Monday, September 8, 2014

Marketers know that if they want to stay relevant they must not only be active on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, but also on newer sites like Pinterest and Instagram. Today, approximately 97% of marketers use some form of social-media as a way to stay connected and reach future clients. The only problem is that social-media is still a relatively new way of marketing. Many marketers have not yet learned how to create or share relevant, personalized and interesting information. Below are five tips to consider that will help keep your audience loyal and interested.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words  Your followers are much more likely to engage with visuals than with text.  Posts that include an accompanying image receive 200% more engagement than posts containing only text. Online marketers utilizing visuals tend to thrive, with visual-based sites like Pinterest and Instagram flourishing.
Give Your Audience Attention  Avoid writing only about yourself or your company. Make it a point to stop talking and start listening. Put the spotlight on your followers to make them feel respected, and their opinions appreciated. Ask open-ended questions to encourage feedback and continued engagement.
Think Before You Post  It is neither positive nor professional to criticize others to gain attention or better position yourself. Before posting, ask yourself, “Could this offend someone?” If the answer isn’t a definite “No,” rephrase or refrain from posting. Pay considerable attention before posting to avoid offending your followers and competitors. It’s better to err on the side of sensitivity in order to sustain relationships.
Be Real  Focus on creating posts that are unique and serve to remind people there is, in fact, a real person behind the screen. People want to connect with you,not necessarily a company. Keep it personable and authentic, and you will stand out from your competitors.
Have Fun  If you are constantly worrying about your marketing techniques it will show. Your posts will become stiff and come across as too scripted. Have fun with your posts while also keeping them professional. You are more likely to increase engagement with your followers when they can interact with you and see your brand’s personality.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Interest rates didn't move much today, with a nearly equal number of lenders moving both higher and lower.  On average, rates were just barely higher.  Even then, the actual rates being quoted are the the same today versus Friday with the only differences seen in the form of closing costs.  The most prevalently quoted conforming 30yr fixed rate remains at 4.25% for flawless scenarios with 4.125% available to a lesser extent.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Friday, May 9, 2014

Mortgage Interest  rose today, pulling back just slightly after spending 6 of the last 7 days in an aggressive move to the lowest levels in more than 6 months.  There were no significant events for markets to consider, .  In other words, today's higher rates are a product of normal market behavior and are not 'event-driven.'  Th Today's move equates to an effective increase of 0.03%.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Mortgage Interest Rates  added just slightly to yesterday's improvements, inching just a bit lower into the best levels in more than 6 months.  The bond markets that dictate rates took their cues this morning from central bankers as the heads of the US Federal Reserve and European Central Bank both offered some reassurance to bond market investors.  In the afternoon, a weak auction of 30yr Treasury Bonds prevented any further improvement, but not before quite a few lenders released positively revised rate sheets.   The most prevalently quoted conforming 30yr fixed rate for best-case scenarios moved closer to 4.125% for the first time since late October 2013, though 4.25% is very close.  

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

MARKET WRAP APRIL 16 2014



Mortgage Interest Rates were slightly higher today as investors continued to pull back from yesterday's geopolitically motivated buying spree.  Tensions in Ukraine had created a short term spike in demand for fixed income securities like Treasuries and the mortgage-backed-securities (MBS) that most directly influence mortgage rates.  Higher demand means lower rates.
 Weaker housing data helped to prevent further bond market weakness (bonds tend to improve when economic data is weaker than expected).

Friday, February 28, 2014

Market Wrap 2/28/2014

Mortgage Rates  rose slightly today ending a strong 3-day move lower. The weakness followed this morning's economic data, but the bond markets that indirectly influence rates were already losing ground during overnight trading.  The implication is that the additional weakness brought about by the economic data was marginal, and the overall increase in rates has been livable. 

Friday, January 31, 2014

market update 01/31/2014

Mortgage rates moved forcefully lower today, bringing them well past previous 2014 lows and back in line with levels not seen since November 19th.  Overnight weakness in equities and foreign markets continues to promote strength in US bond markets, including the mortgage-backed-securities (MBS) that most directly influence mortgage rates.  .We could continue to see improvement on mortgage rates next week