Brentwood TN Real Estate/Homes - Vanessa Stalets REALTOR®

Brentwood TN Real Estate

Mortgage bond prices fell last week driving mortgage interest rates substantially higher. The economic data released during the week was mixed. Unfortunately, the Producer Price Index (PPI) report's headline number was twice as high as expected igniting inflationary fears. Stocks bounced up and down, which resulted in continued whipsaw trading in mortgage bonds.

For the week, interest rates on government and conventional loans rose by about 1/2% in interest rate.

The durable goods orders data to be released Wednesday will be the most important event this week. The remaining releases may result in market volatility more so than usual since this is the last full week of data heading into the next Fed meeting.

Economic Factors

Economic Indicator Release Date Time Consensus Estimate Analysis

5-year Treasury Note Auction Tuesday, April 22, 2008 None Important. Notes will be auctioned. Strong demand may lead to lower mortgage rates.

Existing Home Sales Wednesday, April 23, 2008 Down 1.6% Low importance. An indication of mortgage credit demand. A significant decrease may lead to lower rates.

Durable Goods Orders Thursday, April 24, 2008 Up 0.1% Important. An indication of the demand for "big ticket" items. Weakness may lead to lower rates.

New Home Sales Thursday, April 24, 2008 Down 0.8% Important. An indication of economic strength and credit demand. A decrease may lead to lower rates.

U of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Friday, April 25, 2008 64.2 Important. An indication of consumers' willingness to spend. Weakness may lead to lower mortgage rates.

New Home Sales

New Home Sales data is compiled monthly by the Department of Commerce's Census Bureau and is gathered from builders throughout the country. The data represents new home sales for the nation as well as four areas of the country: the Northeast, the Midwest, the South, and the West. Information on the average price of a home, the number of homes for sale, and the supply of unsold homes are also provided. The data is an important indicator because it shows any strength or weakness in the housing sector. The housing sector data is valuable because when consumer spending changes, it appears in this sector first. Consequently, a chain reaction typically occurs. A slowdown in new home sales tends to lead to a slowdown in housing starts, which will continue to affect other indicators possibly resulting in a recession, as has been the recent concern of most everyone.

New Home Sales data is often volatile and difficult to predict. Most analysts look at a three-month average in order to see any trends in the growth rate. Surges in the release are often greeted with little more than an average reaction in the bond market. However, the data remains significant in showing the condition of the housing sector of the economy. The housing sector had been a bright spot of the economy in years past but as of late has been a major disappointment. The tightening of the credit markets has really put a damper on housing in general.

If interest rates rise, further weakness could be placed on new home sales. However, if interest rates remain steady, new home sales may be able to stabilize.

The risks of floating far outweigh the potential benefits. Therefore, a cautious approach is necessary to protect against short-term movements in mortgage interest rates. Now is a great time to take advantage of mortgage interest rates at their relatively favorable levels.*Information courtesy Tonya Esquibel WR Starkey Mortgage, Franklin TN*

Vanessa Stalets
Brentwood TN Real Estate
RE/MAX Elite
615-957-6333
615-661-4400

Brentwood TN Real Estate

I don't know about you, but I always encourage my buyers and sellers in Brentwood TN to get or give a home warranty. They save you more than you would ever imagine. I like First American Home Warranty. I have their warranty on my own home, and today it paid for itself several times over. I had the HVAC repair man out for the second time in 2 weeks and it was discovered that I basically need a new unit for my downstairs. That is approx $4,500 to replace the Trane I have. The Home Warranty pays all except $800. You can't beat that with a big stick! They replaced my dishwasher last year and the stove as well. I paid $405 for each years coverage, from where I am sitting tonight it seems like a bargain! Do you have a home warranty? Do you recommend them to clients? Which one or ones?

I don't really see a draw back here, if you know of any please share!

