Are you noticing similar trend in your market?

[Sharad M.]

I thought this was a very interesting article, so I thought I share with you guys and see what you guys think of this? Are you guys noticing similar trend in your market? Is there light at the end of the tunnel, or is it a train approaching?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/business/16builder.html?ref=todayspaper

[Shanti S.]

Certainly not in my part of the country - I saw this article yesterday and almost spit out my coffee.

Just seems like a colossal waste of money and energy at a time when our nation is suffering and needs good ideas and smart investment for the long term.

Building big trophy houses in the desert with elevators in them when sound bank-owned homes all around them are being neglected into rubbish at the expense of the taxpayers? How about taking that effort and retrofitting homes for energy efficiency and a new lease on life, raising local real estate values and revitalizing broken neighborhoods in the process?

Ugh. Train approaching is the only thing I can see down this tunnel.