National Hispanic Heritage Month is held each year from September 15 to October 15, celebrating the culture and significant contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
At APM, we use this as an opportunity to learn more about our APM Family and what their history, culture, and heritage means to them.
Last month's Consumer Price Index (CPI) news was positive, as it showed that prices cooled to 2.9% last month (on a 12-month basis), down from 3% in June. This is the first time the CPI dipped beneath 3% since March 2021, and strongly suggests that the Federal Reserve will proceed with a rate cut later this month. Mortgage interest rates also show signs of falling, which has already encouraged some homeowners to refinance their existing mortgages.
Even though artificial intelligence (AI) already powers everything from thermostats to Netflix recommendations, it can't provide you with the services offered by a bank manager, CFP or financial advisor. However, AI is already improving your overall financial experience in ways you may not realize.
Summer's right around the corner, and so is the time of year when more of us think of buying or selling a home. However, inflation is still hanging around, which means that the interest rate cuts expected this year haven't yet happened. It is still to be seen if this will affect the residential real estate market, and to what extent. The news isn't all bad, though; unemployment remains low, and US stock markets rallied during the first months of 2024, rising by over 10%.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time for recognizing their significant contributions to the history, culture, and achievements in the United States. (Go here to learn more.)
At APM, we wanted to take this opportunity to learn more about our APM Family and what their history, culture, and heritage means to them.
At APM, we feel that the best way we can honor the heritage of our APM family members during Black History Month, is by listening and learning from the stories they share.
November is National Veterans and Military Families Month and also celebrates Veteran's Day. One of ways we like to honor and celebrate our veterans is by sharing the stories of what home and homeownership means to them.
Whether you're a first-time or move-up home buyer, you may be considering postponing a purchase if your area's affected by climbing home prices. Or you may be balking at today's mortgage interest rates (more about those later in this newsletter).
Spring has sprung, and so have home prices in many areas. A drop in the number of homes for sale has fueled a new round of bidding wars in some regions, and more homes are selling for above their asking prices, even with higher mortgage rates. Homes are selling faster, too, with almost 50% of homes selling within two weeks.
Since hitting a peak in June 2022, home prices have fallen by 3% to 5% on average. While this is the second-biggest home price correction since the 1950s, it's still mild when compared to the 26% drop in prices between 2007 and 2012.
According to many industry experts, 2023's outlook for home buyers is the best it's been for three years.
Interest rate buydowns are becoming increasingly popular as mortgage interest rates remain above 6%.
Here's how a buydown can make your home purchase affordable during the first years of a mortgage's term, or for the life of the loan.
In addition to low inventory, the housing market has encountered a newer challenge: rising mortgage rates, which hit 7% recently. This has caused problems for would-be and move-up homebuyers alike.
Part of APM’s duty to its clients is to make sure they have all the information they need to make an informed choice when it comes to their mortgage loan and their dream home. Today, we’re bringing you the story of Isis Frasier, an amazing woman, wife of a veteran, mom, and foster mom, whose experience as a VA loan borrower will help dispel the myth that VA loans are hard to do, require tons of paperwork, and take too long to close.
But first a little about Isis and her family…
It's Military Family Appreciation Month, and we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight our very own #APMFamily who have served our great country and now work to help other military families and veterans realize their dreams of homeownership.
APM Consulting Economist Elliot Einsenberg is here with this month's economic update, and the hot topic is inflation and what the Fed is doing to curb it. The rising costs of food and cars, coupled with continued supply chain shortages, have pushed the Fed to making moves to stop inflation as quickly as possible.
So, what's next for consumers?
Each member of our APM Family comes from a unique background and has a story that’s waiting to be told. From their upbringing to family values, cultural celebrations, and work in the mortgage industry, we’re sharing some of their stories with you in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
The yield curve is currently inverted, which tells economists a lot about the economy and where it's headed. Elliot breaks down what it means, why it matters, and his thoughts on what it means for the near future.
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