I’m not in the mood to talk about mortgages today so I’m leading off this blog with three random thoughts about music. 1. I love going to concerts, and sometimes it’s fun to see the crowd batting a beach ball around – but I don’t think I would ever bring a beach ball to a concert, that’s kinda weird. I would bring one to a grocery store though – I think my fellow shoppers would appreciate the added excitement to what is normally a boring chore. 2. The Theme from Rocky (Gonna Fly Now) is the best workout song ever. The worst workout song? Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You. I know this for fact because I listened to it during a recent run on the treadmill, and while it ruined the workout I had an awesome cry. (*although it was awkward having the people in the gym stare at me). 3. Journey was a horrible 80s band but Don’t Stop Believin’ is the best karaoke song. Ever.
Music Quote of the Day: “Country music is three chords and the truth.” – Harlan Howard
This Week in Economic History: It was on September 15th, 1946 Oliver Stone was born. His contribution to the economic world was his movie Wall Street and the most fitting quote to describe Wall Street: “Greed is good.” (*side note: In the late 80s I went through a phase where I would slick my hair back to try and look like Michael Douglas. That didn’t work out too well because my hair was more like Weird Al Yankovic’s) Here are some fun facts about that movie.
Wuss’up This Week: Every day reports about our economy are released into the wild, and it’s these reports that can sway interest rates in either direction. Today we’ve got Retail Sales (*this should come in higher than expected, I just bought some new towels and a big thing of rubber cement at Target) and The Federal Reserve Meeting Announcement. Tomorrow Initial Jobless Claims, and on Friday the U of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Report. (*this is a monthly poll on consumer attitudes towards the economy and personal spending. I think it will come in pretty good because my kids are off at college, I have no art projects going on but yet I bought a big thing of rubber cement for no reason at all.)
Interest rates are low for now but if you haven’t jumped on the refinance bandwagon yet my advice is to do it soon, Mortgage Fans. Fannie Mae announced a refi tax that was delayed until December, however banks will start to price that bump into their rates probably by the end of this month. For now you’ll find conforming 30-year fixed rates (*that’s any loan at $510k or less) anywhere from 2.625% – 3.375%, and Jumbo rates (*over $510k) in the low-3s. As usual rates will vary based on purchase or refi (*rates better for purchases), type of home, equity in the home, your credit score, and if you’re planning on getting engaged in the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.
Don’t Forget to Remember: Any purchase or refinance loan that closes with me I will waive $575 of closing costs (*and more for essential workers or people who create really cool 3-D sidewalk art). Grab yourself a cup of instant karma and pass my info along to any friends, family, coworkers, or co-slackers that can use this gift!
Music Quote of the Day 2: “All classical music sounds like the score to a mouse traversing a variety of terrain.” – @chelseaperetti
Timeout for Trivia: Congrats to those who last week guessed Adam Sandler. Want to be entered into a drawing to win Jalapeno Flavored Cotton Candy? Simply email me the answer to this week’s Who Am I? question. Good luck: “It was on this day in 2014 that my second studio album debuted as # 1 on the Billboard charts, but before we get to my music we need to go back in time to my acting career on Nickelodeon from 2009-2012 – did you watch my show whose title could also mean triumphant? No? you probably didn’t have young kids that watched it like this blog’s author. Okay, let’s switch back to music – I was discovered on YouTube singing cover songs and soon was signed to a record label that led to me being one of the most streamed artists on Spotify. Other accolades include making Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World list and Billboard naming me Woman of the Year in 2018. But with fame comes criticism – remember when I was shamed for what I physically did to donuts I hadn’t paid for? I’m sure the employee there was probably like, ‘Thanks for coming in, next in line.’”
