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House prices to drop much lower: Greenspan
Reuters ^ | September 21, 2007

Posted on 09/21/2007 5:28:58 PM PDT by GodGunsGuts

House prices to drop much lower: Greenspan

Fri Sep 21, 2007

VIENNA (Reuters) - A big overhang of property will bring U.S. house prices down further, but it is too early to say if the economy will plunge into recession, former Federal Reserve chief Alan Greenspan was quoted as saying on Friday.

Greenspan said in an interview with Austrian magazine Format that low interest rates in the past 15 years were to blame for the house price bubble, but that central banks were powerless when they tried to bring it under control.

"It's a difficult situation, there is an enormous overhang on the real estate market," Greenspan was quoted as saying. "Many buildings which just have been finished can't be sold ..."

"So far, prices have dropped only slightly. But it was enough to cause alarm around the world," he said. "Prices are going to fall much lower yet."

"However, it is too early to answer the question about a recession. We simply don't know yet. It depends on how flexibly the economy can react," he said.

Greenspan said deregulation and the introduction of market economies in the former Communist bloc after the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 had caused a global boom and a worldwide reduction of interest rates, which both helped fuel the property bubble.

"There is no doubt about the fact that low interest rates for long-term government bonds have caused the real estate bubble in the United States," he said.

"The Federal Reserve began a series of interest rate increases in 2004. We were hoping to bring the speculative excesses in the real estate sector under control. We failed. We tried it again in 2005. Failure," he said.

"Nobody could do anything about it, neither us nor the European Central Bank. We were powerless," he said.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: economy; greenspan; housing; housingbubble; realestate; vulturegram
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1 posted on 09/21/2007 5:29:02 PM PDT by GodGunsGuts
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To: GodGunsGuts

Sounds like a good time to buy a house cheap.


2 posted on 09/21/2007 5:29:56 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative
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To: ex-Texan; expat_panama; LeGrande; Pelham; djf; TigerLikesRooster; Ernest_at_the_Beach

Alan Greenspan’s feeble attempt to rescue his legacy. If he had retired earlier, perhaps his newfound honesty could have done some good. Can’t stand the sight of that man anymore.


3 posted on 09/21/2007 5:33:37 PM PDT by GodGunsGuts
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To: GodGunsGuts

“So far, prices have dropped only slightly. But it was enough to cause alarm around the world,” he said. “Prices are going to fall much lower yet.”

Man, I wish I had his crystal ball.


4 posted on 09/21/2007 5:35:36 PM PDT by L98Fiero (A fool who'll waste his life, God rest his guts.)
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To: GodGunsGuts
I heard a skrink liken Greenspan to O.J., can’t stay away from the camera’s, and can’t keep his mouth shut.
5 posted on 09/21/2007 5:36:20 PM PDT by Coldwater Creek
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To: Paleo Conservative

We are a long way from that. Housing is just an indication of what’s to come. People need to start learning how one makes money in both good times and bad. And fast.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1899312/posts


6 posted on 09/21/2007 5:36:28 PM PDT by GodGunsGuts
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To: L98Fiero

Problem is, he knew this along time ago (as did anyone who was truly paying attention). And yet he failed to warn or do anything about it, except make the problem worse. They don’t call him Alan “Bubbles” Greenspan for nothing—GGG


7 posted on 09/21/2007 5:38:12 PM PDT by GodGunsGuts
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To: GodGunsGuts

You sound just like Hydroshock.


8 posted on 09/21/2007 5:38:43 PM PDT by Orange1998
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To: GodGunsGuts
People need to start learning how one makes money in both good times and bad. And fast.

$82 per barrel oil been bery bery good to me.

9 posted on 09/21/2007 5:39:19 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative
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To: Paleo Conservative

$730+ gold has been very good to me. But that’s not the point.


10 posted on 09/21/2007 5:40:57 PM PDT by GodGunsGuts
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To: Orange1998

That name sounds familiar, but I’m not sure why. At any rate, it’s time to get right or get left by the changing markets.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1899312/posts


11 posted on 09/21/2007 5:42:15 PM PDT by GodGunsGuts
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To: GodGunsGuts

It’s manipulation we need to get out from under the fiscal policy of the FED!

They should reinstitute the Department of Treasury to issue currency and take it away from the fed. Either that or put our currency on both a gold and silver coinage (plus other commodoties) standard!


12 posted on 09/21/2007 5:45:49 PM PDT by JSDude1 (When a liberal represents the Presidential Nominee for the Republicans; THEY'RE TOAST)
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To: GodGunsGuts

“People need to start learning how one makes money in both good times and bad. And fast.”

Shhhhhh! Quit ruining it for the rest of us Capitalists! There’s only so much cash to go around, LOL!


13 posted on 09/21/2007 5:48:49 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: JSDude1

http://www.mises.org/rothbard/genuine.asp


14 posted on 09/21/2007 5:49:16 PM PDT by GodGunsGuts
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Very funny. But of course, the more people who belatedly learn what to do, the better it is for those who planned ahead. Still...LOL


15 posted on 09/21/2007 5:50:40 PM PDT by GodGunsGuts
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To: All

SHIRT FOR GREEENSPAN

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket">


16 posted on 09/21/2007 5:51:47 PM PDT by Dubya (Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,but by me)
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To: Dubya

Nice touch!


17 posted on 09/21/2007 5:53:37 PM PDT by GodGunsGuts
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To: GodGunsGuts
Image hosted by Photobucket.com but the taxes stay the same till the assessor decides the value has gone down...
18 posted on 09/21/2007 5:53:57 PM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist)
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To: GodGunsGuts

I saw this clown on Charlie Rose last night spinning away like a dervish. So full of himself . . . Reminded me of Bill Clinton.


19 posted on 09/21/2007 5:54:06 PM PDT by ex-Texan (Matthew 7: 1 - 6)
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To: GodGunsGuts

bump


20 posted on 09/21/2007 5:55:00 PM PDT by VOA
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