You will never have to pay to be listed as a top neighbor. Period. That important detail clarified, let's discuss how we arrive at two "top neighbors" for a given region:
Localism is a bustling collection of hyper-local communities, and the top neighbors should reflect those members who are most active. When ranking users in a given region, several factors are considered. To get your foot in the proverbial door, you need to have posted at least one "Localism" article or photo for the region.
The very best way to quickly rise to #1 is to post high-quality local content. Keeping a steady strem of incoming posts and photos will massively tilt the scales in your favor.
What doesn't count toward the top neighbor ranking? ActiveRain points and community sponsorships. The top neighbor spots will always go to the most active members in a region. We want to create a level playing field that encourages the growth of communities — talent and dedication are required to win the day.
A short while ago I noticed a pretty woman sitting on a bench outside my Cape Group real estate office . Of course I notice pretty women, but this one had cameras and light screens and a crew all around her. It was like a version of Cape Cod's Next Top Model.
I watched for a few minutes and then asked what the pictures would be used for. It turns out that this was for the Appleseeds Clothing store catalog. They chose a few more locations on Main Street in front of a few different shops and restaurants.
I asked how they chose Falmouth. They knew about Falmouth from previous research. However, they like to have a portfolio they can look through that show cases possible locations in any US town for a "shoot." So if you want your town considered, get a portfolio together.
If you get the Appleseeds Clothing catalog, now you'll know where they took the pictures. Come to Falmouth and take your own!
Here they are setting up another shot outside the Firefly.
Home Value Update for Mashpee MAThrough Ocober 2009
According to Trulia.com, the sale prices of single family homes have increased 15.2% in the past year through the end of October 2009. The current mean sales price of homes on the market in Mashpee, MA, is $317,579. Below is a chart of the trend of listing prices of homes for sale in Mashpee, MA, in the past year through October 2009:
The $8000 first-time homebuyer tax credit has been extended, and now expires on April 30, 2010. So, there's no better time than now to buy a home inMashpee, MA, or surrounding area. If you're looking for a home or condo to purchase inMashpee, MA, or in the surrounding area, then try this home search.
If you're 62 or older and are looking for money to finance a home improvement, pay off your current mortgage, supplement your retirement income, or pay for healthcare expenses, then consider getting a reverse mortgage. Find out how a reverse mortgage can use the equity in your home to pay you.
The Mortgage Interest Rate Lock Advisory for Mashpee MA for November 19, 2009
Here are some of the events affecting mortgage interest rates today in Mashpee, MA.
What the Mortgage Backed Securities Market is Doing Today:
The price of the FNMA 30-Year 4.5% MBS coupon opened at 101.75 this morning - up 2/32 from yesterday's close.
The chart below shows today's price trend of the FNMA 30-Year 4.5% coupon:
The FNMA 30-Year 4.5% MBS coupon is currently trading at 101.75 - the same as it opening. Remember, on mortgage backed securities (MBSs), as the price goes down, the yield goes up - and so do mortgage interest rates. I expect that mortgage interest rates will be about the same in price this morning as compared to yesterday.
Recent Activity in Mortgage Backed Securities:
The chart below shows the price trend of the FNMA 30-Year 4.5% coupon over the past 30 days:
Economic Reports, News, and Events Affecting Mortgage Interest Rates Today:
Leading Economic Indicators (LEI) -the Conference Board reported the LEI increased 0.3% in October, slightly less that 0.4% increase analysts expected. This follows a 1.0% increases the previous months. This report attempts to predict economic activity over the next three to six months. This means that analysts are forecasting an small increase in economic activity over the next few months. However, this report usually does not have much of an impact on the mortgage market.
Jobless Claims -505,000 new claims for unemployment were filed last week - in line with estimates. This is slightly more than the 502,000 new claims filed the previous week. The 4-week average declined by 4,500 to 519,750 - the lowest since November 2008. And, continuing claims declined by 139,000 to 5.631 million. However, most of the decline in continuing claims is attributed to the expiration of unemployment benefits. With a decreasing trend in the filing of new claims for unemployment, this suggests that the labor market is improving. However, this data is usually not considered to be very important to the mortgage market.
Fed's MBS Purchase Program - The results of this week's purchases of mortgage backed securities by the Feds will be released in the afternoon. As of last Thursday, the Feds have purchased over $1.006 trillion in mortgage backed securities this year. The Feds plan on purchasing up to $1.25 trillion in mortgage backed securities through March 31st.
