All right, Cute Family Story Time...Plus Markets

Try to visualize a mom walking through the HEB parking lot, holding both kids' hands, and the little one stopping in mid traffic, "STOP! Wait a minute mommy, I have to do something". Afraid her son was hurt, the mom stops, and proceeds to watch her little 4 year old pick his nose in the middle of the bustling street.  

The hysterical things these little kids do really makes life worth living!

In the Markets:

After some really volatile weeks, there were no major surprises in the last 5 days, ending rates nearly unchanged. The big story NEXT WEEK will be the Fed meeting on Wednesday, and will shed some light on a possible future rate hike, if any. Stay tuned! Read more HERE!

Enjoy the weekend, and as always, we would be HONORED FOR YOUR NEXT REFERRAL!

~Jen

Foundation Do's and Don'ts! Plus, How 'Bout Them Jumbo Rates?!

Happy Monday!

If you weren't able to attend our monthly learning event last week, here is a RECAP! We had a foundation company owner speak about some pitfalls with foundation inspections, and WOW! Some eye openers.

Did you know:

• In Houston there are over 200 foundation repair companies
• In Texas, there is NO REGULATION for foundation inspectors. i.e. no licensing, education requirements, bonding, or set procedures.
• Insurance will NOT cover foundation repair unless you can prove that it was caused by a leak. Once they send 'their' inspector out, then it is to be proven also that the foundation did not cause the leak! In other words...hardly ever happens.
• If a seller gets multiple quotes for foundation repair, they are required to disclose all of them to a buyer
• Houston has many foundation issues because of our SOIL, clay and porous!

How to ensure that the foundation company is reputable:

1. Ask: a) Are you bonded, b) Do you have Texas Workers Comp? c) Are the workers employees or contractors? D) On the warranty include any future pro-ration requirements , e) Does the warranty have a definition of settlement at repair?
2. Get a copy the insurance!
3. Call the insurance company to verify! (the presenter told us of fraudulent ones)
4. Be sure at inspection they use the 'yellow' gadget  (a zip level machine!)
5. Get a copy of the warranty and/or settlement definitions and re survey post repair

IN THE MARKETS:

A record week in mortgage rates. Concern about economic weaknesses in China, Europe and other world markets was the driver of rates this week, for fear that weakness overseas will slow economic growth in the US. Read more here!

JUMBO RATES are not far from the lowest I have seen in 20 years!! Wow! Call us TODAY to start the process!

Enjoy your week, and as always, we would be HONORED FOR YOUR NEXT REFERRAL!

~Jen

Quitting is not an option!

Just 6 short days ago from writing this, we moved the kids, my parents in law, the nanny and the dog Lola to a new house. Amidst the boxes, unwrapped decor, pictures waiting to be hung, and winter clothes mixed with summer...it's been challenging to keep everything and every ONE together. My darling husband was in deep thought the other day, and decided to let me know that all our 'stuff' that he sees laying around is just that, and why do we need so many things? Why do we even own anything at all?  

Okay, while he is right on one hand (spiritually) , on the other, why is he telling me this NOW?

So my cheerleader hat came on, and I let him know that we should go ahead and just give up, quit. He asked what I meant? What was I talking about?  

EXACTLY. Quitting is not an option!  

It's easy to get out of sorts when things are not in their place, scattered all over. This happens in our families, friendships, and teams all the time! Change has a way of challenging our innermost fears, and the easy way out is to just quit.

So next time the thought of giving up creeps in, DON'T! Dig in wherever you are. Clean slate the past and move forward.

In the markets

Interest rates ended last week lower after officials noted that weak growth in other countries could slow growth in the US.   

Here is the link to our newsletter that explains more about what rates did last week.

As always, enjoy your week!

~Jen

Create Raving Fans!

Well, you guessed it, just watch my tip of the week video and you will see that I am in the process of moving houses!  We have heard a lot of banter from our agents that things are slowing down (listing agents have houses sitting longer, and buying agents have buyers that are waiting for sellers to get realistic about their prices). Do we see a market correction coming?

Either way...it's still a GREAT TIME TO BUY with rates still in the 4-s , and also to implement something NEW to your Raving Fan Service. Check out this week's 'Tip of the Week'  to LEARN HOW! And you can spend less than $25 per client to get started today!

In the markets

While the US economy continues to show moderate growth, last week investors grew more concerned about the pace of economic growth outside the US. As a result, they shifted assets to bonds at the expense of stocks, which helped mortgage rates end the week a little lower.    

Here is the link to our newsletter that explains more about what rates did this week.

As always, enjoy your week!
~Jen

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