" We've all seen this chart http://calculatedrisk.blogspot.com/2007/10/imf-mortgage-reset-chart.html real estate has a noted 18.2 year cycle. The last peak coming in 1987 along with the stock market top and bottoming in 1996 when Orange County, Ca. filed for bankruptcy. As the IMF chart shows we're still on that cycle with the "bottom" coming in sometime in 2013/14. There really is nothing we can do, a market is a market is a market. Back in 1937 interest rates went back down to 1.5% which we recently saw (Fed Funds) and we really didn't see any improvement until WWII ended. It's been a very long time since we had a really good recession, and judging by the way the large central bankers are spewing trillions into the system, we're only delaying the inevitable. All we've managed to do is marginalize the weak, while the bell curve festers. "

" You'll always have criminals pleading their case about unfair treatment,how everyone is wrong except them.But realistically less than 1% of police are abusive in their job. "

" There is something wrong everywhere when it comes to housing. Why did that ABC TV show that helps people with housing have to bail out a mother and her four kids in Kirkland, WA? Doesn't the Seattle area have all sorts of industry and high paying jobs? It's like a tale of two economies - trillions in one economy, $11 a hour in another. And when it came to holiday bonuses, a capitalist investment institution in NYC went communist overnight - everyone got the same bonus. The people who did NOT invest in the sub prime scheme were NOT rewarded for their wise financial decisions. Too bad no one does math anymore other than "a million for me, $11 an hour for you". "

" I have lived in lake havasu for over 20 years and to blame the economy on the police and the judges in this city is crazy.I have never in the 20 years ever got a ticket for anything and neither have any of my family or friends.Some of you might want to look at the way you drive and the way you conduct yourself before blaming the police and every judge for the economy.You would have to blame every police department and judge in the united states because if you have not noticed the economy with bush running things stinks everywhere.This president has embarrassed and hurt every veteran that has served there country by cutting not only the VA benefits but everything that once made this country worth serving.What person would want to take over as president with the mess we have now. "

" I agree with sreynolds, keep the housing market high enough to keep the gangs out. Does Havasu have a law on how many people, to one residence? I hearsay that they pool their money and all live in one place. beds in closets. "

" Reaper had it mostly right. The ones to blame, if you feel the need to, should be the realtors, economic development officials, and the builders themselves. They allowed, and often fueled the real estate debacle we've seen in the last few years. Here's a big part of the problem: Sometime last year/late 2005, it was reported that the average Havasu citizen made about $11.00/hr and that the average price of a home was $260-$270k. It doesn't take a mathematician to figure out that home prices were, and still are, severely over-inflated. For the most part, Out-of-towners were the only people who could really afford to buy homes here. Thanks to ridiculous loan structuring, others who thought they could afford a home, added themselves to the problem. Now, what happens when the economy takes a hit, out-of-towners stop buying/investing, bad credit decisions slap boorowers in the face, and real estate prices are ridiculously out of hand? The whole industry takes a huge hit, and when the dominoes fall, businesses go down, many are left without jobs, and the problems only continue to pile up. It's a downward spiral that only time can correct. Hold on though! Because we will pull out of it, but things will only get worse before it gets better. "

" Sorry no relation to the other Mr. Reynolds, other than some distant cousin somewhere maybe, I actually live in Torrance, Ca. Also have never had a run in with your police department other than asking for ID, so can't comment on that. I will give you one observation though, I remember being a kid going out to the Sand Bar having a blast dancing and having fun, everyone just being silly. Then a new type of person started showing up, much more aggressive and then the stabbing and hard drugs, now we stay away. Los Angeles gangs like MS13 El Salvador/Mexican Mafia are targeting your town as a vacation spot, this is a fact, check out the forums. It's easy pickings for them, you're not use to living and dealing with them, so they can pretty much cause problems and you can't really deal with it. You don't have crash units, huge gang intervention programs or big fire power. You don't have those lines drawn in the sand like LA where gang members know not to enter this area or else. Also, look at other areas that are creeping closer to you like Victorville and San Bernardino and see the infiltration of these problem people into those areas, these types are making their way towards you. They're all looking for cheaper areas to live as LA has priced them out of the market, LHC is a prime location. I'm not saying everything is perfect although I think LHC is a wonderful place, I just think you had better think long and hard about taking the teeth out of your judicial system, LA is a great example of what happens when you lose control. Not sure what this all has to do with building, but as Havasu grows both physically and culturally these issues will need to be addressed, how do you see Havasu growing up? "

