Here’s a brief round up of some good signs for the economy. The economic news was so unrelentingly bad for so long it’s refreshing to see there’s signs of life out there. I don’t expect to see all economic signals to be positive even in a boom. But as we see more economic positives offsetting the abundant economic negatives, that means we’re moving forward.
Everything below is about the United States in general, not just Arizona.
Apartment Vacancies Fell in Quarter
U.S. apartment vacancies fell slightly during the second quarter, the first drop in three years.
Via Wall Street Journal.
Mortgage Rates Tick Down to New Low
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.57% for the week ended Thursday.
Via Wall Street Journal.
GSEs Lower Mortgage Guarantee Fees as Credit Quality Improves
The reduction in guarantee fees — or g-fees — arrived on the heels of “significant improvement” to the credit profile of mortgages acquired since 2008, FHFA said. Product, credit score and loan-to-value ratio spectrums improved among mortgages acquired by the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs).
Fannie and Freddie acquired fewer low downpayment mortgages, and fewer loans with risk layering. More borrower had credit scores of 720 or more — 85% from 68% of borrowers in 2008. The share of borrowers with credit scores between 660 and 719 slipped to 13%, from 24% a year earlier, while the share of borrowers with credit scores below 660 fell to 2%, from 8% in 2008.
Via HousingWire.
Hotel Occupancy Rate increases
“On a 4-week basis, occupancy is up 7.5% compared to last year (the worst year since the Great Depression) and 4.1% below the median for 2000 through 2007.” Click graph to see full size image.
It’s a sign things are improving.
Via Calculated Risk.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Steve 07.12.10 at 11:12 am
It’s refreshing to hear a series of good news now and then. I was out with a freind who is in the shipping container business. A year ago, ships were parked with nothing to ship. It was bleak. He told me that everything is booked to capacity.
My UPS driver said UPS had record profits and that volume is back.
I was out with a friend who sells millions of pounds of to the lamb to the crusie ship industry. He siad the cruises are fully booked and are making record profits because they simply reduced the prices until they were full. That’s because they bought oil at $35 a barrel and all of the premium cut foods are down (two biggest expenses). So even though the price of a cruise is a lot lower, they are making more money than ever.
Of course there is plenty bad news to go around but at least there is some good news to hang our hat on.
Thanks for the uplift John. We all need it from time to time.
John Wake 07.12.10 at 11:24 am
Thanks for those examples, Steve! Great stuff.