US Stocks started the New Year with a bang extending the gains we saw in 2019 with the major indexes hitting fresh all-time-highs yesterday.
 
The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits at the end of 2019 fell slightly, showing the pace of layoffs in the U.S. remains near a half-century low. The U.S. labor market is still quite robust even though the economy has slowed. While companies aren’t hiring as many workers, they haven’t resorted to widespread layoffs. They worry they won’t be able to rehire them if the economy speeds up.
 
Once real estate’s sleepiest month, data suggests January could be this year’s home buying hot season — a status historically reserved for April.  Homebuyers are shopping earlier in the year, a trend that began in 2015. Last year, listing views peaked in February: If the trend continues in 2020, January could be the most competitive month for home shoppers, according to economists. 
 
As a decade-long economic boom pushes into 2020, affording a home isn't expected to become much easier for the average American.  The Average American wage earner can't afford to buy a home in 75% of the US. 
 
With Northwest Quadrant Wealth Management, I'm Tyler Simones