Tuesday, November 08, 2005

On the Housing Market On my way into the office this morning, earlier than usual, I heard the Morning Economic Report with Anirban Basu on WYPR.  Yes, I was about 5 minutes away from the office at 7:33 AM.  The report normally focuses on a small item of local economic interest.  Today's report has been something of consolation to those of us who have decided to wait out the red-hot real estate market in the region.  Essentially, Mr. Basu was referring to the decrease in demand for existing home sales in markets near Baltimore and in the East.  Specifically, he referred to an increase in price reductions for existing homes in Northern Virginia, and he mentioned how the available stock of homes has quintupled in recent months in Rhode Island.  Also, he mentioned that the National Assocation of Realtors has predicted a 3.5% decline in existing home sales for next year.  Of course, rising interest rates--as the Fed has committed to continuing the gradual increase in interest rates to dampen inflation--will help the cost of borrowing will now become higher.  Higher energy costs will also have an impact, as the wallets of consumers are pinched further.  So, later than some have predicted, the housing market will cool off a bit.  I think it might be time for me to revisit my home buying scenario in the coming months.  10:48:01 AM    comment []  trackback []

Things to Purchase Last week, DaB talked me down from my video iPod ledge.  Admittedly, he did not need to convince me that much, as the problem I was having with Daily Source Code podcasts had stopped.  No sooner had I said that, then the problem recurred.  The continuing saga of my podcast catching woes has a new chapter.  I am surprisingly working with the Podfather himself in resolving the problem.  More on this as it develops.  If all else fails, my backup plan is to start the "iPod for JJT to Hear the DSC" Fund.  In other news, I will be going by the Falls Road Running Store on my way home from work to purchase at least one, if not two, pair of shoes.  I have been bad to my feet, as I have thoroughly destroyed my current pair of gym shoes, the Asics Koji GS runner.  It is actually a great shoe, given my rather hard walking style, with the occasional run thrown in for good measure.  I am also going to get a cheaper second shoe to wear to the gym in the hopes that I can stretch out the wear on both and extend the liives of both pairs.  Speaking of the gym, I am headed there this evening for the second day in a row.  I started a new lifting regimen with a buddy of mine, and I was quite sore this morning.  Also, I have had enough of my old shoes and it is definitely time for a new pair.  Finally, I want to spend some time in the sauna following my workout, and there is no better time to do this than in the evening.  Tomorrow, I am back to my morning routine, though.  Finally, on the things to purchase front, Fool's new home and the comment thread on the first post there have reminded me about my planned blog switcheroo.  I have 21 days left on my current Radio Userland license, and I have liked my time here.  However, there is something to be said for switching to a fully hosted environment on my own domain.  I will be chatting with someone at GoDaddy about this one today.  Time to get the ball rolling on that.  10:32:31 AM    comment []  trackback []