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17th May
Homebuilder Confidence is on the rise once again.
After a brief dip in April, the National Association of Homebuilders reports that the Housing Market Index rose 5 points in May to 29. The increase marks the sharpest climb in homebuilder confidence on a month-to-month basis in 10 years, and raises the index to a 5-year high. The Housing Market Index is scored from 1-100. Readings above 50 indicate favorable conditions in the single-family new home market overall. Readings below 50 indicate poor conditions. The HMI has not been above 50 since April 2006.
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14th May
The Palace Theatre Manchester, NH
Event Details Mike Morin’s Culinary Adventure Wednesday May 16, 2012 (7:00pm) The Music, Wine and Fare Affair… If the Food Network did a variety show…this would be it. Food demos are the main course, with live music, comedy and audience interaction the other courses. As host, Mike will be stirring the pot! The stars are local chefs, including executive chef Benjamin Knack from BVI who was on Gordon Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen. For music we have The Beloved Few! For comedy, Kelly McFarland who knows how to made food funny as a former contestant on NBC’s The Biggest Loser.
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14th May
Mortgage Rates Make New All-Time Lows (Again)
Conforming mortgage rates continue to drop. For the second straight week, the 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell to a new, all-time low nationwide. According to Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage rate survey, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate dropped 1 basis point to 3.83% this week for borrowers willing to pay 0.7 discount points plus a full set of closing costs. The 15-year fixed rate mortgage also set a mortgage rate record, registering 3.05% with an accompanying 0.7 discount plus closing costs.
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2nd May
Mortgage Guidelines Resume Tightening Nationwide
Despite an improving U.S. economy, the nation’s banks remain cautious about what they will lend, and to whom. Last quarter, by a margin of 3-to-2, more banks tightened residential mortgage lending standards for “prime borrowers” than did loosen them. A “prime borrower” is defined as one with a well-documented credit history, high credit scores, and a low debt-to-income ratio. The insight comes from the Federal Reserve’s quarterly survey of its member banks. Last quarter, of the 54 responding banks : 0 banks tightened mortgage guidelines considerably
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16th April
New Hampshire State Flower...
The state flower of New Hampshire is the purple lilac, Syringa vulgaris. Featuring tall rows of vertical purple blooms, this flower is a common sight at homes and public areas around the state of New Hampshire. History of Purple Lilacs in New Hampshire
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16th April
MONDAY MORNING MARKET REVIEW
Weaker than expected Employment data and increased concerns about Europe helped mortgage rates this week, and they ended lower than where they were before the March Employment report. While slower employment growth is painful for the country in nearly every way, this generally bad news is actually favorable for mortgage rates. Against a consensus forecast of 200K, the economy added just 120K jobs in March. The Unemployment Rate dropped to 8.2%, the lowest level since January 2009, but the decline was due to people leaving the labor force rather than finding jobs.
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12th April
Made In NH Try It & Buy It Expo 2012
Made In NH Try It & Buy It Expo 2012 Start Date/Time: Sunday, April 15, 2012 10:00 AM End Date/Time: Sunday, April 15, 2012 4:00 PM The 2012 Made In NH Try It & Buy It Expo is sure to have something for everyone. Specialty businesses from across NH will be sampling and selling their wares to thousands of consumers and wholesale buyers. There will also be fun entertainment on stage all 3 days. The Made In NH Expo will be held April 13, 14 and 15 at the Radisson Hotel Expo Center in Manchester.
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4th April
Earth Day at The Neighborhoods at Woodland Pond!
Earth day is a day that is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the earth's natural environment. In observance of this day we would like to welcome anyone who would like to join us in a community trash pick up here at The Neighborhoods. We will be meeting on Saturday, April 21st at 9:00 am at the Woodland Clubhouse. Please RSVP if you plan on joining!
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4th April
Making a Point About Low Mortgage Rates In NH and MA
Mortgage rates can be confusing but a little explanation on how "points" work might shed some light on the subject. Lately more and more borrowers have been coming to me and wanting to pay points to get a lower mortgage rate on their home financing. A "point" is a percentage of the loan amount paid to get a lower than market interest rate. For example, today 30 year fixed rates are at 6.125%. Say you needed a $300,000 mortgage to buy a home and you wanted a lower rate than 6.125%, so you paid 1 point or 1% of $300,000 ($3,000) you could get a rate of 5.875% on a 30 year fixed.
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27th March
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week
Mortgage markets carved out a wide range last week, eventually closing slightly worse. Mortgage-backed bonds sold off early in the week on rising investor sentiment. Then, they reversed higher on prepared remarks from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, which tempered Wall Street optimism. When bonds prices rise, mortgage rates fall. Conforming and FHA mortgage rates in New Hampshire and Maine edged higher on the week, and remain at a 5-month high.