Long-term trends grow from short term trends. We attampt to determine the short term trends and where they are pointing.
by Pete Kofod “So this is what it looks like when a society is starting to collapse,” the man standing behind the counter at the hardware store said matter-of-factly. The remark had been directed at no one in particular, but generally at anyone standing nearby. As I was among that audience, I looked at him
Insights into Cultural Shifts from a Visit to a Hardware Store Read More »
Australian Real Estate and Economic Trends According to new data, personal finance fell 0.9% during October, after the release of official figures by the Reserve Bank of Australia. Seasonally adjusted personal finance dropped to $7.343 billion for October after a revised September intake of $7.409 billion. October also witnessed the total number of commercial loans
Real Estate in Australia: In Need of Turn Around Read More »
As Americans we believe that we can be whatever we want to be… if we work hard enough and have a dream. We, too, can experience financial security and be treated equally, without consideration for class, race or religion… we value our freedom to choose how we live our lives and we are fascinated by
Home Ownership Rates Among Millennials Read More »
The construction industry is a good indicator of the national economy because people and businesses only decide to build when they believe they will have the income and resources to afford it. Although some companies will have the need to expand more quickly than the national average, including popular coffee chain Starbucks’, the overall level
Construction Spending Jumps Read More »
H.A.R.P. Government Mortgage Refinance Program It’s been nearly four years since the original version of the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) was announced by the White House and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). HARP is part of an Obama administration initiative to bring stability to the U.S. housing market by helping homeowners avoid foreclosure.
How Successful is the HARP Government Mortgage Refinance Program? Read More »
In the year 1602 a new form of business organization was introduced that would change the course of economic history. The Dutch East India Company – known in its native Holland as Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie – became the first company to offer shares of ownership to the general public, thus allowing any person who became
The Amsterdam Stock Exchange: Centerpiece of Market Economics Read More »
On August 24th in the year 410 AD the “Barbarians” appeared at the gates of Rome and successfully sacked the city. They spent three days pillaging and causing all sorts of mayhem. Thus began the saying that has come to mean a destruction from without by uncivilized people, “Barbarians at the Gates”. Historically these particular barbarians were
Zombies at the Gate Read More »
Editor’s note: Greed has caused tremendous harm around the world, as people fight and die over scarce resources and many mistakenly believe that the Bible says that “money is the root of all evil” but actually that is a misquote. 1 Timothy 6:10 says “For the Love of Money is the root of all evil” but
Is Money the Root of All Evil? Read More »
These days very few people can afford to buy a house for cash. So, if you’re looking to purchase a new home, you’re probably planning on getting a mortgage. Obviously, that requires you to pay additional interest to the bank, adding thousands of dollars to the purchase price. By making some smart choices before you
Get A Lower Interest Rate on Your Mortgage Read More »
Was the U.S. Ratings Downgrade from AAA to AA in 2011 a Problem? Before Standard & Poor’s cut the United States’ credit rating last summer, few economists or politicians believed that the United States could ever lose its gold-standard AAA rating. As a stable, vibrant democracy backed by a strong military, it was inconceivable that
What Happened with the U.S. Ratings Downgrade Problem? Read More »
