Neeti Arndt

August 2010 Jobs Report Pushes Mortgage Rates Higher

On the first Friday of each month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases Non-Farm Payrolls data for the month prior.  The data is more commonly called “the jobs report” and it’s a major factor in setting mortgage rates for residents of IL and homeowners everywhere. Especially today, considering the economy. This is because, although it’s believed that the recession of... [Read more about this property]

August’s Fed Minutes Lead Mortgage Rates Higher

Home affordability took a slight hit this week after the Federal Reserve’s release of its August 10 meeting minutes. The “Fed Minutes” is a lengthy, detailed recap of a Federal Open Market Committee meeting, not unlike the minutes published after a corporate conference, or condo association gathering. The Federal Reserve publishes its meeting minutes 3 weeks after a FOMC get-together. The... [Read more about this property]

Case-Shiller Posts 16th Straight Month Of Home Price Improvement

According to the Standard & Poors Case-Shiller Index, home values rose 5 percent in June versus the month prior, and 4 percent from a year earlier.  It’s the 16th consecutive month in which Case-Shiller reported an increase in home values and the third straight month of outstanding results. That said, homeowners and home buyers in Chicago would do well to temper Case-Shiller enthusiasm.... [Read more about this property]

Neeti Arndt