Tag Archives: interest rates

Much More Housing Needed

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner There’s an exception to the current low inflation prognostications echoed in my column by the San Francisco Fed Prez John Williams. It’s in housing, which is struggling to meet the surging demand for both new homes and … Continue reading →

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A Record Year For Mortgages?

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner First quarter mortgage numbers are in, and we could be having a very good year for mortgage originations, says Equifax, among others. According to Equifax’s report, the total dollar amount of first-mortgage originations during the first quarter … 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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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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2016 Housing Update

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner What should happen to U.S. housing in 2016, with interest rates at record lows and a healthy job market? Much will depend on population growth, and in particular the newest largest generation of all—the millennials, or Gen … Continue reading →

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Why Has It Taken So Long?

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs The latest Federal Reserve press releases—firstly, the minutes of last FOMC meeting, and also its reduced projections of expected inflation—tell us the Fed is still in austerity mode due to a fear of non-existent inflation. And it is … Continue reading →

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What Happens in 2016?

Posted on December 25, 2015 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly Even with interest rates rising, we see 2.5 percent plus GDP growth in 2016, because of strong employment and consumer spending. An early sign of this this trend is the Conference Board’s Index of Leading Economic Indicators … Continue reading →

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Fed Rate Hike Could Hurt Employment

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Fed Chair Janet Yellen all but confirmed the Fed was ready to raise interest rates in December. She laid out a case for raising interest rates in a speech on Wednesday at the Economic Club in Washington. “Ongoing … Continue reading →

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Oct. Pending and New-Home Sales Still Rising

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner Both new and existing-home sales are still thriving, given that conforming fixed rates are still at almost historic lows, in spite of a looming Fed interest rate hike. Why? It’s mainly investors worried about worldwide growth that … Continue reading →

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