Vanessa Stalets

Brentwood TN Real Estate

RE/MAX Elite
615-957-6333/615-661-4400

Brentwood TN Real Estate

Everyone gets excited when they are about to move. It can be a fun and tiring experience all at the same time. There are certain things you should do to ensure you have a safe move, whether you are moving to Brentwood Tn, Franklin, Nashville or elsewhere.
The first thing you need to do is determine what day you are going to be moving. The people who should know about it are the ones who will be helping you move. Moving is a hard job and very few people volunteer just to be nice. The ones who did offer are your friends and family. It goes without saying they will expect the same from you one day.
You will also want to make sure you have the proper moving equipment when you are moving. Things like a cart dolly or two wheeled truck, as they are sometimes called, will be needed to move heavy things like the refrigerator, freezer, washer and dryer. Even if you have ten men ready and willing, you do not want someone hurting themselves because of your move.
Before everyone arrives to help with the move, make sure every thing is packed up, or at least almost every thing. This will ensure no one is standing around waiting to grab a box. Having every thing ready to go and waiting will make the entire process much easier for everyone.
You will want to make sure the walk ways and stair ways are completely cleared. You do not want anyone tripping and falling. This is something which should be done periodically throughout the day to keep everyone safe. People will ask for help from someone carrying a box down the steps, that person in turn will put the box on the steps and help with what ever needs doing, completely forgetting about the box. The next thing you know someone is coming down with a chair or another box and does not see the first one, trips and goes sailing(or thumping more likely) down the stairs. Accidents happen like this all the time.
It is also useful to have a cooler located somewhere which has a supply of ice and cold bottled water in it. This is especially good if you are moving during the summer months. People will get extremely hot during the moving process and you want to keep everyone hydrated.
One last tip when it comes to having a safe moving experience. Keep the doors and windows locked. There are two reasons for this. The first is obvious. You do not want any unwanted guests helping themselves to what ever has been moved or still needs to be moved. The other is the weather factor. It never fails that when you are in one house, it will be raining at the other or vice versa. You can keep floors dry and slip proof by keeping the windows shut when you leave one house for the other.
You can also divide your help into teams. Locate one in the new house and keep the other one at the old house. As the trucks show up to the new place, the second team can unload. This gives the first team a needed break. When the first team comes back to load up again, the second team is taking their break. They can also help start to unpack. This keeps all your helpers rested and ready to go!

You can have a safe and enjoyable time moving to Brentwood TN if you just follow the hints and tips suggested here. Good luck, I will see you around TN!

Call now to find out how I can help you with EVERY step of your move, from finding the perfect home in Brentwood, Franklin or Nashville Tn, to last minute packing and moving tips! I am your 1 stop do it all REALTOR in Brentwood TN and I look forward to serving your real estate needs!

Vanessa Stalets
Brentwood TN Real Estate

RE/MAX Elite
615-957-6333/ 615-661-4400

Brentwood TN Real Estate

Mortgage bond prices rose slightly last week pushing mortgage interest rates lower. Most of the data showed signs the economy continued to struggle. Unfortunately the Fed minutes showed increased inflation concerns, which tempered any major improvements in mortgage interest rates. Stocks bounced up and down, which resulted in continued whipsaw trading in mortgage bonds.

For the week, interest rates on government and conventional loans fell by about 1/8 to 1/4 of a discount point.

The consumer price index data Wednesday will be the most important event this week. The potential for market volatility is high surrounding the other releases as the economy continues to struggle.

Economic Factors
Economic Indicator Release Date Time Consensus Estimate Analysis

Retail Sales Monday, April 14, 2008 Up 0.1% Important. A measure of consumer demand. Weakness may lead to lower mortgage rates.

Producer Price Index Tuesday, April 15, 2008 Up 0.4%, Core up 0.2% Important. A measure of inflation at the producer level. Lower than expected increases may lead to lower rates.

Consumer Price Index Wednesday, April 16, 2008 Up 0.3%, Core up 0.2% Important. A measure of inflation at the consumer level. Lower than expected increases may lead to lower rates.

Housing Starts Wednesday, April 16, 2008 Down 3.8% Important. A measure of housing sector strength. Larger than expected decrease may lead to lower rates.

Industrial Production Wednesday, April 16, 2008 Down 0.1% Important. A measure of manufacturing sector strength. A larger than expected decrease may lead to lower rates.

Capacity Utilization Wednesday, April 16, 2008 80.4% Important. A figure above 85% is viewed as inflationary. A decrease may lead to lower rates.

Fed "Beige Book" Wednesday, April 16, 2008 None Important. This Fed report details current economic conditions across the US. Signs of weakness may lead to lower rates.

Leading Economic Indicators Thursday, April 17, 2008 Up 0.1% Important. An indication of future economic activity. Weakness may lead to lower rates.

Producer Price Index
The producer price index is a measure of prices at the producer level and is important because it is the first inflation report to be released each month. Investors are typically able to gain an initial indication of inflationary pressures from the release. If producer prices are increasing, there is a tendency for producers to pass the increases on to consumers in the form of higher priced goods. It is important to note that the PPI is only a measure of goods, while the consumer price index is a measure of goods and services. It is possible for the price of goods to remain stable, while the price of services increases. In this scenario PPI would do little to warn of a change in inflationary pressures, while the CPI report would provide an indication of the inflationary effects of the service component. This distinction between the two reports shows why most analysts view the CPI as a more accurate indicator of inflation. Nevertheless, market participants still gain valuable insight into potential volatility in the financial markets from the PPI.
*Information courtesy Tonya Esquibel, WR Starkey Mortgage, Franklin TN*

Vanessa Stalets
Brentwood TN Real Estate
RE/MAX Elite
615-957-6333/615-661-4400

Brentwood TN Real Estate

Years ago, it was nothing to have four or five children in a family, or more. This meant finding the biggest house for the least amount of money. The more square footage and the more bedrooms the better. As the children grew up and moved away, the house became even larger. The only time it seemed crowded was during the holidays and even then there was plenty of room for everyone.

Now the house just is too big and there is so much that must be done to maintain it, the holidays are no reason to keep that lumbering giant in Brentwood, Franklin or Nashville TN. It's time to downsize. This can actually be a fun time in your life. It gives you the time to reflect on the many memories you have from the old house, while you plan for the exciting move to the new one! Packing can be a fun way to share some of those memories. One way to do this is to have a packing party just for family.

Before you begin, make sure you know what you are taking with you and what you are not going to need. You can do this by packing some of the things away on your own first, mainly those items you know you will want to take with you. Then you can call the family in to help. Make sure the grandchildren are included in the invitation. Let the family know this is going to be a whole day affair.

Start out by asking everyone to bring their own box. This is where the fun begins, a trip down memory lane can cause some great laughter. As your family arrives, explain you are going to be selling the house and you are packing up what you are not going to be taking with you. As the kids wander from room to room it is their job to explain about the stain on the living room carpet that just mysteriously appeared. They can also talk about how the unwanted house guest "No Body" kept doing things behind everyone's back. This makes for much hilarity and you may just discover the answers to years old mysteries!

As each item is packed up and placed away, the children will packing their own memories as well. These can be shared with other members of the family and the new generation too. The trophies which have gathered dust can be bragged about once again. The old favorite toys in the attic can be brought back to life with the grand kids in the house to listen and watch, passing on old family secrets and joy.

Downsizing does not have to be a sad time. It can be a time when the entire family reminisces about what it was like growing up with each other in your home. The dishes used at holiday dinners, or why there are only three legs on the table that are straight can really make the experience a great way to say goodbye to a family home with lots of history.

As each family member packs up a box, make sure there is one they are going to take home filled with the sentimental treasures they had when they were growing up. This is a wonderful way for a part of the old house will remain with each of them for years to come. Although a tear or two may be shed, everyone will agree that being a part of the move and having the chance to share the sweet memories together is a heart warming way to make the ending of a chapter in your and their lives easier and the beginning of a new one more fun!

Call now to find out how I can help you sell your current home and find your new dream home!
Serving Brentwood, Franklin and Nashville TN.

Vanessa Stalets
Brentwood TN Real Estate
RE/MAX Elite
615-957-6333/ 615-661-4400