"Sergeant, can we go for breakfast now?" "March first!" Welcome to March, with Mardi Gras beginning today, Daylight Savings Time on the 13th, Pi Day on 3.14, the Ides on the 15th, and St. Patrick’s Day on the 17th. (Nope, no paid days off.) Meanwhile, the world is watching Russia attack Ukraine and many are doing what they can. For example, broker dealer Jefferies will donate 100% of net global trading commissions on March 2nd for all trading in equities, fixed income and foreign exchange by the firm’s clients. In addition, Jefferies as a firm will donate $1 million directly, and its more than 4,500 employees worldwide will be given the opportunity to personally donate to these efforts. Economists are watching money flows for individuals, as it appears that the biggest share of the extra outlays on new cars, home improvements, and laptops comes from America's top income tiers. Rates are dropping, but expectations of inflation
Lending is full of statistics. And originators follow many of them, looking for an edge in finding clients. Last year 27.1 million Americans moved, 80 percent within the same state and 20 percent interstate moves. This report showed Florida being the most moved-to state and California topping states for folks moving away from it. Originators also look for ways to add value to their clients. They might want to consider letting them know about Realm. (Nope, this is not a paid endorsement.) Homeowners often struggle to decide which upgrades will offer the biggest boost in property value. Realm helps by analyzing real estate, tax, zoning, and other data to offer recommendations after assessing the impact of different designs, materials, and financing options to calculate the return on, say, a kitchen renovation. Realm is free: A good price.  Lender and broker products & services Texas-based doc prep law firm Black, Mann & Graham, LLP recently upd
Today is “National Pizza Day,” a made-up day that wasn’t around when Jimmy Carter was sworn in as president 45 years ago. Back then the yield on the risk-free 10-year T-note was 7.40 percent and 30-year mortgage rates were 8.75 percent. Rates have bumped lower since 1981, but for the first time since August 2019, the 10-year Treasury yield is nearing 2%, reaching 1.95 percent this week. President Carter had housing on his agenda, and after the presidency went on to do Habitat for Humanity work throughout the United States. Recall that Habitat For Humanity came up with its first-ever 3-D printed house. I mention this because many lenders are concentrating on products to help buyers, and finding those buyers. “Rob, is there a database to determine how many purchase money mortgages were recorded in a specific county/area during a certain time period?” Marina Walsh, MBA’s VP of Industry Analysis, and the MBA is a good source, and she recommended,