By Jann Swanson
Posted To: MND NewsWire
There is certainly no dearth of economic and housing forecasts afoot in the land. Freddie Mac starts out its current U.S. Economic & Housing Market Outlook by comparing this January with last. Back then, we are reminded, “interest rates were rising, growth was sluggish, and disruptive weather from a polar vortex reduced economic growth in the first quarter by about one percent.” Today mortgage rates are down, jobs are up, and failing oil prices are providing a big boost to individuals and the economy. The question Frank E. Nothaft and Leonard Kiefer, Freddie Mac’s chief and deputy chief economist ask is “whether or not households and businesses will be able to seize these opportunities and make the most of them.” The two point out that many of these opportunities may be, as television pitchmen…(read more)