12 Oct 2018
By Mark Feder

U.S. Wage Increases Could Help Home Buyers

Mortgage
The struggle to achieve the American homeownership dream often feels like it happens in a vacuum. Everyday people work hard, save money and polish up their credit to get a low mortgage rate. But there are powerful forces at work that are far beyond each person's control. And until recently, the gap between American wage growth and rising home prices was widening. According to data coming out of the U.S. Department of Labor, unemployment recently hit a 49-year low and wages are enjoying the greatest uptick in nearly a decade. That is good news for prospective home buyers. American Wages…
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10 Oct 2018
By Mark Feder

Foreclosure Rates Expected To Dip Below 12-Year Low

Real Estate
The record-setting pace of the U.S. economy continues to positively impact the housing market and home foreclosures now stand at an astonishing 12-year low. Coming off a GDP growth rate of 4.1 percent and a historic bull stock market run, everyday Americans appear to be benefiting from one of, if not the strongest economies in decades. According to data compiled by CoreLogic, mortgage delinquency rates continue to improve and are already at the lowest levels in 12 years. Building on last year's national trend, foreclosures and mortgages more than 30 days past due declined to 4.2 percent in May. Other…
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03 Oct 2018
By Mark Feder

Case-Shiller: Home Prices Hit 11-Month Low in July

Real Estate
Home price growth slowed to its lowest pace in nearly a year according to the Case-Shiller Home Price Indices. National home price growth averaged 6.00 percent year-over-year as compared to 6.20 percent growth in June. The 20-city home price index rose 0.10 percent in July to a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.90 percent year-over-year. Slowing home price growth was attributed to buyer fatigue and rising inventories of available homes. Las Vegas Home Price Growth Tops 20-City Home Price Index Las Vegas, Nevada topped the 20-City Home Price index with a year-over-year home price growth rate of 13.70 percent. Las Vegas…
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27 Sep 2018
By Mark Feder

Fed Raises Key Interest Rate For 3rd Consecutive Time

Real Estate
The Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve announced that it raised the target federal funds rate to a range of 2.00 percent to 2.25 percent. This was the third consecutive increase in the Fed's key interest rate and was the eighth time the Fed raised its key interest rate since 2015. In its customary post-meeting statement, Committee members cited strong economic conditions and continued labor market growth coupled with historically low unemployment rates as a basis for raising the federal funds interest rate. Fed Cites Steady Inflation, Healthy Household And Business Spending Further economic conditions cited in the…
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