Eleanor Roosevelt's Former Home in NY Listed At $18 Million

Eleanor Roosevelt's former apartment, the building of which was turned into a single-family home, is on the market for $18 million and it is an absolutely beautiful piece of real estate.

This is one of those homes that I would buy in a heartbeat if I had $18 million dollars lying around. The history, combined with its excellent location in NYC and beautiful furnishings make this something of a dream home of mine.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/eleanor-roosevelts-former-new-york-home-going-on-the-market-for-18-million-1430402421

Young Adults Buying Larger Homes Through Credit Deregulation

According to the Wall Street Journal, 36% of renters aged 18-34 said they expect to buy a home within the next year. This, in my opinion, seems rather presumptuous in the down economy we are currently experiencing, but due to credit deregulation at many banks, borrowers can borrow for 3% down with government backed loans, and 10-15% down for jumbo loans. Jumbo loans are loans over $417,000 in most parts of the country, and $625,500 in high-price areas. I believe lack of regulatory oversight contributed to the subprime mortgage bubble of 2008, and I am hesitant to feel positive about this much debt going into the hands of financially overconfident young professionals. However, if the economy continues its rebound on schedule, which is anything but certain, real estate professionals will be in a key position to capitalize on their client's dream.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/young-adults-going-for-jumbo-loans-1430321276

Austin's Atmosphere and Housing Prices are Attracting People Nationwide

According to the census bureau, 158 new people move to Austin, Texas, every day. People from across the country have discovered that they can get a larger home for less money, without sacrificing the "big city" lifestyle. Austin has finally capitalized on it's atmosphere, neighborhoods, and cleanliness, with people streaming in to boost local businesses and industry in general. With Google, Dropbox, and Whole Foods expanding offices into the city, it is clear that companies have started to realize that people love Austin. This influx of new consumers, coupled with a large demand for high-end condos, has left developers with an opportunity for new projects that they attempting to take advantage of.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/affordable-luxury-homes-in-austin-texas-1430401596?mod=trending_now_1

$100 Million Homes on the Rise

Four years ago a Russian billionaire was the first person ever to buy a single-family home for over $100 million USD. As of March 31st, there are ten homes at or over this mark in the US alone. The worldwide luxury home market (defined as over $1 million) is up 16% from the previous year. However, the US luxury housing market has taken a marked dip in improvement in many cities from the previous year. This could be viewed as evidence of the widening income gap and lack of a middle class, that the $100 million housing market is on the rise, but the $1 million market is struggling.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/number-of-100-million-homes-surges-in-u-s-1430410016

Rockets Owner NY House Listing

Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander has recently put his 6,300 square foot New York City penthouse on the market for $49.75 million, just two years after he bought it for $42 million. The building is a prewar construction that was very recently converted to condos. I don't believe this event is necessarily significant for the retail industry, I just found the pictures interesting.

(18 Gramercy Park, NYC)
http://www.wsj.com/articles/houston-rockets-owner-leslie-alexander-lists-in-new-york-for-49-75-million-1430401880

Northpoint Crossing

The recent Northpoint Crossing development at the intersection of University and Texas in College Station, Texas, has brought complaints from many residents due to it's proximity to the major intersection and lane closures from the construction. It has also elicited praise from local businessmen and city officials in response to the addition of new retail spaces combined with affordable student housing. Questions have been raised about Northpoint Crossing's management's abilities to fill the large number of new residences, however. With many new off-campus student housing coming on the market at the same time, capturing the incoming student market will be key to their continued success in occupancy rates and reputation. 

REIT's and Gaming

REIT's have become an enormous influence on the Gaming industry, and an increasingly popular, large, cash flow option for struggling casinos. While the possibility of a debt-free bailout is enticing, handing over control of the real estate on which your business is depending is not without risks. Casinos depend on their facilities to complement the entire customer experience. "Penn National Gaming was the first to launch a REIT when it spun off Gaming and Leisure Properties. Recently, Caesars Entertainment has proposed a REIT in the  bankruptcy restructuring of its subsidiary, and Pinnacle Entertainment has talked about launching or selling to a REIT, even getting an offer from GLPI." 

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/04/22/how-reits-could-destroy-the-gaming-industry.aspx

Introduction Blog

• Hi, my name is Logan Wallis and I'm a senior, finance major from Longview, Texas. I am a huge football fan, I love hanging out with my friends, reading, and just learning new things! 
• I want to be better educated on the role real estate plays in the national economy, and in the finance industry specifically. I also want to know what constitutes a good investment in real estate. 
• In the short term I would like to become a financial analyst, but in the long term I want to own my own financial management company. 
• A unique quality of mine is the fact that I've been to over 25 countries all over the world, and traveling is one of my biggest passions. 
• One big item on my bucket list is to travel to Antarctica. I know it's not necessarily very scenic, but I view it as more of an adventure than anything else. Another item would be skydiving, only because heights is a big fear of mine and I feel like facing that fear through skydiving would be absolutely exhilarating. 
• A few of my favorite sites are: 
• reddit.com
• online.wsj.com
• facebook.com

Task #2

Without question the most inspiring parcel of real estate to me is the Sagrada Familia church designed by Gaudi in Barcelona, Spain. 

This church is by far the most beautiful cathedral I have seen in all of my travels, and it has a rich history. It has been under construction since 1883, and there is still work being done today! Antoni Gaudi is viewed by most Barcelonians as the greatest architect of all time, and after my mere week in Barcelona, I might have to agree with them. The Sagrada Familia was built entirely based on donations from the community, and is the crowning achievement of Gaudi's work in the city. The cathedral seems to me what architecture should be about, creating beauty in the most fantastic way available at the time of construction. Pictures don't do it justice, but here's a few more.