Triangle Property Lines: Measuring Your Ability to Achieve the AMERICAN DREAM!

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Measuring Your Ability to Achieve the AMERICAN DREAM!

The American Dream Index

Forbes.com recently released the results of their new American Dream Index, in which they measure “the prosperity of the middle class, and…examine which states best support the American Dream.”

The monthly index measures several different economic factors, including goods-producing employment, personal and commercial bankruptcies, building permits, startup activity, unemployment insurance claims, labor force participation, and layoffs.

The national index score was rounded out to 100 in January and saw a modest jump to 100.5 in February.

Alaska represented the lowest score on the index at 80.7, due mostly to the recent collapse in oil prices. Nevada came in with the highest score at 108.8, boosted by big gains in goods-producing jobs and new construction activity. The full results can be seen in the map below.

Forbes Senior Editor Kurt Badenhausen explained why many states saw a boost in the index last month:

“[B]usinesses are hiring in part in anticipation of tax cuts and less regulation... Many areas of the country have experienced strong upticks in employment and construction, as well as declines in unemployment claims since the start of the year.”

Here in our Local Area

We are at 103.3 - above the national index score of 100. Jobs continue to increase, consumer confidence in the housing market is very strong -- as evidenced by the rate that homes are going under contract - often a day after it hits the market. And, I've helped my buyer get a great home in a hot neighborhood before it even hit the market! If you want an agent who gets the results that you want, contact me today!