If it’s more expensive to own that particular house, I’d say wait, because those prices are likely to fall more. But there are already some houses which are cheaper to own, so then I’d say it’s pretty safe to buy if the buyer can afford the mortgage. Further price declines are unlikely for those houses, because someone else can buy it and rent it out at a profit.

With only 40% of student debt being actively paid back, this problem is growing worse quickly. Bankruptcy laws need to be changed immediately. Banks and colleges would drastically scale back lending, which is a good thing. College demand would drop, and colleges would be forced to live within realistic means again.

The Pennsylvania Association of realtors recently conducted a study of those who experienced foreclosure over the last 12 months. It reveals a group of borrowers who were hopelessly overextended an unable to withstand the smallest amount of financial hardship. Of course, that isn’t how the realtors spin it….

People are definitely spending less, looking for deals, but still spend on things they really like. The savings rate has gone down from 2009 but is still more than double what it was in the peak years from 2005-2007.

Even as the stock market rises on news both good and bad, seven trends offer strong headwinds to real growth in the U.S. economy.