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» VISIT US ONLINE @ DSNEWS.COM 5 A look at facts you didn't know you couldn't live without. Compiled by the DS News Staff ATTOM Data Solutions reported that around 1.5 million single-family homes and condos were vacant as of Q4 2019. A survey by Business Insider says that more than half of millennials owe more than $100,000 on their mortgage—making housing their largest share of debt. COULD A RECESSION HIT BEFORE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION? INSIDE THE JOURNAL // ON THE WEB // THE APP SPECTRUM // MOVERS & SHAKERS TAKE A LOOK INSIDE THE NUMBERS D A T A B I T S Source: ATTOM Data, "Top 10 U.S. Counties with Worst and Best Home Affordability" COUNTIES WITH THE BEST AFFORDABILITY IN Q3 2019 COUNTIES WITH THE WORST AFFORDABILITY IN Q3 2019 1 LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA 2 COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS 3 MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA 4 SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 5 ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA 6 KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON 7 TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS 8 SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA 9 NEW YORK COUNTY, NEW YORK 10 ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA 1 HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS 2 WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN 3 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 4 CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO 5 ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 6 MECKLENBURG COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA 7 FULTON COUNTY, GEORGIA 8 SAINT LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI 9 MILWAUKEE COUNTY, WISCONSIN 10 MARION COUNTY, INDIANAPOLIS A report by the Council of Foreign Relations projects that a recession could occur as soon as the 2020 Presidential Election. e report references the years preceding the 2008 financial crisis, which saw a rising gap in the growth in home prices and household income, and a "parallel dynamic is playing out" today. "In 2018, as in 2005, housing-price growth began falling rapidly, with significant price drops occurring in several major markets… e trend-line in existing-home sales growth has also been down since 2015, tipping into negative territory at the start of last year. Similar drops have preceded nearly every recession since 1970," the report states. Additionally, the report says that if these trends continue, the economy should expect to see falls in home prices—possibly beginning by mid-2020—dragging down household spending with a falling economy. "Growth has been slowing, with Trump's tariff war hitting exports. Manufacturing is contracting. Retail sales, excluding autos, have stalled. Consumer confidence is falling," the report states. How can a possible recession be slowed? e Council of Foreign Relations said a U.S.-China trade deal, which would boost consumer confidence, is not looking like a possibility. "But all signs are that this is unlikely, given Chinese insistence that structural reforms are now off the table," the report says. e Fed has already cut interest rates twice in 2019, with a possible third cut looming. Commentary from the Council of Foreign Relations said it would "likely take more than 175 basis points of easing to prevent it." Questions surrounding a possible recession have been a major theme throughout most of 2019, with opinions divided on the topic. "is is going to be a much shorter recession than the last one," predicts George Ratiu, Senior Economist with Realtor.com. "I don't think the next recession will be a repeat of 2008...e housing market is in a better position." Additionally, the majority of economists and analysts believe the recession still has at least a year before it arrives. Just 2% of economists, strategists, academics, and policymakers believe a recession will start this year, according to a recent survey of more than 200 members of the National Association for Business Economics. Meanwhile, 38% believe one will begin in 2020, while 25% anticipate one starting in 2021. Fourteen percent expect it won't materialize until after 2021. PAGE 20 Managing Partner, Schneiderman & Sherman COUNSEL'S CORNER WITH Neil Sherman RANKING METRO RANKING METRO

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