06
Aug
By support
Federal Reserve, ,

Fed Lowers Key Interest Rate For First Time Since Great Recession

The Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve announced the first rate cut to its key interest rate range since the Great Recession ushered in a series of rate cuts described as "quantitative easing." The Fed committee confirmed a quarter-point cut to 2.00 to 2.25 percent. Fed Chair Jerome Powell described the rate cut as a "mid-cycle adjustment" intended as a one-time boost for the economy. Mr. Powell said he did not view the cut as the first in a series of quantitative easing moves, but analysts said single rate cuts are not common. The FOMC post-meeting statement said…
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05
Aug
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Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – August 5th, 2019

Last week's economic news included readings from Case-Shiller on home prices, pending home sales, construction spending and a post-meeting statement from the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve. Consumer sentiment was released along with Commerce Department reports on public and private sector job growth and the national unemployment rate. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. Home Price Growth Slows in May The Case-Shiller National Home price Index showed slower home price growth in May; this was the 14th consecutive month of slower growth in national home prices and the lowest reading for home price growth…
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02
Aug
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Real Estate, ,

Why Do People Stage Homes To Sell?

If you're selling your home, your real estate agent has likely advised you to stage your home to sell. But why exactly do people stage homes to sell? Some people go to great lengths to stage their home too, even going so far as moving possessions into storage units or renting furnishings! If your home is already nicely decorated, why should you go to the added trouble of "staging" it? There are many good reasons to stage your home to sell. 1. Staging Makes Your Home Appear More Spacious Having lived in your home for a number of years, you…
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01
Aug
By support
Market Outlook, ,

Case-Shiller: Home Prices Growth Slows in March

Home price growth slowed again in May according to Case-Shiller home price indices. Home price growth slowed for the 14th consecutive month to its lowest rate in 12 years. Case-Shiller's National Home Price Index showed 3.40 percent growth year-over-year in May as compared to April's year-over-year reading of 3.50 percent. Las Vegas, Nevada held its first place position in the 20-City Home Price Index for highest year-over-year home price growth rate at 6.40 percent; Phoenix, Arizona held second place with a year-over-year home price growth reading of 5.70 percent. Tampa, Florida home prices grew by 5.10 percent year-over-year in May.…
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31
Jul
By support
Real Estate, ,

What Is Eminent Domain?

Eminent domain is a law that gives the federal, state, county, and municipal governments in the United States the legal right to "condemn" property and then seize it to allow its use for development. Eminent domain is supposed to be used by the government at the various levels to do things for the public benefit, such as to build new roads or construct new public schools. Compensation Under Eminent Domain Seizure The government cannot take property without compensating the owner for its market value. Disputes that lead to lawsuits arise when the property owner and the government have a serious…
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