Is inflation looming around the corner? Watch this video from CNBC on today's economic reports:
What's Happening With Mortgage Interest Rates Today:
Moderate Volatility. There's not much room for MBS prices to move higher or for mortgage interest rates to move lower at the moment. If you're happy with the rate being offered to you and don't want to risk mortgage interest rates moving higher, you should apply and lock in today. Mortgage rates are currently inching upwards again. If you have not yet locked in your mortgage interest rate, please proceed with caution and maintain contact with your mortgage professional. Also, give very serious consideration to applying now and locking in before mortgage interest rates get worse.
My Mortgage Interest Rate Lock Advice for Today:
If I were considering financing/refinancing a home, I would...
Lock if my closing was taking place within the next 7 days
Float if my closing was taking place between 8 and 30 days
Float if my closing was taking place between 31 and 45 days
Float if my closing was taking place between 46 and 60 days
This is only my opinion of what I would do if I were financing a home. It is only an opinion and cannot be guaranteed to be in the best interest of any or all other borrowers.
Home Value Update for FalmouthMAThrough Ocober 2009
According to Trulia.com, the sale prices of single family homes have increased 14.4% in the past year through the end of October 2009. The current mean sales price of homes on the market in Falmouth, MA, is $452,500. Below is a chart of the trend of listing prices of homes for sale in Falmouth, MA, in the past year through October 2009:
The $8000 first-time homebuyer tax credit has been extended, and now expires on April 30, 2010. So, there's no better time than now to buy a home inFalmouth, MA, or surrounding area. If you're looking for a home or condo to purchase inFalmouth, MA, or in the surrounding area, then try this home search.
If you're 62 or older and are looking for money to finance a home improvement, pay off your current mortgage, supplement your retirement income, or pay for healthcare expenses, then consider getting a reverse mortgage. Find out how a reverse mortgage can use the equity in your home to pay you.
The Mortgage Interest Rate Lock Advisory for FalmouthMA for November 18, 2009
Here are some of the events affecting mortgage interest rates today in Falmouth, MA.
What the Mortgage Backed Securities Market is Doing Today:
The price of the FNMA 30-Year 4.5% MBS coupon opened at 101.69 this morning - down 2/32 from yesterday's close.
The chart below shows today's price trend of the FNMA 30-Year 4.5% coupon:
The FNMA 30-Year 4.5% MBS coupon is currently trading at 101.72 - up 1/32 from its opening. Remember, on mortgage backed securities (MBSs), as the price goes down, the yield goes up - and so do mortgage interest rates. I expect that mortgage interest rates will be about the same in price this morning as compared to yesterday.
Recent Activity in Mortgage Backed Securities:
The chart below shows the price trend of the FNMA 30-Year 4.5% coupon over the past 30 days:
Economic Reports, News, and Events Affecting Mortgage Interest Rates Today:
Consumer Price Index (CPI) for October - there was a 0.3% increase in the overall reading, and a 0.2% increase in the core data reading - slightly better than expected. Analysts expected to see a 0.2% increase in the overall reading, and a 0.1% increase in the core data reading. The core date was driven up mostly by the prices of cars and light trucks. Similar to the Producer Price Index (PPI), this report measures inflationary pressures at the consumer level of the economy. While the report revealed slightly stronger than expected readings, it did not have much of an impact on the mortgage market or mortgage interest rates this morning.
Housing Starts for October - there were 529,000 housing starts in October - a 10.9% decline from the previous month - and is much less than the 600,000 that was expected. It's also the lowest level since April of this year. While this report provides an indication of strength in the housing sector, it usually does not have a noticeable impact on the mortgage market or mortgage interest rates.
In other news, Robert Eisenbeis, chief monetary economist at Cumberland Advisors Inc. and a former research director at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, talks about housing starts and consumer sentiment. Watch this video from Bloomberg:
What's Happening With Mortgage Interest Rates Today:
Moderate Volatility. There's not much room for MBS prices to move higher or for mortgage interest rates to move lower at the moment. If you're happy with the rate being offered to you and don't want to risk mortgage interest rates moving higher, you should apply and lock in today. Mortgage rates are currently inching upwards again. If you have not yet locked in your mortgage interest rate, please proceed with caution and maintain contact with your mortgage professional. Also, give very serious consideration to applying now and locking in before mortgage interest rates get worse.
My Mortgage Interest Rate Lock Advice for Today:
If I were considering financing/refinancing a home, I would...
Lock if my closing was taking place within the next 7 days
Float if my closing was taking place between 8 and 30 days
Float if my closing was taking place between 31 and 45 days
Float if my closing was taking place between 46 and 60 days
This is only my opinion of what I would do if I were financing a home. It is only an opinion and cannot be guaranteed to be in the best interest of any or all other borrowers.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
