Friday, August 20, 2010

Americans Still Want to Own a Home

More than 72 percent of American adults say that home ownership is a part of their personal American dream, down from 77 percent six months ago, according to a survey for Trulia.com.

About 23 percent said their attitude toward homeownership has grown more positive in the last six months, while 19 percent say they feel more negatively.

Among those adults who are renting a home, 27 percent say they never intend to buy. Of the renters who do plan to purchase eventually, 68 percent said it would be more than two years before they do.

The factors that would encourage them to buy now are:

• Able to save a down payment, 47 percent
• Land a new job, 28 percent
• Interest rates stay low or fall lower, 27 percent
• Some other factor that persuades them that buying makes financial sense, 24 percent
• Get a raise, 23 percent
• Local real estate market stabilizes, 9 percent

Source: Trulia.com

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Grilled Chicken and Spinach Quesadillas

Serves 4

Hands-on Time: 15m

Total Time: 20m

Ingredients

1 2- to 2 1/2-pound rotisserie chicken, meat shredded
4 cups baby spinach (about 3 ounces)
1 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack (6 ounces)
4 large flour tortillas
1 avocado, diced
1/2 cup store-bought fresh salsa
1/4 cup sour cream
Directions

1. Heat grill to medium. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, spinach, and cheese. Dividing evenly, place the mixture on one half of each tortilla. Fold the other half over to cover.

2. Grill the quesadillas until the cheese has melted and the tortillas are crisp, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Serve with the avocado, salsa, and sour cream.

Tip

Before you grate cheese, coat the grater with cooking spray. It will be easier to use and wash.

Nutritional Information

Calories 776; Calories From Fat 348; Protein 59g; Carbohydrate 47g; Sugar 3g; Fiber 7g; Fat 39g; Sat Fat 15g; Sodium 1044mg; Cholesterol 171mg

Homeownership Falls to Lowest Level Since 1999

The homeownership rate fell to 66.9 percent in the second quarter, down from 67.1 percent in the first quarter, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This was the lowest level since 1999.

The homeownership rate reached a record high of 69.2 percent in the second and fourth quarters of 2004.

Rising foreclosures are driving the decline. A record 4.6 percent of U.S. mortgages were in foreclosure in the first three months of 2010, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported in May.

Source: Bloomberg, Kathleen M. Howley (07/27/2010)