The reports that I read have long held that the fourth quarter of last year and the first quarter of this year would mark the darkest hours of this recession. The data that’s coming in, may suggest that we may be near the pace of economic decline moderating this spring. In reading my Wachovia Economics…
Now if it was summer, we’d be thinking already of the weekend recreation. Golfing (for some), the lake…for most of us. It’s great living here, in what I refer to as “God’s Country”. A bad traffic day in Alexandria, MN is on “Walleye Opener” when you have to wait for the signal light TWICE! Talk…
narus-economic-forecast2009 Enclosed is the U.S. Economic Outlook: March 2009 from the National Association of Realors Economic Research Division. Nothing really new that we don’t already know… Consumer confidence is down…but steadily picking back up from this point forward. Fed Funds Rate…down, and staying down. Prime Rate Down…and staying down. 30 year fixed-rate mortgage rates…down, and…
My friends in Alexandria…if you or someone you know may need help refinancing their home or is struggling to make the payment on their existing home because the rate went up; then you may want to check out this website: www.makinghomesaffordable.gov According to their site, between 7 and 9 million homeowners may need the benefits…
Live from Alexandria…in reading the comments today about the report from yesterday, there appears to be more data to share. I read a report from Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Ellen Podmolik today. In there it said, “Almost all of the gain in the national numbers came from the multifamily sector, which includes apartments and condominiums. …
SURPRISE JUMP IN HOUSING STARTS IGNITES WALL STREET RALLY. That’s the headlines from Yahoo News I was just handed 15 minutes ago. Stocks surged today as an unexpected leap in housing starts pushed Home Depot and other retailers higher. “Investors are starting to get a sense that things are stabilizing. They’re not getting any worse,”…
Residential Listings in the MLS today: 464 March 17, 2008: 534 March 16, 2005: 551 Inventory is down over 15% from the highs of the past statistics. (Statistics provided by the Greater Alexandria Area Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service)
In reading my Wachovia report this morning, it said: “This week’s report that retail sales fell much less than the consensus estimate in February and the upward revision to the January sales figures raises the prospect that the worst of this recession may actually be behind us. While such a statement might seem surprising, it…
I got a report this morning showing the permits issued for the County. In a nutshell, permits were down for 2008. I attached the full form for your perusal. 2004 Dwelling Permits Issued: 288 $29,152,238 2005 Dwelling Permits Issued: 225 $27,660,483 2006 Dwelling Permits Issued: 197 $30,988,433 2007 Dwelling Permits Issued: 134 $24,594,966 2008 Dwelling Permits…
Reading my CCIM magazine this morning, I came across these comments: “Cautious behavior keeps downward pressure on markets, creates no value for investors, and most importantly gates your ability to catalyze wealth creation. History clearly tells us…the more severe the downturn, the greater the opportunities…and more lasting and substantial wealth is created.” My wife and…
