Mortgage Interest Rates | Are They Rising or Not?

We talked to some local bankers and investigated some economic indicators about U.S. interest rates and this is what we found out.

With the ten year treasury falling to near an all-time low, people in the U.S. have enjoyed unprecedented low interest rates on mortgage loans. And, with rates so low right now, it is more often much cheaper to buy a home than rent.

First time home buyers have never had a better opportunity than right now to get more bang for their buck on a new home. Lower interest rates translate into lower payments. Lower payments mean a lower debt to income ratio. A lower DTIR means you may qualify for a bigger house. It’s a beautiful flow of numbers that work in the home-buyer's favor.
Buyers who are upgrading into their second home are feeling the love as well. Some have even kept the same payment although they upgraded to a bigger house!

It would be wonderful if the river of low rate happiness could smoothly flow on forever but there are signs of rapids ahead.

Here are a few things that can and probably will affect interest rates in the near future:

• Interest rates can only go up from here-If you are waiting on even lower rates than we have right now to buy a home, I wouldn’t hold my breath. The mortgage market tends to follow the ten year Treasury note interest rate and that rate is already near record lows. The Fed is only going to raise rates from here. The Fed has already begun raising national interest rates recently and mortgage interest rates will follow suite.

• Oil is a player in the game-Oil prices are a contributing factor to interest rates and we are also seeing near record lows in this industry as well. The price of a drum of oil is at early 1980’s prices. It’s not going to get much cheaper than it is right now.
That being said, Russia and Saudi Arabia have agreed to freeze output levels at January rates. If supply falls as a result, prices will likely go up and so will interest rates. Consequently, organizations like ISIS are primarily funded by oil. When prices go up they become better funded and intensify operations. All it takes is one major conflict in the Middle East to send oil prices rocketing back up to previous highs.

• It’s an election year-Typically interest rates increase as we near a major election as uncertainty about who will be leading and what they will decide about key economic factors that affect the global market will be.

Bottom line: 

Interest rates are good right now, really good. If you can lock in a rate of 3-3 ½% as they stand right now, you may never have to refinance your house again!

Now is the time to buy: I know you’ve heard it before but take it to heart this time. Some of the bankers we talked to speculate that rates could be on the rise in less than 90 days from now.

If you are planning to sell, do it: Buyers are in a better position than ever to qualify for financing. That means more buyers for your home. As rates rise, financing will become more difficult and people will be more reluctant to buy a home.

By Luke Thomas from the Tracy Tidwell Team at ERA TEAM Real Estate in Conway, AR

http://www.naturalstaterealestate.com

Luke: 801-502-2799  ERA: 501-327-6731

The History of Wedgwood | Fine China & Gifts

LUXURY CRAFTSMANSHIP TO RAVISH THE SENSES

The Wedgwood story began in 1759, when Josiah Wedgwood, aged just twenty-nine, started as an independent potter in Burslem, Staffordshire, England. He began to experiment avidly with clay, exploring its many possibilities.

During his lifetime he invented and produced three of Wedgwood's most famous ceramic bodies - Queen's Ware (1762), Black Basalt (1768) and Jasper (1774). These remain famous to this day.

Creative, energetic, an astute business man and patron of the arts, he quickly became Britain's most inspired and successful ceramics pioneer. His genius led English pottery from a cottage craft to an art form and international industry.

In 1762, Josiah met Thomas Bentley, a Liverpool merchant who had travelled widely on the Continent and possessed a sound knowledge of classical and Renaissance art. With Bentley, he formed an intimate friendship and partnership, which was to last until Bentley's death. The years of the partnership with Bentley were probably Josiah's happiest and most prosperous, with his inventing, perfecting and capturing the fashion of the time for the neo-classical style.

Today, the Wedgwood and Bentley collection celebrates this partnership and is the pinnacle of the product portfolio. It encompasses the finest Wedgwood ornamental ware and luxury tableware, with each item made in England and meticulously decorated by hand by Master Craftsmen.

