Monthly Archives: August 2011

Fed Minutes : Fed Considered Additional Stimulus In August

The Federal Reserve released the minutes from its August 9, 2011 Federal Open Market Committee meeting Tuesday. Continue reading

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Pending Home Sales Slip In July; Creates Buyer Opportunity

After 3 straight months of gains, the Pending Home Sales Index slipped 1 percent in July. Continue reading

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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : August 29, 2011

This week, mortgage rates will be jumpy. As well as a full slate of economic data, because of Labor Day, bond markets will be light on volume. When volume is light, pricing gets volatile. Continue reading

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Mortgage Rates Bounce Off All-Time Lows; The Start Of A Trend?

One week after posting its lowest mortgage rate in 50 years, Freddie Mac reports that the 30-year fixed rate mortgage rose by an average of 7 basis points nationwide this week to 4.22 percent. Continue reading

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Ranking The Best Places To Live In The U.S. (2011 Edition)

Using Quality of Life factors such as education, crime and “town spirit”, and focusing on towns with between 8,500 and 50,000 residents, CNNMoney ranks the country’s best “small towns”. Continue reading

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New Home Supplies Remain Flat; Builders Not Over-Extending

Sales of newly-built homes slipped in July, falling 1 percent as compared to June. Home buyers closed on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized 298,000 units, the lowest reading since February. Continue reading

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Existing Home Sales Slip In July

Existing Home Sales nationwide fell to 4.67 million units on a seasonally-adjusted annualized basis last month. It’s the fourth straight month below the 5 million mark, and the report’s lowest reading since November 2010. Continue reading

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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : August 22, 2011

Mortgage markets improved again last week, pushing mortgage rates to an all-time low; lower than the lows set last November, even. Continue reading

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Mortgage Rates Don’t Move With The Fed Funds Rate

Mortgage rates and the Fed Funds Rate are two different interest rates; completely disconnected. Here’s a chart that proves it. Continue reading

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What Perks Does Your Favorite Credit Card Offer?

Credit cards of all types do what they can to improve consumer loyalty. Offering free perks is just one way in which they try. Continue reading

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