Blog – Page 654 of 782

19 Feb 2015

Fed Not in a Hurry to Raise Rates: FOMC Meeting Minutes

Market Outlook

Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting held January 27 and 28 were released on Wednesday. According to the minute's transcript, it appears that Fed policymakers are in no hurry to raise the target federal funds rate. Members said that raising rates too soon could swamp the strengthening economy and expressed concerns that changing the committee's current "patient" stance on rising rates could cause more harm than good to current economic conditions. FOMC members discussed the Fed's use of the word "patient" in its guidance, and said that dropping the word could incorrectly suggest that the Fed is…

18 Feb 2015

By Mark Feder

Saving Up for Your First Home? Our Guide to Finding Ways to Save Your Down Payment Faster

Home Mortgage Tips

If your goal is to purchase a home, you may find that it’s challenging to save up enough money for your down payment. While this is something that many first time home buyers struggle with, it is by no means insurmountable. By making a few simple changes you will be able to accumulate the funds you need for your down payment. Keep Track Of Your Spending One of the reasons why it can be difficult to save money is that you aren’t even sure of where your money is going. While you may be aware of major expenses such as…

17 Feb 2015

By Mark Feder

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 16, 2015

Market Outlook

Last week's economic news included an index of labor market conditions provided by the Federal Reserve, a report on small business sentiment, and a report from the Labor Department on job openings. Weekly jobless claims, Freddie Mac's mortgage rates report and a report on Consumer Sentiment rounded out the week. The details: Labor Market Conditions, Small Business Index Reports Fall According to the January reading for a labor index report released by the Federal Reserve, labor market conditions declined from December's reading of 7.3 to January's reading of 4.9. This index is based on 19 economic indicators and January's reading…

13 Feb 2015

By Mark Feder

DIY Lovers: ‘Greenify’ Your Home with These Three Eco-friendly Home Improvement Projects

Around The Home

Are you a homeowner who is searching for ways to make your home a bit more eco-friendly? Equipping your home with "green" improvements can save a substantial amount of energy and money, especially over the long term. In today's post we'll explore a few projects that handy do-it-yourselfers can undertake in order to make a home a bit friendlier to the local environment. #1: Focus on the Windows Depending upon the time of year, windows have an impact on both heating and cooling costs. In the summer, older windows can drastically heat up a home causing cooling costs to skyrocket.…