Archive for March, 2011

Lock Now? Friday’s Job Report Expected To Push Mortgage Rates Up.

Posted in March 31st, 2011

Friday, analysts expect to count another 190,000 jobs created. If the actual figure falls short, expect mortgage rates to ease. Otherwise, look for rates to rise. Probably by a lot.

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January 2011 Case-Shiller Index : Weak And Flawed

Posted in March 30th, 2011

by Bill Lublin in Housing Analysis

According to the January Case-Schiller Index, values are down 3.1% from last year, retreating to the same levels from Summer 2003. As a buyer or seller in today’s market, though, don’t read too much into it. The Case-Shiller Index is far too flawed to be the final word in housing.

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Pending Home Sales Rebound; Suggest Brighter Spring For Housing

Posted in March 29th, 2011

by Bill Lublin in Housing Analysis

February’s Pending Home Sales Index rebound breaks a 2-month losing streak, and reverses recent downward momentum in housing.

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Water Conservation Tips For Your Home And Garden

Posted in March 28th, 2011

by Bill Lublin in Around The Home

According to the EPA, the average U.S. household spends close to $500 each year on water and sewage bills. With a few small changes, though, that figure could drop by $170. It’s all in how you use your water.

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15-Year Fixed Rate Mortgages Look Cheap Compared To Comparable 30-Year Fixeds

Posted in March 25th, 2011

by Bill Lublin in Mortgage Rates

If you’ve ever explored the idea of using a 15-year fixed rate mortgage for your home, the math is in your favor today. Talk to your loan officer before rates start rising.

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New Home Sales Fall To All-Time, Recorded Low. Maybe.

Posted in March 24th, 2011

by Bill Lublin in Housing Analysis

Sales of newly-built homes plunged 17 percent to an seasonally-adjusted, annualized 250,000 units in February, and the supply of new homes rose to 8.9 months in February — a 1.5 month jump from January. But there’s more to the story.

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10 U.S. Cities With The Steepest Rent Increases (2010)

Posted in March 23rd, 2011

by Bill Lublin in The Economy

The average apartment vacancy rate is 6.6% nationwide, down from 8.0% last year, and the number of occupied apartments rose by more during Q4 2010 than during any comparable period of the last 10 years. It’s a major reason why rents are up 2.3%.

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Existing Home Sales Unexpectedly Drop In February

Posted in March 22nd, 2011

by Bill Lublin in Housing Analysis

Existing Home Sales fell 10 percent last month, according to a report from the National Association of REALTORSÂ®.

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Get That Last Drop Of Ketchup (And Other Household Money-Stretchers)

Posted in March 21st, 2011

by Bill Lublin in Around The Home

According to Consumer Reports, Americans waste as much as 25% of the products they purchase. Learn the tricks of using “the last drop” of everything you buy.

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