Mortgage and Lending with America’s Mortgage Solutions | The Christian Penner Mortgage Team NMLS# 368289
Follow Me On:
IN THIS ISSUE...
"I love to mix it up." - British actor Clive Owen. If you love to mix it up, this month's issue is perfect for you. From a "mixed bag" to "mixed messages" and even compost mixing, the articles below provide a perfect blend of news you can use!
A Mixed Bag - How did the housing market make out last month? The article below breaks it down.
What to Watch - The Fed Chair's mixed message shook up the markets! Find out what to watch going forward.
Facts and Activities - Mix it up with one or two of these ideas to celebrate dad!
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your unique situation, call or email today. And please forward this newsletter to friends, family members and coworkers who may find this information helpful.
A Mixed Bag
With so many reports released each month, it can be hard to keep track of the trend in the housing market. With the benefit of hindsight, however, we can now say that the housing news released in May was decidedly...mixed. Read on for some clarity about what was learned and what it actually means.
Let's start with...well...Housing Starts. In May, Housing Starts for April were reported. The report showed that Housing Starts declined in April and came in below expectations (due in large part to a drop in apartment building activity). On a positive note, however, Housing Starts were actually up 13 percent when compared to the same time a year ago.
More positive news came in the form of Building Permits and New Home Sales. Building Permits (which are a sign of future construction) surged in April to come in well above expectations. New Home Sales for April also rose to beat consensus estimates, and March sales were revised higher.
Home prices also saw a mixed bag of data released last month. Research firm CoreLogic reported that home prices rose 10.5 percent in March 2013 when compared to the same time a year ago. That was the biggest annual increase since March 2006 and the 13th consecutive increase in home prices. On the flip side, however, home prices remain 25 percent lower than the peak of April 2006.
What does all of this mean for home loan rates?
Overall, Bonds and home loan rates benefitted last month from some of the weak economic reports. Also helping Bonds and home loan rates has been the fact that inflation remains non-existent. That gives the Fed cover to continue its Bond purchase program known as Quantitative Easing (QE)--despite some opinions that the program should come to an end (see the article below for more on that subject).
The bottom line is that home loan rates remain near historic lows and now is a great time to consider a home purchase or refinance. Let me know if I can answer any questions at all for you or someone you know.
What to Watch: The Fed and Q3
Last month, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke spoke on Capitol Hill...and the impact was huge. Here's what you need to know about Bernanke's testimony and why so many people are keeping a close eye on what he said.
What did Bernanke say?
It's important to note that Mr. Bernanke's text read that QE will not be halted. However, when the Q&A session began, he did say that if the economic environment improves, then Bond purchases could be tapered by the next Fed meeting in June or July.
Why does it matter?
Besides the Fed's dual mandate of maximum employment and price stability, the Fed has a responsibility to provide clarity, maintain calm and do their best not to roil the financial markets. The mixed messages did not meet that goal at all, and the impact was felt around the world as global Stock markets plunged.
What to watch...
Let's be clear, what we're really looking for are fears that the Fed's latest round of QE will taper in coming months. So whenever a Fed member speaks, an inflation report is released, or major positive economic news is reported, I'll be keeping an eye on how the markets react. Even if the Fed doesn't react to the news with a specific comment, traders may let fear impact their decisions...and that could move the markets.
Celebrate Dad–Any Day of the Year!
Father's Day was Sunday, June 16, 2013. Here are some fun facts and a list of activities you can share with dad–any time of the year.
One in a Million?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 70.1 million fathers across the U.S. Although they all share the experience of fatherhood, each dad is unique. That means, your dad isn't just one in a million; he's one in 70.1 million!
Simple, Special, and Inexpensive Activities for Dad
Go for a hike - If your dad enjoys nature and relaxing walks, plan a weekend hike. Whether you make it an easy stroll or a more challenging climb, a hike is a great way to spend some quality time away from the chaos of everyday life. Here are some hiking tips and packing ideas that can make the day as safe as it is fun.
Visit a museum or history center - Whether your dad enjoys art or history, you're sure to find a museum or history center in your area that will fit his interests.
Go fish - Take Dad to his favorite fishing spot. Of course, if Dad's not much of a fisherman, consider pulling out a deck of cards and playing a game of Go Fish with the younger children.
Play ball - There are plenty of baseball fields and open parks where the family can gather on the weekends for a game of baseball with Dad. Whether you play a more competitive game of fastball or softball with older children or Wiffle ball with youngsters, it'll be a day you all remember.
Hand over the remote - Rain in the forecast? Consider curling up on the couch with your dad for a couple hours of his favorite shows or movies. You can even plan ahead by renting some of his favorite old movies as a surprise.
Watch home movies - Don't just limit your movie watching to Dad's favorite Hollywood films. Instead, spend a Saturday night watching some of those home movies that feature Dad and the kids - or even older home movies of Dad when he was a kid. If you don't have many home movies, put together a slideshow of photos; it's easy to do and you can even add music on your computer. Of course, if technology isn't your thing, there's no need to worry - grab the family photo albums and gather around Dad for a couple hours of laughing and sharing.
Q&A: Composting?
QUESTION: Does composting really make a difference?
ANSWER: Composting can reduce waste and help you save some cash. In fact, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, "Yard trimmings and food residuals comprise 23 percent of U.S. waste." So composting food scraps and yard clippings can help alleviate a lot of waste.
In addition, composting can help you save some cash. On the one hand, all that waste won't be thrown in your garbage, so composting can help reduce your garbage bill significantly when combined with recycling. The second way that composting can help you save is by providing you with a free source of nutrient-rich compost for gardens and lawns. Which means you can save by not purchasing soil or black dirt...and you can save on delivery charges or gas money for your own vehicle. And in these challenging times, every little bit of money you save helps!
Follow Me On: 
With so many reports released each month, it can be hard to keep track of the trend in the housing market. With the benefit of hindsight, however, we can now say that the housing news released in May was decidedly...mixed. Read on for some clarity about what was learned and what it actually means. 
Last month, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke spoke on Capitol Hill...and the impact was huge. Here's what you need to know about Bernanke's testimony and why so many people are keeping a close eye on what he said. 
Father's Day was Sunday, June 16, 2013. Here are some fun facts and a list of activities you can share with dad–any time of the year. 
#Christian Penner, #Mortgage Broker West Palm Beach talks about #Real Estate West Palm Beach. He also serves other Local Areas and provides home #Mortgage Solutions for Palm Beach Gardens, #Jupiter, #Boca Raton, #Wellington and #Tequesta. #Christian Penner Mortgage Broker Jupiter has the #lowest mortgage rates and the best #home mortgage programs like; #Jumbo loans, #FHA Home Loans, #VA Home Loans, #Reverse Mortgage Home Loans, #Freddie Mac Home Loans, #Fannie Mae Home Loans and #HARP Mortgage Loans. #Christian Penner Mortgage Broker Palm Beach Gardens has Served the area for over 15 years with his #Home Loan Lending Needs and Works with #FEMBI Mortgage in Jupiter. You Can Also Find Him On
Facebook at: http://Facebook.com/YourMortgageBanker
Comments(0)