" Crime is a problem Bill. The crime is that the cops are making up charges against people and the former cop/ current Judge does not recuse himself because he has the appearence of conflict over the department he supervised. Its in the Judicial cannons, city statue, and federal law. "

" I feel the reasoning for an upside down real estate market is soley based on two elements: Investors and Real Estate Agents. They effectively turned this city into an episode of "Flip this House". The prices were low enough in pre-existing times to buy a nice house, add some ammenities then sell at an inflated rate.....then repeat. Now the unsavvy investor or purchasee is in a $340,000, that is county appraised at $250,000. We're in a free market so there is nothing illegal about this, it -was- a quick way to turn a good profit. But this has left investors running for the hills and real estate agents scratching their heads. I don't believe it's rocket science here. Of course there are more elements but based on a what I have personally seen transpire here, it was a feeding frenzy of investors with the help of local real estate agents and some mortgage companies that have turned our local economy into a slump. They had their hayday and I guess now they will have to tighten their belts just like everyone else. I don't understand what cops and judges have to do with the housing market, but I guess to each their own. "

" Cmon, crime waves-corrupt police, old west judges. People you really are reaching! I have been back and forth to Havasu since the early 90's. The economy stalled there because of over speculation. Too much being built to fast and not enough cheap money to buy them up. Homes got too expensive too fast and boaters couldn't afford to come out and boat anymore because gas cost a fortune. It will all come back around again, it always does. I for one will not be around to hope for it or watch the economy crawl back from the depths of depression it is now in. I still own realestate there and will hold on to it for many years if I can. It is an awesome place to live and have fun if you can afford to. Back in 05 when things were jamming and money was flowing we spent weekends on the river in the summer and weekends in Glammis in the winter "so much fun that can't be matched anywhere else"! Someday when I am a snowbird I will be able to do all that again. Until then back to a state with WORK and traffic and population! Good luck Havasu and good luck to all of my friends that are going to try and stick it out until it comes back around. "

" crime is up and it needs to be stopped or no one will want to come here. I don't believe in bad cops, but something has to be done to stop the corruption.it should have been stopped when the channel first started to get too wild. "

" I dont know if Havasu has been getting LA's bad cops but we are getting someone's and more than the average. Havasu has come a long way. In the mid 90's it seemed that you could not give property away here but now we cant get people to show up the last few years because the small minds of our town have decided that being from California on Vacation is illegal in Havasu. I have a strong feeling that those who are defending the actions of bad cops and bad judges are the bad cops and bad judges. "

" If you are interested in Hanging Judges or are ok with Police who have no respect for the law or individual rights Iran might be the place for you. They have little crime, little dissent, and dont worry about pesky things like fair trials, lawyers or any other thing that gets in the way of putting anyone the state wants in jail like criminals, out of state people, or even homosexuals in jail. I am appauled by Bill and those with his attitude. What we NEED is respect for the law. By the citizens and MOST IMPORTANTLY by those charged with enforcing it. We can see by the case in Chicago where a police officers wife is missing and he had years of crimes agianst her and others ignored by those charged with enforcing it. Cops let each other get away with breaking the law and now in Havasu they are making up charges against people so thier former boss who is now a Judge will convict. That is a digusting system and anyone who thinks that is ok or defends it should get a huge chuck of coal. BTW if you do defend it you are aiding and abbetting a CRIME that you YOU a criminal. "

" crime is the problem in this town ,we need a hanging judge to eradicate the garbage "

" It is really funny to read how our city makes it policy to go after out of towners as a source of revenue for the courts and then see so many complain when people stop coming for tourism and then spread the word so people stop coming to live here and even established families leave. Its time to face up to what we have done. You dont have to like the tourist that come here but dont *make up* charges against them and not expect some kind of retribution. I would think the simple thing to do would be to fire the Judge who is not qualified to hold the position anyway and has been punished by the state and tell the police to obey the laws they are to enforce. SIMPLE. "

