Category Archives: Housing

Why Have a Higher Minimum Wage?

Popular Economics Weekly The International Monetary Fund just came out with a depressing prognosis for US economic growth—2 percent this year, and maybe 3 percent next year? Why? A too bad winter, slowdown in the housing market, and stagnant wages. … Continue reading

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Home Sizes Ballooning Again

The Mortgage Corner Housing sizes are ballooning, after a slight pause due to the Great Recession, reports the U.S. Census Bureau and Marketwatch. In 2013 the median floor area of new single-family homes sold in the U.S. rose 4 percent … Continue reading

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What is Employment Like in 2014?

Popular Economics Weekly Jobless claims fell sharply in the May 24 week, down 27,000 to 300,000. The 4-week average is down a very sharp 11,250 to a new recovery low of 311,500. It should mean we will see a further … Continue reading

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Where Is Housing Affordable Anymore?

Financial FAQs How much salary do you need in order to afford the principal and interest payments on a median-priced home in your metro area? To find out, HSH.com, a mortgage data service, took the National Association of Realtors’ first-quarter … Continue reading

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New-Home Construction, Permits Soar

The Mortgage Corner Housing starts jumped in April and building permits hit their highest level in nearly six years, offering hope the weak housing market could be stabilizing, according to the US Census Bureau’s April report on housing starts.  This … Continue reading

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New Fannie, Freddie Regulator Won’t Cut Loan Limits

The Mortgage Corner WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — This headline just out.  Mortgage-finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac won’t be directed to lower the limits for mortgages that they back, the new head of their federal regulator said Tuesday. In a … Continue reading

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Why Low Interest Rates Are Here to Stay

Financial FAQs Some have called it a Putin bond rally. Or it might be new Fed Chairperson Yellen’s determination to keep interest rates as low as possible, until economic prosperity returns to Main Street. It might as well be because … Continue reading

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Home Price Strength To Boost Sales

The Mortgage Corner Data through February 2014, released today by S&P Dow Jones Indices for its S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, show that the annual rates of gain posted 13.1 (in 10-city index) and 12.9 percent (20-city index) in the twelve … Continue reading

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Rising Consumer Confidence To Boost Growth

Popular Economics Weekly Consumers seem to finally be consuming their normal share of economic growth—which is currently 68.2 percent of GDP, or overall economic activity. We know this because they are spending more, and their confidence numbers are returning to … Continue reading

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New-Home Sales Answer to RE Recovery?

The Mortgage Corner Privately-owned housing starts in March were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 946,000. This is 2.8 percent above the revised February estimate of 920,000, but is 5.9 percent below the March 2013 rate of 1,005,000. Single-family … Continue reading

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