Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight

Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight: "HOUSE PRICE APPRECIATION SLOWS FURTHER - (November 30, 2006)"

What’s keeping long term rates down, and why

What’s keeping long term rates down, and why: "What’s keeping long term rates down, and why
WASHINGTON – Nov. 28, 2006 – In February 2005, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan called it a “conundrum” – wondering why long-term bonds resisted the Fed’s efforts to push interest rates up.

If anything, the mystery has deepened. Back then, it seemed that long-term rates might just be slow to rise. Now it looks like they could stay low for ... well, for who knows how long?

Forever?

That would be good news for anyone who expects to need a new mortgage someday. And it would be good for stock-market investors, as low rates on fixed-income holdings make stocks comparatively more attractive, shoring up share prices."

Florida’s existing home sales down, median price level in October 2006

Florida’s existing home sales down, median price level in October 2006: "Florida’s existing home sales down, median price level in October 2006
Existing home sales rise in October, market stabilizing, says NAR
ORLANDO, Fla. – Nov. 28, 2006 – The pace of home sales in Florida continued to slow in October, though some markets report that the inventory of homes available for sale also eased last month.
A total of 12,773 existing single-family homes sold statewide last month, a decrease of 22 percent from the 16,407 homes sold during the previous October, according to the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). Statewide, the existing-home median price remained level at $242,500 last month; a year ago, it was $243,400, according to FAR."