by Calculated Risk on 8/28/2013 07:52:00 PM

An interesting article from Shaila Dewan at the NY Times: Tensions on the Cul-de-Sac

Across the country, a growing number of single-family rentals provide an option for many who lost their homes in the housing crash through foreclosure and for those who cannot obtain a mortgage under today’s tougher credit conditions. But the decline in homeownership is also changing many neighborhoods in profound ways, including reduced home values, lower voter turnout and political influence, less social stability and higher crime.

“When there are fewer homeowners, there is less ‘self-help,’ like park and neighborhood cleanup, neighborhood watch,” said William M. Rohe, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who has just completed a review of current research on homeownership’s effects.

Even conscientious landlords and tenants invest less in their property than owner-occupants, he said. “Who’s going to paint the outside of a rental house? You’d almost have to be crazy.”

Thursday:
• 8:30 AM ET, The initial weekly unemployment claims report will be released. The consensus is for claims to decrease to 330 thousand from 336 thousand last week.

• Also at 8:30 AM, Q2 GDP (second estimate). This is the second estimate of Q2 GDP from the BEA. The consensus is that real GDP increased 2.2% annualized in Q2, revised up from the advance estimate of 1.7% in Q2

• Note: The FDIC Q2 Quarterly Banking Profile could be released tomorrow or Friday.