Yesterday’s interest rate cut could have psychological impact on homebuyers

​​​Yesterday, the Federal Reserve announced that it had cut its key interest rate by a quarter-point to a range of 2 to 2.25 percent. This marked the first time the central bank had reduced its benchmark rate since December 2008. I asked Real Estate Center Chief Economist Dr. Jim Gaines what impact

Economic expansion sets record

​​ This month marks the longest expansion in U.S. economic history. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the expansion began in June 2009. Numbers released for July 2019 will show a record 121 months of continuous growth. The expansion featured a downward trend in the unemployment

The mystery of the murdered economic expansion

​Former Federal Reserve Chairman Janet Yellen: "I don’t think economic expansions die of old age." Yellen’s predecessor, Ben Bernanke, in response: "I like to say they get murdered." The "murderers" in the past have been financial imbalances like over-leveraging or the Federal Reserve raising rates

Buying a home in a flood-prone area? Do some homework first

​​ Texas coastal cities have been hit by numerous flood events over the past 30 years, resulting in billions of dollars in damage. ​​Recently, a reporter with Bankrate.com asked for advice for homebuyers looking to buy in flood-prone areas. The bottom line: a little research in advance can save buye