Here’s how it works:Population Decline or Stagnation: If the population is static or shrinking, the current housing supply meets demand, and property prices decline (in inflation-adjusted dollars).

If the latter, people have tightened there wallets and certain areas are seeing a decline.

They ended up being super picky with mine and declining a bunch of others.

Risks: rates go down and you have to pay a prepay of 2 or 3 %; you have to sell and pay the prepay; rents decline & you can't make the payment like any other type of loan; cost upfront a little more than conventional; need to find experienced broker licensed in the state where subject property sits; servicers are bulldogs. 

This clearly has nothing to do with laws, regulations or operating numbers but I do think it plays a large role in the decline of the market.

New inventory and relisting rates have actually declined month over month which is allowing to pricing to remain elevated.

I agree that austin from up close looks like a declining market but from a birds eye view, it makes for great opportunities! 

But Detroit’s decline was vastly accelerated by people leaving for Southfield, Dearborn, Birmingham, etc. because of terrible, corrupt politicians who (Coleman Young) continued to get elected.  

Currently, Cape Coral's inventory, new listings, etc are on the decline again.As @Bernard J. implied, I would take a sizeable tax hit if I sold immediately, but again there are a lot of market conditions at play.Hey Don, thanks for this thread!

I can find properties that hit the 1% rule in some small communities, but they are having declines in population.