Consumer debt passes $17 trillion for the first time despite slide in mortgage demand

Consumer debt passes $17 trillion for the first time despite slide in mortgage demand

  Households added $148 billion in overall debt, bringing the total to $17.05 trillion, according to a report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on Monday. Balances are now $2.9 trillion higher than just before the pandemic.  What categories are...
2023 real estate predictions update: Mortgage rates decline, banks fail, impact on real estate prices

2023 real estate predictions update: Mortgage rates decline, banks fail, impact on real estate prices

A lot has changed since my year end update, four major banks have collapsed, and the market is now signaling a recession with interest rates beginning to fall.  What does this mean for real estate in the second half of the year?  Are there any big changes to my...
Real Estate Market continues outperforming, what time period are we beginning to resemble?

Real Estate Market continues outperforming, what time period are we beginning to resemble?

  Although the spring real estate market has slowed drastically from the pandemic days, the bottom has not fallen out.  Quite the opposite has occurred, in suburban markets and sunbelt cities, real estate keeps charging higher.  A good example is Boulder, CO, a...
US bank lending slumps by most on record; The fed now predicts a big change

US bank lending slumps by most on record; The fed now predicts a big change

US bank lending contracted by the most on record in the last two weeks of March, indicating a tightening of credit conditions in the wake of several high-profile bank collapses.  Why the sharp pullback in lending?  What does this mean for commercial and residential...
Inflation remains sticky, will interest rates remain high, can the fed achieve a soft landing?

Inflation remains sticky, will interest rates remain high, can the fed achieve a soft landing?

Inflation continues to stick around with core CPI running near record highs.   This will keep the federal reserve on a likely path to hike rates once again in May.  What does this mean for interest rates and real estate?  What happens when interest rates finally...
Blowout jobs report; mortgage rates to jump again; Is 8% on the horizon?

Blowout jobs report; mortgage rates to jump again; Is 8% on the horizon?

Wow, a few weeks ago rates had fallen from a peak of over 7% to almost 6%. Unfortunately the party was short lived as rates are now heading much higher.  The recent jobs report was another blow out upping the odds of another half point increase at the next Fed...