Daily Archives: January 7, 2013

Mortgage Rates Seen Staying Below Four Percent | Pound Ridge Homes

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Though a number of critical questions face the US economy, from the unfinished business in Washington like the debt limit and spending cuts to lackluster growth, the outlook for mortgage rates is relatively predictable and not very exciting.

Rates will stay low, below 4 percent on a thirty-year fixed mortgage, predicts Bankrate.com senior financial analyst Greg McBride.  Even the prospect that Congress might finally act on reforming the GSEs does not deter him from his view that the Fed will not abandon QE3 in light of the fragility of both the national economy and housing economies.

With Fannie and Freddie originating 90 percent of new mortgages, removing the government guarantee that helps make these loans possible would ruin the recovery.  “Say what they want about ending the GSEs, it’s not going to happen,” said McBride.

Nor does he see significant changes in lending standards that many claim are making it too difficult for first-time buyers to get financing.  “Today’s median FICO of 750 and other financial qualifications are not insurmountable to young buyers with low debt and good jobs.” he said.

“Lukewarm jobs reports of 155,000 to 160,000 new jobs are not enough.  We need to see job growth twice that size before the Fed should even think about changing its policies,” he said.

This week on Bankrate.com’s  Rate Trend Index, 55 percent of the panelists believe mortgage rates will rise over the next week or so, 27 percent think rates will fall, and 18 percent believe rates will remain relatively unchanged (plus or minus 2 basis points).

Bankrate.com surveys experts in the mortgage field to see if they believe mortgage rates will rise, fall or remain relatively unchanged. The panel is comprised of mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers and other industry experts who provide residential first mortgages to consumers.

via realestateeconomywatch.com

Chappaqua Realtor | 5 Great Social Media Networks You May Never Have Heard Of

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Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.  These are some of the names in social media networking that you will be familiar with due to their global popularity.  These days, Facebook is pretty much ubiquitous with over 900 million users across the world actively using the site to keep up with friends and learn about their favourite celebrities.

Twitter, although relatively new to the social media scene, also has a massive following with approximately 500 million user accounts active on the site.  A much more recent addition to the top social networks is Pinterest, which has seen an explosion in the number of users and activity in the past year.

But if you’re looking to branch out, there are a few other social media sites that you may want to explore.  Take a look through our list of the top five social networks that you are as yet unlikely to have come across.

1) Tumblr

Tumblr is a blogging service that combines some of the most popular features of Twitter, Pinterest and other blogging sites such as LiveJournal.  Easy to sign up for and simple to use, Tumblr offers users the ability to “follow” other Tumblr users in a manner not dissimilar to Twitter and to “reblog” posts by other users in a similar way to Twitter’s retweeting or Pinterest’s repinning.

The ability to search Tumblr tags is one of the things that make it very appealing.  Its simple search engine allows you to trawl through all posts made on the site on a particular topic and quickly find interesting posts or inspiration.  It’s especially good for ideas about food, craft and interiors.

2) Goodreads

Goodreads as a social network is based around the enjoyment of literature.  The site allows you to build a virtual book shelf of books that you have read, are reading or wish to read in the future and see reviews of these books or contribute your own.  It’s a great way to keep track of the books you’ve enjoyed and share these with friends, as well as seeking recommendations for new books to read.

The site is very popular with up-and-coming authors, particularly those who are self publishing on sites such as Amazon or Smashwords, who use the site to contact potential readers and befriend them as well as market their publications.

3) Last.fm

This social media network has been quietly going about its business in the background for a number of years.  Users of the site are able to download a small piece of software that enables them to “scrobble” every piece of digital music they have to one of a variety of media players.  These records are then used to match you with other users who have similar tastes to your own, and recommend bands that are similar to those that you listen to but whose music you may not yet have heard.

Last.fm is particularly good for friends as you can see what your mates have been listening to and share tracks with them using the site’s messaging service.

4) GetGlue

Another network based on entertainment preferences, GetGlue enables its users to check in when watching a movie, TV show or listening to music and lets you share this activity with your other social networks such as Twitter and Facebook.

Similar to last.fm, GetGlue also makes recommendations for things you may like to watch or listen to based on your viewing or listening history.

5) 43 things

This network is simplicity itself.  43 things allows users to list their goals then share them with a community of over three million people who can cheer you on as you strive to accomplish them.

The site enables you to link with Facebook or sign up independently.  People who are working towards similar goals can encourage one another to hit their target.

Conclusion

There are lots of social networks outside of the big three that are just waiting to be discovered.  Whether you’re looking to find new material for enjoying your spare time or need that little bit of encouragement to finish your to-do list, take a look at some of these sites and get inspired!

via socialmediatoday.com