February 2011

Tweet Americans earned more than expected in January, thanks to tax changes that boosted income, but consumers chose to add more to their savings at the start of year. Personal income surged 1% in January, following a 0.4% increase in December, according to data released Monday by the Commerce Department. Economists surveyed by Briefing.com were [...]

Tweet Research released this week by the senior research economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland reveals homeownership is more sustainable for people who come to the table with down payments. The study examines the types of homeowner assistance that the government uses to promote homeownership – generally down payment subsidies or interest rate [...]

Tweet With falling mortgage rates and home prices, it’s easy to see why potential buyers might want to hang on the sidelines a bit longer, fearing that jumping now could leave savings on the table. But this strategy, like any gamble, has its risks, as Emily Trinks, an economist with Zillow.com, pointed out this week. [...]