Utah County | Washburn Real Estate

Mortgage rates still great: 4.625%

Happy Friday Morning!

It is a beautiful day outside today—at least as far as I can see through the window of my office. Very quiet trading day…no meaningful news which will leave the technical indicators in charge. From the chart below you can see that we are approaching the top of our trading range again.

The doji star pattern in the blue circle on the graph below is a good indication of a reversal in direction, so let’s hope to see Bonds finish the day climbing toward the ceiling.

Sorry for the garbly-gook jargon J.

30 year interest rates continue at 4.625% today!

Filed Under: Mortgage Tagged With: homes, mortgage, rates, sale, Utah, Utah County, Washburn Real Estate

Tax Credits for Remodeling, Energy Savings

Home renovation spending is expected to show its first increase in four years during 2010, forecasts Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. However, the types of projects being chosen are different from what homeowners were doing a few years ago.

Increasing a home’s usefulness is a priority now. Boosting energy efficiency is an instant way to save money – especially since federal tax credits are available this year for those improvements. Putting in a new water heater, furnace, or central air conditioning, or adding insulation, upgrading drafty windows and doors, or replacing a roof or siding can qualify for the credit.

Americans can claim the Residential Energy Property Credit on their 2010 tax return. It allows a reduction on federal income tax by 30 percent of the cost of many energy-saving projects. So, you can claim 30% savings, up to $1,500 on your 2010 tax returns!

By making these improvements Americans can cut their taxes while reducing ongoing energy costs. But hurry, this tax credit will expire at the end of 2010!

Click here for more information.

Filed Under: Homeowner Tips & Tricks, Washburn Real Estate News Tagged With: homes, Utah, Utah County, Washburn Real Estate

Cedar Hills, 9839 Dorchester Drive, $379,000

Great Cedar Hills home. 100% finished with 5 bedrooms, master bedroom suite. Basement Apartment with 1 or 2 bedroom configuration. Separate entrance. Fully landscaped, quiet, next to neighborhood park and walking trails. Home offered FULLY FINISHED! (Wall hangings and personal items excluded.)

Filed Under: Sold Properties Tagged With: Cedar Hills, Home, Utah County, Washburn Real Estate

Blue Stakes – Call Before You Dig!

A lot of us don’t realize how dangerous digging can be. Before you dig, call Blue Stakes. They will schedule an appointment and come to your home or place of work and will clearly mark all dangerous lines.

And this service is FREE! Don’t risk a serious medical issue. Or don’t subject yourself to inconvenience of being without utilities. Plan before you dig. Call blue stakes, and they can make your job much easier.

Filed Under: Homeowner Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Blue Stakes, Enviornment, safety, Utah, Utah County, Washburn Real Estate

Mortgage Rates Steady (for now) at 5%

Once again Personal Spending is up and Personal Income is down. It appears that we Americans are taking our budgeting cues from our government. Our interest rates are attempting to reverse lower again today but are on shaky ground with a huge Bond supply on the market this week (Greece is now selling Bonds at 6%), and unemployment numbers due out on Friday.

30 Year interest rates hang out at 5.0%

Jeremy Plouzek, CML, ALM

Security Home Mortgage

576 South State, Orem Utah 84058

Office: (801)764-0111

Filed Under: Mortgage Tagged With: agent, mortgage, rates, search, Utah County, Washburn Real Estate

Mortgage Rates at 5%

We have had a freefall in the price of Wall Street-traded MBS over the last two trading sessions. The panic looks to be over; watch for the bounce. In the large picture, Interest Rates didn’t suffer too much (yet), and are only up .25% from Monday/Tuesday. I really hate to say “I told you so” because sometimes I am wrong and I wouldn’t want you to rub it in my face when that happens J, but if you are keeping track, you will see that I tend to err on the conservative side in my approach to capitalizing on these record-low interest rates. Better to be safe than sorry my mother always said.

So what happened? The Fed’s Treasury auctions (which compete with Mortgage Backed Security funds for the “safe” percentage of the pie chart in your 401(k) statement) have fared very poorly, causing a sell-off in fixed income vehicles of all types. In spite of the selloff, the Federal Reserve has retained its last $6 Billion of the $1.25 Trillion MBS budget for next week.

Bottom line: Conventional 30 year fixed is at 5.125% and FHA is at 5.0% right now.

The chart below is for your technical enjoyment. Aqua circle is the current price, blue is from yesterday morning. Red is Tuesday.

Jeremy Plouzek, CML, ALM

Security Home Mortgage

576 South State, Orem Utah 84058

Office: (801)764-0111

Filed Under: Mortgage, Washburn Real Estate News Tagged With: agent, homes, mortgage, salt lake county, search, Utah, Utah County, Washburn Real Estate

Mortgage Rates Creeping Up??

The Mortgage Bond Market is currently down 50bps (which equals ½ a discount point). Mixed economic news really had no effect, the sell-off is a result of massive bond/note inventories being sold off. The lock desks are all currently closed.

Watch for interest rates to come back to 5.0% for a 30 year fixed when the banks re-open their lock desks.

FYI: The blue circle shows mortgage pricing at yesterday’s close, the aqua circle is pricing as of 10:45 AM MDT.

Jeremy Plouzek, CML, ALM

Security Home Mortgage

576 South State, Orem Utah 84058

Office: (801)764-0111

Filed Under: Mortgage, Uncategorized, Washburn Real Estate News Tagged With: agent, homes, Mortgage, search, Utah County, Washburn Real Estate

Tree Planting and Pruning Tips

Rocky Mountain Power takes pride in having a professional tree maintenance program. In fact, they’ve been recognized with the Tree Line USA award by the National Arbor Day Foundation for their vegetation management and tree-pruning practices.

Trees can add (or detract) to the value of your home, and picking a tree that will compliment your home as well as provide utilitarian function and aesthetics is very important.

Our friends at Rocky Mountain Power have put together a very informative packet — all about trees!

To download your copy, click on this link. Trees for Urban Environment

Another tip that might just save your life, or a lot of inconvenience…. Before you dig, whether for a tree or for any purpose, for safety’s sake, call Blue Stakes. They will come to your home or working location and will identify any lines in the ground that you should take precaution around.

Filed Under: Homeowner Tips & Tricks Tagged With: agent, arbor day, environment, rocky mountain power, search, Trees, Utah County, Washburn Real Estate

Get $30 Back & Protect the Environment!

Rocky Mountain Power Promotion: Save energy, save money, and help protect the environment.

Older refrigerators and freezers use up to four times the energy of newer models. By recycling that old fridge or freezer, you can save up to $150 a year on your electric bill and get a $30 incentive. Plus, recycling that fridge will prevent about 10 tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent greenhouse gasses from entering the atmosphere.

Rocky Mountain Power will even haul it away for free. See ya later, refrigerator!

Get $30 back, and get rid of that fridge.

For a free pickup, call toll free 1-899-5539 or visit www.rockymountainpower.net/recycle.

Filed Under: Homeowner Tips & Tricks, Washburn Real Estate News Tagged With: environment, recycle, Salt Lake, Utah County, Washburn Real Estate