Neighborhood Spotlight ~ Henderson Bay Heights
Working on it!
Neighborhood Spotlight ~ Gig Harbor North
Working on it!
Financial Report ~ June 1st
This will be a new regular feature to give you an update on the markets and how they affect mortgage rates.
Weekly Preview
Last Week: The Treasury markets saw some slight increase in interest rates in another volatile trade. Mortgage rates were essentially unchanged. The week was marked with Treasury selling another $113B of notes and surprising jumps in existing and new home sales (+7.6% and +14.8% respectively). Two reports on consumer confidence and sentiment were a little better than a month ago, but these are less significant than hard market data as both the Conference Board’s consumer confidence report and the U. of Michigan’s consumer sentiment report are mostly emotional readings predicated on how the stock market and interest rate markets are performing. By the end of the week, after continued high market volatility, the stock market ended with not much change from the previous week. The sovereign debt problems in Europe continue to be the dominant concern in the equity markets. Fitch, the rating agency, down-graded Spain’s sovereign debt rating from AAA to AA+, adding to the angst that debt issues may become more strained.
This Week: Expect more market volatility in the equity and interest rate markets. The stock market, based on the key indexes, is still too high given the concerns emanating from Europe and what we see as a slowdown in China’s expansion. The outward driver for US markets is captured in the movement of the euro currency; as it declines against the dollar, US stock markets will be pressured. The euro may find support at $1.20 dollars per one euro (Friday the level was $1.23). No Treasury borrowing this week; the giant this week is the May employment data on Friday (early estimates are an increase of 500K jobs with unemployment at 9.8%). Tuesday a key data point on the manufacturing sector (ISM index). Thursday it’s the ISM services sector report. Expect increased concerns that the US economy will slow based on the previous excessive bullish outlook that had rallied equity markets. No inflation and increasing concerns that the economic outlook is weakening will support low interest rates for many more months.
Day 45 of 365 Things to Do in Gig Harbor ~ Rosedale Market
Here are some of the many reviews you can find online about the Rosedale Market:
Love the Rosedale Market, the owners are really cool, they treat everyone really well. The upgrades to the store reflect the neighborhood, it’s cozy, well stocked, friendly and convenient! Way to go Ken and Carol!! (Eric too!)
Rosedale Market is the best small town hangout ever! The people are friendly and love their customers. Aside from the great selection of groceries, they boast a custom deli counter and all day espresso. The small indoor/outdoor dining areas provide a home-like atmosphere perfect for anyone. Come in and be treated like family!
I found the Rosedale Market while videoing around the Rosedale area and I was greatly surprised by how good the deli was and the friendliness of the patrons and the owners. Thanks, Ken and Carol, for letting me shoot at your store!
If you have any questions about the Rosedale or Gig Harbor areas or anything at all about real estate in the area please call me at 253-225-2158 or go here.
Thanks to Parkside for their song Corner Store!
Celebrating the 300th Fan of 365 Things to Do in Gig Harbor
Congratulations to the Oser Family!
Ben Oser
Ben Oser was the 300th fan of 365 Things to Do in Gig Harbor! He wins a $20 gift card from Amazon.com. He was referred to 365 Things to Do in Gig Harbor by his lovely wife, Lacy, and she too wins a $20 gift card from Amazon.com. 365 Things to Do in Gig Harbor is a community built around Gig Harbor and also the fans of the page.
We will have more contests and ways to save money while doing what we all like to do best: Live in Gig Harbor!
For more information on how you can join the fun on 365 Things to Do in Gig Harbor or feature your business or cause, please call me at 253-225-2158 or go here.
Day 44 of 365 Things to Do in Gig Harbor ~ Rosedale Gardens Part 3
This will be a three part series on Rosedale Gardens. You might be thinking why such a long video? The simple answer is there is so much there. From a great plant, tree and flower nursery to the gift shop with some amazing stuff and then the Art Walk and Nature Trail, there is a lot more than meets the eye at Rosedale Gardens.
When my wife and I moved to Gig Harbor, Rosedale was one of the first places we went to check out what we were going to do for our landscaping. They are especially noted for their dwarf evergreens, a subject in which my wife has much interest. These were plants we didn’t see in California.
If you are in need of landscaping or have some questions about Rosedale or Gig Harbor real estate, please give me a call at 253-225-2158 or go here.
Thanks to Tim Ratcliff and Ken Bailey for their song Rose!
Think Big Work Small
Think Big Work Small is a Video Blog (Vlog) which is produced by two mortgage brokers down in California. A lot of the information they give is great for everyone. Some is just for mortgage professionals and some is just for real estate professionals, but there is enough good information for the general public that I think it will be good to feature here. So I’ll start posting these as I watch them and if there is something in the video I think would be good information for you, I’ll post it here and on my FaceBook page.
Day 43 of 365 Things to Do in Gig Harbor ~ Rosedale Gardens Part 2
This will be a three part series on Rosedale Gardens. You might be thinking, why such a long video? The simple answer is there is so much there. From a great plant, tree and flower nursery to the gift shop with some amazing stuff and then the Art Walk and Nature Trail, there is a lot more than meets the eye at Rosedale Gardens.
When my wife and I moved to Gig Harbor, Rosedale was one of the first places we went to check out what we were going to do for our landscaping. They are especially noted for their dwarf evergreens, a subject in which my wife has much interest. These were plants we didn’t see in California.
If you are in need of landscaping or have some questions about Rosedale or Gig Harbor real estate, please give me a call at 253-225-2158 or go here.
Thanks to Tim Ratcliff and Ken Bailey for their song Rose!
Trends in Real Estate ~ Interest Rates at All Time Low!
Interest Rates at All Time Low
Recently my broker, Windermere Professional Partners, pointed to a CNBC report that said interest rates were low due to the economic crisis in Europe. I thought that was interesting given the current real estate market. Go here to get that article.
Bankrate.com, which has been keeping track of mortgage interest rates for over 25 years, notes that the current interest rate on a 30-year loan is now at 4.87%. This rate is the lowest rate ever since Bankrate.com started keeping track. Even jumbo loans which are of prime interest in Gig Harbor are at all time lows. A jumbo loan – currently defined as a loan for over $417,000 – is now listed at 4.5%, which is down from close to 6% at this time last year.
“It’s the best time in our generation to buy,” says Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s. “It may be the best time in any generation. Mortgage rates are so low and with homes prices down and lots of inventory, you couldn’t pick a better time to buy ….
So a couple of questions come to mind. First, why are interest rates at an all time low, and why aren’t more people in the market to buy a house, since this is a historically great time to buy?
Day 42 of 365 Things to Do in Gig Harbor ~ Rosedale Gardens Part 1
This will be a three part series on Rosedale Gardens. You might be thinking, why such a long video? The simple answer is there is so much there. From a great plant, tree and flower nursery to the gift shop with some amazing stuff and then the Art Walk and Nature Trail, there is a lot more than meets the eye at Rosedale Gardens.
When my wife and I moved to Gig Harbor, Rosedale was one of the first places we went to check out what we were going to do for our landscaping. They are especially noted for their dwarf evergreens, a subject in which my wife has much interest. These were plants we didn’t see in California.
I had to break the video up into three parts to get the entire essence of Rosedale Gardens. The first segment is based around the gift shop and the hanging plant area. Enjoy!
If you are in need of landscaping or have some questions about Rosedale or Gig Harbor real estate, please give me a call at 253-225-2158 or go here.
Thanks to Tim Ratcliff and Ken Bailey for their song Rose!
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