29 May 2019
By noelkelman

Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Slows in March

Market Outlook, ,
Case-Shiller Indices reported slower home price growth in March with a 3.70 percent gain year-over-year as compared to 3.90 percent home price growth for the year-over-year period in 2018. This was the slowest pace of home price growth in seven years. The 20-City Home Price Index showed Las Vegas, Nevada as having the top year-over-year home price growth rate of 8.20 percent; Phoenix, Arizona had year-over-year home price growth of 6.10 percent. Tampa, Florida had the third highest growth rate for home prices at 5.30 percent. Analysts said that all three cities continue their recoveries from deep home price declines…
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16 May 2019
By noelkelman

NAHB: May Home Builder Confidence Hits Highest Level in 7 Months

Market Outlook, ,
The National Association of Home Builders reported the highest builder confidence reading in seven months for May. May's reading exceeded expectations for an index reading of 64 and rose three points to 67. Component readings for the main NAHB reading were also higher. Builder confidence in current housing market conditions rose three points to 72; confidence in housing market conditions for the next six months rose one point to 72 and the reading for buyer traffic in single-family housing developments rose two points to 49. Any reading over 50 indicates most builders are positive about housing market conditions, but the…
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09 May 2019
By noelkelman

Case-Shiller: February Home Price Growth Rate Slowest in 6.50 Years

Real Estate, ,
Home price growth slowed in February according to the Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index. Home price growth hit its lowest rate in more than six years; this indicates that the roaring growth of home prices is settling and could provide opportunities for more would-be buyers to enter the housing market. The 20-City Housing Market Index rose 0.20 percent in February as compared to January. Year-over year home prices grew by 3.00 percent and missed analyst expectations of a 3.20 percent growth rate. The 20-City Index reported slowing trends in home price growth and emerging trends in housing markets within metro…
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03 May 2019
By noelkelman

States With The Best Opportunities To Acquire Investment Property

Real Estate, ,
Real estate investors sometimes get stuck in a rut. They repeat the same type of investment that they did before. This is not necessarily a bad thing because a successful experience is worth repeating. However, it is also a good idea to occasionally take a look at the big picture as well, to see what else is out there for investment consideration. Real estate markets go up and down. This can be a regional phenomenon. In some states, there are lots of properties that are "underwater." This means the owners borrowed more on their property than it is currently worth.…
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02 May 2019
By noelkelman

FOMC Statement: No Changes to Key Fed Rate

Market Outlook, ,
The meeting of the Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee ended Wednesday with the Committee's customary post-meeting statement recapping monetary policy matters considered by the Committee. Members voted not to change the current target rate range of the federal funds rate. The current rate range of 2.25 percent to 2.50 percent. Federal Funds Target Rate Range: Monetary Policymakers Remain "Patient" FOMC members cited low inflation pressures, global and domestic economic and financial developments as supporting the Committee's decision to leave the Federal funds rate unchanged despite recent political pressures to lower the rate and increase the Fed's accommodative stance toward boosting…
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18 Apr 2019
By noelkelman

NAHB: Home Builder Confidence Rises in April

Market Outlook, ,
Home builder confidence increased in April to an index reading of 63, which was one point higher than for March and the highest reading in six months. Analysts said that April's reading revealed more about housing market conditions in the past six months than it was an indicator of future market conditions. November's builder confidence reading was the lowest since housing markets tanked in 2008, Builder confidence recovered over the past few months despite headwinds including higher materials costs and shortages of labor and buildable lots. Home Builder Confidence Holds Steady Despite Headwinds NAHB Housing Market Index readings over 50…
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11 Apr 2019
By noelkelman

FOMC Minutes Reveal Fed Policymakers U-Turn

Real Estate, ,
Members of the Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee voted to hold the target range of the federal funds rate to its current range of 2.25 to 2.50 percent. The minutes of the most recent Committee meeting cited softening domestic and global economic conditions as reason for not raising the target federal funds range. While labor markets remained strong, the minutes noted that household spending and business investment slowed in the first quarter of 2019. FOMC members expected Gross Domestic Product growth to slow as compared to its 2018 pace. While current inflation and the national unemployment rate fell in…
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28 Mar 2019
By noelkelman

Case-Shiller Home Price Growth Slower in January

Real Estate, ,
Home price indices issued by S&P Case-Shiller showed further slowing in home price growth in January. The national home price index showed 4.30 percent home price growth for the three months ended in January. Analysts expected home prices to grow 4.20 percent for the same period in cities surveyed by Case-Shiller. More cities reported declines in home prices than those that posted gains in home prices. The top cities posting year-over-year home price gains in the 20-City Home Price Index were Las Vegas, Nevada with 10.50 percent growth; Phoenix, Arizona posted a year-over-year home price gain of 7.50 percent. Three…
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