Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Build Relationships

Source: Unknown

Build relationships. Starting or growing a business involves interacting with many people. An entrepreneur may be the originator of the idea, but almost immediately, he or she must interact with others to secure resources, engage with potential customers and suppliers, or hire and manage employees. The ability to build strong relationships is crucial for survival and growth.

Successful entrepreneurs are adept at building relationships. They have strong social awareness and can attract and maintain a constituency. The enthusiasm and positivity of strong relationship builders make it easier for others to interact with them. These entrepreneurs also have high standards of personal conduct that enable others to trust them and form strong relationships with them. This demand is relevant in the early and established stages.

Pray

Source: TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc.|
December 18, 2012

Twenty-seven small U.S. flags adorn a large flag on a makeshift memorial on the side of Highway 84 near the Newtown, Conn., town line as residents mourn victims killed by gunman Adam Lanza, Monday, Dec. 17, 2012. On Friday, authorities say Lanza killed his mother at their home and then opened fire inside the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, killing 26 people, including 20 children, before taking his own life. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

 

 

My input: Pray today and everyday - He listens to us

A FORD DEALERS REPORT

A Ford Dealer's Report - From Tom Selkis' (Latham Ford) Facebook -True story yesterday at the dealership.

"I'll try to make this as short and to the point as I can.

One of my salesmen here had a woman in his office yesterday wanting to lease a brand new Focus.

As he was reviewing her credit application with her he noticed she was on social security disability.

He said to her you don't look like you're disabled and unable to work.

She said well I'm really not. I could work if I wanted to, but I make more now than I did when I was working and got hurt (non-disabling injury).

She said the gov't sends her $1500.00 a month in 1 check.

And she gets $700.00 a month on an EBT card (food stamps), and

$800.00 a month for rent.

Oh yeah, and 250 minutes free on her phone.

That is just south of $3500.00 a month.

When she was working, she was taking home about $330.00 per week.

Do the math and then ask yourself why the hell should she go back to work.

If you multiply that by millions of people, you start to realize the scope of the problem we face as a country.

Once the socialists have 51% of the population in that same scenario, we are finished.

The question is when do we cross that threshold if we haven't already, and there are not enough people working to pay enough taxes to support the non-working people? Riots?? Be prepared to protect your homes.

She didn't lease the Focus here because the dealer down the road beat our deal by $10.00/month.

Glad to know she is so frugal with her hard earned money."

The Economy this Week

The second half of the week heats up with several important reports.
Economic data doesn't begin until Thursday with Weekly Initial Jobless Claims.
Claims have been moving lower the past few weeks after the big spike higher in November due to Superstorm Sandy.

Retail Sales will also be delivered on Thursday.

A double dose of inflation news ends the week, with the wholesale-measuring Producer Price Index on Thursday, followed by the Consumer Price Index on Friday.

Home Buyers are Waiting For?????

In most cities, home prices are on the rise!
We are starting to read about how housing is now the engine for economic recovery. However, it will not be long before the Fed increases their rate and mortgage interest rates will soon follow.
As interest rates increase and prices increase, buyers will be able to afford less.
As an example;

How much could you afford to borrow if you wanted to keep your monthly mortgage payment at $1,000? A $1,000 per month rental will be difficult to find in 2013!

at 4.0% interest rate (rates are currently lower)                              $209,000
In Charlotte, you can easily find a 4 BR/2.5 Bath/2-car garage house for under $200,000.

at 6.5% interest rate (probably an historic average)                       $158,000
In Charlotte, you can still find a 3BR/2.5 Bath/2-car garage house for under $150,000

at 18.0% interest rate (Carter's standard..... and in the future?)        $66,000
In Charlotte, you can still find a 2BR/1 Bath house built in 1950 for under $75,000.

Do you really think financial reforms and regulations will make it easier for someone to buy a home?
The home buying process will only become MORE complex and difficult for buyers to buy a home in the new year. Then..............................

Why do you think so many home buyers are waiting?

Please post and share your answer to the above question.

Home Prices form 2000 - 2012

In most cities, prices are on the rise! It will not be long before the Fed increases their rate and mortgage interest rates will soon follow. As interest rates increase and prices increase, buyers will be able to afford less. Why would financial reforms and regulations make it easier for someone to buy? It will only become more complex and difficult for buyers to buy a home in the new year. 
Why do you think so many home buyers are waiting?
Post and share your answers to the above questions.

The Fiscal Cliff

Guest Blog Post:

As we head into 2013, tax cuts for individuals and various tax breaks for businesses are due to expire, taxes pertaining to President Obama’s healthcare law will begin, spending cuts enacted by Congress as part of the debt ceiling deal of 2011 will go into effect, and long-term jobless benefits will expire.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that if all of these items occur, it could take an estimated $600 billion out of the U.S. economy in 2013, pushing the country into a recession. This is the “fiscal cliff” we’re heading toward.

And while Congress and the President need to find a way to resolve these issues, the uncertainty here at home combined with continued uncertainty surrounding the debt crisis in Europe has benefitted our bond market, as investors see our bonds as a safe haven for their money. Since home loan rates are tied to mortgage bonds, they have also benefitted.

Also helping bonds and home loan rates last week was the news that inflation, as measured by the Core Personal Consumption Expenditure, remains limited. Remember inflation has a negative effect on bonds (and therefore home loan rates) because it reduces the value of fixed investments like bonds. In other news to note, new home sales for October came in lower than expected and September’s numbers were also revised lower.

There was some good news in the housing sector: Home prices in the September Case Shiller Home Price Index 20-city composite increased 3.0% from September 2011.
The bottom line is that now is a great time to consider a home purchase or refinance, as home loan rates remain near historic lows.

Table Source: Mortgage Success Source

Contact me. Christopher Day | Mortgage Loan Officer BOA

Will the Mortgage Deduction Go Over the Cliff?

Dec 4, 2012

Senator Kay Hagan

Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 521
Constitution Avenue and 1st Street, NE
Washington, DC 20510-3309

Dear Senator Hagan,

I am writing to you, as a constituent and as a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, concerning an issue of critical importance to the  United States housing market and the economy.

As my elected official, it is imperative you remain vigilant in opposing any plan that modifies or excludes the deductibility of mortgage interest.The mortgage interest deduction is vital to the stability of the American housing market and economy.

I am sending this message to ask you to stand with 70 million American homeowners. I will be watching to see who stands with us.

Sincerely,

David Johnson

 

Kay Hagan is non-existent in the Senate. She is led over the cliff everyday. It is time to defeat Kay Hagan at the ballot box. She provides NC with lip service only. During the health care debate, she stuck her head in the sand. Yes, I am not a fan of Kay Hagan. Yes, I will campaign against her re-election.