Social Security vs. Life Expectancy

A chart of tax and spend policies since 1949

Data gathered from: http://federal-budget.findthedata.org/

Why you may want to refinance your home now.

Interest rates have dropped again. If you missed the last round of refinancing at the end of 2010, now may be your best opportunity to refinance.

Why you may ask?

According to this article at Mortgage News Daily, rates have decrease to their lowest levels this year (despite a slight uptick this last week). According to the article as well, many are waiting in the wings for rates to return to those lows. I see the chance of that occurring as very slim.

Last years drop in rates were due to QE2. I got news people, there isn't going to be a QE3. When people realize this is as good as it's going to get, we'll have another round of refinancing, which will push rates back up.

Get in while the gettings good.

Central Florida Real Estate Developer to Build Less Homes?

At least someone in the building community is intelligent.

According to this Orlando Sentinel Article, K. Hovnanian Homes is building 400 detached homes (aka stand alone houses), as opposed to 1,000 townhomes and condos near the Millenia area.

Now if only we could get other homebuilders around the country to do the same, maybe we could get through this excess inventory in 2 years instead of 4.

Commercial Real Estate Declines (Again)

According to Calculated Risk and Moody's, commercial real estate declined by 4.2% in march. Unfortunately we can probably expect more of the same over the next few years. Commercial real estate needs jobs. Jobs will come when we work through the residential real estate inventory, which could be 4-5 years from now.

Unemployment Rate for College Grads is still low

What if I was to ask you what the unemployment rate was for College graduates? What would you say? 10%, 8%? Try 4.5%. In other words, not bad at all.



This data was collected from the Bureau of Labor Statistics at www.bls.gov

Top 10 Dying Industries

From The Wall Street Journal: Top 10 Dying Industries

Leading the way for the top 10 dying industries is Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Not suprising. Here's the rest of the list:

Wired Telecommunications
Mills
Newspaper Publishing
Apparel Manufacturing
DVD, Game & Video Rental
Manufactured Home Dealers
Video Postproduction Services
Record Stores
Photofinishing
Formal Wear & Costume Rental

Technological improvements and foreign competition are to blame for these dying industries, but for me I see the list and see progress. Who wants to spend time going to the video store or get your pictures developed? Wireless everything please. And cheap clothing from overseas?...yes, thank you. The only industry I think we should worry about is newspaper publishing. It remains to be seen what the long term affects of the dying industry will have on all of us.