Mike Simonsen

I'm a:	Just Looking
Location:	Mountain View
Web sites:	Altos Research - Real-Time Real Estate Market Analytics
	Altos Research Real Estate Insights Blog

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3 Useful Answers

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About Me

I'm the co-founder and CEO of Altos Research, the only source of real-time real estate market analysis. Altos Research publishes detailed analysis every week for thousands of local markets around the country. Our clients include real estate professionals, home buyers and sellers, and Wall Street firms.

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Mike Simonsen's Questions (0)

Mike Simonsen's Answers (6)

Am I reading this wrong? Case-Schiller is accelerating downward?

Asked Tue Apr 29 2008, 23:17 by Bp - Los Angeles - Market Conditions - 5 answers

Mike Simonsen answered:

You're not reading it wrong. However, you'd be crazy to use Case Shiller to try to call the bottom.

We spend a lot of time crawling through the numbers and you're going to find better leading indicator data in inventory levels, days on market and lots of other stats. The Case Shiller will be 6 months behind these other stats. Plus the CSI is regional and your local market may have nothing to do at all with the whole LA region. A good realtor will not only tell you those specifics about the local market, but they'll also be able to illustrate it. Anyway, if you want to look at stats for Long Beach in particular, our free research page is below. - Sat May 24 2008, 18:51

Is there any reason to buy in San Francisco in the next 1-2 years if you don't have to?

Asked Thu Sep 27 2007, 11:30 by Kenneth Berg… - Mission - Foreclosure - 5 answers

Mike Simonsen answered:

Hi Kenneth - why would you ever "have to" buy? No one knows what'll happen in the next 1-2 years, not even the "experts" (maybe especially not the experts!).

I can tell you that in the short term, there aren't a lot of catalysts that'll drive prices higher quickly, so you have the opportunity to wait till you find the perfect place. But it sounds like you might have found that place already.

So if you have the right place for you, and it's a place you can afford, are you really going to try to "time the market"? Maybe in a few years, the market has dropped, but your favorite place is gone? What then? Will you be happier? - Thu Sep 27 2007, 22:11

Besides the down market today. How is the market during the winter in chicago?

Asked Thu Sep 27 2007, 15:19 by Donald Trump - Chicago - Market Conditions - 2 answers

Mike Simonsen answered:

Hi Tim - you'll see a major inventory drop off (2/3rds or more) from December through March. Even if they don't sell in the fall, lots of properties will just be taken off the market for 5 months. Some properties go, of course, people still have to move in and out.

If you want to keep an eye on the market right now in any of the local markets in the Chicago area, our free research is at the link below. - Thu Sep 27 2007, 22:01

How much has the market changed in Gilbert in the last year?

Asked Wed Aug 1 2007, 23:06 by Phil Calzadi… - Florence - Home Selling - 5 answers

Mike Simonsen answered:

Phil - I realize that Jay and crew answered your question pretty succinctly over a month ago, but if you're still looking for an update analysis of the Gilbert market, you can find our free research at the link below. - Thu Sep 27 2007, 21:48

What are the market conditions in Miami? Is it a good time to buy a house, or should I wait?

Asked Thu Sep 27 2007, 20:19 by Erika - Miami - Market Conditions - 6 answers

Mike Simonsen answered:

Erika - no one has a crystal ball for the coming years. As a buyer, you have the luxury to take your time to find the perfect place at the right price. There aren't a lot of catalysts that are going to drive prices up in the near future, so take your time. When you find the perfect place at the right price, go for it!

Single family home prices are holding up better than condos in Miami, which is no surprise really. Here's a link to our free research for local markets in Miami and the rest of South Florida. - Thu Sep 27 2007, 21:39

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