Wedgwood's enduring appeal among the world's Royal Families and Heads of State began with Queen Charlotte, who ordered a set of cream-coloured earthernware that pleased her so much that Josiah Wedgwood was granted permission to style himself 'Potter to Her Majesty' and call his innovative cream ware 'Queen's Ware'. A few years later the Empress Catherine the Great of Russia ordered a service in Queen's Ware for fifty people, which consisted of of 952 hand-painted pieces of gardens and English scenery. Today this service is kept in the Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg.

Since the time of Queen Charlotte, Wedgwood collections were to grace the tables of every British monarch and many other illustrious Heads of State, such as in the Vatican, the Kremlin and the White House. It was also the brand of choice for some of the world's most prestigious hotels.

Jasper, the most famous of Josiah's inventions, first appeared in 1774 after thousands of experiments. An unglazed vitreous fine stoneware, it was made in blue, green, lilac, yellow, black or white; sometimes one piece combined three or more of these colours. Upon these delicately coloured grounds would be applied the classical and contemporary reliefs which are still made today from moulds reproduced from the originals. The iconic light blue jasper gave rise to the expression "Wedgwood Blue" and remains a recognizable Wedgwood signature worldwide.

Since 1940, at the Wedgwood factory at Barlaston, England, modern technology combines with the ancient skills of throwing, modelling and decorating. These precious skills are preserved through a solid apprenticeship program, reintroduced to meet the growing global demand for some of Wedgwood's most exclusive signature pieces. Apprentices train for up to 10 years to become Master Craftspeople.

Throughout its history, Wedgwood has collaborated with the most famous artists of the day. In the twentieth century, Rex Whistler, John Skeaping, Eric Ravilious, Keith Murray, Arnold Machin, Richard Guyatt, Eduardo Paolozzi and David Gentleman have all designed for Wedgwood; reflecting Josiah's policy of commissioning work from John Flaxman, George Stubbs, Matthew Bolton and other celebrated artists of the late eighteenth century.

Today, the Wedgwood collections are designed in England by the Wedgwood Design Studio. Jasper Conran, one of the UK's leading fashion designers, and Vera Wang, the acclaimed authority in bridal elegance, also created distinguished collections for Wedgwood, whilst Beatrix Potter's original watercolours adorn Peter Rabbit collections.

Wedgwood exports all over the world with a commitment to creating premium, desirable and distinctively English home and lifestyle products to delight consumers – a fitting tribute to the memory of its founder.

Advantages of Hardwood Floors | Beautiful Home Design

Some people have a tendency to completely overlook the hardwood floor option, because it is initially more expensive than carpet or linoleum; however, there are many benefits which outweigh the extra cost over cheaper alternatives.

10 Benefits of hardwood floors:

Benefits of a New HVAC System | Heat & Air

More than half of the energy used in the typical home goes to heating and cooling. That’s why, as a homeowner, it’s imperative to make smart decisions about your home’s heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system. It can make all the difference in your utility bills—and your comfort.
Here are some benefits of installing a new high efficiency HVAC system...

Aspects of Interior Lighting Design | Lighting Showroom

Lighting is one of the most overlooked yet essential elements of good interior design. After all, there is little point in building luxury surroundings if they cannot then be appreciated properly or if there is insufficient light to be able to carry out even the most basic of tasks. In addition though, lighting is also essential in terms of creating the mood and ambience of a living space, so getting it right from the start is vital...

Thinking About Selling Your Home | Real Estate News

Things to know about selling your home in 2016. Who's market is it? What's going on with mortgage rates? Am I ready to sell? Here's the scoop.

Brought to you by Luke Thomas from the Tracy Tidwell Team at ERA TEAM Real Estate in Conway, AR
Luke: 801-502-2799  ERA: 501-327-6731

ERA TEAM Technology Resources

ERA TEAM Real Estate is an  innovating company with a progressive approach to real estate. Our biggest goal is customer service and satisfaction. That's why we strive to provide the most current technologies and services for our clients.

