The U. S. economy grew at an accelerated pace in the last quarter of 2009 driven by a rebound in manufacturing and better than expected gains in consumer spending and commercial investments, according to Commerce Department statistics.
The nation's gross domestic product (GDP-or total goods and services produced in the United States) expanded at a robust 5.7% annual rate in the 4th quarter. That's more than double the 2.2% growth in the 3rd quarter, and a dramatic turnaround from the first three months on 2009, when the economy shrank by 6.4%.
It remains to be seen whether purchases, exports and capitol spending can grow enough to keep lifting production and sustain the economic recovery. The predictions are that the economic growth will be between 2-3%, a moderate pace that would not be enough to spark much job creation.
What happens with the economy and jobs, has a big influence on the real estate market. Without job creation, people cannot buy real estate.