The job market is stronger With the recession behind us, more and more companies are adding new employees to the payroll. The unemployment rate has dropped 5.8 percent and 321,000 jobs were opened up in November. All of this work equates to improved consumer optimism; The Conference Board's latest Consumer Confidence Index highlighted confidence weighing in at 19.5 percent higher than a year ago. As jobs continue to stabilize and moods lift, more potential homebuyers will enter the market as they become more eligible for a mortgage, and more capable of taking on those pesky mortgage payments. according to Zoe Eisenberg is RISMedia's Associate Editor. 17,000 jobs in April, pushing down unemployment rates to their lowest levels in nearly six years, according to the Mercury News. MLS reprots an 18% raise in home prices in San Mateo County.