" DEAR BAD COPS MOVING HERE,BELIEVE ME THEY ARE NOT MOVING TO HAVASU ,I KNOW BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL STILL IN LA.IM NOT SAYING BAD COPS ARE OK.IM SAYING HAVASU DOESNT HAVE THEM!OR JUDGES OR ANY SUCH THING!JUST MY OPINION!BE HAPPY WITH YOUR BEuTIFULL CITY ,I SURE MISS IT AND LONG TO RETURN! "

" Many things are to blame, not just a few BAD COPS. Economies are particular to your environment. If we had defense industries hear, we would be thriving! It’s better & worse depending on what’s in your community and industry. Remember the auto industry or NAFTA business exodus? Those communities, economy went bad. Communities like Orlando or Anaheim, Business may have slowed a bit, but still thrives! Call hotels there & ask how booking has been. Havasu is a very new city. Where did the people come from? Tourism was the 1st thing that put Havasu on the map, lets face it. ASK YOURSELF if you would have moved here 20 years ago without a river? No river, who would have come in 60’s or 70’s. Would most new comers have moved here without the recent shopping like Wal Mart, shops, and food stores? Some, it’s a place to work, for most, it’s a place to tour and vacation. Did most not vacation here 1st before deciding to move here? Why Havasu and not Indio as most of us are from CA? The river. CA $$$ went farther in Havasu and most saw Havasu as a Pioneer town real estate in 99-04. Laborers now had work in a town that was cheap to live. Overnight contract companies where taking 2nds on there home to suck up cheep land to flip it 5-10times the price. I still have those colored flyers from home builders that had prices from $70,000 to $90,000 on your lot in 2000 (remember the Model Home on the corner you would see off 95 near Mulberry on Lake Have ave & Pena Ln that was starting @ $78,000 on you lot banner you’d pay 200+ to build 3 years later). No one is really to blame other than a chance to make it big, fast! If I had a chance, I would do it too! We are like the Gold Rush Towns of the Past that are now economic ghost towns. I agree that “SOME” police are not educated enough to use friendlier tactics in dealing with the community. Tell someone to “F” off and get taken away in hand cuffs seems like 2nd Amendment rights don’t exist in Havasu. Why not welcome party goers with a warning 1st as they may not know there breaking city law? “Welcome to Havasu, We want you to have a good time! Here is a list of ordinances you might be violating. Just to let you know you might be violating. Most don’t want to go to jail but find themselves there for doing what they always have done in the past, Party! SReynolds (LHCPD Lt Reynolds?) We should get back to our roots and make Havasu a place for people to party in the summer and by allowing more boat access ramps and beaches like the sand bar or bring in sand to make new beaches that would bring more $$$ that would pay for more PD jobs to show of force, not employ force! Be friendly! Get the word out, we want you to come back! There are always trouble makers in every crowd, some would think the solution is not having crowds is the answer for the economy? This is HAVASU that was put on the map by boaters, not Bible belt Texarkana Arkansas. People are shocked because string bikinis are seen in the store like most CA beach businesses. Did most who moved here not know that when you go to the beach or lake, people like to play, have fun, get a little rowdy and drink. Why did YOU decide to move here? It’s like moving into Disney and complaining about crowds. The Gas Price hurting Havasu economy IS weak! My v8 truck takes $37.50 to fill @ $1.50 per gal & $75 @$3 to get to LA. $37.50 extra aint going to stop me from taking a trip once and a while at a chance to relax. Come to Havasu & Escape LA for a weekend should be our focus. Add more winter events to Havasu Like off road races or fairs. World on better POLICE policies in public events!!!!! Contractors or home owners… Lower you prices before you loose and in the end, we all loose! Pay better wages if you can! Support local events and spend money here if you can! Show support and get involved! "