What this means for our clients

• The latest in real estate technology
• Agents with in depth training including continuing education as the market evolves
• Expanded internet exposure
• National exposure
• Access to the largest relocation network in the country
• The ability to guarantee the sale of a home _{(must qualify for ERA® Sellers Security® Plan)} or ERA will buy it.

Some New Technology Examples

Marketing Tools

HD Aerial Drone Videos    

ERA properties stand out from the crowd with integrated professional quality drone footage. Property videos become dynamic and engaging. A free value added service provided by ERA TEAM Real Estate.

3D Interactive Virtual Tours

   





The closest thing to actually being there! Amazing technology that allows the user to walk around the inside of homes virtually. Fully interactive and even compatible with new VR headsets for a totally immersive experience.

HD Video Property Tours

Coupled with HD drone footage, ERA's HD Video Property Tours showcase homes at a higher caliber than the average run of the mill property video. Quality videos increase user engagement and property interest.

State of the art Websites and Apps

Over 20 years of research and development has gone into the creation of ERA's new websites and Apps. Refined to near perfection of aesthetic quality, ease of use and functionality, ERA offers an enjoyable online real estate experience that is tailored to each user. Saved searches and properties are synced across platforms so clients can access ERA's impressive suite of services from home or anywhere on the go.

• Easily search for properties and navigate between simple and advanced options to customize your home search. Save searches for later and modify them whenever you want. Choose to receive alerts for new properties coming on the market that show up on your saved searches. You know immediately when a new homes becomes available.
• View price estimates, history and a plethora of demographic data at a glance.
• Get more accurate estimates of your own home value with our exclusive smartzip valuation technology that not only computes an estimate based on today's market, it also compares estimates from Zillow and eppraisal as well. You get a second and third opinion instantly.
• Use the Follow Home feature when you list your home to receive weekly updates on the value of your home and market conditions.
• Save a property on the website from the comfort of your own home then open the app later on your mobile device and click on that saved property for directions.

• With a single click you can request a showing of any property on the market and an ERA Realtor will call you to schedule the showing at a time of your convenience.
• On Apple devices, use the "StreetScan" feature by holding up your phone and scanning for homes in the direction you are facing. This is a very cool and fun mode on the ERA app. Icons will literally pop up on homes in your device's camera field of view. Some people get the app just for the joy of using this feature.

• ERA's Zap technology internet platform queries the MLS every 15 minutes for new properties. Be the first to know with ERA. Find out why we say, "The old way of searching for homes has just been Zapped!"
• Easily connect with the best agents in the industry. Realtors that have your best interests as their highest priority.

Agent Training

ERA agents have some of the most advanced training in the industry. Not only extensive continuing ethical and practical training, ERA agents have the skills to implement the latest and greatest in real estate technology. ERA offices don't compete, we meet and greet and share the latest technology for the benefit of all. Regular seminars, webinars, training programs, conferences, online training modules and in house training keeps our agents sharp and up to date. ERA even has Technology Specialists that both educate and assist our agents. All this results in exceptional customer service from efficient, tech savvy agents that get the job done for our clients integrating the best new technologies and methods. Buyers and sellers alike can rest assured that their ERA agent is both ethical and well trained. For more information about ERA agent training and careers, click the picture below.

ERA Real Estate is an innovative franchising leader in the residential real estate industry with 40 years of experience in developing consumer-oriented products and services. The ERA network includes approximately 32,000 brokers and sales associates and approximately 2,300 offices throughout the United States and 34 countries and territories. Each office is independently owned and operated. ERA Real Estate is a subsidiary of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services.
Company History:
In 1971, Jim Jackson founded the company, originally called Electronic Realty Associates, with the vision of utilizing the latest technology – then a fax machine - to provide the highest quality service. Since that time, ERA Real Estate has continued its innovator role. In 1973, ERA Real Estate offered the first nationwide home warranty program. A few years later, the company introduced its ERA® Sellers Security® Plan, a unique program that offers qualified sellers a specific price and sales date. Today, ERA Real Estate continues to be a pioneer in the industry by capitalizing on the power of the Internet to offer unique offerings to both sales associates and consumers.