From the category archives:

Economy

What Yesterday’s Fed Announcement Means for Mortgage Rates

by Alex Stenback 01.26.2012

Yesterday, the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) wrapped a two day conclave in the usual manner – with a policy statement and rate decision. The policy statement, in addition to reciting the usual litany of economic yin and yang (economic growth moderate in US, slowing overseas.  Employment bad, household spending kind of OK, housing [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Monday Market Commentary: This Week in Mortgage Rates

by Alex Stenback 08.01.2011

Last Week: Many feared uncertainty over the debt ceiling dysfunction would drive mortgage rates higher. What actually happened was mortgages got cheaper by almost .25% as jittery investors sought safe haven in bond markets until the debt ceiling issue was resolved. Also helping rates: An armload of less than stellar economic data, including especially a weak [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

You Are Good: MN Borrowers Denied Fewer Mortgages

by Alex Stenback 06.27.2011

For the graphic above, The Wall Street Journal studied data from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, which among other things reports the number and reason for denied mortgage applications.  Here’s the accompanying story, which was headlined  from the “Too-tight-lending standards are hampering the real estate recovery” point of view – within the article the take was [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

This Week on Twitter: Look What You Are Missing…

by Alex Stenback 06.17.2011

Those of you who aren’t following us on Twitter?  Well, you should be – look at all the great links you missed while looking at Vancouver riot/make-out photos and waiting for Weiner to resign… _________ Twin Cities Housing, by the Numbers [Aaron Dickinson] Subtle signs of a (positive) turn in housing, or seasonal head-fake? [Calculated Risk] [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Bottom Calls: What six heads in a box can tell you about the real estate market

by Alex Stenback 06.16.2011

A pretty balanced view here from across the housing industry on the ongoing challenges for the housing market.  For regular readers, this will be familiar stuff:  Executive summary: Lack of jobs/economic growth and too-stringent lending standards tamping down demand.  Meanwhile, foreclosures and forced/distressed sales continue to top-off the supply side of the equation.  End result is prices [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Monday Market Commentary: On the Menu This Week in Mortgage Rates

by Alex Stenback 02.28.2011

Last Week: Mortgage bond prices marched higher all week as continued unrest in the Middle East and little evidence of inflation or a strong economic recovery sent investors to seek haven in the less risky/volatile bond markets.  As a result, mortgage rates improved about .125 – .25% and are now solidly back in the fours [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Cash-In Refinances: Another Sign of a Market on the Mend?

by Alex Stenback 02.02.2011

The Washington Post published an article yesterday on the formerly unheard of “Cash-in” refinance that has seen a recent, an unprecedented surge: “In the fourth quarter, 46 percent of borrowers who refinanced their primary mortgages brought cash to settlement to lower the balance on their loans, Freddie Mac said. That’s the highest share of so-called [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Reasons to Worry: House Prices Falling Faster Than Expected

by Alex Stenback 12.29.2010

Prof Robert Schiller (of Case-Schiller Home Price Index Fame) waxes on the most recent Case-Schiller Home Price Index, via WSJ news Hub: Key Points made by Prof Schiller: – The 1.3% decline was unexpectedly bad, and suggests 10%+ declines for the year if trend continues. – It is not clear we have a downtrend - prices [...]

1 comment Read the full article →

Formula for Predicting the End of the Financial Crisis

by Alex Stenback 04.17.2009

Though I am generally skeptical that we are out of the financial wilderness, earnings season for the major financials is going better than expected, and the economy is showing a few nascent signs of improvement.  So, is the recovery around the corner? Our jury is still out, but Jeff Matthews Is Not Making This Up has a theory that may prove [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

← Previous Entries