interesting: Job Growth Remains Steady - 04/01/16 04:03 AM
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Friday that Non-farm Payrolls rose by 215,000 in March, above the 200,000 expected, though down from the 245,000 created in February. Within the report it showed that the Unemployment Rate edged higher to 5 percent from 4.9 percent.
The positive report signals that despite global economic woes, job growth here in the States remains solid.
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interesting: Job Growth Surges in February! - 03/06/16 09:04 PM
The Labor Department reported that there were 242,000 jobs created in February, above the 190,000 expected. Plus, December and January were revised higher by a total of 30,000. The Labor Force Participation Rate ticked up to 62.9 percent, the highest since January 2015, while the Unemployment Rate remained at 4.9 percent. The U6 number, which is total unemployed, fell to 9.7 percent from 9.9 percent. Despite this positive news, wage growth is still a concern falling -0.1 percent from January, below the 0.2 percent expected. Year-over-year wage growth rose a modest 2.2 percent from February 2015 to February 2016.
 
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interesting: Housing Starts End 2015 on a High Note! - 12/16/15 11:16 PM
The Commerce Department reported on Wednesday that Housing Starts in November rose 10.5 percent from October to an annualized rate of 1.173 million units; this was above the 1.135 million expected. The big jump in November nearly erases the 12 percent decline from September to October. Single-family starts were up 7.6 percent from October to the highest level since January 2008. Housing Starts are up nearly 17 percent in November from a year earlier.
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interesting: Buyer used his pay to purchase a home! Check out this success story! - 12/14/15 12:33 AM
Check out this success story!  A little known tip which licensed Real Estate Agents can take advantage of is using their commission as down payment for the purchase of their own home.We just had a closing on new construction for a buyer using near the loan size limit for an FHA loan (County limit is $271,050) and his real estate commission from the sale was used as his down payment.  Usually lenders are required to prove down payment in the buyer’s bank account during the underwriting stage of the file but these commission funds are not even available until the purchase has closed, funded, and recorded.  So this … (4 comments)

interesting: Unbelievable VA Success Story for an Active Duty, 1st Time Home Buyer! - 12/08/15 10:40 PM
Under 640 score, over 55% debt ratio, VA home loan purchase that needs to close in 33 days?  No way?  Yes, Way!! So often there are times when someone has some hurdles to overcome when purchasing a home and our team is one that will figure out a way to make the loan work if it can be.  We were just recently faced with the following scenario:
620 credit score 57% debt ratio No money down Active duty service member First time buyer Need to close in 33 days The buyer provided us with everything requested up-front which allowed us to obtain … (0 comments)

interesting: Watch out for the Holidays and what they can do to your credit scores! - 12/08/15 01:27 AM
“Do you want to put that on your charge card for a special discount?” or “If you open a charge card with us, you will save 30% off of today’s purchase!” is what you will hear at every department store you visit over the holidays.  Sounds great, right?Not when it comes to credit scores!  There are several ways that opening a new account and then charging your purchase on the card can lower your credit scores.  You would not believe how much a new $300 card with a $270 charge can do to your credit scores!
Here are the top ways a holiday trip to the … (0 comments)

interesting: U.S. Economic Growth Slows - 10/29/15 02:51 AM
The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported on Thursday that the first reading on third quarter economic growth slowed mainly due to a decline in restocking warehouses. Gross Domestic Product grew at a 1.5 percent pace in the third quarter, down from 3.9 percent in the second quarter and just below the 1.6 percent expected. However, within the report it showed that the consumer spending component was up 3.2 percent after a 3.6 percent increase in the second quarter, a bright spot.
 
After nearly $5 trillion dollars in stimulus since 2008, the economy is stuck in 2 percent growth, which is nothing to … (1 comments)

interesting: September Existing Home Sales Surge - 10/23/15 12:52 AM
September Existing Home Sales beat expectations and rose 4.7 percent from August to an annual rate of 5.55 million units, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Year over year, sales are up nearly 9 percent. All four major regions of the country experienced sales gains.
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interesting: August New Home Sales Surge - 09/25/15 02:51 AM
The Commerce Department reported Thursday that single-family home sales surged in August, July's numbers also were revised higher, signaling continued strength in the U.S. housing market. New Home Sales in August rose 5.7 percent from July to the highest rate since 2008 and are up nearly 22 percent August 2014. Expectations were calling for 515,000 units in August. In addition, July's numbers were revised to 522,000 from 507,000.
 
The New Home Sales report shows the number of newly constructed homes with a committed sale during the month.
 
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interesting: August 2015 Housing Starts Slow - 09/17/15 03:17 AM
The Commerce Department reported Thursday that August Housing Starts fell 3 percent from July to an annual rate of 1.126 million units. This was below the 1.158 million expected. Housing Starts kept pace above one million for the fifth straight month, however, signaling significant recovery after the housing bubble imploded in 2008.
 
The Housing Starts report measures the beginning of excavation on residential housing structures.
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interesting: Wrightsville Beach, NC voted 1 of National Geographic's 20 best surfs! - 01/13/15 11:16 PM
Wrightsville Beach - A great surf town is the nearly magical sum of consistent waves, inviting accommodations, friendly locals, fun nightlife, delicious food, and plenty of activities should the ocean go flat.  Wrightsville Beach, NC is a small town tucked away between the salt marshes, sandy barrier islands, and old wooden piers of the American southeast.  It is just across the waterway from historic Wilmington, NC.  Late summer is hurricane season and offers warm weather with consistently above-average surf.  You can just show up and surf, which is something that you can’t always do in big surf towns.  Vacation rentals overlooking the … (0 comments)