Monday, April 28, 2008

Fed Rate Cut Predicted

The monetary policy meeting of the Federal Reserve is just two days away, and many predict that the institution is likely to cut the short-term interest rate once again, from 2.25%to 2%.

This would be the seventh time that the rate has been lowered since August, and would signal that a recession is still a strong possibility this year.

Although the stock market is doing relatively well at the moment, soaring prices for oil and food have fostered a growing fear of imminent recession.

In addition, as Steven Weisman of the New York Times reminds us, "A tricky aspect of the Fed’s decision is that the impact of whatever it does may not be felt for more than six months. Many economists say it takes at least that long for interest rate cuts to have an economic effect."

In the end, one major issue that the Fed will battle over is the need to take care of inflation versus the need to ward of a recession.

Click here to read Weisman's article in its entirety.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

FYI: Request for Reappraisal in Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz Association of REALTORS®
Email Ed
Week of April 7, 2008

REQUEST FOR REAPPRAISAL OF HOME IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY


When the taxpayer in Santa Cruz County believes he/she is being over assessed this form may be submitted to the Assessor's Office so that the current assessed values may be reviewed. For more information see the County’s brochure entitled Prop 8 Reductions under Tax Cycle Information.

Note: If you are unable to open the link to the Request for Reappraisal form simply copy and paste the link below into your browser.

http://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/asr/forms/taxform10.pdf