Phil Castle, The Business Times: Thanks in part to gains in November, real estate sales in Mesa County have rebounded to their highest level since 2008. With a month left to go in 2012, real estate transactions already exceed year-end totals for the past three years. Moreover, the combined dollar volume of sales so far […]
A measure of refinancing and real estate sales has increased in Mesa County. According to the latest information from the Colorado Division of Housing, the Mesa County public trustee’s office released 1,635 deeds of trust during the third quarter. That number constitutes a nearly 9 percent increase over the second quarter and an almost 22 percent […]
While property foreclosure activity slowed during the third quarter compared to last year, Mesa County continued to experience the highest foreclosure rate among metropolitan counties in Colorado. According to the latest statistics from the Colorado Division of Housing, 288 property foreclosure filings and 224 foreclosure sales were reported in Mesa County during the third quarter. […]
A number of monthly indicators offer encouragement the housing industry is rebounding in the United States. Housing starts and permitting activity have increased to their highest levels in more than four years and a measure of confidence among home builders has advanced to its strongest reading in more than six years. Median home prices have […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County has dropped to its lowest level since early 2009 as the latest labor estimates include an increase in local payrolls of more than 1,000. The gain is tempered, though, by the announcement Choice Hotels International plans to close its Grand Junction call center […]
An index forecasting economic performance in the United States has seesawed back up as it continues to signal slow growth ahead. The Conference Board reported that its Leading Economic Index (LEI) rose six-tenths of a percent to 95.9 in September. The index dipped four-tenths of a percent in August and rose four-tenths of a percent […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: Sales tax collections for Mesa County continue to trend downward, declining on a year-over-year basis for three consecutive months. Total collections so far in 2012 continue to outpace 2011, though, and are projected to come close to matching yearly gains posted before the county went through an economic boom and […]
A monthly index tracking labor trends has declined for the third time in four months, suggesting that job growth could weaken in the fourth quarter and beyond. The Conference Board reported that its Employment Trends Index slipped almost four-tenths of a point to 107.86 in September. “The U.S. economy entered a soft patch in the […]
A monthly index tracking optimism among small business owners has edged down on less upbeat expectations for hiring and capital outlays. The National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Small Business Optimism Index slipped a tenth of a point to 92.8 for September. The index is based on the results of monthly surveys of […]
The monthly unemployment rate in the United States has dipped below 8 percent for the first time since the start of 2009 on what was reported as a surge in the number of people taking part-time positions. The results of a separate survey pegged the increase in nonfarm payrolls at 114,000. According to the latest […]