Having once lived in the tropics, when the weather get cold I entertain dreams of having a "tropical winter home".  Well please read this article from International Living about Belize!     Living in Punta Gorda, Belize Posted on November 12, 2012 by Glynna Prentice         Only a few expats live in Punta Gorda, Belize full-time. Lots of tourists to Belize never make it to little Punta Gorda. It’s just a bit too far off the beaten path for most folks. PG, as it’s called, is way down in southern Belize. It’s small (only about 5,500 people), and—although it’s right on the Caribbean—there isn’t much beach. Yet it’s one of my favorite places in the whole country. And if you love nature, it probably will be one of your favorites, too… Sea and sky seem to go ... 11/16/2012

Good morning to all!  Here is today's mortgage rate update for 11/16/2012.  It comes to us from Bob Franklin at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in Pismo Beach California.  The city with an ocean view!  Where all visitors feel the song "Good Vibrations" like the Beach Boys' song. See my web site for all your San Luis Obispo County home search needs- www.myslohomefinder.com   The Day Ahead: Pace Slows, Minimal Data, Fiscal Cliff Meetings           Industrial production declined 0.4 percent in October after having increased 0.2 percent in September. Hurricane Sandy, which held down production in the Northeast region at the end of October, is estimated by the Fed to have reduced the rate of change in total output by nearly 1 percentage point. The largest estimated storm-related effects included r... 11/16/2012

Here is today's mortgage rate update brought to us by Bob Franklin at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. Go to my web site at www.myslohomefinder.com for all your home search needs. The Day Ahead: European Headlines, Domestic Econ Data and Bernanke on Housing           Headline inflation eased sharply in October on energy and a few other components. However, the core rate firmed. The consumer price index in October slowed to a 0.1 percent increase after a 0.6 percent spike the prior month.Hurricane or not, it's hard to ignore an incredible 78,000 surge in initial jobless claims for the November 10 week to 439,000. Adding to the pressure is a 6,000 upward revision to the prior week to 361,000.In contrast to the Empire State report, Hurricane Sandy definitely had a major impact on manufacturing d... 11/15/2012

The housing market in So. Cal is really picking up!  But wha's driving it?  Here is a well written piece on the subject by Dr. Housing Bubble.com  It's a great read! The four ponies of the Southern California housing market – FFBB. A new real estate mania is in full force. How long will this last? The Southern California housing market is tearing a path into the fall real estate season.  As we detailed in a previous post many families will have a hard time saving $100,000 for a down payment so the market is being flood with foreign investors, flippers, baby down payment buyers, and big pocket investors.  Let us call this the FFBB crowd.  Since foreclosure resales are making up a smaller part of the selling mix the median price is ripping a path across the mainstream press creating a sel... 11/14/2012

We are seeing even lower interest rates than ever in history!  Wow!  Here is today's update from Bob Franklin at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. Visit my web site at www.myslohomefinder.com for all your home search needs! The Day Ahead: Producer Price Index, Retail sales, FOMC minutes          Inflation came in much weaker than expected at the producer level in October. Overall PPI inflation fell -0.2 percent, following a 1.1 percent jump in September. Hurricane Sandy likely affected timing and components of retail sales in October. However, the bottom line is that consumer spending was down for the month. Total retail sales in October declined 0.3 percent after jumping 1.3 percent the month before (originally up 1.1 percent). FOMC Minutes, later today.   Dow is trading at 12,681.89 -74.08, ... 11/14/2012

Here is today's mortgage rate update.  This is from Bob Franklin at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage located in Pismo Beach California.  Go to my web site at www.myslohomefinder.com for your real estate needs. The Week Ahead: Limited Data Includes Retail Sales, European Headlines   Today: No Data Wednesday: Producer Price Index, prior 1.1%, consensus 0.2%. Retail Sales, prior 1.1%, consensus -0.1%. FOMC minutes Thursday: ConsumerPrice Index, prior 0.6%, consensus 0.1%. Philadelphia Fed Survey, prior 5.7, consensus 4.5. Friday: Industrial Production, prior 0.4%, consensus 0.2%.   Dow is trading at 12,842.89 +28.88, the 10 yr bond is at 1.59 from 1.63 Friday, . Currently mortgages are slightly better from Friday    Conv. - 3.125% FHA. -   3.0%       Make it a Great Week!!       Bob Franklin   Mo... 11/13/2012

In our local market I have noticed that the million dollar plus high end market is selling faster and we have more buyers looking!  I have felt it, but when I read an article in Miami Today I became apparent that this is a national trend.  I have attached a great article concerning this trend. Million-dollar residences selling faster By Laura Stace The resale market of residential properties priced $1 million and over is steadily growing, with prices on the rise due to decreased inventory and an increase in buyers. In the $1 million-and-up price range, 1,000 homes were for sale in July 2011 in Miami-Dade County while in September 2012 there were 900, said Christopher Zoller, Master Brokers Forum board member and EWM International broker associate. Based on figures collated by the Miami ... 11/11/2012

