Posted on Jan, 1st 2011 By Patrick O’Toole
When this magazine was launched as Practical Builder in the spring of 1936, the outlook for Americans and the rest of the world was far bleaker than what we face today. Back then we were in the throes of an extended economic downturn that would only subside after World War II ended nine years later
Posted on Dec, 2nd 2010 By Patrick O’Toole
Two years ago, at the height of the global financial crisis, investor Warren Buffett pulled out this gem of a quote to describe the situation. “It’s only when the tide goes out that you learn who’s been swimming naked.”
And while this is an accurate expression of what happens to weak businesses
Posted on Oct, 7th 2010 By Patrick O’Toole
Demographics locally have always figured into a builder’s planning. Nationally, demographics do something different. They help paint a picture of a housing market in the aggregate. Major trends and themes emerge from these national statistics. Over the last 15 to 20 years, legal immigration
Posted on Sep, 20th 2010 By Patrick O’Toole
As we consider the array of possible scenarios for the timing of a full-blown housing recovery, the most optimistic estimate seems to be 2012. That is the first year in which most of the adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) written during the final days of the housing boom will have adjusted for
Posted on Sep, 15th 2010 By Patrick O’Toole
In 2004, I wrote a column marveling at the effectiveness and exceptional liquidity of the mortgage market in the United States.In particular, I admired the ‘creativity’ of mortgage bankers to find new ways to put home-improvement and new construction dollars into the hands of homeowners
