Quote from HedgefundTrader2:
The home builder stocks are all turning higher and 50 day moving averages rising? Why? The market is looking forward 6-12 months ahead when these inventories will be sold and revenues come in. That should give you a clue whats going to happen in real estate.
I wish this were true, but I think the recent bounce in the homies has more to due with the tax bill that would allow them to "carry-back" taxes paid up to 4 years ago when posting a loss. This will help them to "smooth-out" their balance sheets.
What does this do for inventory? Nothing. Theres nothing in these bills that will get people moving back to the RE markets. I don't see much downward pressure on inventories. Why not?
(a) Sales at record breaking historical lows (means less inventory coming off the market)
(b) Forclosures and NoDs at record breaking historical highs (means increasing inventory, about 6 months out)
(c) tougher lending standards (means artificially reduced demand)
(d) Downward pressure on rents (due to increased rental supply due to decreased sales)
and
(e) new development inventory continuing to rise as projects started in '06 and '07 complete and hit the market.
In short, inventory will be up, demand will be down, and that means prices must fall, with or without a credit crunch or recession.