Fritz Pfister

OK, the news this week continued to dump salt in the wounds. Oil surpassed $140 a barrel on Friday, consumer confidence reported on Wednesday sank to record lows, automobile sales continue to fall, home prices were reported down in every major metropolitan market, the governor announced the relocation of the IDOT Department of Traffic Safety out of Springfield to Harrisburg, AFSCME rallied at the capital to protest the lack of a fair contract, and Blagojevich announced 1.5 billion in cuts to the budget if his nemesis Madigan didn’t come back to Springfield and pass his cockamamie bond floating, fund sweeping, lottery leasing, capital plan, and budget that merely mortgages the future once again.

Other than that, how did you enjoy the play Mrs. Lincoln?

As promised last week I will be watching the end of month home sales for June. Expect home sales in the local market to be down double digits in June, in the second quarter, and in the first half of the year.

The inventory of homes for sale remains at record levels for this time of year with 1962 homes available for sale with local Realtors today, not counting for sale by owners, and builders.

Sure doesn’t sound like much to be happy about. That is where you would be wrong. Sure we are going through an economic downturn brought on by higher oil prices driving up the cost of just about everything, and we have to deal with a governor who obviously doesn’t like Springfield, and a bloated federal government that causes more harm than good.

But this upcoming week we will celebrate the fourth of July, and the birth of the greatest nation ever known to mankind. Sure our governor is incompetent, but we live in a nation where we have the freedom to say so. Sure the economy has seen better days, but we still have air conditioned homes, refrigerators and pantries stocked, and outdoor grills at the ready to celebrate with family and friends. It may cost us a little more in gas to get wherever we shall travel, however we have the freedom to travel wherever we desire.

Maybe there are record numbers of homes for sale, maybe you’re having difficulty selling a home, at least you have a home, live in a country with the freedom to own a home, and a country with the highest level of home ownership in the world. A country where the majority of those considered poor own a car, and a TV set, where grocery stores brim with thousands of products.

You live in the most generous nation in the world as many give freely of their own to help those without, hungry, and suffering from natural disaster. Here and around the world.

Yes we have lots to be happy about, the freedoms that we enjoy, that many take for granted, are being protected this very day by an all volunteer military serving throughout the world. To those serving today, thank you for all you do, for your service, and your sacrifice. Thank you to all the families of those serving who will have an empty seat at the table while a loved one serves away from home this 4th of July.

Yes we have been blessed as no other country in the history of mankind. So this fourth of July, forget the temporary troubles we endure, we are Americans and we will overcome these obstacles and any obstacle that is placed before us, set aside those concerns, and be happy to count the blessings and freedoms you experience every day in this country.

God bless you all, God Bless America, and God Bless those who serve around the world today. Have a Happy Fourth of July!

OK, the news this week continued to dump salt in the wounds. Oil surpassed $140 a barrel on Friday, consumer confidence reported on Wednesday sank to record lows, automobile sales continue to fall, home prices were reported down in every major metropolitan market, the governor announced the relocation of the IDOT Department of Traffic Safety [...]

The recipe for slow growth is firmly in place. Take evaporated disposable income going toward everyday necessities like food and, gas, mixed with a dash of higher unemployment, dysfunctional government, inane energy policy, high taxes, pulled pork (earmarks), and you will get a heaping helping full of wait and see stew.
This is the wealthiest country [...]

The economic news this week continued to paint a picture of a slowdown. Consumers are pulling back on spending due to the loss of disposable income to everyday necessities of gas and food. When consumers spend less, demand for products falls, and producers produce less. When you produce less, you don’t need as many employees. [...]

It appears that the local housing market is slowing down from the activity experienced during the preceding four years when the Capital Area Association of Realtors member brokers posted over 4000 home sales each of those years. The current pace of sales in 2008 would produce around 3400 home sales. A fifteen percent decrease, however [...]

It appears that the local housing market is slowing down from the activity experienced during the preceding four years when the Capital Area Association of Realtors member brokers posted over 4000 home sales each of those years. The current pace of sales in 2008 would produce around 3400 home sales.
There are a number of economic [...]