OCT NIBJ: 'Like tears in rain'

This week’s sobering news headlines included the resignation of a researcher at the hyperscaler Artificial Intelligence firm Anthropic, who warned the technology risks wiping out human civilization.

SEPT NIBJ: Just when you thought it was safe

AI-enabled fraud, wire transfer schemes, seller impersonation and title scams are creating growing risks for buyers, sellers and property owners.

AUG NIBJ: Tackling affordability and housing accessibility

JULY NIBJ: Anemoia: Feeling nostalgic for a time you never knew

JUNE NIBJ: Barta col: Housing affordability and tariffs in real estate

North Idaho and the Spokane area are generally insulated from national disaster trends: floods, earthquakes, tornados, persistent wildfire outbreaks, etc. The region has continued to be a place people want to move to: population growth has been strong over the past decade, and still it remains a really nice place to live.

APRIL NIBJ: Barta Col: Real estate investment strategies

Owning a home is the most important component to build net worth over time. It is far more significant a contributor to financial well-being than any stock market or other investment vehicle. In addition to the emotional and psychic benefits of homeownership, the equity you are creating is tax sheltered with mortgage interest deductibility, homeowner exemption property tax policies, and capital gains shelter. This is why it is often referred to as the “American Dream.” There is a lot of media attention these days on the difficulty of realizing this Dream however, given the high cost of homes, mortgage rates, insurance coverage, and property taxes. But if you are lucky enough to own your home, and have funds you could invest in other real estate, what might you consider?

MARCH NIBJ Barta: Chaos theory and the economy

We like to believe that the various sectors of the economy believe in rational ways. The “law” of supply and demand: as one side increases the other side decreases. Or, doubling the money supply while holding an asset base static will cause price inflation. Measurable stuff. Predictable.

FEB NIBJ: On The Move

On The Move

FEB NIBJ: Barta col: Extend and pretend

With the elections now over, that element of uncertainty is resolved, but it remains to be seen how the policies of the incoming administration will affect the economy, and real estate in particular. This apprehension is why Treasury bond pricing is high at 5%, and why the term premium mortgage holders expect is still at a wide spread by historical standards.