If you keep up with the real estate blogosphere’s most widely read blogs, you probably know that Lawrence Yun, NAR’s Chief Economist, has been constantly under fire over the past year. Not only does Dr. Yun take heat from many in the media for NAR’s rosy economic outlooks and the continual downward revisions of forecasts, but the criticism has even spread to REALTORS themselves. Recently, some have noticed that perhaps Dr. Yun is presenting more realistic projections and reports. They cite NAR’s new research area (complete with an RSS feed), and a few new reports from Dr. Yun that present forecasts that resonate with the rank and file member’s view of the market. Are you seeing this shift? And if you could ask Dr. Yun one question, what would you ask?

I have been invited to offer a few comments on VARBuzz and appreciate the willingness for Scott and Ben to afford me a few inches of valuable space. These guys have really put themselves out there and it must be a very exciting time for the Virginia REALTORS®.

As to offering a bit of content related to today’s market conditions, we have been lauding the announcement that HUD has come out with some conforming loan limit caps which are actually higher than what was expected. There is even an appeal process, I’m told, should an area feel they have not gone quite far enough. So to those of you who seem to perennially reflect on how government agencies don’t work or don’t care - at this time, on this issue - these folks ‘get it.’ They’re trying to be part of the solution rather than the problem. So give ‘em a hand, you’ll be amazed at how well intentioned they really are!

Blogmaster’s note: Determine FHA’s new loan limits using their new interactive online tool.