  I’m more of a “Silver Tsunami” subscriber.  And…

I got another old lady hoarder house flip – as-is.  These homes are always the most disgusting… but always become my favorite. 

By Pucklore | April 28, 2024

And yes, flips are getting much harder in this market.  In my underwriting, I’ll try to double the value, and get a 13 cap.  But sentimentally, beneath the old lady diapers, mice turds and filth, this particularly splendid home in…

So after transitory inflation, a massive Fed pivot and the start of 7 rate cuts with the 10-year down to 3.5%… oh, wait.   What just happened?

By Pucklore | April 11, 2024

The general trajectory has continued to be this: a solid economy, sticky inflation from services, massive deficits and government spending, AI enthusiasm.  The job cuts from AI shouldn’t happen for years.  And my Econ 101 text book said technology improvements…

Should we just carry on inflating everything, because the Fed is still going to cut rates three times? 

By Pucklore | March 22, 2024

I remember the instructor in Econ 101 saying that the Fed can “jawbone” desired outcomes.  So does jawboning expected rate cuts serve in itself as a sort of rate cut? Perhaps the Fed’s goal is to maintain higher rates and…

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