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Consumer’s are changing…does your business?

Questions have been asked about whether this recession, sometimes dubbed “The Great Recession” has in fact changed America and perhaps more importantly, changed our behavior as consumers.  If a new survey from Trulia.com is an indication…the answer is yes. Interesting facts:

1.  19% of respondents are more negative about homeownership than they were 6 months ago

2.  37% of American see their ideal home as being less than 2000 sq ft…big deal out here in the Southwest where homes have been built bigger and bigger

Change is not a negative in and of itself.  However, not recognizing change has occurred and then thoughtfully planning for it is.

Underwater and Not Walking Away: Shame, Fear and the Social Management of the Housing Crisis

Tucson, AZ – Brent White, a law professor at the University of Arizona Law School has released a white paper, “Underwater and Not Walking Away: Shame, Fear and the Social Management of the Housing Crisis”, looking at why homeowners are not walking away from their mortgages in larger numbers.

  “individual homeowners tend to ignore market and legal norms under which strategic default might not only be a viable option but also the wisest financial decision” -White, p. 2
White argues that societal pressures and all too common cliches are at work to keep individuals in mortgages that show little hope of ever being right side up again.  Additionaly, there is a double standard at play whereby compnaies (think GM) are able to go bankrupt and discharge signifigant debts incurred during a different economic environment…but not individual homeowners.  Really?

Check out Professor White’s paper here : http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1494467##

Check out a recent WSJ Blog: http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2009/11/18/for-the-young-giving-the-house-back-to-the-bank-is-no-biggie/

See Professor White in action: