We got a rescue dog about five years ago and never knew her breed, but I’m pretty sure she’s half Shti Tzu and half annoying. I figured this out over the last four months while working from home because she continually tries to escape by digging the same hole (that I fill back up) every day, she chases squirrels like they’re al Qaeda, and has no fear of skunks even though she’s been sprayed twice. Yes – TWICE! But as I write this on my laptop she’s curled up in my lap keeping me warm, she wags her tail whenever she sees me, and she’s the only female besides my wife who hasn’t dumped me – so I guess she’s a keeper. Okay, onto blog…
Slow Quote of the Day: “Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you.” – John De Paola
This Week in Economic History: It was back in this week 1977 oil began to flow for the first time down the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. The 799 miles of pipe stretched from Prudhoe Bay in northern Alaska to the ice-free port of Valdez in southern Alaska, and the oil produced accounts for 15% of the US’ oil production. (*Interesting side note: in the mid-80s the oil made its way to my teenage pimply face and I was voted Oiliest Face in New Trier High School).
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. Not much happening today but tomorrow we’ve got Jobless Claims and Durable Goods Orders, and on Friday Consumer Spending and Core Inflation. If reports come in good for the economy you can expect rates to tick up and vice-versa if the numbers disappoint.
Interest rates continue to go up a little, down a little – lately it’s been like a small roller coaster (here’s the world’s smallest roller coaster – pretty sure I would still throw up if I went on it). Today you’ll find conforming 30-year fixed (that’s for any loan under $510k) rates anywhere from 3.0% – 3.625%. Keep in mind that banks are giving better rates on purchases than refinances. Jumbo loans are anywhere from 3.125% – 3.75%. I know that doesn’t help much if you’re reading this and looking for what today’s rates are at but the spread is pretty big based on a few factors. Aside from purchase or refinance, rates are also based on type of home, equity in the home, your credit score, and if you’ve ever wondered what a Richard Simmons action figure would look like.
Don’t Forget to Remember: Any purchase or refinance loan that closes with me I will waive $575 of lender fees. (and more for those on the front lines). 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!
Slow Quote of the Day 2: “My ceiling fan has three settings: very slow, slow, and I’m about to detach from the ceiling and kill you in a freak ceiling fan accident.” – @5hael
Timeout for Trivia: Congrats to those who last week guessed Vin Diesel. Want to be entered into a drawing to win Otto the Otter Tape Dispenser? Simply email me the answer to this week’s Who Am I? question. Good luck: “Hooray, it’s my birthday today. An anagram for my name is Ad Lying Mink, but my real name is due to my parents who named me the second half of a 70s sitcom title that starred a very funny now dead comedian. I’m a funny live comedian – maybe you remember me from my 2005-2013 sitcom whose title is something people really haven’t gone too since the pandemic started. I’ve also done movies – remember my film debut in 2005 where the plot was about an old guy who never got lucky with women? Hey, just realized that same guy was the main character in my sitcom – how cool!”
