Category Archives: Housing

Motor Vehicles, Housing Will Power 2016 Economy

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly Even though Q1 2016 GDP growth looks weak for a number of reasons (such as lower exports and slumping oil prices that depress energy sector earnings), there are reasons it can go higher in 2016. Oil prices … Continue reading →

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Builder Confidence Holds, But Household Formation Still Weak

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes remained unchanged in April at a level of 58 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). “Builders remain cautiously optimistic about construction growth … Continue reading →

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Record Mortgage Originations in 2015, In Spite of FHFA

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner In addition to very large Consumer credit borrowing that rose $17.2 billion in February (but excludes mortgage lending), the number of new first mortgages increased to a post-recession high in 2015, according to new data from credit … Continue reading →

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Record Low Rates Spur Consumer Debt, But Not Spending

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner Consumer credit rose a very large $17.2 billion in February with January revised higher to $14.9 billion, says the Federal Reserve. Nonrevolving credit, which are gains for vehicle financing and student loans, rose $14.2 billion and revolving … Continue reading →

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Where Are The New Homes?

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner Sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 2 percent in February from an upwardly revised January reading to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 512,000 units, according to newly released data by the U.S. Department of Housing … Continue reading →

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Existing-Home Sales Fall, Inflation Too Tame

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner After increasing to the highest annual rate in six months, existing-home sales tumbled in February amidst very low supply levels and robust price growth in several sections of the country, according to the National Association of Realtors. … Continue reading →

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Builder Sentiment Holds, Housing Starts Booming

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes was unchanged in March at a level of 58 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI).“Confidence levels are hovering above the 50-point mid-range, … Continue reading →

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Consumer Finances Much Healthier

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Consumers’ financial health has substantially improved in 2015, and their net worth has now surpassed that of pre-recession 2006, according to the Fed’s 2015 Q4 Flow of Funds report. That is the main reason economic growth prospects have … Continue reading →

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Construction Boosted By Public Works, Offices

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner We are already seeing the results of the $1.1T budget agreement, and $305 STIRR Surface Transportation and Highway Trust Fund bill. Construction spending rose a strong 1.5 percent in January due to a surge in highway & … Continue reading →

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Huge Jump In Existing-Home Sales

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner Wow! Total existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, rose 0.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.47 million in January from a downwardly revised 5.45 million in … Continue reading →

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