Strong Job Growth In July Trumped By Credit Downgrade

More Americans are getting back to work. The latest Non-Farm Payrolls survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 117,000 net new jobs were created in July, thumping analyst estimates and surprising Wall Street investors. In addition, May and June’s originally-reported figures were both...

A Simple Explanation Of The Federal Reserve Statement (August 9, 2011 Edition)

Tuesday, the Federal Open Market Committee voted to leave the Fed Funds Rate unchanged within its current target range of 0.000-0.250 percent. The vote was 7-3 — the first time in 5 meetings that the nation’s Central Bank was non-unanimous and the first time since 1992 that the FOMC adjourned...

Mortgage Rates Drop After U.S. Credit Downgrade

Mortgage rates continue drifting downward, despite — or because of — a ratings downgrade on long-term U.S. government debt. Standard & Poors issued a single-notch downgrade after Friday’s market close, from AAA to AA+. Of the roughly $9.4 billion in publicly-held U.S. debt, 72 percent...

Washington State Mortgage Rates This Week : August 8, 2011

Mortgage markets were especially volatile last week, taking rate shoppers in Washington on a roller-coaster ride. The week’s news schedule was full. It included debt ceiling debates, jobs figures, and ongoing maneuverings within the Eurozone. Each story a material impact on mortgage rates and, as a...

Mortgage Rates Make New 2011 Lows

Mortgage rates in Washington plunged to new 2011 lows this week.  According to Freddie Mac’s weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey, the national, average 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell to 4.39% this week — the lowest 30-year fixed reading since November 18, 2010. The 0.16 drop from last...

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