Just over 11 million Americans moved between March of 2010 and March of 2011, according to a new report from the U.S. Census.

That might sound like a lot, but it’s actually a record low, down from 12 and a half million who moved the previous year.

The record high was 46 million movers in 1984-85, and you have to factor in that the population has grown immensely since then.

The housing crash has left Americans stagnant, but even worse, it has left homeowners trapped. The decline in the mobility rate of those who already own homes was even more dramatic. Just 4.7 percent of homeowners moved in the past year, down from 5.2 percent the previous year, according to the Census. That translates into 9.7 million homeowners, again a record low.

The immobility of current homeowners is a huge drag on the economy; when you move, you spend money not just on the new house, but on renovations, moving trucks, travel expenses, possible temporary housing, even food when you restock the new refrigerator. There are initial payments, like setting up the new cable, installing the wifi, putting in an alarm system, registering your car in another state. Endless sectors of the economy, and even local government, benefit from American mobility, most of all being the job market itself.

Last week I heard a statistic that a few thousand jobs stood open in the month of October, unable to be filled.

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Article source: http://www.cnbc.com/id/45325063?__source=RSS*blog*&par=RSS

Now we know how Tony Bennett knew he left his heart in San Francisco – he could spot it across the bay from his fancy pants home in Belvedere. Designed by Bay Area favorite Warren Callister, the 9,500 square foot beauty is on the market for a cool $27,500,000. For your pocket change, you’re rewarded with views of the bay — all of it — from bridge to bridge and everything in between and beyond. You can be joined by hoards of your favorite people, who can relax in your 5 bedrooms or freshen up in your 7 bathrooms (4 full and 3 half, but who is counting?). There’s also a separate 1-bed, 1-bath “guest quarters” for your friends prone to walking to the refrigerator naked in the middle of the night. Problem solved: give them their own apartment. We are still trying to determine if Tony has water access, because what is the point of being on the water if you can’t get a little WaveRunner on, right? Have a garden party on one of the 3 “lawn areas” and invite us over when you do, pretty please.
· 101 Belvedere Ave [Trulia]
· With Views Stunning Enough to Capture Your Heart, Tony Bennett Lists San Francisco Home [Trulia Luxe Living]

Article source: http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2011/08/03/tonys_tony_fancy_estate_on_the_market.php