Quote from kiwi_trader:
Based on the recent history in Australia
2002
Investment in housing going up (stocks weaker now)
House prices rising strongly
Developers strongly invested themselves
Some see potential for top (too early as always)
2003
Price rising strongly (doubled some places)
More books on real estate come out
More course/opportunities for involvement
A little doubt from the finance minister
Its going to go up forever from Real Estate Sector
Every man is protecting his retirement savings with a second home.
Late 2003
A bit of a down twinge in a few places
It will only be "a softening (flat for a bit) and only some sectors"
Developers preselling everything now
2004
Picks up again amongst some tales of woe on tv
More concern from finance minister
Rate rises
Some areas down 20% to 30% ... but its just some sectors and cities
Stories on local tv and press of why "this area" will keep going up even though major cities are soft (the early risers (is this like the strong stocks in an eary cycle vs the second rise in "funny" stocks just before it goes to hell?))
2005
Real estate "guaranteed to go up" by agents (who can't be sued)
April 5th ... prices down widely by up to 50% on asking prices in some cases
Darn, even waterfront prices are falling ... surely that doesnt happen????
Petrol price rises are pinching budgets and another rate rise is expected very soon.
Counter case is tales of great bargains for investors who can buy even more houses now that the prices are soft.
The real estate agents, course sellers, sprukers are all still sell, sell, selling. And those who have to get in now or won't be able to get in because they have too little money havent felt the cold wind blowing.
Hmmmm ... Lets see what happens over the next year or two.