CPI falls, Fed likely done raising

CPI falls, Fed likely done raising

  What does the recent CPI fall  mean for mortgage rates and real estate prices?   A broad slowdown in inflation continued in October, likely ending the Federal Reserve’s historic interest rate increases. The slowdown came below most median estimates and the...
Fed has lost control of interest rates

Fed has lost control of interest rates

Housing industry urges Fed to stop raising rates, does it even matter? Top real estate and banking officials are calling on the Federal Reserve to stop raising interest rates as the industry suffers through surging housing costs and a “historic shortage” of available...
Soft Landing, Hard landing, does it even matter for real estate?  

Soft Landing, Hard landing, does it even matter for real estate?  

Earlier in the year most economists and myself predicted a recession by now, but the cards have changed with most now predicting the opposite, a soft landing.  What is a soft landing? Is a soft or hard landing better for real estate?  Does it really matter which...
How will student loan restart impact real estate

How will student loan restart impact real estate

As part of a debt-ceiling agreement forged by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, monthly student loan bills will resume September first.  What does the restarting of student loans mean for real estate, interest rates, and the overall economy?  How...
Interest rates not best metric for real estate prices, what is better?

Interest rates not best metric for real estate prices, what is better?

For years interest rates were the number one indicator for real estate prices.  In this cycle interest rates have more than doubled yet real estate prices have barely budged.  If we look back at 2008, the impetus for the large real estate crash was rising interest...
Banks tighten lending; 46% rejection rate on mortgage loans

Banks tighten lending; 46% rejection rate on mortgage loans

It was already difficult for businesses and households to borrow money earlier this year — but after the collapse of three US regional banks and a cascade of rate hikes by the Federal Reserve, getting money has become considerably harder.   What does the decline in...