Of course, it depends on where you get your data - from a local rag that occasionally chooses to ignore key statistics* or a national news organization that has no interest in protecting the real estate lobby.
First, the local "protected" news, as printed by the Tampa Tribune:
"The Mortgage Bankers Association, in its quarterly mortgage survey released Wednesday, reported that the percentage of mortgages that started the foreclosing process in the April-through-June quarter rose to 0.43 percent. That was up from 0.41 percent in the first quarter and was the highest in just more than a year."
Wow - that doesn't sound so bad. Then...
"Even with the increase, the foreclosure figure is low by historical standards and not overly worrisome to lenders. But it suggests that some borrowers are feeling pinched."
Well - really, not so bad at all. And then, look at this:
"But the survey showed an improvement in the number of late mortgage payments made in the second quarter. The percentage of payments that were 30 or more days past due for all loans tracked edged down to 4.39 percent in the April-through-June period. That was lower than the 4.41 percent delinquency rate in the first quarter and was the best showing in a year."
With all of this great news, from a TAMPA, FLORIDA newspaper, you'd think it was a minor blip on the radar screen. No mention of Florida, no mention of what the rate was a year ago, and no mention of month-to-month comparisons....hmmmmm....better check another source, here....
This now from CNN/Money (neither of which has financial dependence on the real estate lobby):
"In August, 115,292 properties entered into foreclosure, according to RealtyTrac, an online marketplace for foreclosure sales. That was 24 percent above the level in July and 53 percent higher than a year earlier. "
That is a lot of people losing their homes. And then, this bombshell hits:
"Some of the bellwether real estate market states are among the leading foreclosure markets. Florida had more than 16,533 properties in foreclosure in August. That led all states and was 50 percent higher than in July and 62 percent higher than in August 2005."
Finally, this from Rich Sharga of RealtyTrac, a foreclosure tracking service:
"'Usually, foreclosures are a lagging [market] indicator,' he says. 'But we've never had a situation like this with adjustable-rate mortgages amounting to $400 billion to $500 billion coming up for adjustment over the rest of the year.'"
Well, we can conclude 2 things for sure from this comparison-contrast of news reporting on the same topic:
1. Get your news from more than one place. Even if it's a newspaper (supposedly one of the last bastions of honest reporting), there are bills to be paid, and they will play softball with stories that affect their primary advertisors.
2. The meltdown in Florida is only getting started. Put on your radiation suit, climb into your 1950's era bomb-shelter, and don't come out until mid 2009. Okay-just kidding about that! Really, don't come out until mid 2011.
*quick: name the #1 advertisor in any given newspaper....RIGHT! The REALTY section!
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13 comments:
What, what, what?!!! Biased reporting in the newspaper?!!!
That just about does it. How can these local yocals sleep at night?
Maybe they don't.
The realt-whores have yet another weapon in their arsenal - the local fish-wrap.
The thing is, for these papers, what's the bid deal? It's not like people are going to STOP advertising in the paper, just because a bad story was reported.
Ohhhhhh, I get it - the reporter (and/or her boss) is probably under water with several properties now. Don't let the cat outta the bag!!!
Or should I say "gater outta the bag"?
Actually, not all rags are the same. See this from the Palm Beach Post:
Palm Beach Foreclosures
As far as Florida being #1 in the country in foreclosures, I must say that I am not surprised in the least bit. Although we don't have prices as high as California/NYC, we also have a MUCH lower median income down here. Add that to the lower than actual reporting by the realty liars, skyrocketing insurance rates, the "Save Our Homes" tax ripoff. What you get is a state that has gone from a very inexpensive place to live to one of the most expensive places to live.
The runup was unsustainable, and the fallout will be as well. Best wishes to all those sellers out there, holding on to hope.
Tribune is a joke. Try the St. Pete Times - much, much better reporting. Not afraid to take anyone on.
How about the Orlando SLANTINEL?
Now there's some fine, unbiased reporting for you!
How does the phrase go?
"Believe only half of what you read, and nothing you see on TV."
(or something like that)
How does the phrase go?
"Believe only half of what you read, and nothing you see on TV."
(or something like that)
My favorites:
"Believe in yourself."
"Don't buy in Florida, unless you're an idiot."
That about does it.
:)
(sorry for the double post)
You see, the locals in Florida, even reporters, really do have their own interests to defend. If they know the house they bought last spring is losing value every month, do you think you're going to get a good story with Florida leading the country in foreclosures?
It's all elementary, my dear Watson.
Radiation suit...CHECK!
1950's era bomb shelter...CHECK!
Interest bearing CD that matures in 2011...CHECK!
See you fellas when a 3 bedroom house costs $100K again. Until then....
Arrivaderche!
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