The prices of the Spanish real state will continue falling two more years.

Real estate prices in Spain are still falling according to the latest figures to be published by the country’s National Institute of Statistics but there are signs that sellers are more realistic.



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“Luxury Tax” Hopes to Cool Property Market

Taiwan wants to pass a luxury tax in order to try and curtail wide spread property speculation and the worst wealth gap in a decade. The Taiwanese people support the move while real estate agents and the property sector do not. What do you think? You be the judge.


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SEC Probe Examines Bank-Loan Practices

The SEC claims to be examining the bank practices of “extend and pretend” and “amend and pretend”….well about time. It is shocking that government oversight has played a blind eye for so long. Statements from banks saying that “loan accounting is and has been appropriate” is mind boggling when you see what is plainly evident.

We and many other investors and have tried in vain to work with banks and special servicers to help restructure and buy loans with some success but mostly frustration. The financial system is gleaning massive fees by delaying and stifling the Commercial Real Estate industry.

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Senate easily approves tax plan, sends it to House

The extension of the tax law takes the pressure off having to close transactions by year end. The lower capital gains tax is obviously a welcomed delay.

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Split on Standards Set to Widen

Financial Times reports that new proposals on accounting standards could loosen up the tight grip banks have on inventory. This appears to be very positive. Obviously pressure is not coming from the Real Estate Lobby nor from banks nor FDIC. The real pressure could come from equity markets who are having difficulty analyzing the real value of banks without the "mark to market" accounting.
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