Weekly Market Update: Pumped and Ready for the Week!

So the big move (our personal home, not my office!) is in just 1 week. We decided to spring for packers. Oh, I love my husband! We will net more on the house than planned, so it helped justify the extra cost. So in short, I have not packed ONE THING! :) I am so excited I am just beside myself. So now is a great time to pre-approve! The mood is high! :)  

...Just kidding, we approve people all the time, and love every minute of it!!

In the markets:

The markets were rather flat last week with little surprise in this weeks economic data releases. But investors are standing by for next weeks European Central Bank meeting, which will likely have much impact on rates.  

As always, have a fabulous week!

~Jen

Revisit Your Timeblock! (Or Make One!!)

Happy Monday, Friends!

In anticipation to my move to Katy in 2 weeks, it was time to change my calendar time block. Get to work earlier to beat traffic, workout at the office building gym :) , and get the day GOING! I will leave earlier as well, to pick up the kids from school. So I sat at my computer for an hour last week, and basically re-arranged my entire life. It was liberating! I got to tweak the things that were not working, keep the things that were, and I can't wait to begin my new schedule.

Is it time to revisit your time block? Do you have one? Maybe it's a good time to start! Hint: put the personal stuff in FIRST! Then the mandatory meetings, etc...and then block times for when YOU prefer to see clients, have your proactive call time, do paperwork, have late nights...remember we are in control of our day! Theme days help as well. Mondays for me are admin/office in the morning, then out for lunch with a referral partner, builder sales office visits, and then 2 hours of proactive calling to new and current referral partners.  If 80% of the time you can stick to a time block, then you will be able to make 'exceptions' when that relo buyer calls, or the contract has to be written, or the prime caller just HAS to see your company's listing. Try it for one week! I promise you will love it. 

In the markets:

After all of last week's anticipated news from the FED this week ......nothing. In turn, the rates were basically flat. Read more about the markets here, in my Mortgage Time Newsletter!

Home and Wealth Newsletter- September

Jennifer Hernandez Senior Loan Officer The Hernanadez Team NMLS# 514497 2500 CityWest Blvd., Suite 1075 Houston, TX 77042 Office: 713-853-9000 Mobile: 713-446-7791 my website

3 tips for taking better smartphone photos – PLUS 10 window options to add value to your home The smartphone has become the everyday camera for many people, simply because it's always on hand. But smartphone photos often aren't so great, especially when you see them on a larger screen or printout. Here are three ways to fix that: 1. Hold your smartphone steady. Smartphone photos turn out blurry if you don't hold the phone steady. Today's bigger, thinner phones can be harder to hold when taking pictures and most phone cameras don't have image stabilization. Always hold the phone with two hands and, if possible, brace your elbows against your torso or knees or on a table or chair back. 2. Don't use the zoom. Smartphones don't have big, bulky "optical zoom" lenses. Their "digital zooms" crop the image, so you can wind up with a splotchy, blurry shot. Instead, zoom with your feet: for a close-up, move in; for a wide shot, step back. 3. Check out some apps. Your phone's built-in camera app is fine, but downloadable apps can give you big benefits. Instagram and Hipstamatic offer easy-to-use, one-touch filters. And you get added control from apps such as Camera+, Snapseed, and VSCO Cam. Many are free. 10 GREAT CHOICES FOR UPGRADING YOUR HOME'S WINDOWS Windows can personalize a new home or add more value to an existing one–so know the styles available and the benefits each offers. Here's what the experts say. 1. Double-hung. This is the most popular style. The top and bottom sashes move up and down independently, letting in more air. They're a great option with young children or pets, since you can keep the bottom closed for safety, but open the top for ventilation. Most models have sashes that tilt in or come out for cleaning. 2. Single-hung. This very basic window opens only from the bottom. The top sash doesn't move. They're less expensive than double-hung, but can be hard to clean from the inside. 3. Casement. These are hinged on the side with a crank at the bottom that opens them. Older homeowners prefer casements to double-hung windows you push up and pull down. The crank also makes for easy opening in hard to reach locations, such as over a kitchen sink. 4. Sliders. This design uses panels that slide on a track. It sometimes includes a fixed middle panel, with two sliding side windows. It's another good option for older homeowners because there's no lifting. This style also provides great ventilation and big views. 5. Picture. This is simply a large, fixed window that gives an unobstructed picture of the view it provides. It is often combined with double-hung or casement windows on each side. 6. Bay. This style uses three windows at 35° or 45° angles. They can be fixed picture windows, casement, or double-hung. Bay windows are great in living rooms and master bedrooms, especially with a window seat. Their angled surfaces let in lots of light. 7. Bow. This is a rounded bay window. The shape is created by putting three, five, seven, or nine narrow casement, double-hung, or fixed windows at 10° angles to each other. 8. Awning. This window is hinged across the top and opens outward from the bottom. The design is good for high locations, above a door or another window. 9. Basement hopper. This is the opposite of an awning, hinged at the bottom and opening in from the top. It's usually used to let light and air into basements. 10. Geometric. These are fixed units that come in a variety of shapes. They're used alone as an accent, or above a large window or door. Geometrics add style and can bring light into large foyers and hallways. If thinking about new windows has you thinking about a new home, we can help with the financing. When you decide to take advantage of today's opportunities to upgrade, downsize, or buy a first home, we're happy to answer any questions. We can also help with refinancing your current home or funding home improvements. Please call or email us any time. We're always here for you... Have a great day! P.S.: Mortgage rates are still at historically attractive levels. When buying or refinancing, it's smart to start the process early. Please call or email us to explore your options! The material provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment and/or mortgage advice or a commitment to lend. Although the material is deemed to be accurate and reliable, there is no guarantee of its accuracy. The material contained in this message is the property of Legacy Mutual Mortgage and cannot be reproduced for any use without prior written consent. Institution NMLS #278675

