The biggest story in the financial markets and around the globe is the ongoing US/China trade negotiations. At the moment, there is no resolution and it appears there will be no resolution for at least several... »
Read More of the post Trade With China Causes Uncertainty

The Census Bureau recently reported a homeownership rate of 64.2% in the first quarter of 2019, up from the 10-year low of 63.7% in the first quarter of 2015. A recent study by LendingTree... »
Read More of the post Americans Favor Owning

"Transitory" — defined as non-permanent or lasting a very short time — is the word Fed Chairman Jerome Powell used this week at the Fed Meeting to describe the current low inflation environment,... »
Read More of the post Is Low Inflation Finally “Transitory”?

Good news is typically bad news for bonds and home loan rates. That has not been the trend of late, and certainly not this past week. Durable Goods Orders is a report which shows... »
Read More of the post The US Economy Remains “Durable”

The economic data coming out of the US this week showed that not only is a recession highly unlikely anytime soon, but the economy is actually reaccelerating from the slowdown seen last Fall. Back... »
Read More of the post Fed Sparks Economic Reacceleration

Initial Jobless Claims is a weekly report that tracks how many people have filed for unemployment benefits. It is both a solid gauge on the state of the labor market and economy, and... »
Read More of the post Let the Good Times Roll

"It's getting better all the time" (The Beatles) That is the best way to describe the current home loan rate environment. This past week we saw mortgage rates experience their largest one-week decline... »
Read More of the post Yield Curve Inversion Explained

The monetary authority of the United States, the Federal Reserve, meets 8 times a year to discuss the economy and adjust monetary policy to promote maximum employment and maintain price stability (inflation). The Fed,... »
Read More of the post Thank You, Mr. Powell

Volatility has disappeared in the financial markets and a sense of calm and complacency has emerged. Why? Well, thanks to the Fed, and to reduced threat of inflation and higher rates, both stocks... »
Read More of the post Word of the Day: Complacency

“It's a small world after all.” If inflation moves lower — or is expected to move lower — rates must go lower as well. That's the situation right now. The financial markets and interest... »
Read More of the post Disinflation Washes Up On Our Shores

This past week, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported the U.S. economy, as defined by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), grew at a 2.6% rate in the fourth quarter of 2018. Economists and... »
Read More of the post U.S. Economy Showing Solid Growth

"All we need is just a little patience…" (Guns N' Roses) The highlight of this past week was the Fed Minutes from the January Fed meeting. The minutes are a detailed record of... »
Read More of the post Patience is a Virtue

Presidents Day is a time to honor our past presidents. We look to Abraham Lincoln’s quote as it resonates with our mission as a company. Simply put: do as best as you can,... »
Read More of the post “Whatever you are, be a good one.”

"Only got twenty dollars in my pocket…" (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis) The financial markets are sensing that the predicted government shutdown and protracted trade war with China will be averted. This is good news... »
Read More of the post Canary in the Coal Mine

Bad news is good news for the U.S. bond market and rates. This past week, bad news by way of worse-than-expected economic numbers in Europe cast a dark shadow on the financial markets.... »
Read More of the post Issues in Europe Affect Our Markets

The Fed met this past week. As expected, they didn’t hike rates and the Fed Statement was very “dovish,” suggesting that rate hikes will be off the table for most, if not all,... »
Read More of the post Rates Improve on Mixed Economic News

Despite bond-friendly news with the unresolved US/China trade relations and the ongoing government shutdown, rates actually touched 2019 highs midweek — this as stocks continue to move higher. Home loan rates have been on... »
Read More of the post A Booming Economy Sees Rates Climb

“We are good where we stand right now.” (Fed President James Bullard — January 10, 2019) Stocks continued to react positively to Fed Chair Powell’s Jan 4th speech, where he essentially said, “we... »
Read More of the post Opposing Forces Keep Rates Steady

“Workin’ for a Livin’.” (Huey Lewis and the News) iPhone maker Apple, was a downer this week as the company announced a surprise weak sales and earnings forecast for the first quarter of... »
Read More of the post Good News for the Start of the New Year

Read More of the post Happy New Year!

It was all about the Fed this past week. On Wednesday, they hiked the Fed Funds Rate by 25 basis points (0.25 percent). That rate affects short-term loans like auto and credit cards... »
Read More of the post The Santa Claus Rally

Electrical Safety Tips During the Holidays Decorating your home is one of the most enjoyable parts of the holiday season. Because electricity is involved with so many holiday decorations, it's important you follow a... »
Read More of the post Electrical Safety Tips During the Holidays

Looking to take your listing photos to the next level? You know the listing basics: great photos, highlight the strongest features, talk about amenities… this isn’t your first rodeo. Unfortunately, there are a lot... »
Read More of the post Looking to take your listing photos to the next level?

HOME MAINTENANCE YOU SHOULD BE DOING MONTHLY According to NerdWallet, nearly half of homeowners cite unexpected home repairs as a source of anxiety. And no wonder — surprise repairs can be costly, and they also seem... »
Read More of the post Home Maintenance You Should Be Doing Monthly