Many people hope they would have Insider Information so they can make money in stock. Although some information is limted to certain people, but you many get some insight by observation, no matter of your position or not even working.
A cashier will know whether the business is good, an inventory clerk will know whether the inventory is moving, a housewife can see whether there are more or less people in supermarket. These all are information that we can use to make money.
If you see no traffic on the Long Island Expressway on a regular day, it may indicate trouble - people are not going anywhere.
I am a real estate agent, information I have is only limited to the Long Island Area which include Queens, Nassau & Suffolk. Although the Existing-Home Sales will not be released, by National Association of Realtors, until later this month on or about 25th, but the trend in my area will be pretty much the same as the national. More than that, from the Chart above, you may see the trend is similar to S&P 500 Index.
Because of the cycle, usually real estate activity peak in summer around Aug and bottom in Feb, so at this point I will sell stock and buy back later in lower price. If I am right I make money in stock. If I am wrong the business bloom, I make money in real estate. That is a hedge!
Disclaimer: I am not a stock broker. This is not an investment advice. I am just a real estate broker specialized in selling co-op in Queens.
Morning Kin, You are right about the cyclical nature of many markets. That said, this is a great time to buy properties at a steep discount.