Research Center
Economy Watch: Foreclosures Down For Now
Foreclosures dipped in February; state unemployment rates were generally unchanged in January; and home prices are trending downward.
Economy Watch: Hong Kong Boasts Top RE Billionaires
On Forbes’ list of billionaires, Hong Kong boasts the top real estate developers; the House votes on bills to do away with housing and development programs, even though the bills won’t pass the Senate; and oil still muddies the financial picture.
Economy Watch: More Residential Borrowers Underwater in 4Q
Twenty-three percent of U.S. residential mortgages are underwater; AARP has filed suit against HUD for its handling of reverse mortgages; and there are more Subways in the world than McDonald’s.
Economy Watch: Attorneys General Want Banks to Change Foreclosure Practices
State attorneys general are engaging in talks with top mortgage-originating banks over robo-signing and other nefarious foreclosure practices; a Conference Board employment index shows a pickup in jobs; and consumers are borrowing more.
Economy Watch: Employment Report Good, but with Nagging Doubts
More jobs were added to the work force in February; Green Street reports that CRE values continue to climb back toward pre-crash levels; and while gas prices spike, should we also be worried about inflation?
PODCAST: Economy Watch Weekly with Dees Stribling
The week ending Feb. 25 was a tale of ups and downs. On the rise were job creation, income levels and oil prices. On the descent were unemployment and construction, with world events keeping things interesting by mixing in a general sense of unknown.
Economy Watch: Good Job Growth in February
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the economy added 192,000 jobs in February, bringing the unemployment rate below 9 percent, and productivity and retail spending are up as well.
Economy Watch: Mixed Reports on Jobs
ADP releases jobs numbers; the Home Affordable Modification Program doesn’t have a lot of fans; and the Beige Book reports that economic activity continues to expand at a modest rate.
Economy Watch: Construction Spending Slumps in January
Construction spending took a dive in January; Geithner outlines a strategy for “winding down” Fannie and Freddie; and the House passes a temporary spending measure to keep the federal government breathing for now.
Economy Watch: Consumer Spending Up, but Not as Much as Incomes
Incomes were up in January, with help from the cut in Social Security taxes; pending home sales dipped; and the NABE predicts better GDP growth a previous projection.