Home sales rise as unemployment claims fall

[Peacetrain]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100422/ap_on_bi_go_ec_fi/us_economy

WASHINGTON – Home sales rose sharply last month and claims for jobless benefits fell last week. The two reports Thursday sketched a picture of a modestly improving economy.

Sales of previously occupied homes increased more than expected in March after three straight months of declines, the National Association of Realtors said. The housing market benefited from government incentives that drew in buyers.

Purchases jumped 6.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.35 million last month, the highest level since December. Home prices also rose 4 percent.

[aikoaiko]

1. modestly is how an economic recovery starts.

sometimes in fits, false starts, a few steps backward, etc.

[Peacetrain]

4. You are right... you never go from zero to sixty in a week..

[ClarkUSA]

2. Wonderful news. Team Obama is slowly reversing the damage wrought by BushCo. n/t

[Peacetrain]

3. Its starting my day out right.. that is for sure

[ClarkUSA]

6. Thanks for bringing it here so folks here can check out unbiased facts that reflect reality.

:hi:

[Liberal_in_LA]

5. good news

[asdjrocky]

7. People with money or good credit are buying up rental property.

Many people have just given up on looking for a job.

There's your numbers.

[Newest Reality]

8. Enjoy the "news' while you can!

Try to forget that this is far deeper and prevailing than currently meets the undiscerning eye that observes the media. Gloom and doom are only sentiments and they are relative. What is actual transcends fleeting spurts, spikes, and fluctuations reported as significant.

I don't discourage optimism if it gets you through the day. Optimism based on opinions and machinations is how we came here in the first place, so it is not I who will bring a sledgehammer to place pock marks on your glowing, blue, rectangular wall ;)

"Consumer" sentiment is always at stake, even if it is merely a bet you are supposed to place on signs.

[NJmaverick]

9. K&R! The FACTS matter and this is great news!