Did foreclosures really kill our economy? The numbers don't add up

According to this 2007 report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau, there are (were) 128,203,000 housing units in the United States.

Of those, 64,231,000, or 50%, are owned free and clear.If 1.2 million homes are in foreclosure at any point in time that would equate to less than 1% of all homes in the country or 1.9% of the 63,972,000 homes that have at least 1 loan on the property.

Then let's assume that each quarter 1.2 million homes go into foreclosure. That equates to less than 4% of all homes in the country (4.8 million homes) or 7.5% of homes with at least 1 loan on the property.

Are we really to believe that because 7.5 out of every 100 homes in the country went into foreclosure our economy was thrown into a recession, mutliple financial corporations were forced to shut down and the stock market tanked? Unless I'm severely off on my math the numbers just aren't adding up.

Current Mortgage Loan Rates for Jefferson City

Mortgage Loan Rates-January 15, 2009

30 year --- 5.00%
20 year --- 4.875%
15 year --- 4.75%
10 year --- 4.75%

Rates subject to change at any timeProvided by Lynne Bateman, Mid America Bank, 573-896-4790 Rates quoted above are for qualified borrowers with a 95% loan-to-value (LTV) or less. Please call for rates on mortgage loans with 95.01%-97% LTV. Rates subject to change at any time without notice Credit scores may adversely affect quoted rates.

If you're thinking of selling or buying in the Jefferson City Missouri Area, contact Hank Vogt direct at (573)761-3485 or online at www.hankshouses.com . “I want to be your Jefferson City Real Estate Resource ~ I am at your service!

Winter Home Protection Tips

While you can't change the weather, you can minimize some of winter's biggest threats to your home. Remember the phrase out of sight out of mind? That could also go for portions of your house. And with these cold temperatures that could cost you big.
For instance, when did you last check pipes underneath your house?

read more..... and here