Top Economist Offers Housing Insights
Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of
REALTORS® (NAR), addressed a packed crowd at the NAR Convention;
Expo Nov. 13 with his insights on the national economy, predictions for
success of the extended/ expanded tax credit and 2010 housing forecast.
Yun predicted that the
tax credit will have additional positive impact
on the economy as a middle class wealth building mechanism. He
estimated that the initial first-time home buyer…
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Added by Marita Topmiller on November 16, 2009 at 3:30pm —
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Looks like the economy is finally takings its toll. I saw one sign of it yesterday at a local gas station on 62nd Street (Broad Ripple Ave.). Someone pasted stickers on the pumps with what seemed to be some kind of a nationalistic statement. It looked like the gas station operator/owner made an unsuccessful attempt to remove them.…
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Added by PK Koduri on October 8, 2009 at 7:16am —
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I don’t fear change, as long as everything stays the same. – Neil Richmund
Fear
Neil was kidding when he said that, but it’s surprising how many business-people and employees really do fear change. For some, “we’ve always done it this way” is an automatic defense against new thinking. It shields them from the horror of having to learn new tricks and *gasp* potentially fail. At least they’ll have someone to blame, because you can be sure they didn’t author or support any att…
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Added by Mack Earnhardt on August 20, 2009 at 1:40pm —
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Fatigued or downright depressed in your job search? It's a small comfort to know that you have plenty of company. I struggled, myself, with intense depression and anxiety last year. In recent days, I have apparently joined the ranks of the happily employed, but the fatigue associated with going from a second-shift job to first-shift has been worse than expected. I wanted to get right back in high-gear as soon as I got back to Indianapolis and started my new job last Monday. My body clearly had o…
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Added by Leah Barr on August 19, 2009 at 11:52am —
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We all know that rape is not about sex, but about power, domination and control. It is in that sense I use it to describe what I feel is happening to our beloved America in the current climate in Washington, DC.
Over the weekend, I watched a portion of the YouTube video entitled "The Obama Deception" (it's about 2 hours long, so taking it in 'spurts'). It chronicles the rise of the central bank 'notion'; the enacting of the Federal Reserve legislation (for which Woodrow Wilson issued an apology…
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Added by Linda S Fitzgerald on July 20, 2009 at 1:30pm —
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Job stress. Unemployment. Lifestyle changes. The changing role of the breadwinner. Marital stress. These are issues facing a lot of men today, but we are learning what sometimes happens when some men in crisis reach the tipping point. Read about how one man contributes to the solution at
Life Gems.
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Added by Lori Lowe on May 1, 2009 at 11:23am —
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EndlessDeep.org is an all-denominational (including atheists and humanists!) Web site dedicated to exploring life's bigger and, at turns, timely questions--like the current one, "
Does God Care About…
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Added by Jennifer Litz on April 22, 2009 at 11:00pm —
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I speak with business owners and sales people daily. The obvious topic of discussion is the economy, and I’m noticing a theme. DEFENSE. It’s an easy measure to take since so many are in “block and tackle” mode, cutting costs wherever necessary. Whether it’s switching from 2-ply to 1-ply, going with the generic brand of office supplies, or even cutting employee hours, playing a good defense is a fundamental strategy. Could be that it is fundamentally wrong as well.
Consider this recent conversat…
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Added by Amy Woodall on April 21, 2009 at 8:21am —
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My recent LifeHack.org post, published April 10:

Starting a business during a recession seems counterintuitive, doesn’t it? If the economy isn’t doing well and people aren’t spending money, doesn’t that mean a new business is likely to fail? Actually, the answer may surprise you.
Fear…
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Added by Susan Baroncini-Moe on April 11, 2009 at 11:05am —
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In today's economy there are two kinds of businesses, those who fear what might happen, and those who focus on making things happen. So many businesses resort to the mentality that we must be conservative, or we will certainly crumble. While this might seem like the logical solution, the companies who are realizing that if they don't make their move now, there most certainly won't be a better opportunity down the road. So, one business is taking the initiative while the other is just hoping they…
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Added by Stefan Bean on April 9, 2009 at 3:24pm —
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A lot of folks at SI seem to be considering where to put their energies in this new economy. I came across these quotes that rang true for me and give me direction and motivation:
You will recognize your own path when you come upon it, because you will suddenly have all the energy and imagination you will ever need. ~~ Jerry Gillies
Don't ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go do that. Because what the world needs are people who have com…
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Added by Lori Lowe on March 4, 2009 at 1:04pm —
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The slumping economy is apparently causing infidelity and divorce rates to drop. A private investigator reported on CNN that infidelity cases have dropped 75% since the economy took a dive. Economic woes have also put a damper on divorce. Thirty-seven percent of lawyers surveyed by CNN reported fewer divorces in their caseload, but only because the couples couldn’t afford to split at the present time.
