Housing market and economy showing encouraging signs

The average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage hit a new low of 3.88 percent, raising hopes that the housing market will continue to strengthen. But housing starts were essentially flat in December compared with the month before. Read related article.

Sources: Freddie Mac, Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Labor Department. The Washington post. Published on January 19, 2012, 7:28 p.m.

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