But that doesn't mean it's picture perfect
Showing more signs of market improvement, the number of U.S. initial jobless claims filed last week dropped to 319,000 and the unemployment rate is down to 6.3 percent. This is in line with a longer-term trend toward gradual market improvement and slowly dropping unemployment rates. The number of initial jobless claims - the first time someone files for unemployment - is at its lowest point since October 2007.
Meanwhile, the Dow closed Friday at a new all-time high for the second week in a row, despite numerous ups and downs throughout the week, partially due to unease from conflict in Ukraine.
These mostly positive signs of growth are not to say there's no reason for concern, however. Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen has stated she's worried about the 3.5 million Americans who have been unemployed for more than six months, accounting for more than a third of all unemployed.
Still reeling from an unusually harsh winter, new housing permits are lagging and dropped 2.4 percent in March. The housing market is a key sign of overall economic health, and the demand for new housing remains not as high as hoped. Rising home values and slightly higher mortgage rates may be keeping some potential borrowers from breaking ground on new homes.
As long as the economic picture remains uneven or murky, it's safe to assume that Fed officials will keep interest rates as low as possible for as long as they can. With this in mind, it's a good idea to re-evaluate your own financial housing picture and make the most of your home assets.
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