Perhaps it’s a good time to build up the good relationships in your life. Not because it’s eco…
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Added by Lori Lowe on March 2, 2009 at 9:47pm —
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It is safe to say that everyone today knows about the financial crisis affecting the United States and the world beyond our borders. It is the hot topic in the papers, TV, internet, and in restaurants, churches, offices, and grocery stores. Understanding the details can be challenging but it is easy to relate to layoffs, foreclosures, and stock market drops.
None of us can deny that the troubles are real. So, what can you do today to make the best of a bad situation?
The specific list of actio…
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Added by Charles F, Miller on February 27, 2009 at 3:16pm —
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It’s only natural in these difficult times that we try to kill two or three or four birds with one stone. Sounds like a great idea, Right? I could be wrong, but I do not believe the economic slump is to blame. We all want to be everything to everyone, or expect our employees to juggle a lot of responsibilities. It is not uncommon, and what seems to be much more common is the outcome. Frustration, anxiety, stress!!! Oh no, how do I make it stop? May I share an example?
Imagine you are in a the…
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Added by Amy Woodall on February 26, 2009 at 1:56pm —
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Fear or bravery?
Doomsday or opportunity?
Everywhere I seem to turn there’s bad news — layoffs, bankruptcys, financial disaster. And, when times get tough, organizations seem to cut and stop doing things important to their business or organizational success. Cut people, cut programs, cut budgets, cut services, cut communications and marketing. Been there. Done that. Doesn’t really see that it works so well. Consider that we all get to think more creatively. Creativity has always made the world g…
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Added by Deb New on February 25, 2009 at 9:31pm —
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Have you heard this month's weird climate news?
Mt. Redoubt is about to blow! Alaskans are rushing to buy air masks to filter out the “sharp” volcanic dust and debris that will soon fill the air. Researchers say it hasn’t erupted for over twenty years.
Maybe back in the day when Sarah Palin was still a virgin, the smart thing would have been to sacrifice her to the volcano, and appease the GODS. It could still work. I know she isn’t a virgin NOW, but the miracles of reconstructive surge…
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Added by Sage McGreen on February 25, 2009 at 12:00pm —
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The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services is funding a new campaign aimed to promote the benefits of marriage to young adults. Benefits being touted include better health, greater wealth and increased happiness for those who marry, and improved wellbeing for their children. While they aren’t telling anyone to run out and get married, the campaign’s goal is to encourage individuals in their 20s not to underestimate the benefits of marriage. Do you think the campaign is a good investment…
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Added by Lori Lowe on February 23, 2009 at 4:17pm —
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It is probably impolite to say this, but I am really tired of watching the news and hearing all of the gloom and doom about the economy. I am sick to death of nay-sayers getting paid to tell everyone how bad it is 'out there.' This is getting to be a self fulfilling prophesy. And snowballing to the point that it is all anyone and everyone talks about.
This is not the first time the country has hit a rough spot economically nor will it be the last. In the past, business owners didn't rely on the…
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Added by Cindy Dunston Quirk on February 19, 2009 at 4:00pm —
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Almost half of Americans report being more stressed than a year ago, according to this week’s
USA Today. One-third of Americans are suffering from “extreme” stress. Unfortunately, the survey was taken before the stock market plunged, so the real numbers are probably worse. That stress is affecting eating and sleeping levels, and inevitably how we relate to others. Go to
Life Gems to find out how you can keep your cool and protect your family ami…
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Added by Lori Lowe on February 5, 2009 at 11:00am —
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The stock market game is not very complicated: buy low, sell high. Anyone with free capital in today's market is busy gobbling up any common stock they can find in the companies that analysts are confident will survive this downturn. Why? Because their dollars can buy more shares today, which will expand in the future.
What many companies fail to realize is that the same principal applies to gaining market share in your industry. First, the price is low. As publishers and printers struggle to k…
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Added by Nick Carter on January 5, 2009 at 3:28pm —
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