Interest rate markets started unchanged this morning. At 830am the N.Y. Empire State Manufacturing Index,expected at 15 from 13.5 in January, jumped to 19.5; however theponents were not that strong. The New Orders Index at 9.7 from 12.1, Employment at 11.8 from 13.7 and Prices Paid at 25.9 from 26.4. Stock market key indexes were [...]
The JVS Scholarship Program is a need-based program providing scholarships for college, graduate school, and vocational school to Jewish students who are permanent residents of Los Angeles County. The online application period closes March 16, 2012. Since 1972, Jewish Vocational Service has awarded more than $5 million to over 3,500 financially challenged Jewish students from [...]
If your New Year’s resolution was to apply for a mortgage refinance, you are not alone. More refinancing applications were completed during the first week of 2012 than during the holiday season, even when adjusted for vacation days. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported that for the week ending January 6, 2012, the Refinance Index, [...]
2011 saw a decline in retail spending on credit cards, although the actual number of transactions grew. Credittoday.co.uk tells us more about this research from Santander. On the whole, credit card retail spending fell by 5% per user over a 12-month period , but that decline wasn’t evenly spread. People seemed to cut back most [...]
Each day the Research staff takes a look at recently released economic indicators, addressing what these indicators mean for REALTORS(R) and their clients. Todays update highlights mortgage rates. Mortgage rates touched a new low last week, with Freddie Mac announcing a 3.91 percent average rate on a 30-year mortgage. The shorter term 1-year and 5-year [...]
We’ve all read the statistics that a college graduate earns $1 million more over their lifetime than a non-college grad. That’s a pretty compelling reason to go to college, isn’t it? But is it accurate? Or does it depend on what you study? And therefore, what kind of career you will pursue when you graduate? [...]