Random but funny short Realtor bit from the Onion on an Oakland Raiders draft pick being relegated to Bay Area Realtor. Best quote: “We believe that the intelligence, instinct, and leadership Travis displayed on the college gridiron will be of immense help to him as he assists his clients in finding quality housing in the
April 2010
Random but funny short Realtor bit from the Onion on an Oakland Raiders draft pick being relegated to Bay Area Realtor. Best quote: “We believe that the intelligence, instinct, and leadership Travis displayed on the college gridiron will be of immense help to him as he assists his clients in finding quality housing in the
The first of three 1Q2010 GDP readings came in today at +3.2%, lower than 4Q’s +5.6% reading but still seen as a positive economic growth number, especially since consumer spending was +3.6% vs. +1.6% in 4Q. Last quarter, it became official that we’ve had two consecutive quarters of GDP growth—following four consecutive quarters of economic
Last Day For Federal Tax Credit, CA Credit Still Live Today the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers and the $6,500 tax credit for repeat home buyers expires. Service members, however, who were on official extended duty outside of the United States for at least 90 days between Jan.1, 2009 and May 1, 2010,
Pick One: Better Economy Or Lower Rates Are mortgage originators and customers rooting for a strengthening economy, or lower rates? Pick one, since the two usually don’t go “hand in hand”. The Federal Reserve sounded cautiously more upbeat on the U.S. economic recovery and jobs as it renewed its promise to keep interest rates low
This guest post from a hedge fund exec does a good job of explaining Goldman’s regulatory/legal issues in terms we can all understand… When you win, your bookie wins. When you lose, your bookie wins. No matter the outcome of the game, your bookie skims a little “juice.” Sometimes your bookie screws you (e.g. you
The FOMC just announced the results from their third meeting of 2010, and all members except for Thomas Hoenig voted to leave overnight bank-to-bank Fed Funds Rates unchanged at the target 0-.25% range—the rationale for this is in their unchanged language on inflation: “inflation is likely to be subdued for some time.” As for long-term
Wild Market Tuesday Recap, Consumer Confidence Up, Author Tattoos ‘NYT Bestseller’ On Chest (Part 2)
Wild Tuesday Market Recap Yesterday was quite the day for the financial markets. For an appetizer, we started with S&P cutting Greek debt to junk and downgrading Portugal. For the salad course, US home prices slipped, but Consumer Confidence rose. For the main course, Goldman Sachs representatives sat in front of the Senate and fended
Bloomberg scores high marks for simply reporting and not editorializing. Which is why this picture of Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein they’ve been running repeatedly all over their site for the past 1.5 weeks raises an eyebrow (or causes one to furrow). Sure you could argue this is editorializing, especially when they used it in
S&P cut Greece bonds to junk bond status, BB+ from BBB+, and also cut Portugal from A1 to A2. This plus cautionary monthly home price numbers (also from S&P) have caused Treasuries and mortgage bonds to rally. Rates are tied to mortgage bonds, and they’re improving as bonds rally.
S&P cut Greece bonds to junk bond status, BB+ from BBB+, and also cut Portugal from A1 to A2. This plus cautionary monthly home price numbers (also from S&P) have caused Treasuries and mortgage bonds to rally. Rates are tied to mortgage bonds, and they’re improving as bonds rally.
The S&P Case Shiller February 2010 report of existing home sales showed year-over-year 0.6% price gains averaged across 20 major metropolitan areas. This is the first positive since December 2006—see returns for each metro area in table below. S&P acknowledged the improved condition of the housing market but said that high foreclosure rates and the
67.2% Homeownership Lowest Since 1Q2000 The Census Bureau actually does something more than hire people. It issues reports! One of its latest updates shows that homeownership rate here in the US fell to an average of 67.2% of qualifying Americans who own homes in Q110, dropping 1bp from 67.3% in Q409. It was the lowest
Chris Dodd’s financial overhaul bill needed 60 senate votes to begin a debate on the bill’s details that would eventually lead to a vote making the bill into law, but a procedural vote today came up short at 57-41, with all Republicans opposing it. So now the key provisions of the bill will be subject
Reshuffling Of Fed Members Is the economy really in good enough shape for the Fed to start selling their $1.25 trillion of mortgage-backed securities? I don’t think so, but maybe the press doesn’t have enough else to talk about, so the Fed possibly lightning up on their balance sheet has been receiving some publicity. Federal
Displayed below are three pictures of the same velvet painting entitled Ride The Storm. The first photo of the painting was taken on August 11, 2007 when massive market storms took root. The second photo was taken August 3, 2008. The third photo was taken last weekend: April 17, 2010. The obvious physical change in
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