Welcome Summer!
Did you know... Thursday, June 21 marks the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. On June 21, at the equator, there will be... »
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Retail Sales Beat Expectations
"Rise up." (Lin-Manuel Miranda) Recent tax cuts and a strong labor market helped retail sales rise in May. The Commerce Department reported that retail sales jumped 0.8 percent from April to May, well above... »
Home Prices Rise as Inventory Remains Low
"Seems there ain't no end in sight." (Garth Brooks) Home price gains continued in April, with low inventory across much of the country remaining a key culprit. Research firm CoreLogic reported that home prices,... »
Good News on Jobs
"I put that work in, day in, day out." (Kelly Clarkson) More people were putting work in, as job growth beat estimates in May. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that Non-Farm Payrolls rose... »
Online Shopping Secrets
There's no question that you can often save money shopping online. But did you know there are ways to save even more without wasting time comparison-shopping or spending hours Googling deals? Give these tools and... »
In Honor of Memorial Day
We celebrate Memorial Day as a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's military service. This is in contrast to Veterans Day, when we honor all who have served... »
Retail Sales Rise
"When she gets there she knows, if the stores are all closed." (Led Zeppelin) Retailers fared well in April, as consumers spent broadly across most retail sectors after a slow start in the... »
Tame Inflation Helps Mortgage Bonds
"Are you optimistic 'bout the way things are going?" (Chicago) Tame consumer prices in April helped eased fears of rising inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2 percent in April, just below expectations,... »
4 keys to building a strong team
4 keys to building a strong team To take care of clients when you’re not available, and to have more time for new business, you need a strong team behind you. Here’s how to... »
6 ways to boost your credit score.
6 ways to boost your credit score Pay more than the minimum. Paying the minimum just covers the interest. Paying over the minimum can help increase credit score. Pay on time. Late payments can hurt... »
Home Prices Higher
"Anticipation ... is keeping me waiting." Carly Simon. Between the April Jobs report, inflation news and the Fed meeting, investors had plenty to anticipate in the latest week. The Jobs Report for April was a... »
Awesome Meal Planning Apps
What's for dinner? That's the question ... but it doesn't have to be when you prepare ahead! If you want to save both time and money, and eat healthier, get organized with one... »
Inventory Remains Tight
"Risin' up to the challenge." (Survivor) Home sales may have increased in March, but low inventory remained a challenge for many would-be buyers. March existing home sales rose 1.1 percent from February to an... »
Retail Sales Rebound
"Hey, big spender." (Shirley Bassey) After three straight months of declines, retail sales rebounded in March as consumers spent their hard-earned dollars. Retail sales rose 0.6 percent in March, above the 0.4 percent expected... »
Inflation Remains Tame
"You're gonna hear me roar." (Katy Perry) March may have come in like a lion, but consumer inflation was more of a whimper than a roar last month. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell... »
Celebrate Earth Day, April 22, 2018
Did you know? Earth Day was originally proposed in 1970 by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson as a day of education about environmental issues. It is now a globally celebrated holiday that is sometimes... »
Job Growth Slowed in March
"Don't you shiver, shiver, shiver." (Coldplay) Job growth slowed in March due in part to harsh weather across much of the country, but there's more to this story. Just 103,000 jobs were created in... »
Housing Supply Remains Tight
"You make me wanna…Shout!" (The Isley Brothers) The lack of homes for sale on the market may be causing some would-be buyers to shout these days. But what about the rest of the... »
Existing Home Sales Bounce Back
"Third time's the charm." (The BellRays) Despite low inventories of homes for sale on the market, existing home sales bounced back in February after two straight months of declines. February existing home sales rose... »
Retail Sales Dip Slightly
"Go on, take the money and run." (Steve Miller Band) Consumers haven't been running to the registers with their hard-earned money, as spending at U.S. retail stores fell for the third straight month. The Commerce... »
Job Growth Surges
"Happy ever after in the marketplace." (The Beatles) Many job hunters were singing a happy tune as job growth surged in February. Non-farm payrolls rose by 313,000 last month, well above the 210,000 expected,... »
Insulate Your Home for Comfort and Savings
If you’re like most homeowners, you’re always looking for ways to save money on home expenses. One great strategy for savings is to update your home’s insulation. According to the U.S. Department of Energy,... »
FHA 203K Rehabilitation Loan
In fact, Florida is now considered a sellers’ market with increasing price points and an inventory of homes for sale that is at its lowest level in years. Homes that have been recently updated... »
Inventory and Rates Impact Buyers while Inflation Eases
"This could be the start of something new." (Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron) Would-be buyers may have been looking for new homes in January, but some were likely thwarted by a lack of... »
Low Inventory Affecting Home Sales
"Slip slidin' away." (Simon and Garfunkel) Sales of existing homes slipped in January as low inventories of homes for sale on the market continued to challenge would-be buyers. January existing home sales declined 3.2... »
Welcome Spring!
