Posts Tagged ‘Pat Malpere’
Mortgage rates hit new lows for the year
Mortgage rates hit new lows for the year. Rates on a 30 year fixed rate mortgage have fallen to the lowest level of the year and are barely shy of an all time low. 30 year fixed rate mortgages have fallen to 4.72 percent. The average for a 15 year is 4.17. This is the lowest rate for a15 year mortgage since August 1991. Rates on a 5 year adjustable mortgage are at 3.92.
Investors weary of the European dept crisis and the turbulent stock market have shifted money into the safety of US Treasury Bills. Fixed rate mortgages tend to track that yield. The unemployment picture shows that few private sector jobs have been created. This has made the investors nervous of the stock market and pushed bond rates higher and interest rates lower. When bond yields fell interest rates followed.
It was expected that when the tax credit for home buyers program had ended that rates would move higher. Fortunately for the home buyer just the opposite has happened.
Another good omen showing that the economy is improving. Is that it appears that corporations do not appear to fear future restrictions on credit. Many corporations have begun stock by back programs. Instead of hoarding cash to use in the event of tighting credit, corporations are out buying their own stock back. Over 122 billion has been spent buying stock back. This is a boom to share holders.
Consider the performance of the Buyback Letter, edited by David Fried, an advisory service that recommends stocks based on buyback activity. Since the beginning of 1997, which is when the Hulbert Financial Digest began tracking this service, it has produced a 10.7% annualized gain, compared to 5.1% for the overall stock market (as measured by the Wilshire 5000 index). Among all the services the Hulbert Financial Digest has tracked since 1997, the Buyback Letter is in third place (second when ranked on a risk-adjusted basis).
Private equity is getting into the investment picture as well. Just look what happened in Delaware last week. A refinery that Valero Refining Company had shut down in November and affected the income of over 4,900 families was bought by a private investment company. The new Delaware Refining Company has already called people back to work to begin startup procedures.
If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Morris Plains NJ give me a call. I can help you through the process.
Thanks for reading my Blog Morris Plains Homes NJ. Here is the Quote: There are so many men who can figure costs, and so few who can measure values. ~Author Unknown