" I just finished laughing, so I figured I had better write about this. I have lived here for over 40 years, and apart from the couple of speeding tickets (2 before I was 21 and 1 about 2 years ago, and yes, I was speeding) I cannot remember anytime I have been involved with our "corrupt police," or our "corrupt, uneducated judge," or the "system," as some of you seem to like to call it. I love how you whiners like to make every paper posting about your troubles 'with the law.' Could it possibly be that you are the problem and our 'system' is getting better at catching your sorry a$$? I hope so. AND, as far as the housing market goes, remember, the builders only build what the market wants to buy. A few years ago they were selling houses in the $100 per foot range, then the market decided to want granite slab countertops, tiled garage floors, etc., and stuff and presto, the cost and selling price went up to $125....Hello?!?!?!? You can still build a home in this town for $70 on your level lot if you will handle lower ceilings, tile and carpet w/o any granite, shingle rooftops, etc. I know, I just finished designing one for myself after looking at 7 lots I loved all listed at $95,000 or less (all had a view, were level and pre-graded, and were previously priced over $150,000). I have given up on the building process, though, because Friday I signed a deal on an existing home instead - 2,000 sf, pool, spa, walled yard, unreal lake view, and on a lot which is over 1/2 an acre with plenty of privacy..... all for $200,000. The same house was bought a year ago at over 300,000. Oh, and my 30 yr fixed is at 6.5 so you know, it's time to stop whining - I have rented the last few years knowing that this return to reality slow down was coming and here it is - time to buy, buy, buy, or maybe say bye bye bye and go back to wherever you came from. Lastly, yes, this slump is filtering throughout our local economy, Mr. Schultz is right when he says that. Sure remodelling is waaayyy up, but that is not at all equivalent to building a new home. For example, I will be spending about $5,000 on some new carpeting and wood floors, and maybe a couple of kitchen appliances in January. Even if I went and built my little home at $70 per foot I'd have to purchase the whole deal - all kitchen appl, water softener, r/o, some furniture, blinds, lansdcaping and irrigation, floor coverings, etc. and of course all the labor to install that stuff, which involves lots of people and perhaps $40,000 more than my little remodelling budget of $5,000. I look forward to the day when the balance is restored and there is a happy balance of builders, realtors, labor, and stuff selling so everyone is able to make a living, but right now it is still a bit lopsided. "

" vet the problem with Havasu is the police and the Judge. The economy did not go bad until the Democrats took over the power of the purse. "

" Put the blame where it belongs and that is at bush and chenys door step.You people who blame the police and everyone except bush have never worked construction in havasu.Most of the houses that are being built are for working people not the very rich and with bush and his GREAT economy as he calls it most people are out of work.It would still be construction boom in havasu if we did not have the biggest idiot there ever was for a president.And this is from another veteran that bush has cut the benefits to and is paying almost 4 dollars a gallon for gas.Stop putting out a billon dollars a week for a war that is not protecting this country one bit.A lot of people in havasu would love to have the clinton years back. "

" Please leave Walmart alone. It is not like the goverment giving out welfare like salaries to all the non producing workers. (see City Counsil salaries..)At Walmart you start with the minimum wage and you stay there until you worth more. Unfortunately some of my collegues are not worth more. For the poor people is very good to buy things for cheep. "

" To SReynolds,Thank you for the positive post.We think Havasu is Paradise too.We own a home there and we will be moving there in June.We are from gray,rainy,depressing,Seattle.We have this kind of weather all the time with the exception of 6 weeks usually in the summer although we didn`t even have that last year.We have shootings every day even in the suburbs.Not to mention the hour and a half commutes each way every day.For all you complainers come up here and live and see how you like it.We intend to become a part of this wonderful community and do positive things for this city.I remember a time in Seattle it got so bad when Boeing was laying off people were walking away from their homes.There was a sign that said The Last People To Leave Seattle Turn Off The Lights!It recovered and so will Havasu!Merry Christmas To All! "

" Havasu in LA thinks that its ok for cops to be corrupt and Judges to not give fair trials? That would make Havasu more like LA than crime would. How many cops, entire police divisions, have been shut down due to corruption? Did those cops move here to become cops? Is that the problem? We are getting LA rejected cops and judges? "

