Karl Menzer's (karlmenzer) Blog

Wednesday, April 30, 2008"Economic activity remains weak". Really Fed Chairman? I Mean Really? Today's .25% rate cut came as no surprise to the market today. Most of the comments about the risk of inflation and lack of a robust economy didn't either.  The good news is that both the DOW and the bo...

Tuesday, April 29, 2008We broke 2 records today. The S&P/ Case Shiller index dropped the most ever. This report talks about the rate of housing value which dropped 12.7% in February. Consumer confidence also came out today. Although the number beat estimates by .3% the number of people who believ...

Monday, April 28, 2008Without any real news to sink our teeth into today, traders will be alert for anyone who sneezes the wrong way to decide which way to invest. With that being said, Warren Buffet spoke out today on how he not only believes that we are in a recession, but that it will be much ...

THE JOB MARKET  Initial jobless claims dropped by 33,000 last week. Quite unexpected by analysts to say the least. The market reacted like it was the best news in weeks.... Which it was. With the four week average remaining at a high 369,500, and numbers dropping only as benefits end for the unem...

Rates have bounced around this week more than kids at a birthday party. Like them, all this up and down has left some with an upset stomach. I wouldn't be far off is I said that the first thing I do when I wake up is open my computer and see what the bond (and therefore rates) are going to do tod...

Thursday, April 24, 2008It's a good market news day, which is pulling the bond down pretty hard. Durable goods orders came in better than expected today. Although most of it was defense related orders, investors looked at it as good news and ran with it. Other positive news was that Jobless claim...

Wednesday, April 23, 2008It takes real self control to not watch the bond constantly and today is no exception. Bond insurer Ambac reported a loss today of $1.6 billion. This was much worse than analysts expected and dropped their stock down to under $ 5 a share. They were $95 a year ago (ouch). ...

Tuesday, April 22, 2008Existing home sales came in lower than economists expected today at 4.93 million. It was expected to be 4.95 million. The national median home price also dropped to $ 200,700, still not bad for U.S. Other news in the market is a mixed bag, with the most annoying economic ne...

Tuesday, April 22, 2008Existing home sales came in lower than economists expected today at 4.93 million. It was expected to be 4.95 million. The national median home price also dropped to $ 200,700, still not bad for U.S. Other news in the market is a mixed bag, with the most annoying economic ne...

The most common questions I hear from clients is "do I need a down payment?" and "What do I qualify for?" There are still a number of options with Community development grants, Down payment assistance programs, VA, and Rural Housing in certain areas 100% is still possible.  Scores are more import...