Case-Shiller Index: Home prices drop 0.9% In February
Home prices in the Top 20 Metropolitan Areas declined 0.9% in February, according to the Standard & Poor’s Case-Shiller Index. It was the fifth consecutive monthly drop. The big winner was San Diego with a 0.6% increase over January. Portland suffered a 2.4% drop over the previous month. The biggest loser in this current market downturn continues to be Las Vegas where prices are off 56.0% from their peak. Las Vegas suffered a 0.4% decrease over January. Overall, home prices in the Top 20 Metropolitan Areas were down 30.3% from their July, 2006 peak .
Here’s a look at how the individual Top 20 Metropolitan Areas are performing: Read more
Fees waived at all National Parks during National Parks Week
From April 17th through April 25th, entrance fees will be waived at all National Parks in honor of National Parks Week. These fees normally run as high as $25 per car! In addition, some park concessionaires are offering special promotions during National Parks Week. Click here for a list of participating concessionaires. Read more
Unemployment stays at 9.7% for March
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today that the unemployment rate stayed at 9.7% in March with 162,000 jobs being added. This was the biggest increase in employment in 3 years. The fact that the unemployment rate did not change seems to indicate that more people are entering the workforce.
Let’s breakdown the numbers: Read more
President Obama pardons Larry Craig
President Obama, in a surprise move intent on extending an olive branch to Republicans after a bitter partisan fight over health care reform, has granted a presidential pardon to Larry Craig, the ex-senator from Idaho. Craig pleaded guilty in 2007 to disorderly conduct after being arrested in the men’s room at the Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport on suspicion of lewd conduct. Read more
