Chicago's Mortgage Choice - April 26, 2016 Real Estate Report - And They Are Off...

Yes, today we are talking about politicians. And we don't mean "off their rocker" -- just in case you are wondering. What we mean is that they are off and running in a Presidential race. The primaries are in the home stretch and there certainly has been a lot of noise. But as the candidates are finalized, the noise will get even louder. Or, should we say, the rhetoric. Why is the Presidential race important for the markets? The markets obsess over everything. And if a Presidential candidate says something that upsets or is joyful to the markets, the markets will react as if they are already President, even though they are not. Basically, this will be just one more variable factor the markets will have to contend with for most of the year. Along with jobs (next week), the Federal Reserve Board's interest rate decision (this week), oil prices, China and about one hundred other factors. Speaking of the Federal Reserve Board, they announce their decision tomorrow. Most are expecting the Fed not to raise rates at this meeting. Even though the jobs machine has been humming, inflation is nowhere to be seen and most economic reports here and overseas have been less than overwhelming. If they don't raise rates, speculation will be humming when we get to their next meeting, which is in the middle of June. Just in time for the Presidential conventions! Keith Stewart 773-529-7000