RECENT BLOG POSTS
The ADP Employment report was released today showing that private employers shed 254,000 jobs in September, worse than the -200,000 that was expected. The decline was the smallest since July of 2008, but still a troublesome number.There are 150 million people in the workforce, and that number gro...
10/01/2009
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The Federal Reserve Board has spoken by issuing a statement after their most recent meeting. From a market perspective, they said nothing. Rates will stay the same. The economy is improving from the severe downturn, but consumer consumption is restrained. This will make the recovery weak. We knew...
09/30/2009
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The Federal Reserve kept interest rates near zero on Wednesday and said the economy is improving. But the Fed also pointed out ongoing job losses could dampen a recovery. As a result, the Fed kept its federal funds rate, an overnight lending rate that guides rates on various consumer and business...
09/23/2009
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Who is more likely to default on their home loan, someone with a high credit score or a low credit score? Research has found that homeowners with high scores when they apply for a loan are 50% more likely to "strategically default" -- abruptly and intentionally pull the plug and abandon the mortg...
09/22/2009
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The government is spending tens of billions to incent consumers to spend their money purchasing homes, cars and even energy-efficient improvements to their houses. Certainly we are seeing the results of these programs. Last month the "cash for clunkers" program contributed to a 2.7% gain in retai...
09/22/2009
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Housing Starts for August rose better than expected and the highest level since last November - while Building Permits came in a bit shy of expected. All in all, a decent report, suggesting that while we are not out of the woods just yet, the worst in the housing market may have passed. Builders ...
09/18/2009
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What do China, tires & chickens have in common? Sounds like the leadup to the hilarious punchline of joke right? Well, in this case it is not close to being funny. And how does any of this relate the mortgage industry? You will have to read on to find out... You may have seen the headlines in pas...
09/15/2009
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Check out the NEWEST and NICEST on-line real estate search engine designed specifically for the Springfield metropolitan area. Available to the public for their private use absolutely FREE. Keep tabs on preferred listing using the Premium Service also FREE. Ammenities include GOOGLE Maps and "Bir...
09/11/2009
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Mortgage rates have fallen back to near 5%, reaching a level last seen in late May and spurring a boost in applications to refinance and purchase new mortgages.Mortgage rates fell last week, moving closer to the record lows seen earlier this year, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's w...
09/10/2009
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With all the euphoria over rising stock prices and increased home sales, it would seem that everyone is jumping upon the recovery bandwagon. Despite the fact that job losses have slowed, in reality the economy is still really sick and recoveries do not take place in a straight line. Many are stil...
09/08/2009