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Home Buyer Tradeoffs Market Research Written by Jonathan Smoke    04.11.2008 As I mentioned in the first article on home buyer preferences, home buyers are realistic and practical in their preferences. Nothing reveals that better than a question regarding what they would be willing to accept for a less expensive home. Across all respondents, the number one choice is to opt for unfinished spaces in the home. Another significant finding is that consumers are not willing to accept inferior quality, defined as less expensive materials, to make a home more affordable. No comments for this item Read more...

Are Home Buyers Turning Green or Getting Energy Smart? Market Research Written by Jonathan Smoke    04.10.2008 Yesterday I began a series of posts on our analysis of the NAHB 2007-2008 Consumer Preference Study. We did find that energy efficiency and better insulation were top influencers right behind living space. However, the survey data on energy and environmental issues reflect more of a practical awareness of the importance of conserving energy rather than an all out shift towards being Green at the expense of other desires and priorities. No comments for this item Read more...   Understanding Home Buyer Preferences Market Research Written by Jonathan Smoke    04.09.2008 Our clients and partners know that one of our core strengths is the focus we put on understanding the new home buyer. Our research into housing demand and consumer groups encompasses years of direct experience and market research with a focus on new home shoppers, buyers and owners. In addition, through our partner company Rating Insights, we conduct our own formal surveys of home shopper and buyer preferences. Therefore, when the National Association of Home Builders began soliciting sponsors for its 2007-2008 Consumer Preferences Survey, I was quick to sign up. As a sponsor of the study, my company BlueSmoke received permission from the NAHB to leverage the data with our own consumer research to produce insights into preferences by consumer group. No comments for this item Read more...   Are You Interested in Creating Better Housing Intelligence Together? Market Research Written by Jonathan Smoke    04.08.2008 Housing is an industry plagued with an inability to share a common view of some very important concepts. If we can’t even agree on the facts, how could our leaders possibly debate strategies and policies? Furthermore, if you are an analyst like me you must also be antagonized by the fact that some of the most basic data we need to produce the best analysis for our stakeholders is limited, lacking or held for a king’s ransom by property data barons who do not understand the disservice they provide to this industry, country and the world economy. No comments for this item Read more...   Smart Buyers Do Just that in a Buyer’s Market Market Research Written by Jonathan Smoke    04.07.2008 Patrick Duffy at Metro Intelligence and the man behind The Housing Chronicles Blog has become my favorite blogger. On Friday he paid me the high compliment of linking to my post on the Best and Worst Places for Housing Prospects. Yesterday he managed to weave a mention of me into a brilliant piece on Boyce Thompson and whether this is indeed a good time to buy a new home. This item includes 1 comment Read more...   The Pulse of Listings Shows Prices Continuing to Decline Economics Written by Jonathan Smoke    04.03.2008 Altos Research released their first quarter National Real Estate report today. I consider their analysis to be one of the best leading indicators of what to expect in new contracts and closings over the next 60+ days. The news doesn’t look good on the home price front, as prices continue to fall while listings are increasing. The one bright spot in the data is that days on market are declining. No comments for this item Read more...   Best and Worst Places for Housing Prospects Economics Written by Jonathan Smoke    04.02.2008 We’ve updated our Prospects Index calculations based on the latest historical data and forecasts for key housing metrics, including market equilibrium, economic outlook, home price risk, and long-term home price appreciation. So it’s time to feature our new best and worst places for housing prospects. Before we get into the list, it’s important to note our emphasis on prospects. Our index calculations are meant to give a picture of what we expect these markets to be like in 3-5 years. While the market equilibrium is current, the other variables are based on the most recent forecasts out for five years. No comments for this item Read more...

More... March Market Reports Now Available for Subscribers February’s New Home Sales Not as Good Perhaps the Rear View Mirror Isn’t the Best Way to Look Forward Rise in Existing Home Sales Good but Weak Signal Big Changes in Traffic Signal Bottoms in Housing Cycles Traffic, New Contracts and Cancellations Are Leading Indicators Starts and Permits Continue to Decline, Reflecting Prudence of Builders The Folly of Simplistic Measures The Winners in This Difficult Market Understand Demand—Do You? More on HUD’s Questionable Median Home Price Data

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