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I was at the Mall of America this past Sunday helping my daughter shop for prom dresses.  I haven’t seen a mall shopping lot as full for a long, long time. People filling up the walk ways and lining up in front of registers to pay.  When was the last time you saw that? (other than the day after Thanksgiving).

The economy notices too – it’s reported as Consumer Confidence and Consumer Spending.  Consumer Confidence figures were up in April – the highest levels since September 2008 (remember October 2008? – yep – that’s the month Chicken Little announced the sky was falling, banks were closing and giant financial firms crumbled). 

Americans spending money is good news for our economy. 

The Feds are watching these numbers too…this is not good news for interest rates.  The more we start spending the risk of inflation returns and the way to control inflation is interest rates.

It aint pretty folks – Creeping Charlie may bloom little purple flowers, but after a while he takes over the entire yard.  Don’t believe it? Come look at my front lawn.  Every year the vines spread.  We’re trying to keep him out of the back yard  and save our new sod.  It’s time for Charlie to die!

Tonight we treated that creep with a concoction of Borax and water – we found the precise mixture online posted by the University of Minnesota Extension Services, Yard and Garden Line. 

Dissolve ten ounces of Twenty Mule Team Borax into four ounces of warm water, then dilute it in 2 1/2 gallons of water.   This should be sprayed evenly over 1,000 square feet of lawn, no more, no less. 

FYI: only once each Spring for two years. 

More on killing Charlie? http://www.extension.umn.edu/info-u/plants/BG522.html

Nothing beats the taste of fresh fruits and veggies.  Here’s a list of local area farmer markets and dates and times they are open. 

Happy eating!

Farmers Markets

Yesterday I asked my BNI RED HOT Referral group “If you could ask a mortgage lender a question, what would it be? Or, if you have a mortgage or real estate concern, what is it?” 

I received some good questions and comments.  Here’s one I’d like to share with you today…

Why is the National Average Mortgage Quote higher than what lenders are offering?

National Average Mortgage Rate is a published number and it’s usually out of date by the time its reported.  It’s a weekly figure compiled by Freddie Mac of national mortgage companies and the figure is reported the following Thursday.  By the time it’s reported….old news.   

States differ in what they charge for closing costs, which can impact their bottom line for profit.  Some states may have higher rates and lower closing costs.  Minnesota for instance has relatively high closing costs but our rates in comparison are less.  It all evens out in the wash – which is why they publish a National average of rates quoted.

Great question!

What are you wishing for?  If you could have one wish come true, what would it be? 

In Saint Paul we have a day set aside for making wishes, it’s Wishes for the Sky, April 25th on Harriet Island from 11 – 5. 

I heard about a couple who attended Wishes for the Sky a few years ago.  Their house had been for sale for several long months with no offers.  They sent their wishes upward for an offer on their home and the opportunity to live near the Mississippi R iver to enjoy its beauty.  While relaxing on Harriet Island their phone rang and they hesitated answering the call and breaking the spirit of their afternoon.  It was their realtor. They answered the call and were told their home was sold. They now live next to the Mississippi River.

Wishes do come true.

Make a wish from your heart, have fun flying a kite, honor Earth Day, and celebrate the arrival of spring. Wishes for the Sky is a free public art event that celebrates inner harmony and community peace. Be a part of this annual day of collective wishing!

• Free! Kites provided
• Fly your wish high in the sky
• A clean, green, zero-waste event
• Along the beautiful Mississippi
• Enchantment for all ages
• Rain or Shine!

http://www.wishesforthesky.org/

“I received a property tax statement in the mail, but I thought my mortgage company was paying my taxes for me?”

Cindy says: The county has to send you a statement notifying you of the amount they are collecting each year.  It’s always a good idea to call your mortgage company and verify the following:  

1) Are taxes collected in the monthly payment? (which means you have an escrow account.  If you have an escrow account – the mortgage company will pay taxes when they are due)

 2) How much is your mortgage company currently collecting for taxes each month? **compare this figure with the county tax statement.  If taxes went up your escrow account may be short and the mortgage company will send you a bill for the difference later in the year = OUCH!  The best solution is to increase your monthly payment immediately and ask the mortgage company to” apply $ (state exact dollar amount) toward tax escrow account”

My Dad called me today.  Appears I won a bet I had with him.  He lives in Barnum, (South of Duluth), and I bet him the ice would be off the lake by March 31st.  Dad’s response was “I’ll bet you $20 the ice is out there until mid April”  Pay up PaPa.

Warm weather brings us all outside.  We walk outdoors, take a breath of fresh air, stretch out our arms, look up, look around and then….AHHHH! we notice chipped paint on the siding of the house, broken screens, clutter in the garage, and with the windows wide open we notice….DUST!

It can be overwhelming.  I’d rather go to a park and play than face the amount of work I have to do in my home each Spring.  If you feel the same way I am in contact with plenty of professionals who will do the work for you so you can enjoy the warm weather with your friends and family.  

How do you get in contact with the people I know? Just call me.  I am always happy to connect good people and make your life, and your Spring, better. Here’s just a sampling of professionals I know.

~ residential cleaners

~ window cleaning

~ handyman repairs for small putsy projects

~ siding and windows

~ architect for designing your new addition

~ remodeler for your new kitchen, bath, basement or addition

~ professional organizer to attack that closet, basement or over stuffed garage.

The bond market has been a little crazy lately, moving up and down with sharp sporadic movements.  Tomorrow is the last day the Fed’s will purchase Mortgage Backed Securities,  (their involvement has kept rates very low for the past 15months).  Once the Fed’s exit the market rates are likely to move up, up and away – but in the mean time the market is bouncing around as it tries to figure out what is coming.

In my opinion…rates are moving up – at least the next few months.  Other than Christmas time, this is the season Americans spend money – Easter dresses to be purchased, prom is around the corner, need a new grill for BBQing and might as well get a new patio set to invite the neighbors over for dinner.  Dang if some new beach towels aren’t needed too.  “Can’t afford a fancy summer vacation – might as well enjoy life as best I can.”

We’ll spend money because we want to – not because we feel good about the economy-because we are tired of worrying about money.  Wall Street will say we have confidence – rates will move up and when we can no longer pay off our Visa bill and suddenly stop spending money in September – they’ll  listen. 

For the next several months – I believe rates will go up – because the market will react to our actions as normal cabin fever consumers.

Maybe you qualify for the Home Affordable Program.  Check out this link and answer a few of the simple questions. 

http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/

The bond market is off and there is an alert to lock in your rate.  If you are floating – consider locking in.  Why? The Feds have announced for some time they will discontinue buying up Mortgage Backed Securities, which has kept rates  unrealistically low.  In advance of next week, the bond market is already moving. Here we go.  Rates are moving up.