Category: Business & Markets

• March 15, 2017
• no comment
• realestatelife

Most U.S. retailers reported weak sales in February despite unseasonably warm weather, a likely offshoot of delayed tax refunds for millions of households. Sales at retailers nationwide rose a scant 0.1% in February, slowing sharply after big gains in the prior two months, the government reported Wednesday. The increase matched the estimate of economists polled

• March 15, 2017
• no comment
• realestatelife

Sentiment among home builders roared to a 12-year high in March, propelled by industry approval of early steps from President Donald Trump. The National Association of Home Builders’ closely-watched confidence index surged 6 points to 71, the highest level since June 2005. The index jumped sharply to a fresh cycle high in the month after

• March 24, 2017
• no comment
• realestatelife

New orders for durable goods, a telltale sign for the U.S. economy, climbed in February for the second straight month. Orders for durable goods advanced 1.7% while the increase in January was raised several notches to 2.3%, reflecting a pickup in manufacturing that kicked in toward the end of last year.

• March 15, 2017
• no comment
• realestatelife

The Federal Open Market Committee concluded its two-day meeting Wednesday as the markets widely expected it would raise its benchmark interest rate a quarter point

• March 15, 2017
• no comment
• realestatelife

That’s the term given to investors who protest inflationary policies by selling bonds. This, in turn, pushes yields higher, and could create serious headwinds.

• March 24, 2017
• no comment
• realestatelife

Dallas Federal Reserve President Robert Kaplan wants a “gradual and patient” approach to raising interest rates this year but said that doesn’t necessarily include a “pause” in the Fed’s rate-tightening policy. With its rate hike last week, Fed members signaled rough forecasts for two more rate hikes this year. San Francisco Fed President John Williams

• March 15, 2017
• no comment
• realestatelife

The Federal Reserve has raised its benchmark interest rate 0.25%, and reaffirmed its forecast for three rate rises this year. The central bank cited continued expansion in the labor market, “solid” job gains, rising household spending and firming business fixed investment in its decision.

• March 25, 2017
• no comment
• realestatelife

A renewed effort by Republicans to reform the Federal Reserve will kick off next week. House Republicans have been pressing to reform the Fed since taking control of the chamber in 2010 but have yet to succeed in the face of opposition from Democrats and the Obama White House. This time might be different now

• March 28, 2017
• no comment
• realestatelife

U.S. house prices roared to their highest in nearly three years as demand remains hot, especially in the west. The S&P/Case-Shiller 20-city index rose 5.7% in the three-month period ending in January compared to the same period a year ago, an acceleration from its 5.5% yearly increase in December. The 20-city index was up 0.2%

• April 8, 2017
• no comment
• realestatelife

Leaving everything to the last minute can cost you money I get it. Doing your taxes is no fun, especially if you know you’re going to owe money. But as with any project on which you procrastinate, leaving everything to the last minute can lead to errors, both large and small, and some of those