Preparing for Spring – KD Janni Landscaping
Refinance Plan for Underwater Homeowners… Finally?
Jason VanDyke: The Long-Term Outlook for Interest Rates
Purchase Applications Improve Slightly
The Mortgage Bankers’ Association reported a slight improvement of home purchases on the week ending February 3rd. The purchase index rose 0.1 percent in the week, and a much stronger 0.7 percent over the 4-week average. Refinance had the strongest gains last week, with a 9.4 percent improvement.
Preparing for Spring – KD Janni Landscaping
[Editors note: Evan Moffitt of KD Janni Landscaping will be a regular contributor to our Professional Insight Blog. He will write on the first Tuesday of every month with useful tips about how to keep your landscaping healthy and attractive].
Refinance Plan for Underwater Homeowners… Finally?
Those of you who listened to the State of the Union may have noticed that President Obama mentioned a new mortgage plan that would help responsible underwater homeowners refinance. Will we finally see this plan unfold? So far the president has pitched an idea to rescue as many as 3.5 million struggling Americans who owe more than their homes are worth. Here, pitched is the operative term.
California Festival of Beers in San Luis Obispo
This year, the California Festival of Beers in San Luis Obispo has added two new events to fill out the Memorial Day Weekend from Friday through Sunday (May 25-27).
The weekend kicks off on Friday evening with a Connoisseur Dinner at the Madonna Inn, which will feature food and beer pairings with special edition brews (5 p.m. – 8 p.m.). Saturday is “Beer Fest”, with tastings from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event wraps up on Sunday with the Home Brewer Competition and Symposium (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.).
Monday Rate Update: Rates Hold Near Last Week’s Lows
Rates have mostly stayed the same this week – at record lows. Click “more” to take a look at rate movements.
Site Map: January 30 – February 3
In case you missed it… click “more” for the top headlines of the content published in the week of January 30 – February 3. Don’t miss our breakdown of the surprising Fed announcement, a compilation top market headlines, and our look at the the unexpected success of Morro Bay coffee shop Top Dog.
SLO Green Build on Mortgage Matters
Lana Adams of SLO Green Build will join us for this week’s episode of Mortgage Matters. Join Dan and Jason on Saturday, February 4 at 10 a.m. on KVEC 920 to get their take on the economy, real estate and more. Adams will join us at 10:30 to discuss the organization SLO Green Build and the sustainability of our community. You can listen live online HERE.
Unemployment Falls to 8.3 Percent
The U.S. added 243,000 jobs in January, which decreased the jobless rate to 8.3 percent, its lowest since February 2009. The fall was relatively unexpected by major forecasts, which placed the range of jobs added between 95,000 and 225,000.
Jason VanDyke: The Long-Term Outlook for Interest Rates
Jason VanDyke follows up on Will Barnaby’s overview of the Fed’s interest rate announcement by asking a more specific question: what does the Fed’s action mean for long-term mortgage loan interest rates? Hint: it takes some reading between the lines.
Jobless Claims Continue to Drop
Initial jobless claims fell 12,000 in the week ending January 28 to a total of 367,000. This came after an increase in 21,000 claims the previous week. Overall, the four-week average has declined steadily and now sits at 375,750. The four-week unemployment average has held below 400,000 for 12 weeks in a row.