The S&P/CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-city index rose 5.3% annually in November, up from the October’s 5.1% annual pace. Seattle was first up 0.2% and 10.4% annually. Portland was second also up 0.2% for the month and 10.1% annually.
The Conference Board reports consumer confidence fell to 111.8 in January after hitting a 15-year high of 113.3 in December. Economists expected 112.9. Present conditions improved, but expectations fell. Those expecting more jobs in the months ahead fell from 21.7% to 19.8%, and the percentage of consumers expecting their incomes to increase from 21.5% to 18%.
Forget tuition. The Urban Institute reports that at public and private four-year colleges,the price of room and board, which typically covers housing on-campus and food, roughly doubled (in inflation-adjusted dollars) between 1980 and 2014. The big increase in cost new phenomenon; between 1964 and 1980, the price was nearly flat in inflation-adjusted dollars. And affordability initiatives do little to combat the rising cost of living at college. Tuition freezes, government free college programs, and most scholarships and grants don’t cover basic necessities like food and housing.
Serving the West Side first, I am Bill Roller of BR Capital for 1360 KUIK.
