The continuing improvement comes as consumers express a more optimistic outlook for the economy and their own finances. Last week, the University of Michigan/Thomson Reuters preliminary reading of consumer sentiment hit its highest level in more than seven years, spurred by improving labor conditions and cheaper gasoline prices.
Read More »Fannie Mae Expects Modest Economic Growth in 2015
Despite slower economic growth in recent months following a strong showing in mid-2014, Fannie Mae's Economic and Strategic Research Group said in a report released Thursday that it still expects 2015 to be a slightly better year overall economically in the U.S
Read More »Home Flipping Drops to Five-Year Low in Q3
Home flipping sales declined nationwide both quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year, hitting their lowest level since the second quarter of 2009, according to RealtyTrac's Q3 2014 U.S. Home Flipping Report released today.
Read More »Consumer Sentiment Ahead of November Predictions
Consumer sentiment in the United States jumped more than two points in a preliminary November estimate, beating economic forecasts and hitting a more than seven-year high.
Read More »Survey: Most Industry Professionals Expect Business to Change Little in Next Six Months
In a survey conducted as part of The Collingwood Group's Mortgage Industry Outlook Report for October 2014 released on Monday, the majority of mortgage industry professionals who were surveyed said they did not expect business conditions to be drastically different in the next six months.
Read More »Unemployment Rate Low, But Number of Americans ‘Not in Labor Force’ Near All-Time High
The October 2014 Employment Situation Summary released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on November 7 reported a nationwide unemployment rate of 5.8 percent, the lowest level in more than six years. However, a report released recently by the Pew Research Center indicates that while the U.S. unemployment rate is low, the number of people who are "not in the labor force," meaning they are not counted among the unemployed in the BLS survey, is near an all-time high.
Read More »Poll: Majority of Lenders Reluctant to Lower Standards to Expand Credit Access
As federal housing agencies push mortgage firms to lend to more consumers, a recent survey indicates most lenders feel the regulatory risk is still too great for them to lower their standards.
Read More »Report: Job Openings Decline While Hires, Separations Increase
The number of job openings in the country declined slightly from August to September, while the number of hires and separations both increased, according to the September 2014 Job Openings and Labor Turnover report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Thursday.
Read More »Survey: Many Still Believe Housing Recovery Still Three to Five Years Away
Nearly a third of panelists took a more optimistic view, predicting the market will stabilize one to two years from now, while one in five responded that housing has either already returned to normal or will within the next 12 months.
Read More »October Sees Improvement in Labor Market Conditions
A gauge released this week shows the labor market improved at a moderate pace in October, with previous measures also seeing a lift in revision.
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