Prices in many markets are starting to increase!  Shortage of inventory and strong buyer demand with these super low interest rates= higher prices!  Very simple!  Remember those old supply vs demand graphs from Econ 101.  Thank you Kurt Baddorf from the HBJ for this super article. Home sales prices post double-digit increase   By Kurt BatdorfHBJ Editor   Snohomish County's housing market mirrored the rest of Western Washington in October, with listings at their lowest level since February 2006 driving year-over-year sales prices up by double digits for the first time since March 2007.Northwest Multiple Listing Service brokers in Snohomish County reported 937 closed sales of single-family homes and condominiums in October, up 13.16 percent from 828 closed sales one year ago. Pending sale... 11/11/2012

It is going to be very interesting to see how much the home prices in San Luis Obispo County will rise in this most recent quarter.  I have been following other in demand markets and I notice that Seattle's market is red hot.  Prices have risen there by 11% for single family homes and 16.6% for condos.  Yes condos are going up more than single homes. Thanks to Seattle PI for the great article.   Seattle Real Estate Surge: House Prices Rise 11%, Condos Rise 16.6%   Prices for Seattle real estate have risen significantly in the past year, according to the most recent stats from the NWMLS. Shrinking inventories of homes for sale have contributed to significant demand and an increasingly competitive buyer’s market in the greater Seattle region. Northwest MLS home sales, which cover the Puge... 11/11/2012

Here is Sunday's Mortgage rate update!  How much lower can the interest rates go?  Thanks to Bob Franklin at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage for the update. Go to my web site at www.myslohomefinder.com for all your San Luis Obispo home search needs.   The week Ahead: Can Bond Markets Hold Gains into Three Day Weekend?         Despite strength in the dollar, import prices are moving higher, but not by much though there is isolated pressure. Import prices rose a sizable 0.5 percent in October following very sharp fuel-driven gains of 1.1 percent and 1.2 percent in the two prior months. Total export prices are at a year-on-year plus 1.4 percent, which like that for total imports, shows its first positive reading since April. With the election over and despite the approach of the fiscal cliff, co... 11/11/2012

Get ready for the liberals gone wild in California!  Thanks Mike "Mish" Shedlock for your article! On Tuesday voters in California went the wrong way on three propositions. Voters approved Proposition 30 "temporarily" increasing the state sales tax and income tax on individuals making over $250,000. They voted against Proposition 31 that would allow the governor to cut the budget in fiscal emergencies. They voted against Proposition 32 would prevent unions from making campaign donations via members' dues. Moreover, and worse yet, Democrats picked up two more votes in the state legislature giving them a supermajority, capable of passing any tax hikes they want.Those results are so awful I suggest you prepare for the demise of California. Indeed California's Liberal Supermajority is about... 11/10/2012

Today's mortgage rate is brought to us by Bob Franklin at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in Pismo Beach California. My web site www.slohomefinder.com is the state of the art web site for San Luis Obispo County home search needs.     The Day Ahead: Can Bond Markets Hold Gains into Three Day Weekend?       Despite strength in the dollar, import prices are moving higher, but not by much though there is isolated pressure. Import prices rose a sizable 0.5 percent in October following very sharp fuel-driven gains of 1.1 percent and 1.2 percent in the two prior months.Total export prices are at a year-on-year plus 1.4 percent, which like that for total imports, shows its first positive reading since April.With the election over and despite the approach of the fiscal cliff, consumer sentiment is str... 11/09/2012

Today's mortgage rate update is brought to us by Bob Franklin at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in Pismo Beach California.  Visit our web site at www.myslohomefinder.com for all your home search needs in San Luis Obispo County.    The Day Ahead: Focus Shifts to Europe, International Trade, Jobless claims The U.S. trade balance in September improved, largely on petroleum. And the best news is that exports rebounded. The trade deficit narrowed to $41.5 billion from $43.8 billion in August (originally $44.2 billion). Analysts forecast a trade shortfall of $45.4 billion. Exports rebounded 3.1 percent, following a 1.0 percent decline in August. Imports increased 1.5 percent after slipping 0.2 percent the month before. Jobless claims improved in the November 3 week but are still not signaling much... 11/08/2012

