Category Archives: Real estate

Wolf Richter: How Ratings Agencies Inflate Credit Ratings to Get Deals & Fees

Haven’t we already seen this movie? Race to the bottom in gaming credit ratings agencies for commercial real estate Collateralized Loan Obligation deals.

Australia Burning; Tourists in New South Wales and Victoria Flee to Beaches

A grim take from smoky Australia.

The Rich Under Stress as Asset Prices Wobble

Some of the rich are feeling the pinch. Is this a passing phenomenon or a sign of things to come?

Phase One of Grenfell Tower Inquiry Released, Towers Not Up to Code, Suggestions for Firefighters

Hot takes on the Phase One Grenfell Towers report, which makes good suggestions for the firefighters and determines that the Towers were not up to code, and what should happen in Phase Two.

For Boomers Reframing Aging, Age-Proofing A Home Won’t Come Cheap

Americans want to stay at home as they age, but it doesn’t come cheap.

Trump’s Fannie/Freddie Privatization Giveaway: Why GSE Reform Is Hard

GSE reform is baack! Or not.

CalPERS Short-Changed by CIM in Pay-to-Play/Bribery Scandal; Looks Like Apollo Stiffed CalPERS Too

How CalPERS was cheated by conniving fund managers, as is pervasive among private equity investors.

Flood the Market

Buyouts can save Houston’s flood-soaked homeowners — if they can get one. Instead, ordinary homeowners fail to qualify, and real estate speculators make out.

It’s Official: Parts of California Are Too Wildfire-Prone To Insure

California is leading a trend of climate-change-induced insurance redlining.

Softening Real Estate Markets in Prime West Coast Cities: Does China Trump IPOs?

Looking at undercurrents in West Coast economies and what they might portend for the US.

Reforestation as a Solution for Carbon Capture: Hype and Reality

Advocates for reforestation must consider who owns the land to be reforested, and how the reforestation is to be done.

Grenfell Tower Fire: A (Non-)Progress Report

Plus ça change….