The Big Slump

The following Bloomberg report titled U.S. Economy: Home Resales Decline, Inventories Jump illustrates the current national real estate problems. While on a regional or micro scale things can be even more glib, the national outlook does not look much better. Lets take a look at the article -

Sales of previously owned homes in the U.S. fell in April and the supply of unsold properties reached a record, signaling no let-up in the 27-month housing slump.

Purchases declined 1 percent to an annual rate of 4.89 million, higher than forecast, the National Association of Realtors said today in Washington. The median price fell 8 percent from April last year, the second-biggest drop.

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Recent reports signal little relief for the housing market. The number of banks reporting tighter lending standards approached a record in April, a Fed survey showed. Builders broke ground on single-family homes last month at the slowest pace in 17 years, Commerce figures showed.

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Restricted access to credit will continue to depress property values, eroding household wealth as home equity shrinks. The declines are likely to weaken consumer spending further.

During the Great Housing Bubble everyone felt like they mastered their finances. The property purchased was increasing almost exponentially. Their net worth was suddenly very impressive. They could easily get huge home equity loans and lines of credit. As the Great Housing Bubble is collapsing so is the illusions of great wealth.