What effects will a cooling housing market have on the economy?

Nov 8, 2018
The Federal Reserve has been raising short-term interest rates, but long-term borrowing costs have been rising, too. Freddie Mac said Thursday the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 4.94 percent, a nearly seven-year high. Those higher costs are taking a bite out of demand. For example, mortgage applications fell to a four-year […]
Different methods of calculating consumer inflation have different ways of accounting for the movement of home prices.
Stephen Brashear/Getty Images for Redfin

Home buyers navigate sluggish housing market

Oct 24, 2018
Sales of new and existing homes haven't been this slow for years, so what's a buyer to do?
 A 'For Sale' sign sits in front of a new home May 27, 2004 in Miami, Florida. 
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Home buyers navigate sluggish housing market

Oct 24, 2018
Sales of new and existing homes haven't been this slow for years, so what's a buyer to do?
 A 'For Sale' sign sits in front of a new home May 27, 2004 in Miami, Florida. 
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

FICO scores are going to change. Here's how.

The Ultra FICO could make it easier for people with imperfect scores to qualify for credit.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

FICO scores are going to change. Here's how.

The Ultra FICO could make it easier for people with imperfect scores to qualify for credit.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Re-Fi? Standby … Rates are not great right now

Oct 19, 2018
Five years ago, refinancing made up 75 percent of the mortgage business. Today, it’s just around 37 percent. With climbing interest rates, demand has dipped and the mortgage industry is poised to shed jobs. Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 

Re-Fi? Standby … Rates are not great right now

Oct 19, 2018
Five years ago, refinancing made up 75 percent of the mortgage business. Today, it’s just around 37 percent. With climbing interest rates, demand has dipped and the mortgage industry is poised to shed jobs. Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 

For public good, not for profit.

How much U.S. debt is too much?

Oct 16, 2018
Balancing the federal budget is a bigger deal for politicians than economists.
The United States could simply make more money to pay its bills, said Stephanie Kelton, an economics professor at Stony Brook University. But taken to an extreme, that could lead to higher inflation.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images

How much U.S. debt is too much?

Oct 16, 2018
Balancing the federal budget is a bigger deal for politicians than economists.
The United States could simply make more money to pay its bills, said Stephanie Kelton, an economics professor at Stony Brook University. But taken to an extreme, that could lead to higher inflation.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Credit card interest rates are rising

Oct 9, 2018
The average rate is just over 17 percent, and it's expected to keep going up.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images