Here is today's mortgage rate update for the day after the election.  Bob Franklin at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage gives us these updates. Use my state of the art web site www.myslohomefinder.com for all your home and property searches.   The Day Ahead: Election Reaction In Focus, no economic data         Much as the lead up to the election drove negative volatility for bond markets on Tuesday, today's election results swung that volatility in the other direction with results of Obama winning.  Dow is trading at 12,956.89 -289.23, the 10 yr bond is at 1.64 from 1.70 Yesterday, . Currently mortgages are slightly better from Yesterday   Conv. - 3.25%FHA. - 3.125%      Make it a Great Day!!   Bob Franklin Mortgage ConsultantNMLSR ID 248760 Wells Fargo Home Mortgage  |  575 Price St    Suite 1... 11/07/2012

I hope that all go out and vote!  Here is today's election day mortgage rate update from Bob Franklin at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in Pismo Beach California. For your  home search needs go to my web site www.myslohomefinder.com The Day Ahead: Quiet Economic Calendar; Election Day         Today's election continues to dominate the near term outlook. Economists say outlook for the U.S. economy won't change much, regardless of who wins the election. Dow is trading at 13,190 +77.23, the 10 yr bond is at 1.70 from 1.68 Yesterday, . Currently mortgages are worse from Yesterday   Conv. - 3.25%FHA. - 3.125%      Make it a Great Day!!    Bob Franklin Mortgage ConsultantNMLSR ID 248760 Wells Fargo Home Mortgage  |  575 Price St    Suite 105  |  Pismo Beach, CA  93449MAC E2396-011Tel (805) 550-339... 11/06/2012

Record low interest rates are back!  3.125%!  This update is brought to us by Bob Franklin at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage located on the Central Coast in the city of Pismo Beach California. Visit my web site at www.myslohomefinder.com for all you home and property search needs. The Week Ahead: Light on Data, Leaving Election in Focus         The bulk of the nation's economy fared well in October based on the ISM's non-manufacturing index which came in at 54.2, safely above 50 to indicate monthly growth though at a slightly slower rate of monthly growth than September's 55.1. Tuesday: No substantial dataWednesday: No substantial dataThursday: U.S. international trade, prior -44.2B, consensus -45.4B. Initial jobless claims, prior 363K, consensus 370KFriday: Import Prices, prior 1.1%, consen... 11/05/2012

The available inventory of new homes for sale is at a 50 year low! This great article by National Mortgage Professional Magazine is a must read!   Months of Remaining Inventory of New Homes for Sale Hits Lowest Level in 50 Years Wed, 2012-10-31 13:17 — NationalMortgag... Pro Teck Valuation Services’ October Home Value Forecast Update examines Months of Remaining Inventory (MRI) of new homes listed for sale over the past 50 years, which is currently close to its lowest level at 4.5 months. The Update also explores the correlation between median single family home price changes and MRI of new single family homes over the past four decades and explores why there is a divergence between existing and new home prices. The October update includes the monthly 10 top and bottom metros across the... 11/01/2012

Here is today's mortgage rate update.  Thanks to Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and Bob Franklin for the update. Go to my web site www.myslohomefinder.com for all your home search needs in San Luis Obispo County.  The Day Ahead: Rescheduled Reports Make for Data Deluge  According to ADP, the private sector added 158,000 jobs in October, based on the first report since ADP changed its methodology. Analysts projected 155,000 for October's report. initial jobless claims fell 9,000 to 363,000. The 4-week moving average was 367,250, a decrease of 1,500 from the previous week's revised average of 368,750. Manufacturing showed mild improvement in October, according to ISM, but remained soft. The ISM manufacturing index rose two-tenths on the month to 51.7. October consumer confidence improved in Oc... 11/01/2012

According to the latest available figures, the median price of a home in San Luis Obispo County rose in September, and the total number of homes sold also continued to increase compared with the same month last year. Home sales overall grew 3.2 percent year-over-year to 291, according to DataQuick, an independent real estate tracker. It marked the eighth consecutive month in which more homes were sold than for the same months of 2011. About 83 percent of the homes sold in SLO County in September 2012 were resale single-family homes. Those sales grew 3 percent year-over-year to 242. The median price grew 8.3 percent to $390,000 from $360,000 in September 2011. This September, sales of new (not resale) homes in SLO County fell 18.2 percent to 9 homes, compared with 11 during the same mont... 10/31/2012

Here is today's mortgage rate update for San Luis Obispo County. It is from Bob Franklin at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage located on the Central Coast of California in the city on the beach Pismo Beach California. See all the homes available at my web site www.myslohomefinder.com   The Day Ahead: Bond Markets Back Online but Not Business as Usual The Chicago PMI business barometer index edged up 0.2 percentage points in October to 49.9 but marginally remained in contractionary territory. Employment cost index, shows inflation nudged down in the third quarter, posting at a quarterly 0.4 percent gain, following a 0.5 percent rise in the second quarter. However, the year-ago pace is warming at 2.0 percent versus 1.7 percent in the second quarter. Dow is trading at 13,104 – 2.64, the 10 yr bond... 10/31/2012