U.S. adds 228,000 jobs in November; unemployment flat at 4.1%

  • December 8, 2017
  • no comment
  • realestatelife

The U.S. created 228,000 jobs in November in another sign the economy is running at full tilt. Economists had predicted a 200,000 increase in nonfarm jobs. The unemployment rate stayed the same at 4.1%. Wages rose 0.2%, or 5 cents, to an average of $26.55 an hour, the government said Friday. Worker pay increased 2.5%

READ MORE

FHA increases loan limits in nearly every area of U.S. for 2018

  • December 7, 2017
  • no comment
  • realestatelife

The Federal Housing Administration announced Thursday that nearly every area of the U.S. will see FHA loan limits increase in 2018. Click the headline to read more about the new loan limits, which will take effect for FHA case numbers assigned on or after Jan. 1, 2018.

READ MORE

Senate Banking Committee approves Powell to lead Fed

  • December 7, 2017
  • no comment
  • realestatelife

As expected, the Senate Banking Committee overwhelmingly approved Jerome Powell Tuesday to lead the Federal Reserve. All the panel’s Republican and Democrat members voted for Powell except one single Democrat, and now, this bipartisan support all but seals Powell’s future as Federal Reserve Chair.

READ MORE

U.S. jobless claims fall to 5-week low of 236,000

  • December 7, 2017
  • no comment
  • realestatelife
READ MORE

U.S. third-quarter productivity gain left at 3%

  • December 6, 2017
  • no comment
  • realestatelife

The increase in productivity of American firms and workers was unchanged at 3% in the third quarter under the government’s first do-over of its original report. Economists had expected productivity to be reset at 3.3%.

READ MORE

Private sector adds healthy 190,000 jobs in November, ADP says

  • December 6, 2017
  • no comment
  • realestatelife

Private-sector employment slowed down in November, as employers added 190,000 jobs Automatic Data Processing Inc. reported Wednesday. Economists had expected an increase of 180,000 private jobs, compared with October estimate of a gain of 235,000.

READ MORE

ISM non-manufacturing index lower

  • December 5, 2017
  • no comment
  • realestatelife

Economists polled expected non-manufacturing economic activity to shrink slightly in November. The number hit 57.4 in November, vs. 59 estimate

READ MORE

Best way to avoid yield curve inversion would be Fed to stand pat, Bullard says

  • December 1, 2017
  • no comment
  • realestatelife

The best way to avoid a possible inversion of the bond market yield curve would be for the Federal Reserve to be cautious about raising the policy rate during 2018, St. Louis Fed President James Bullard said Friday in a speech in Little Rock, Ark. The yield curve has gotten considerably flatter under Fed Chairwoman

READ MORE

Consumers keep on spending in October, aided by rising incomes and low inflation

  • November 30, 2017
  • no comment
  • realestatelife

Consumer spending rose a steady 0.3% in October following a nearly 1% gain in the prior month that was the largest in eight years. Economists polled had forecast a 0.2% increase. Personal income rose 0.4% for the second month in a row. The savings rate, meanwhile, edged up to 3.2% from 3%. Savings had fallen

READ MORE

Pending-home sales pop in October, snapping three-month losing streak

  • November 29, 2017
  • no comment
  • realestatelife

Pending-home sales jumped 3.5% in October, but remained 0.6% lower than a year ago, the National Association of Realtors said Wednesday. The pending-home sales index tracks real estate transactions in which a contract has been signed, but the deal has not yet been closed. Economists surveyed had forecast a 1% increase for the index in

READ MORE

Subscribe to Newsletter

Get weekly updates on mortgage rates, finance, lending and real estate.