Did you know? During spring, the axis of the Earth increases its tilt relative to the Sun, and the length of daylight rapidly increases for the hemisphere and warming occurs. The warming hemisphere causes... »
Prepare for Spring and Summer Storms
Did you know there are about 100,000 thunderstorms each year in the United States? About 10% of these storms reach severe levels. A thunderstorm is classified as “severe” when it contains one or... »
Be Smart About Your SMART Goals
Once you have defined your goals using the SMART method (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely), the next step is to establish the discipline to meet those goals. But infusing discipline into your everyday... »
Inflation and Housing Starts Heat Up
"Feeling hot hot hot." (The Merrymen) Inflation and housing starts heated up in January, but retail sales were on the chilly side. January housing starts jumped 9.7 percent from December to an annual rate... »
Inflation Worries Spark Volatility
"I don't know why I go to extremes." (Billy Joel) Extreme volatility in the markets was the norm in recent days, due in part to fears of inflation and higher rates. Plus, home... »
Get SMART about Goal Setting!
The best way to achieve your goals is to get SMART about them. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely. SMART goals are well-defined and built to keep you on track... »
Solid Wage Growth
"All shook up." (Elvis Presley) The jobs report, inflation news and the Fed meeting were a recipe for volatility in the markets this past week. Employers added 200,000 new jobs in January while the... »
7 Things You Must Know About Warranties on Appliances
Here are seven tips to help you decide if you should purchase an extended warranty: Extended Warranties. Buying an extended warranty that covers five years generally adds 10% to 20% to the cost... »
Profiles in Achievement: Senior Vice President Grace Currid
A large part of HomeBridge’s success is due to the exceptional talent we have recruited and cultivated here. We not only hire the best, we provide ample opportunities for career advancement. Senior Vice... »
Housing Inventories Down
"Every rose has its thorn." Poison. Low inventories of existing homes for sale on the market continued to be a thorn in the side for would-be buyers in December. December Existing Home Sales fell 3.6... »
Celebrate Presidents Day!
Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, Presidents Day is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government. Traditionally celebrated on February 22, Washington’s actual day of birth, the... »
Housing Starts Decline
"If I had a hammer, I'd hammer in the morning. I'd hammer in the evening, all over this land." (The Weavers) There was less hammering around the country in December, as construction of... »
Retail Sales Surge
"Hey, big spender. Spend a little time with me." (Shirley Bassey) Consumer spending ended 2017 on a high note as Americans purchased an array of goods and products. Retail sales rose 0.4 percent in... »
We Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Did you know? In 1964, at 35 years old, Martin Luther King, Jr. became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize. His acceptance speech is considered to be among the most powerful... »
Grow Your Business with Twitter
Twitter now has close to 330 million users. And, according to Social Media Today, Twitter’s demographic trends more toward the millennial generation. Here are some ways to use Twitter to help target that... »