It rose as a result of the Great Recession, after the economy started growing again but when when it still felt to everyone who was not a professional economist that we were in a recession.The Great Recession involved a massive loss of jobs, and that caused vacancies to spike, as always happens during a recession.  

Not one economist predicted the crash of 2008.Plan for the worst scenario and take advantage of any opportunity that comes along the way.Buy below value, rehab to increase value and hold in the current market.Praveen

I'm not an economist either, but I am a data junky and I work with scientists everyday.

Great points u guys make about forbearance etc BUT remember, none of the brightest economists saw 2008 coming even though everyone knew about stated income loans etc.

In fact I think economists make some of the worst investors.

Our strengths and weaknesses will be obvious to us when writing our plan...BUT is there a system you use for determining a markets opportunities and threats, like a pros and cons type list, or is it just learning to sense the way a market will react as an overall analysis of the ,armed itself...more like an economist would?

(and I'm guessing most economists would agree)The level of intelligence of the "average American" is disgraceful, and it's time that we raise the average (or at least the median)...My guess is that intelligent people tend to vote for intelligent people, so if we were able to raise the intelligence of the average American, my guess is that we would see the intelligence of the average elected official increase as well...

That includes PHD economists and everyone on BP (including myself).  

Economists estimate home building is some five years behind the demand.Now, there is a correction coming - this much is certain.

Listening to foreign leaders and economists suggest it is a long way from getting resolved.