Tag: market predictions
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Federal Bond Buyups: Keeping the Recovery Moving?
The long-awaited economic recovery continues in fits and starts, with some areas doing better than others. But as the dollar retreats in value and job gains fall well below expectations, the Federal Reserve has changed plans to scale back on its massive buyup of mortgage backed securities, opting to continue – or possibly accelerate—its purchase…
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Student Loan Debt Keeps Women, Minorities Out of Housing
According to a variety of analyses, women and minorities have traditionally ended up on the short end of the economic stick. Now, new studies on the situation of recent college graduates reveal that two groups are also disproportionately burdened with student loan debt– a deepening crisis with potentially profound effects on the recovery of the…
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When the Fed’s in the Red, You Pay More
The housing market may be on the rebound after the great collapse of a few years ago, but the effects of that meltdown are still being felt. Large numbers of homeowners –and small investors – are still seeking relief through government sponsored mortgage assistance and refinancing programs. But because of the demand, the FHA’s mortgage…
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When Good Debt Goes Bad: Gen Y’s Money Crunch
In a previous post, we took a look at why new and recent college graduates saddled with student loans are wary of taking on the traditional debts of adult life: car loans and mortgages. Now, new statistics on college graduation rates reveal that over half of those under 25 who finished college in 2011 with…
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New College Grads Fear Mortgage Debt
Can spiraling college costs crush the economy? As new and recent graduates finish their studies burdened with record levels of student loan debt, some economists fear that might be true. Although the student loan problem has been worsening for the last decade or so, it’s gone largely unnoticed in the face of other economic crises.…
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Do Changing Demographics Drive Home Sales?
In years past, homeownership was the bedrock of American stability and a clear marker of success – and maintaining home still represents those values. “Owning a home is the keystone of wealth, both financial affluence and emotional security,” says financial guru Suze Orman. But as America ages, suffers financial instability and becomes more diverse, the…
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Are Gold Prices in Free Fall?
The price of gold took another nosedive in mid-April, hitting levels not seen since February 2011. Dropping prices of the metal many view as the unshakable standard backing currencies around the world are prompting concerns about the dumping of gold on the world market – and a potential rise in interest rates here at home.…
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Bullet Demand Up. Supply Down: The Next Bubble?
Are bullets the new Bitcoins? Throughout the US, ammunition is flying from store shelves and manufacturers are pushing to keep up with the sudden demand. Alarmed by recent calls for new regulations on firearms, people are hoarding bullets. And that, say some financial experts, creates an artificial shortage with echoes of past speculation in gold…
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New Shadows Threaten the Housing Recovery?
Most anyone following news of the housing industry’s progress out of the 2008 collapse now knows about the shadow inventory of foreclosed homes being held back from the market. Now, according to reports by DataQuick and Altos Research, a new shadow looms, threatening to undermine the still struggling rebound: the “shadow demand.” The shadow inventory…
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The Sequester: Fallout for the Housing Market?
On March 1, the other budget shoe dropped, as the dreaded sequester kicked in after lawmakers failed to resolve financial issues lingering after the January 1 fiscal cliff compromise. While predictions about the outcome of the sequester range from disastrous to relatively mild, these budget cuts are likely to cut a wide swath through government-backed…