" are all of you locals nuts?i have lived in havasu,i live in la due to reasons other than work.corrupt police?you get beat walking down the street here.we we cant see our mountains just a few miles away!2 hours to get home and only work 15 miles away!economy has stopped not slowed!our houses have dropped 10 to 20%like every where!we get shot at going to the store or driving down the 405.the police are only trying to prevent havasu from becoming little la do0nt believe me come to la! decide for yourself,havasu truly is paradise,cant wait to come back to a quieter havasu without all you winers!! merry christmas! "

" Honestly, I look at LHC and see nothing but opportunity. Very few cities in the world have access to the types of activities that Havasu has to offer, my God you have the entire Colorado River on your front door step and you can't figure out how to market around that. Oh and by the way your next door neighbor is Southern California, one of the richest areas on the planet. Not to mention September through May LHC has the best weather anywhere in the country. Get out of your funk, put that American pride back into your step and build your empire, everything is in front of you, use it. Havasu is just in a growing up phase, a little investment in technology and infrastructure and people will be beating down your door to be part of this great city. Here's to the Red White and Blue, baby. "

" Move out: I was in the same boat as you in waiting for a slip, they told me I had to wait over a year to get a slip. So I find it very interesting that after I sold my boat to my pretty sister she went down to the marina to get on the list and was given a slip THAT DAY!! Seems to me something is fishy at the Marina! If you're a man you have to wait a year, but if your a good looking lady you get a slip right away. Yes, something fishy indeed! "

" If it is so bad for contractors, why is it so hard to get a contractor to return your phone calls for home improvements? I've been trying to get an addition added to my home and no one ever returns my calls. "

" yuma. Great city, beautiful, and the police are not corrupt and the judge has not been disiplined by the state for violations of cannon. Havasu vs Yuma? Run for the border. Tourism is up, housing stable, and the city government interested in the constitution. No contest! Yuma. "

" Better off elsewhere, you got to be kidding me - yuma over lake havasu. I'm glad you're not my financial advisor. "

" look at the listings 1750 sqf for 485.000come on you got to be kiding no wonder the market is dying no one will buy for 400 a sqf are people in havasu blind to the situation in the housing market the realtors need to educate the sellers for reallity and mayby sell a house "

" Dan. You would be better off in Yuma. Web search corrupt and Havasu. Decide for yourself. "

" Hey Lyla...Good riddens. For the likes you is what caused the housing bust. "

" I know the real estate market is down...but I'm looking to purchase a duplex in Lake Havasu or Yuma. Does anyone know of anyone selling something under $175,000 privately contact peacock@shaw.ca "

" you said it in a nutshell, you made your fast money - so I'm glad you left. We're here for the long-term. I hope you find your next gold rush. "

" 1. Real Estate is down all over the country. ALL OVER!!! Lake Havasu is no exception. 2. Job growth is down all over the country, Lake Havasu is no exception. 3. Tourism is down all over the country, Lake Havasu is no exception. Lake Havasu, in order for it to abstain,must face the facts and realize that tourism and construction can no longer be the mainstay of its economy. City Council, please no more surveys or independant studies that cost us taxpayers money!!! Common sense tells us that Lake Havasu needs quality jobs, not jobs from General Dollar or Walmart but jobs that people can support a family on. "

" Well if your not happy with the news today, just wait till tomorrow as it will only get worse. Blame anyone or anything you like, police, tourists, speculators, builders, laws, judges or tweekers. Did i leave anyone out? The housing market sucks, everywhere. Get over it. "

" People, this is not just happening in LH, I have been to many states and the same thing is happening ALL over! People aren't going out to eat as much, donations are down at a record high, tourism is down ALL over, summer and winter and every month in between. Every company is effected. Yes, housing prices soared and people bought. Everyone became a realtor! The banks were the ones making the most money, by giving people loans for more than the house was worth. Now everyone is crying because the economy is drying up. For one thing, we are paying too much in energy and gas costs and people are spending their money on that. We have a beautiful house for sale for under $200k-can't give it away! So we just sit tight and things will turn around. You can't blame the police for everything! "

" Bob, Amen brutha. "

" What are you talking about? I signed up more than a year ago to have a permanent slip at the Lake Havasu Marina and I still have 300+ people ahead of me. Where is the recession? The tourist are not coming? Come on.. Can you drop a needle at the Canal Summer time? Look at the MLS listing nice old homes for sale an a big lot with a lake view for less than 199k. It is not expensive. But if you are a greedy contractor who was building a 2000 sq house on a 3000sq no view lot and the asking price is +500k. This place is not for you... "

