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Expect A Market Rebound
Today's pessimism dismisses history's lessons

By Ric Eldeman USA Today 12/31/2008

From a stock market perspective, the best news about 2008 is that it's over. Sure, the economy is still weak, but don't assume that the stock market will remain so. Indeed, stock prices are likely to recover well before the economy. That's because prices reflect investor expectations of future corporate profits. Because we can envision profits before they are earned, stock prices can rise ahead of any economic rebound. We are already seeing positive signs. The drop in gas prices since July is the equivalent of a $300 billion stimulus package. Furthermore, panicked investors have been selling so many shares for so many months that, according to Bloomberg, 2,267 companies now hold more cash than the total value of their stock and debt. So you could buy all the shares of any of these companies, shutter them, pay off their debt -- and still have a tidy profit.

A look at three Park City neighborhoods:

• Old Town. All the residences are within walking distance of restaurants, shops and the Town Ski Lift. Older two-bedroom condos built in the 1980s start at about $500,000, and single-family houses run $1.1 million to $3.2 million. The latest addition is the Sky Lodge (theskylodge.com), a luxury condo hotel and residence renovated from several existing historic buildings. Numerous ownership opportunities include fractional deeds starting at $269,000 for a two-bedroom.

• Deer Valley. Anchored by the eponymous ski resort, the master-planned community spans about 3,500 acres with capacity for about 2,000 units, mostly condos and townhouses and a few very expensive single-family houses. Original slope-side units from the 1980s start at about $1.75 million for a three-bedroom townhouse, while new similar-sized townhouses run over $4 million. Single-family houses range from $5 million to $24 million. Also, two-bedroom condos without ski access start at $750,000. At the Talisker Club (taliskerclub.com), a 10,000-acre private community adjacent to Deer Valley, home sites begin at $450,000 and single-family houses at $1.45 million.

• The Canyons. The largest of the town's ski resorts, The Canyons (thecanyons.com) also is the leader in real-estate development. Myriad options range from hotel ownership to condos, townhouses, single-family houses and multi-acre estate homes. "You can get new condo construction for as little as $700 per square foot, less than $1 million for a one-bedroom, and you can get condos from the 1970s for as little as $250,000,

> More on Park City communities...

Why Now Is a Smart Time to Buy

RISMEDIA - http://rismedia.com
Posted By Paige On March 18, 2008 @ 3:32 pm

RISMEDIA, March 19, 2008-Considering all of the negative press the housing market received in late 2007, it's more important than ever for buyers to separate fact from fiction when deciding on a time to buy a home. This report is intended to help home buyers assess the facts of the real estate market objectively.

About Inventory
FACT: The housing market is undergoing a natural cyclical correction.

It's impossible to ignore the ongoing news surrounding the downturn of the housing cycle. The recent "housing boom," which lasted from 2001 to 2005, was caused by low interest rates and a rapid increase in property valuations, resulting in high numbers of renters opting to buy. Three factors caused this decade's housing boom to spiral upward:

1) A run-up in home-price valuations that spurred a high sense of urgency in home buying and selling.

2) Poor lending practices, which caused many home buyers to secure loans that they ultimately couldn't afford over the long term.

3) Speculative purchases of homes also increased, with buyers investing in real estate with the hope of a quick return on investment.