Check out these Podcasts

Recently I wasa asked by GLAR to tape two podcast for one of their websites, www.realtorsmakeadifference.com.  The topics were “Estate Planning” and “Selling Tips”, so sit down, relax, get some popcorn, and take a look……………..

http://www.louisvillerealtors.com/realtordifference/Selling-a-Home.html

http://www.louisvillerealtors.com/realtordifference/Estate-Planning.html

 

Last Weeks Stats

Statistics

 

LISTINGS	Residential (Single Family & Condo)
May 12 – 18, 2008	646
Last year	816
SOLDS
May 4 – 10, 2008	204
Last year	259

The FED and Interest Rates

  Consumers are often misled when it comes to the subject of the Federal Reserve and how it affects mortgage interest rates. Often the media is the culprit causing the confusion. In the last few years, the Fed has taken action that caused mortgage interest rates to move in a direction other than what consumers expected, because the media provided weak reporting on the subject.The Federal Reserve affects short-term interest rate maturities, the Fed Funds rate, and the Overnight Lending rate. These factors have a direct impact on the Prime rate. If you took only this into consideration, you may mistakenly conclude that changes made by the Fed will cause a similar movement in mortgage interest rates. However, mortgage interest rates are dictated by the trading of mortgage-backed securities, which trade on a daily basis. The real dynamic at the heart of interest rate movement is the relationship between stocks and bonds.Stocks and bonds compete for the same investment dollar on a daily basis. There is literally only so much money to be invested. When the Federal Reserve feels that interest rates need to be decreased in an effort to stimulate the economy, this reduction in rates can often cause a stock market rally. When the market becomes bullish, the money to invest in stocks comes from the selling of mortgage-backed securities.

Unfortunately, selling mortgage-backed securities to fuel stock market rallies causes interest rates to go up, not down.

Historically, there have been many times when the Federal Reserve has increased interest rates. Stocks then sell off in fear that the increase will affect corporate profit margins, and the liquidated stock assets need a place to park until the next rally comes along. The safe haven is found in mortgage-backed securities which cause mortgage rates to drop.

Hope this helps,

Lamont