Category Archives: housing market

Prices Are Falling!

Popular Economics Weekly Today could be historic for inflation watchers. It’s the first time since July 2022 that retail prices as measured by the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) have declined. It will be history making and effect the financial … Continue reading

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Fewer Jobs, Lower Rates?

Popular Economics Weekly June’s unemployment report was weaker than expected. It looks like the labor market is slowing enough to convince the Fed that interest rates should come down. Not only fewer nonfarm payroll jobs were added to payrolls, but … Continue reading

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How Do We Solve It?

The Mortgage Corner I speak of the housing shortage, as much as 2 million residential units—owner-occupied and rental units—according to housing economists. What is to be done with mortgage rates at historic highs and material shortages everywhere? Much of it … Continue reading

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No More Inflation?

Popular Economics Weekly It will probably be hard to believe for those scarred by the post-pandemic inflation scare that inflation isn’t declining, but there was no inflation increase in May for both wholesale (PPI) and retail (CPI) inflation indexes. Yes, … Continue reading

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Whose Inflation Is Too High?

The Mortgage Corner Declining inflation has stalled in the first quarter, which is hurting prospects for any Fed rate cuts, and causing consumers to buy less. The inflation rate is currently stuck in the 3 percent range, though much lower … Continue reading

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Q2 Economic Growth Any Better?

The Mortgage Corner The initial estimate of first quarter 2024 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth was less than expected (1.6%), causing financial markets to panic, even though economic growth is better than the initial estimate is reporting, I said last … Continue reading

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Less Need to Worry in 2024?

Financial FAQs It’s time to catch our breath. Wars and protests can unsettle economies, but much of the economic uncertainty in 2024 is for more mundane reasons. The last few weeks have unsettled the financial markets, to say the least. … Continue reading

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Q1 GDP Growth Better Than Estimate

The Mortgage Corner The initial estimate of first quarter 2024 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth was less than expected, causing financial markets to panic, even though economic growth is better than the initial estimate is reporting. The lower GDP estimate … Continue reading

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Elevated Rates Endangering Economy

Financial FAQs Early predictions show first quarter economic growth picking up, but a little-known indicator of future growth, the Conference Board’s Index of Leading Economic Indicators (LEI) in March highlighted the danger that high interest rates hold for future growth. … Continue reading

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Retail Sales Boost Q1 Growth

Financial FAQs Consumers haven’t slowed shopping, even during tax season. They keep boosting economic growth which is edging above annual predictions of 2 percent again. FREDretailsales Retail trade sales were up 0.8 percent (±0.5 percent) from February 2024, and up … Continue reading

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