Rates Unchanged Near Highs; Taxes Depend on More Than Location; Home Prices Growing at 6.9%

Mortgage rates were unchanged today, on average, marking the second straight day with minimal change near the highest levels in more than 2 months. For most lenders, that means conventional 30yr fixed rate quotes near 4.0% on top tier scenarios. So far this week, day-to-day changes have been limited to the upfront closing cost side of the equation (as opposed to interest rates themselves). While this can have a slight impact on the overall cost of financing, it doesn't change the "note rate" attached to a new mortgage. Underlying financial markets have been fairly calm for the past 2 days despite successive all-time highs in stocks. The economic data and events that motivate bond markets (which dictate mortgage rates) have been absent, but that's set to change heading into the 2nd half of the

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/10/3/3019

Is Geography Destiny?

Zoning and other local land use regulations have increased over the last three decades, particularly in high-growth cities and metropolitan areas. More

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http://www.freddiemac.com/research/insight/20170929_is_geography_destiny.html?attr=rssCB

Is Geography Destiny?

Zoning and other local land use regulations have increased over the last three decades, particularly in high-growth cities and metropolitan areas. More

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http://www.freddiemac.com/research/insight/20170929_is_geography_destiny.html?attr=rssCB

Mortgage Rates Higher on Average; Construction Spending's 1st Win in 3 Months; Hurricane Mortgage Losses

Mortgage rates were lower today for a few lenders, but higher for most others, dragging the average 0.01% higher in terms of effective rates. Note rates (which don't factor in the upfront costs associated with a loan quote), on the other hand, haven't changed much in recent days, with 4.0% being the most prevalent for top tier 30yr fixed scenarios. Momentum has generally been negative for rates since the weekend of Hurricane Irma. Markets had priced in quite a bit of risk at the time (typically involves stock prices and rates moving lower), not only due to the Hurricane, but also North Korea-related uncertainty. When Irma proved to be slightly less catastrophic than forecast, and when the weekend passed without a major nuclear test from North Korea, financial markets embarked on a correction

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http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/10/2/3017

Add Some Pumpkin Spice to Your Autumn Staging

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

It’s pumpkin season and that means pumpkin everything — lattes, muffins, cookies, cakes, and, yes, even home décor. Home stagers are adding a little “pumpkin spice” to their decor, from the welcoming fall scent to pumpkin accents that inspire a cozy, autumn feel. Plus, orange can serve as a great staging color. The bold hue pops against a neutral backdrop.

Now, before you go all Trader Joe’s-pumpkin-explosion style, restrain yourself. Do not over-pumpkin your listing!

Try adding a few pumpkins to your listing’s front stoop and maybe a few orange accessories here and there. Consider even some pumpkin lattes and muffins to complete your autumn open house.

Houzz recently featured several ideas of how you can add pumpkin-orange inspiration to your décor, from orange velvet furnishings, towels, throws, and pillows to even an orange accent wall for those who want to commit on a bigger scale.

Here are some of our favorites autumn staging ideas to get you inspired to add some pumpkin flair to your listing.

1. Add some pumpkins to your front stoop. 

Photo by The Yellow Cape Cod – Search porch pictures

Photo by Southern Botanical, Inc. – Look for entryway design inspiration

2. Try some pumpkin accents along the dining room table. 

Photo by Adrienne DeRosa – Search dining room design ideas

3. Use some pumpkin flair to showcase the fireplace mantel. 

Photo by Savvy Seasons – Browse living room photos

 

4. Add some pumpkins to your flower pots. 

Photo by Greenlife Gardens – Discover landscaping design inspiration

 

5. Tuck mini pumpkins into your candle holders, and complement with orange accessories throughout the front porch.

Photo by Seaside Interiors – Look for exterior home pictures

7. Weave orange throughout a room in small doses to offset darker color schemes.

Photo by Seaside Interiors – More living room photos

 8. Use shades of pumpkin for accents. 

Photo by The Yellow Cape Cod – Browse home design ideas

This is a Pumpkin Cream accent wall (Pumpkin Cream 2168-20 by Benjamin Moore)

Photo by House + House Architects – Discover family room design inspiration

Orange pillows:

Photo by Tobi Fairley Interior Design – Browse living room ideas

from
http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2017/10/02/add-some-pumpkin-spice-to-your-autumn-staging/

Mortgage Rates Back Down From 2-Month Highs

Mortgage rates moved lower today, even though underlying bond markets (which ultimately drive rates) suggested a move higher. This happens from time to time and it's usually a factor of timing. Today is no different. Bond markets were improving throughout the day yesterday, but started out at much weaker levels. Bond market weakness is associated with higher rates. As such, yesterday's rates were the highest we'd seen in roughly 2 months. As bonds improved throughout the day, many lenders abstained when it arguably became time to release friendlier rate sheets. When that happens, lenders become more likely to pass along the market gains the following morning--assuming the market gains make it through the night. That was the case today, and it allowed lenders to put rates back in line with the

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/9/29/3013

Mortgage Rates Trying to Find a Ceiling; Investors and Low-Doc Pushing Credit Risk Higher

Mortgage rates were decidedly higher this morning, with most lenders back above last week's highs. At the time, those were the highest rates in more than a month, although the range has been relatively narrow. Underlying bond markets improved throughout the day, however, resulting in a fair amount of lenders revising rate sheets for the better. After those revisions, rates are pretty close to yesterday's levels. One thing's for sure: the average lender is still definitively higher compared to last Friday's rates. Keep that in mind if you encounter one of the many news stories citing "unchanged" week-over-week rates from Freddie Mac's Survey (which, as you may have guessed, can run a bit behind more up-to-the-minute changes). From a strategy standpoint, today's resilience is a welcome sight

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/9/28/3011