Monday, April 6, 2026

Mortgage Rates Jump Up

Thu, 25 March 2021  |  housing interest rates 

Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), showing that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.17 percent.

“During the course of the pandemic, ‘home’ has become more important than ever. As a result, strong purchase demand continues—but buyers also outnumber the sellers,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “Since January, mortgage rates have increased half a percentage point from historic lows and home prices have risen, leaving potential homebuyers with less purchasing power. Un... Read More

Millennials Chasing The American Dream

Thu, 25 March 2021  |  millennials housing 

Homeownership is very much a part of the American Dream, even for millennials, long considered "the rent generation," a new realtor.com® survey finds. However, rising prices and a shortage of available homes for sale is making it more difficult for people to achieve their goal.

The realtor.com® HarrisX survey of more than 800 prospective homebuyers who plan to purchase their first home in 2021 sheds light on the aspirations and challenges facing those who are embarking on one of life's biggest financial decisions.

"Americans, even millennials who many thought would n... Read More

Saving In A Pandemic Economy

Thu, 25 March 2021  |  pandemic saving 

As the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic reached the United States, surprisingly, nearly seven-in-ten (69%) Americans revealed that they are optimistic about their current financial outlook and nearly one-third (30%) are more optimistic compared to previous economic downturns according to the MassMutual Consumer Spending & Saving Index, released today. This is despite the vast majority (77%) agreeing that the health crisis caused the worst economic downtown in their lifetimes.

Saving has been difficult with almost half of survey respondents (49%) saying they have s... Read More

COVID-19 Spurs Greater Interest in Life Insurance

Thu, 25 March 2021  |  pandemic insurance 

Nearly one third of consumers (31%) say COVID-19 has made it more likely they will purchase life insurance within the next 12 months, according to initial findings from the 2021 Insurance Barometer Study. The study, conducted jointly by nonprofit industry trade associations LIMRA and Life Happens, finds Millennials (ages 22-40) seem to be most influenced by the pandemic when it comes to coverage. Forty-five percent of Millennials said they are more likely to buy life insurance due to COVID-19 than Baby Boomers (15%) or Gen X consumers (31%).

“COVID-19 has raised awareness about... Read More

Americans Cautiously Optimistic Despite Pandemic Impact On Retirement Plans

Wed, 24 March 2021  |  pandemic retirement 

As more than one year has passed since the start of the pandemic and with the increasing availability of vaccines, many Americans are focusing on the future, including sizing up their prospects for retirement. The need is real. According to Fidelity Investments’® 2021 State of Retirement Planning Study, more than eight-in-ten Americans (82%) indicate the events of the past year have impacted their retirement plans, with one-third estimating it will take 2-3 years to get back on track, due to such factors as job loss or retirement withdrawals. Encouragingly, the vast majority are still ... Read More

Majority Of SME CEOs Plan To Maintain A Hybrid Workforce

Wed, 24 March 2021  |  economy employment 

A quarterly survey of CEOs of small and medium-sized businesses found a surge in economic optimism and three-fifths of the CEOs expecting to maintain a hybrid workforce. The quarterly CEO Confidence Index measures CEOs' opinions around categories including current and expected economic conditions, expected change in employment, planned fixed investment and expected revenue and profit growth. The gains in confidence and optimism about the economy in this quarter's survey point toward a time of transition before the anticipated release of pent up demand.

The Vistage CEO Confid... Read More