This article – from Mortgage News Daily – lays out details on the recent uptick in interest rates, which has slowed down volume of the recent refinance run. This most recent refinance run lasted roughly 3-4 months. It was good for both the lending, and the title side, but now we’re back to the usual, spring uptick in rates – similar to the usual spring uptick in gas prices (supply and demand…somewhat).
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/04272016_application_volume.asp
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Greater Minneapolis/St. Paul Promotional Video
The organization called ‘Greater MSP’ has put together this great, promotional video of the accomplishments of our Minneapolis + St. Paul, 16-county, metropolitan-area. The goal of Greater MSP is to improve business, economic, living and recreation conditions for the greater MSP area. There are some surprising (golf, for starters) statistics stated in this video.
For being located right in the middle of flyover country, the Twin Cities are a veritable powerhouse in terms of per capita, or simple, outright comparison.
This message can be appreciated by any person who is a part of, or anybody thinking of becoming a part of our area.
New Production Coordinator
Watermark Title Agency is proud to announce the addition of the very talented – Jennifer Lennox – in our production department. Jennifer comes to Watermark Title with many years of experience, in many aspects of the production end of our industry. Welcome aboard Jennifer!
Mortgage Interest Rates Update
Mortgage rates are remaining relatively unchanged (still very low) for time being, but volatility is expected ahead.
Please read this informative article, courtesy of Mortgage News Daily – which lays out how rates are not responding to bond markets as they traditionally do – which is certainly advantageous to those looking to buy or refinance. Either way, mortgage interest rates are at near historic lows – with most rates in the higher 3 percent range. Phenom!
Market Update
Courtesy of the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors (MAAR): Please see this video from February
from MAAR. What is discussed, are some of the very encouraging sales statistics, when comparing the Minneapolis/ St. Paul Metro area for January 2016, with one year ago, in January 2015:
- Home prices are up.
- Total Home sales are up; ‘Pending’ (sold, but not yet closed) sales increased +3.5%. Closed sales are up 17.8% (be careful with this stat), for a total of 2,799 home sales in our local market for January ’16.
- Low Inventory continues to be a drag on sales in our market – there are simply not enough homes for the buyers out there, and it’s potentially looking like a strong, sellers market again, with a mere 2.1 months of inventory. This is a 22.2% decrease in inventory from one year ago, in January, 2015.
- The percent of original list price received at the sale increased year over year; for January 2015, sellers were receiving a full 95% of the original list price at sale (see inventory problem; the two are related).
Anyhow, enjoy this short video from MAAR: