Beware the Birds of Prey

I clicked on an ad on the PPH for Town & Country interest only adjustable rate home equity loans. Aside from the obvious pitfalls, buyer beware: "Rates and terns subject to change without notice and are subject to credit qualifications."

Stop the Mortgage Bailout

http://www.nationalbubble.com/stopthebailout/

Do you miss me?

I don't miss keeping this blog going! I've gotten so much done in the last few weeks, including partying, mischief making, etc. It's been great! Plus, looks like the PPH is starting to report more on the housing mess.

I'm really glad I did this blog, though. It kept me motivated when I was most downtrodden about housing. I also like that I helped the people who found my blog. I understand I also pissed some people off. Rest assured, even though I'm not blogging here, I'm still speaking my mind. ; ) And of course, eating at local greasy spoons.

Maine Bubble Blog Has Closed

I can't afford to spend any more time on this blog, and there aren't enough reader submissions to keep it going. I figured this would be a good reason to end things here:

EconomicIndicators.gov will be discontinued effective March 1, 2008 due to "budgetary constraints." "Economic Indicators.gov is brought to you by the Economics and Statistics Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Our mission is to provide timely access to the daily releases of key economic indicators from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau."

That's right. The Feds are ending your freedom to have online access to important economic public information due to "budgetary constraints." Heck, I never got paid to do Maine Bubble Blog.

Anyway, I have new projects I have started and need to give them all I've got. One of them is called "Fun." Just like you, I am eager to buy an affordable house. Until then, I'll be working my rear off to try and get ahead, just like you.

I appreciate you respecting that my decision is final.

Thanks for reading and best wishes to you!

Portland to see 4.9% decrease in home prices

Submitted by SH, thank you!

Portland to see 4.9% decrease in home prices this year, according to HousingPredictor.com

Professionally landscaped with snow

I'm *assuming* that the $70,000 was for land. So this house went from $456,000 in 2004 to the current asking price of $634,900. What?

Cape E middle class households could pay another $467 in annual taxes

"The Cape Elizabeth School Board tonight will hold the first of several workshops on the $21.3 million school budget proposed for the next school year...Property taxes for schools would increase to $13.65 per $1,000 of assessed valuation - 15.8 percent - according to the town Web site. Owners of a home valued at $250,000 would see $467.28 added to their tax bill..."

MaineToday.com

Total Treasury Tax & Loan Capacity declined by 13%

There are lots of charts and data in here. I'd appreciate your thoughts on some of what's in this:

Download the report here (pdf)

For example:

I'd love to know what this means.

This "booster shot" won't hurt, but will it help?

Go buy yourself a little something.

Actually, it may hurt. I'm reading some articles on how it can detract from the economy with loss of state tax revenues from increasing the depreciation rate that businesses can take on their research and development expenses. More state deficits, increasing taxes...for every gimme there's a gotcha...

Harmon's Lunch

I've been meaning to give praise for Harmon's Lunch in West Falmouth. I just thought of it because I'm meeting a friend for lunch there next week. It's another long-standing, unpretentious, no-frills, honest Maine greasy spoon. Try it if you haven't already! Just keep in mind that it's pretty much just burgers and fries. You can read more here, too.