Play Snakes and Ladders with the Federal Reserve

The debate over when the Bank of England and the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates has been running for a very, very long time now.

So economists at Bloomberg Intelligence have managed to make it fun again. With the specific timing depending on a host of moving parts in the economy – wage growth, inflation and unemployment – they reckon those factors will direct policy makers like counters on a snakes and ladders board game.

And so they have created a Snakes and Ladders game and invite readers to “roll the dice”.

Listening to economists and other commentators opine on when – or even whether – the US and UK will raise interest rates reminds me of tuning into sports radio programs. Here in New England, even months after the circus of Tom Brady and his deflated balls first broke, the sports radio commentators were repeating exactly the same arguments and opinions as they were at the outset.

Similarly with interest rates. Same commentators, same arguments.

My wonder – and admiration – is that so many people can make a living repeating the same comments over and over again.

And when will the Fed and the BofE raise interest rates? The answer is simple: “It’s the economy, stupid.”

Or you can just roll the dice.

If you – or somebody you know – are considering buying or selling a home and have questions about the market and/or current home prices, feel free to contact me on 617.834.8205 or [email protected].

Read Which broker should I choose to sell my house?

Andrew Oliver is a Realtor with Harborside Sotheby’s International Realty. Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated

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