Top Dog: Where Everybody Knows Your Name
In our quest to profile Central Coast Local destinations, we begin at a coffee shop with its paw prints scattered through the sleepy town of 10,000. Top Dog Café gives us a story of economic revival during this downturn, and reminds us that good service, friendly locals, and quality product will prevail no matter the economic environment.
Consumer Confidence Declines
Consumer Confidence came in seven points lower than expected for January (61.1), and fell from December (64.8). The reading is based on a 100 point scale, and measures consumer attitudes about the economy. The low reading is due primarily to discomfort over the jobs market, and concern about rising fuel costs. The reading is slightly below what we saw at this time last year, and well above lows in the 20s and 30s during the height of the economic downturn.
Market Watch: Breaking Down the Fed’s Interest Rate Announcement
Will Barnaby reflects on the Fed’s surprising announcement that it would keep interest rates low longer than expected, and what this means about the Fed’s outlook for our economic recovery?
Monday Rate Update: Rates Improve
Rates have improved to begin the week. The bond market has improved and rates are to the lows we saw two weeks ago. Follow the jump to take a look at rate movements.
The Industry: When (and how) to Refinance
In his weekly column, Central Coast Lending co-owner and broker Jason Grote takes a look at refinance and uses an example to expand on the question – when does it make sense to refinance? Jason explores the idea that it could make the most sense to lower your rate term and increase your monthly payment.
Mortgage Matters: Saturday, January 28; 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Mulligan. This week, Wes Burk of Patterson Realty will be joining Dan Podesto Saturday on KVEC 920 at 10 a.m. to discuss all things real estate. Expect the boys to discuss the array of December housing data released this week (see HERE and HERE). Tune in or listen live HERE.
Housing Indexes: Hold That Thought
The housing market may be stabilizing, as we discussed yesterday, but a disappointing New Home Sales report has tempered enthusiasm for a strong recovery. Read more 
Housing Indexes: Overall Trend Towards Stability
On Wednesday, January 25, a number of housing-related index numbers were published. These include: MBA Purchase Applications, FHFA House Price Index, and the Pending Home Sales Index. Follow us after the jump for a review of these numbers. Read more
Mortgage Matters 1/21/12
What’s the deal with these new mortgage fees? Dan and Jason discuss the new mortgage fee introduced by Congress to pay for the brief extension of the payroll tax cut…
Rates Drop, Prices Increase
Last week, rates dropped again, with closing scenarios making rate cost extremely favorable (for more information on rate cost, see HERE). This week, rate cost increased on the back of lenders reacting to the new mortgage fee enacted by Congress to pay for the payroll tax cut extension…