" the housing market was going to burst...everyone had to see this coming..we built 2 new homes in havasu and flipped them both because the market was getting so over priced. Once we sold..we could not afford to live there..and Havasu isn't that great..especially for the working and middle class..we were lucky-we got out two years ago..got good money and moved to another state..where housing is reasonable, there is good job growth and the wages are better...for the post about people remodeling keeping business going..well you must not have been around new construction. remodels can't even put a dent in what the new construction did for the town..and when jobs get lost..people get desperate and crime goes up..It is a sad cycle..We like to visit Havasu to see friends and I always read the paper to see what's going on..I think it's going to take a long time to rebound. "

" Man oh Man! what the heck is going on in LHC? It is amazing how an article about slow building turns into crooked cops, judges and Californians. Guess what I am from California. I have owned a home in LHC for seven years. I stay there at least seventy-five days out of the year. I spend more money then I care to try and calculate, boat repairs, gas restaurants, property taxes etc. I have heard some of you blame the whole housing problem on Californians. How many of you are NATIVE (and I don't mean Indians)LHC residents. In fact most that I talk to are from somewhere in the midwest where it snows like hell and yes California too. What is also amazing are all of the comments about bad cops and judges. Guess what I spend more time on that channel, sandbar and steamboat then most. I have never had anything but good interaction with law enforcement. It is probably because I don't drink, violate laws, and do things that attract the attention of the police. It is no coincedence that the people getting busted from California, Phoenix, and yes LHC are usualy drunk, boats overloaded, etc. Guess what they need to be busted! Now back to the housing problem. In case you have not noticed it is everywhere. We are getting hit with slow sales, depreciation just like everyone else. The current situation is very similar to the dot-com bust of the nineties. There are many reasons for where we are today. but the bottom line is for those of us that are fortunate enough to have owned our homes for the last ten years, many of us have doubled and even tripled our value from our initial purchase price, that's good economy. Lets say this situation bottoms out at 30% less than your current appraised value your still way ahead of the game, it's all good! It's FREE money! For those that did not or could not buy when the getting was good, that's economics and the way the cookie crumbles, you will have your turn when it is right for you. For those of you that went out and bought when you could not afford it and got into a sub-prime, lousy loan just to get in, you gotta problem. You may very well be upside down on your home with the only choice to hang on if possible or give it back to the bank. Those that are angry they were out priced should be grateful they did not buy, because they would likely be in a huge mess now. For the one's that did buy when they should not have, well they should not have! and have nobody to blame but themselves. So in closing all of you ANGRY LHC locals that think all of your problems are everyone else's fault relax,get a life and move on! Oh Yah, Merry Christmas and quit being a bunch of Scrooges! "

" How many people really think a strong Police Dept and a capable Judge is whats keeping LHC home construction down.Why not blame Global warming or the Easter bunny.You morons who rant about your own shortcomings by blaming the police for doing their job are really weak "

" With the attitude that some on this board have for those in California, the treatment of those from california by the police and the corrupt judge in Havasu I dont think you will be seeing California business owners coming to Havasu even if there was some special reason to do it. "

" I have been told by my friends in Kansas they will not come to visit me here based on the reviews they have read on the internet about the police and courts here and my friends husband is a retire police officer. The word is getting around. "

" ? - thanks for the common sense. Construction and real estate benefitted from this 'gold rush' during this growth period. Take your profits and look for the next frontier (and quit whining). "

" The price of housing is directly linked to the laws of supply and demand. Sometimes prices go up, which was the case awhile back and sometimes they stall or fall slightly. What you are experiencing in LHC is not new. It's discouraging if you are the unfortunate person who bought high and now have top sell. For people who make the investment and are in it for the long haul an investment in real estate is always a wise one. In the short term you may have to broaden your search for customers to purchase real estate. Since the rise in the Canadian dollar many of us are looking to purchase property in a warmer climate. I have enjoyed several winters in LHC and I must say you folks have a wonderful place. I hope that things improve for you and I know that it will. In the mean time don't give up, advertise your wonderful city North of the border and we shall come! "

