| |
Mortgage Rate "movers" for the week ahead- 03/02/09 - 02/27/09 12:47 PM
The important Employment report will come out next Friday. As usual, this data on the number of jobs, the Unemployment Rate, and wage inflation will be the most highly anticipated economic data of the month. Early estimates are for a loss of over 600K jobs in February.
Before the Employment Data, the ISM national manufacturing index and Personal Income will come out on Monday.
Pending Home Sales, a leading indicator for the housing market, is scheduled for Tuesday.
Productivity, Factory Orders, and Construction Spending reports will be released on Thursday.
The amount of money the US Treasury will need to borrow to fund … (1 comments)
|
Mortgage Rate "movers" for the week- 2/23/09 - 02/23/09 12:45 PM
This final week of February will reveal a number of important indicators of economic growth.
Existing Home Sales and New Home Sales will be released on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Durable Orders will also come out on Thursday.
Revisions to fourth quarter 2008 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will be released on Friday, along with the Chicago PMI national manufacturing index.
Consumer Sentiment and Consumer Confidence are on the schedule as well.
Fed speakers, the scheduled Treasury auction on Thursday, and new information about government programs also may have a significant impact on mortgage markets this week. Call or e-mail me before you … (0 comments)
|
It's all in the 'attitude'! - 02/16/09 01:30 PM
After years of being the "grumpy" one, the cynic, the glass is half empty person, I have finally arrived. Last week someone who met me last year and has spent just a small bit of time with me said "You are such an inspiration, you are always so upbeat and looking at the bright side of things". Whew. That was a goal of mine, and I might have achieved it!
So what is your attitude like? Are you as sick and tired of hearing complaints as I am? Last week the manager of the local gas station was sweeping the sand … (5 comments)
|
Mortgage Rate "movers" for the week ahead- 2/16/09 - 02/13/09 01:16 PM
Inflation data will highlight a full Economic Calendar next week.
Industrial Production, an important indicator of economic activity, and Housing Starts will be released on Wednesday.
The Producer Price Index (PPI) focuses on the increase in prices of "intermediate" goods used by companies to produce finished products and will come out on Thursday.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI), the most closely watched monthly inflation report, will come out on Friday. CPI looks at the price change for those finished goods which are sold to consumers.
In addition, investors will continue to wait for details from the Treasury on the Financial Stability … (0 comments)
|
Mortgage Rate "movers" today- 2/12/09 - 02/12/09 10:35 AM
Mortgage-Backed Securities markets have showed little reaction to the economic data released this morning. January Retail Sales rose 1.0% from December, well above the consensus for a decline of -0.3%. It was the first increase in six months. Economists believe that more consumers postponed their purchases until after Christmas this year, and they don't see the strong data as the start of a new trend. Jobless Claims came in a little higher than expected. Continuing Jobless Claims rose to a new record high. No more economic data will be released today. A 30-yr Treasury auction will take place at 1:00 et.The … (5 comments)
|
Reader's Ideas for "Homemade" Valentines Day Gifts - 02/11/09 05:28 PM
After I had posted "10 Debt-Free Ideas for Valentines Day" on Monday, I was suprised by the feedback I recieved. ideas Your budget is probably already tight this year as you are paying down debt, adding to savings and trying to survive with current economic conditions. But if you still want to give your loved one something special, here are some gift ideas that say ‘I love you' without making your piggy bank squeal.
Frugal Valentine's Day Gifts
1. Homemade card: Get creative and make a card yourself instead of spending money on a generic store bought one. Cut out … (5 comments)
|
Debt-Free Date Ideas for Valentine's Day - 02/09/09 05:36 PM
The hype surrounding Valentine's Day has long made us dig deep into our pockets for the traditional roses, chocolates, and jewelry. According to a 2008 report from the National Retail Federation, consumers expected to spend $122 on Valentine's gifts last year. But this February, in the midst of a roller-coaster economy, the flutter many Americans are feeling has more to do with financial worries than a quickened heartbeat caused by love. Remember that there are plenty of ways to show how you feel without spending a fortune. Inspired by the "Debt Diva", Clarky Davis, here are some ideas for 'debt-free dates'.
1. Romantic Dinner: Have a nice … (5 comments)
|
Mortgage Rate "movers" today- 2/06/09 - 02/06/09 09:08 AM
The US economy lost -598K jobs in January, even worse than the consensus forecast for a loss of -500K jobs. The total losses for 2008 were revised higher to 3 million, up from 2.6 million. Adding in the January figures, the economy shed 3.6 million jobs over the past 13 months, with half of the losses taking place over the past 3 months. The Unemployment Rate jumped to 7.6% from 7.2%, to the highest level since 1992. The manufacturing and construction sectors continued to show weakness. The service sector, which held up relatively well for most of 2008, also posted large … (2 comments)
|
Explaining the 'potential' new Homebuyer Tax Credit - 02/05/09 02:51 PM
I'm sorry I didn't post this IMPORTANT news earlier, but I've been very busy this morning. Last night, the Senate added a significant homebuyer tax credit to the housing stimulus plan. Here are the key elements of the credit:
* The tax credit is for the amount of $15,000 or 10% of the purchase price (whichever is less), with the option to utilize all in one year or spread out over two years. The credit does not have to be paid back.
* The tax credit is available to all purchases of any home from date of enactment for one full … (2 comments)
|
Facebook? A dinosaur gives in...and loves it! - 02/04/09 02:39 PM
I have to confess...I was a Facebook holdout. Not because of time....but because of loyalty. I'm an AR kind of guy. The kind that likes to post here, and meet RE types from all over the country.....
Until I was 'yelled at' during a seminar on how to effectively use 'social media' like AR & Facebook to augment (not be the sole driver of) my marketing efforts.
I've been signed up for 24 hours (like my favorite TV show!), and already have 21 'friends'......and 2 new potential clients. All for spending 1 hour yesterday learning the system.
Does this mean that … (4 comments)
|
Save Energy....."Pull the Plug" on Electronics - 02/03/09 09:28 PM
It's like leaving the closet light on all day and all night, all year. When 12 months are up, you will have spent between $50 and $70 to keep that light burning.
That's an undeniably wasteful way to blow 50 bucks, but that's how much energy is lost in an average household every year. The culprit: electronics sitting idle. But still, $50 in the grand scheme of things? But think of not just your home, but your neighbors.......and their neighbors......in town after town across America. The problem is more electricity being used, which leads to pollution. It forces the electrical grid … (5 comments)
|
Foreclosure Moratorium Spurs New Interest In Short Sales - 02/03/09 11:41 AM
The national foreclosure moratorium imposed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, major banks such as Citibank and Bank of America, and a host of state governments has created a "breather" for homeowners in default. By working with loan servicers, some homeowners will be able to modify their loan terms and stay in their homes. But many won't.
Not all borrowers will qualify for modified loans. Lenders are keenly aware of this, as well as the fact that foreclosing on a home is an expensive proposition: It can cost a bank $30,000 to $50,000 to foreclose on a home, plus carrying costs … (1 comments)
|
|
|
|
Loren Johnson, CMPS
White Bear Lake,
MN
More about me…
Waterstone Mortgage
Address: 659 Bielenberg Dr. #200, Woodbury, MN, 55125
Office Phone: (651) 226-4363
Cell Phone: (651) 226-4363
Email Me
Thoughts about Mortgages, the Real Estate market, how customers should be treated, and mabye sports!
 Links
Archives
|
;)
;)
