It has been another tough week for bond yields. While there are signs that the Federal Reserve’s hiking is starting to have an impact on growth, economic data remains solid and inflation remains higher than desired. Second quarter GDP and Durable Goods Orders came in stronger than expected this week, while inflation data, although improving, came in stronger than the 2.00% target. Financial markets will now focus on this Friday’s employment data and next week’s CPI (inflation) report ..read more

As the weather heats up, there’s nothing quite like firing up the grill and enjoying a delicious barbecue with family and friends. While the main attraction may be the juicy burgers or mouth-watering steaks, the side dishes truly complete the meal. From classic potato salad to tangy coleslaw, there are countless options for summer barbecue sides.  Let’s explore some of the most beloved and tasty side dishes that will surely be a hit at your next backyard cookout ..read more

Don’t rock the boat. This was the motto as FOMC hiked rates by another 25 bps on Wednesday, reaching a 22-year high as anticipated. During the subsequent press conference, Fed Chair Powell stuck to his previous remarks without veering off course. While the current market sentiment suggests no further rate hikes, Powell emphasized that core inflation remained unacceptably high, and the Fed remained committed to its 2% target.  The overarching message conveyed was that the Fed would remain data dependent ..read more

If you’re a retiree whose kids have flown the coop, switching from a big ol’ family home to a compact condo could feel like a major move. You might be freaking out at the idea of ditching your comfy, roomy digs for something smaller, but don’t worry – downsizing can be great. It means less work and upkeep, which frees up more time and money for stuff you enjoy, like hobbies, travel and hanging with your loved ones ..read more

INDIAN LAND, SC — Movement Mortgage (Movement) is excited to offer reverse mortgages under the leadership of Harlan Accola, Movement’s National Reverse Mortgage Director.  In this newly created position, Accola, a well-known reverse mortgage author, speaker and advocate, leads a team of reverse mortgage sales and operations personnel to support the company’s new mortgage product offering. Before joining Movement, Accola spent eight years in a similar position for a top 10 mortgage company where he built the reverse mortgage division and helped the company grow into a perennial top 10 rev ..read more

Time to take a breath. After what seemed like a whirlwind last month in markets, this week has been relatively calm. This calmness has brought some good news for homebuyers. Data released by Freddie Mac showed the average 30-year mortgage rates dropped by about 0.18% from last week.  What’s next? All eyes are set on the FOMC meeting next week. While a 25 bps hike (+0.25%)  is all but baked in by markets, most participants will be tuned in to what the future guidance is on further hikes ..read more

Many homebuyers wonder if they’d be happier building a new house in a planned community rather than competing for existing homes when housing inventory is low.  Part of the answer depends on how long you can wait until you need to move. With a new construction home, the buildout can take at least four to six months to complete — a timeframe that stretched to 10-13 months with labor and supply chain slowdowns over the past few years.  ..read more

The 10-year treasury yield, which is a key benchmark for mortgage rates, has been a rollercoaster the past few weeks. After the July 4th holiday, the 10-year yield hovered around 3.85%. However, following the release of the economic data we discussed last week, the yield surged past 4.05%, reaching its highest level since March. But, as of Thursday morning, the 10-year yield has retreated to 3.81%. The primary catalyst for this reversal was the softer-than-expected Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, which was announced on Wednesday ..read more

In many areas across the United States, potential homebuyers face a major issue: there simply aren’t enough houses for sale. One reason for the current national shortage of housing inventory is the significant increase in mortgage rates.  We saw historically low interest rates in 2020 and 2021, but the Federal Reserve raised interest rates ten times in a row just since March 2022. At the time of this writing, the average 30-year fixed mortgage interest rate was hovering around 7%, nearly double what it was a year ago.  ..read more

Summer means warmth, sunshine and outdoor activities, but the season also brings out the bugs.  What type will you have to deal with? That depends on the climate, geography, population density, and native plants in your area. For example, some regions may experience higher populations of mosquitoes, while others may be more prone to cockroaches. Discover 16 of summer’s most annoying insects and tips to keep them out of your home ..read more