For the past 2+ years, we have been hearing that housing starts are down. In the shallow way in which our media reports things, this has been presented as something less than desirable. Although not an economist, for the same 2+ years, I have been saying that this is actually a very good thing for the long term health of both our housing market and the U.S. economy in general. Builders and investors got carried away with home construction during 2004 and 2005. They ended up putting way to much inventory into the market place than was needed. We are just now entering into a period where there is beginning to be housing shortages (in certain markets). This in turn has caused rents to increase. This is very much the case in parts of Fairfax and Arlington Counties.

The June 20th issue of the Economist contains an article entitled: “Will housing save America’s economy?” that is discussing the fact that there is a large pent up demand for new housing. To read the full Article, click on the link: Economist Article. Hope you find this of interest.

MAM Supports Lift Me Up’s

Back in the Saddle (BITS)

Please join Nancy and me for the June 20th Military Appreciation Mondays dinner where we will be hosting Lift Me Up Stables. Funds from this dinner will go towards support Lift Me Up’s BITS (Back in the Saddle) program. BITS provides therapeutic horseback riding for servicemen and women who have been injured in the line of service. We are asking everyone to make a reservation sooner rather than later since we would like to fill our room at the Old Brogue to capacity.

For those of you unfamiliar with how MAM works, you simply come out and enjoy a great dinner at the Old Brogue in Great Falls. We and our co-sponsors will each make a 10% match of your dinner tab. (At this writing, a total match of approximately 80 percent.) In March we had a match of 110 percent and so we are hoping a few of you might be willing to step forward and volunteer to be a cosponsor for this month. We will be doing two seatings at the Old Brogue, so make your reservation for either 5:30 or 7:30. To make a reservation call the Brogue at (703) 759-3309. All you need to do is pick up the phone, make a reservation and come enjoy a great dinner. Please share the attached flyer with anyone who may be interested in attending.

I can assure you that it will mean a great deal to our servicemen and women, the great people at Lift Me Up Stables and Nancy and me to see a room full of faces who recognize the sacrifices our nation’s TRUE HEROES are asked to make each and every day. Do come join us in sending the message that we truly care. Feel free to drop an e-mail or give a call if you can’t make it out for dinner, but would like to make a donation.