Mortgage rates down a little
McLean, Va. – Rates for 30-year home loans inched downward this week, but remain above record lows posted during the spring, Freddie Mac said Thursday.
The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage was 5.32 this week, below last week’s average of 5.42 percent. Last year at this time, the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage was 6.35 percent, Freddie Mac said.
Rates on 30-year mortgages fell to a record low of 4.78 percent earlier this year.
The average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 4.77 percent, down from 4.87 percent last week, according to Freddie Mac.
Jet deliveries similar to ’08
Seattle – Boeing Co. delivered 125 commercial jets in the second quarter, one less than the same period in 2008.
The aerospace manufacturer said for the three-month period it delivered 99 of its 737s – the company’s best-selling jet – and 21 777s. In the same period last year, Boeing delivered 100 737s and 18 777s.
Other deliveries included two 747s and three 767s, according to figures posted Thursday on Boeing’s Web site.
To date this year, Boeing has delivered 246 planes, up from 241 planes in the period of 2008.
Boeing has struggled with slumping orders for its jets as the recession dampens demand for air travel and cargo services.
Tribe switching to efficient bulbs
Burns, Ore. – Every single light bulb on the Burns Paiute Reservation will soon be exchanged for energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs.
About 175 members of the tribe live in 60 homes on the Eastern Oregon reservation. With other buildings on the property, about 1,200 bulbs will be switched out.
“The Burns Paiute tribe is proud to lead the way in this green effort,” said Acting Tribal General Manager Kenton Dick. “We appreciate all the benefits of this program, from the cash savings it brings to the members of our tribe, to the stewardship it provides to our planet.”
The effort is funded by the Bonneville Power Administration’s Energy Efficiency program.
Compact fluorescent bulbs last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs and use 75 percent less energy.