Friday, November 30, 2007

Christopher Thornberg of Beacon Economics #44

In this second interview, Christopher Thornberg and Bruce Norris discuss how builders are adjusting to the new California real estate reality, how builders are notoriously optimistic, why builders continue to build, inflation pressure and why it's hard to predict, consumer spending, when the subprime peak will occur, possible policy changes and the presidential elections, how property taxes will cause problems for cities around the nation, employment, out migration, and the commercial market.

Christopher Thornberg is a founding partner of Beacon Economics. Dr. Thornberg is an expert in the study of regional economies, real estate dynamics, labor markets and business forecasting. He has been involved in a number of special studies measuring the impact of important events on the economy, including the NAFTA treaty, the California power crisis, port security, California water transfer programs and the September 11th terrorist attacks. Prior to launching Beacon he worked with the UCLA Anderson Forecast where he regularly authored the outlooks for California, Los Angeles and the East Bay as well as performing a number of specialized forecasts for regions and industries. Dr. Thornberg lectures on a regular basis at a variety of public and private events, has appeared on CNN, Fox News and CNBC and is widely quoted in the press. He received his Ph.D in Business Economics from The Anderson School and his B.S. in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He specializes in International and Labor Economics. Dr. Thornberg continues to teach in the MBA program at UCLA and previously held a faculty position in the economics department at Clemson University.

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Friday, November 23, 2007

Christopher Thornberg of Beacon Economics #43

Christopher Thornberg is back with Bruce Norris discussing recent CEOs being fired or leaving financial firms, past bubbles vs. current real estate bubble, bond ratings, affordability issues in real estate, Super SIV fund, how real estate will change consumer spending, how foreclosures will effect prices, foreclosures in some of the most respected and stable financial institutions, possible bank solutions, what rental markets will do in the coming years, and why banks will have a hard time if they set bad precedents.

Christopher Thornberg is a founding partner of Beacon Economics. Dr. Thornberg is an expert in the study of regional economies, real estate dynamics, labor markets and business forecasting. He has been involved in a number of special studies measuring the impact of important events on the economy, including the NAFTA treaty, the California power crisis, port security, California water transfer programs and the September 11th terrorist attacks. Prior to launching Beacon he worked with the UCLA Anderson Forecast where he regularly authored the outlooks for California, Los Angeles and the East Bay as well as performing a number of specialized forecasts for regions and industries. Dr. Thornberg lectures on a regular basis at a variety of public and private events, has appeared on CNN, Fox News and CNBC and is widely quoted in the press. He received his Ph.D in Business Economics from The Anderson School and his B.S. in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He specializes in International and Labor Economics. Dr. Thornberg continues to teach in the MBA program at UCLA and previously held a faculty position in the economics department at Clemson University.

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Friday, November 16, 2007

Jack Kyser of LAEDC #42

Bruce Norris is joined once again by Chief Economist for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), Jack Kyser. Bruce and Jack discuss how California will deal with budget shortfalls because of real estate, California's 10% budget shortfall, borrowing into the future, how the election year could affect us, possible changes in the bankruptcy laws, new Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limits, California real estate transaction numbers, recent auctions, California rental markets, interest rate hikes, tax law changes, what it could mean if a democrat takes office, and where California is at in the current market correction.

Jack Kyser is the Chief Economist on the staff of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). Called the "guru of the Los Angeles economy" by the Los Angeles Business Journal, Mr. Kyser is responsible for interpreting and forecasting economic trends in the Los Angeles five-county area (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties), and for analyzing the major industries of the area. Utilizing this information, he helps develop job retention and creation strategies for Los Angeles County. Mr. Kyser's advice is frequently sought by business, government and the media.

The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) is a private, not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is leadership in the retention and creation of jobs and economic base in the Los Angeles area. Mr. Kyser's analytical research work and insightful knowledge of the regional economy has helped to elevate the LAEDC to recognition as the pre-eminent source of economic information and forecasts on Southern California.

Prior to joining the LAEDC, Mr. Kyser was chief economist for the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Kyser has also worked for Security Pacific National Bank, First Interstate Bank (then United California Bank). Mr. Kyser later joined Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha, Nebraska, where he was transportation economist. He has also taught economics at the University of Nebraska--Omaha, and served as a business reporter and commentator for radio station KVNO-FM, also in Omaha.

A native of California, Mr. Kyser was born in Huntington Park and currently resides in Downey. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial design and an MBA from the University of Southern California. He has also pursued additional course work at UCLA.

Mr. Kyser serves on the Economic Policy Council of the California Institute, the research and policy arm of the California Congressional Delegation. He also serves on the economic advisors panel for the California Chamber of Commerce. He is also a past president of the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Association of Business Economists; a member of Lambda Alpha--a land economics fraternity; and on the board of directors of the South Park Economic Development Corporation, and the Building Owners & Managers Association of Greater Los Angeles.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Jack Kyser of LAEDC #41

Bruce Norris is joined by Chief Economist for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), Jack Kyser. Bruce and Jack discuss how global markets are important to the LA forecast, how forecasting has changed in the last 25 years, the huge role the entertainment industry plays in the Los Angeles economy, how different economists can come up with drastically different forecasts, the speculator vs. the investor, how less taxes will effect LA, if we'll see a recession in California, interest rates, if the FED getting involved is helping, what other industries will see a decline in California because of real estate, and Jack's outlook on LA commercial real estate.

Jack Kyser is the Chief Economist on the staff of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). Called the "guru of the Los Angeles economy" by the Los Angeles Business Journal, Mr. Kyser is responsible for interpreting and forecasting economic trends in the Los Angeles five-county area (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties), and for analyzing the major industries of the area. Utilizing this information, he helps develop job retention and creation strategies for Los Angeles County. Mr. Kyser's advice is frequently sought by business, government and the media.

The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) is a private, not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is leadership in the retention and creation of jobs and economic base in the Los Angeles area. Mr. Kyser's analytical research work and insightful knowledge of the regional economy has helped to elevate the LAEDC to recognition as the pre-eminent source of economic information and forecasts on Southern California.

Prior to joining the LAEDC, Mr. Kyser was chief economist for the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Kyser has also worked for Security Pacific National Bank, First Interstate Bank (then United California Bank). Mr. Kyser later joined Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha, Nebraska, where he was transportation economist. He has also taught economics at the University of Nebraska--Omaha, and served as a business reporter and commentator for radio station KVNO-FM, also in Omaha.

A native of California, Mr. Kyser was born in Huntington Park and currently resides in Downey. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial design and an MBA from the University of Southern California. He has also pursued additional course work at UCLA.

Mr. Kyser serves on the Economic Policy Council of the California Institute, the research and policy arm of the California Congressional Delegation. He also serves on the economic advisors panel for the California Chamber of Commerce. He is also a past president of the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Association of Business Economists; a member of Lambda Alpha--a land economics fraternity; and on the board of directors of the South Park Economic Development Corporation, and the Building Owners & Managers Association of Greater Los Angeles.

Friday, November 2, 2007

Mike Cantu #40

Bruce is joined once again my Mike Cantu. In this interview, Mike talks about his plans for this cycle, how people without great wealth can participate in this cycle, why attitude is everything, working with Realtors, Mike’s criteria for properties, favorite target rentals, auctions, his long-term strategy, rentals in a down market, and how Mike does not use property managers.
Mike Cantu is undoubtedly one of Southern California's best real estate investors and a long-time friend of The Norris Group. Mike Cantu, 46 years old, has been a full time Real Estate Investor for over 25 years. This is round three of a down market for him. Mike runs a Buy/Sell operation, wholesales, and manages a rental property portfolio.
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