However, the decline in GDP growth coincides with a drop in a couple of key housing indicators for September. Thursday’s announcement of 1.5 GDP growth came the same day as the National Association of Realtors' pending home sales index for September, which was reported to be at its lowest level in eight months.
Read More »Housing Outlook Stays Positive Despite Predicted Moderate Economic Expansion
The predicted moderate economic expansion does not change the Conference Board’s outlook for housing, which is largely positive. Ozyildirim told DS News earlier in the week that, “The single family housing market seems to be heating up, despite some potential volatility. Construction companies and workers are busy while home prices and mortgage rates remain favorable.”
Read More »Ask the Economist: Consumers, Labor Market Improvements Have Built Momentum in Housing
Ask the Economist is an ongoing series in which DS News talks with an economist about the most pressing issues facing the nation's housing industry and the economy. This installment features Ataman Ozyildirim, Economist and Director, Business Cycles and Growth Research at The Conference Board.
Read More »Despite Economic Headwinds, Housing Market is a Bright Spot for Economy
The macroeconomic picture in the U.S. continues to battle economic headwinds—namely a September jobs report that came in below expectations and an appreciating dollar which will pressure the already growing U.S. trade deficit, Fannie Mae said. Yet, housing remains in a fairly positive zone, considering all of the factors weighing it down.
Read More »Fed Districts Report Continued Moderated Economic Expansion
The reporting period for the latest Beige Book found residential housing markets have generally improved since the last report with increasing home prices and sales volumes driving the improved housing markets.
Read More »GDP Growth Revised Up to 3.9 Percent for Final Q2 Estimate
In the second estimate for Q2 released in August, real GDP grew at an annual rate of 3.7 percent; in the "advance estimate" released at the end of July, it grew at a rate of 2.3 percent. In the third and final estimate for Q1, GDP growth was a mere 0.6 percent, way below expectations.
Read More »Economic Improvement Predicted for the Rest of 2015 Despite Market Volatility
Fannie Mae's Economic and Strategic Research (ESR) Group found that consumer spending and other solid domestic fundamentals are predicted to be key drivers of the rest of the year economic growth.
Read More »Prominent Economists Contend Now Is Not the Time for a Fed Lift-Off
Kaushik Basu, Chief Economist for World Bank, said on Wednesday that the U.S. central bank should delay a rate hike until the global economy stabilizes. Basu said it would have negative consequences if the Fed raises rates now due to economic uncertainty in China and the effect it has on global markets.
Read More »Housing and the Economy Have Returned to a Virtuous, Supportive Cycle
Ask the Economist is an ongoing series in which DS News talks with an economist about the most pressing issues facing the nation's housing industry and the economy. This installment features Jonathan Smoke, Chief Economist with Realtor.com.
Read More »Most Fed Districts Report Positive Residential Real Estate and Economic Activity
Robust demand and declining inventory were the driving factors behind the increase in home prices, according to contacts in most Fed districts. Inventories in nearly all districts declined or stayed flat, except for Kansas City, where they slightly increased
Read More »