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View Full Version : Housing Crisis Likely to Wipe Out Two Decades of Family-Earned Wealth


felixthecat
August 3rd, 2008, 08:04 PM
Housing Crisis Likely to Wipe Out
Two Decades of Family-Earned Wealth

August 03, 2008

The collapse of the housing bubble is likely to eliminate most, if not all, of the gains that families had made in accumulating wealth over the last two decades, according to a new study from the Center for Economic Policy & Research in Washington, DC.

In the report, entitled The Impact of the Housing Crash on Family Wealth [pdf file],

http://www.cepr.net/documents/publications/wealth_2008_07.pdf

the authors project that the sharpest falloffs are projected to occur for the youngest families.

(The youngest families can recoop it.)

If housing prices fall another 10%, as they seem likely to do, the study estimates that families will have a net worth anywhere from 56% to 67% less than they had in 2004. That corresponds to an average decline of $41,000 in median wealth and show, according to the authors, that homeownership is not always an effective way to generate and accumulate wealth. Go figure.

However, a study conducted in early 2005 by none other than the National Association of Realtors showed that

over two-thirds of all first time home buyers at the time had put down less than 10% to purchase their homes,

and a whopping 42% of those first-time buyers had put down nothing at all.

It's no wonder, since their own data show nobody could afford to buy a house in the first place:

Get a load of this graph:

http://seekingalpha.com/article/88767-housing-crisis-likely-to-wipe-out-two-decades-of-family-earned-wealth

Only buy what you can afford!

42% - NO MONEY DOWN!

2/3 put LESS than 10% down on the house

savedatcamp
August 3rd, 2008, 09:29 PM
I have been worried about this for quite a few yrs (3-4). We bought here in Indy in 2002 and paid a bit too much (we realize now), but did put 5% down and a fixed VA loan at 6.5. We had moved from Southern Idaho and prices were getting very high there, so we thought the price here was very reasonable. If we were to try and sell now we MIGHT be able to break even as prices are lower here as well. Not planning on it tho, so will just stick it out. It's not big or fancy and was a total downsize from our previous home, but we are content.

The families that bought over the past 2-3 yrs are going to be in a world of hurt....nothing down, some having ARM's or interest only types. Many thought that their home was a good investment and then made the bad decision to take out HELOC's which made things worse. The fallout of this thing is gonna be bad I am afraid :twitch and it sure isn't over yet.

Oh yes :heythere and on another note...you might want to fill up your car tanks in the am (or at least watch the market price of oil tomorrow), as prices will prob take a bit of a jump at the pump with that storm in the Gulf. Looks like it may be real close to lots of rigs....
Blessings to all,
savedatcamp

PrinceSomeday
August 3rd, 2008, 09:40 PM
Out here in Northern Nevada, housing prices have dropped over 25% from their high a couple of years ago.

Actually, not really lost "two decades of wealth".

Purchased our home in 1994 for $178,000
In 2002, it was worth $195,000 (had it appraised)
In 2005, it was worth $416,000 (had it appraised)
Today, it is worth $325,000 (based upon what similar homes across the street have recently sold for.)

Over-all, we still have enjoyed a good appreciation, even with such a large recent drop in prices. :hat

MochaMel
August 4th, 2008, 04:06 PM
I know what you all mean, wish we had waited to buy just 2 more years -- i want to sell my home; but must wait until i can not only dump more money into it; to make it worth what i am paying for it..

But it needs to sell at the listing price i post; and with the market the way it is; i cannot afford to go down to low - :( Or we will lose our butt!

It's crazy - they should've never let houses get so high and unaffordable.. We put 7,000 down i believe + closing costs; and we have a fixed 6% interest on our home; which is pretty good. But the house itself is a BOX - it's pretty - but way too small and not enough storage.

I am however VERY thankful to even have a home - as many lost there butt's trying to buy before they were ready or knowledgable enough to go into the market that was..

Bernardd
August 4th, 2008, 07:03 PM
This data can be twisted to support anything.

cbressler1976
August 4th, 2008, 08:02 PM
This data can be twisted to support anything.

:nod