Weekly Market Update- Perception is Everything

Boy did I have a wake up call this week. 

My nanny shared with me that our youngest son (Pablo, 4), asked her to hug him like Mommy hugs Diego (9). My heart literally broke in half, and then I swirled into re-commitment to make some changes to how I am interacting with my boys. My first instinct was to defend myself, because trust me, that little boy get lots of attention. But you know what? It doesn't matter what I think, its what he thinks. His perception.

Our clients are the same. They perceive things, sometimes warranted, sometimes not. Ultimately, it's the perception that matters.  What are your clients perceiving? Are you asking for feedback? Are you then doing anything with the feedback? Some food for thought, right?

In the Markets:

Last week's news was that the Fed may raise the fed funds rate quicker than previously expected. This together with stronger than expected economic data pushed rates a bit HIGHER last week. This week's big story will be Wednesday's Fed meeting. Investors are sitting on the edge of their seats for any language that will allude to the timing of the next fed funds hike.

Happy Monday! 

~Jen

Weekly Update: The New Contract

Happy Monday!

Last week I attended the CRS luncheon (Certified Residential Specialist), and Mr. Chuck Jacobus, a Houston legal icon, was the speaker. He spoke about updates on the contract, lawsuit cases, and was frankly a wealth of knowledge! A few interesting points he discussed are worth mentioning, as we spent quite a bit of time on contracts:

• When a realtor puts in special provisions (or elsewhere) that the house 'must' appraise, or the buyer has the right to terminate- WATCH OUT- that is considered practicing law, which is a NO NO unless you passed your state bar exam.
• The financing addendum period (deadline) means that you have met all CREDIT criteria. This could or could not mean the appraisal. That is collateral. And a separate issue covered in paragraph 4A1 (not meeting underwriting standards)
• In Texas you can now use a reverse mortgage to 'purchase' a home. You may start seeing this. Know that there is a TREC Addendum for that to be added to the contract.

In the Markets:

Rates pushed higher earlier last week, as stronger than expected economic data put pressure on the bond market. When there are signs of a robust economy, investors put money back into the stock market, leaving bonds behind, and therefore yields go up to attract them back over! (kind of works that way...I'm trying to put in words we can all 'grasp'). So here comes the JOBS REPORT. The 6 month streak of job gains ended in August, with only 142K jobs added (the expectation was 225K). So rates eased a bit, and we were FLAT for the week.

Have a great week!

~Jen