" bring lot and construction cost and prices on pre owned homes in line and people will buy the over inflated construction charge of 200.00$ per sqf is redicculess and homes have ben build 2 or 3 years ago worth half the money except no one wants to see it i hope the foreclosure rate in havasu is going to be triple then now as long you see 1800 to 2000 sqf and asking prices of 450 or more come on i am glad all this high nosed realtors starving and need to go to wallmart for a job o i forgot its to good for them to get any job "

" STOP BEING SO NEGATIVE MR SCHULTZ We certainly don't need any more inventory of homes on the market today so unless someone is building a home to live in, there's really no need to build any more homes. What about homeowners that have chosen to remodel or add on to their existing homes instead of trying to sell right now? Home many people are remodeling their current residence? Those remodelers and their contractors are purchasing lumber, carpet and such. How many people are upgrading their current bathroom or kitchens? They are purchasing new cabinetry, appliances, countertops and such. Just because new homes aren't being built doesn't mean the entire industry has come to a stand still. This day was going to come because there are only so many lots to build on and the new developments we have in town, quite frankly, aren't for the average homebuyer. So yes, the market is slow, new home starts are down but the sun will still come up tomorrow and the days of pulling 60-100 permits per month are gone. Quite living in the past and start working on the future. And the future in Lake Havasu IS NOT new home construction. "

" could this be the beginning of a long cold winter, even in the hot Lake Havasu summer. We'll have to wait and see. "

" I'm very Sorry to see this town go through this, there really is no end in the forseeable future to this trend, barring California business owners moving their businesses East to states such as AZ where the restrictions are not as great; or a Terrorist attack in a major west coast city that forces people to get out of large Metro areas. Aside from that, people I'm talking to surmise it will be 2 - 3 years minimum of this dwindling new construction activity here. "

" Well maybe a miracle will happen and they'll begin to lower their idiotic prices,but I doubt it.They think LHC is like downtown LA or SF or even LV,believe me it aint. "

" I don’t think it bailing out the financial institutions is the correct direction to take, look at the reasons for the problems. Greed, Yes I said Greed, home buyers buying a home they can’t afford, lenders giving out loans to people who should not have them, mortgage reps taking advantage of people, real-estate companies over inflating the prices of homes, contractors using illegal labor and on and on. The whole system is corrupted. Bailing them out is giving a free pass to do it all over again. "

" Sooner or later the building would have slowed. There are only so many lots and water. The city reaches it's 97,000 mark in the near future and all residential must stop. No? So a slow down should have been expected. "

" Well that is what you get when you over-inflate the prices of land and homes so people who actually live and work here cannot afford to purchase anything. I am looking up the page as I type this at the four houses for sale above, a trailer for $119,900 - then a jump to $219,000 for a small under 1,500 sq ft home. Yesterday there wasn't a house listed there for under $300,000. Come on...I love living here the weather is great, but Havasu is not all that. We have low paying jobs, even if you are educated and/or experienced in a trade. People (wealthy) from other states were coming here and buying homes or second homes because it was the "trend" set. What happens when that trend is over? No one buying and housing market goes down and takes everything here right along with it. It is not rocket science. Not to mention all the people who bought above their means because of low interest rates, interest only mortgages, ARM's, and the like. How many are in foreclosure in Mohave County? That has an effect on the housing market also. Powers that be....don't have a brain! "

" Along with this slump in new houses,goes lost revenue from visitors due to the lake havasu police dept and a shaddy court system what is next? papers and the internet already have been and still are talking about go to havasu and and leave on probation next summer season will be a site to see with 50% of the tourist going to other places due to the way lake havasu runs its town "

" Lets start at the beginning. Tony (the reporter) had a story on how the tourism is down now that Havasu has passed the anti-tourist ordinance, and it was posted how the uneducated Judge has been disiplined by the state for being unfair to the defense. Some on this board say that it is good the tourist have stopped coming; some said it will impact all aspects of Havasu's economy. The story above is just further evidence that the hatred of the city of anyone from California is not have far reaching effects. What you reap so shall you sow. "