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Will that impact real estate showings? I know Zach wouldn’t venture from his climate controlled environment, but what about the average homebuyer? At least you can make sure the property you want to buy has working A/C! Do you carry a balance on your credit card? Well, credit card delinquencies continue to rise according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. A year ago, just 8.2% of credit card debt was severely delinquent (90+ days overdue), but that figure is now 10.7%. Please help us stop this trend and contact us about a possible home equity loan or line of credit. Lower your monthly payments AND interest rate! Get out from under the boot of those trying to trap you in the vicious debt cycle. Looking at the larger picture: After a brief scare in April and late May, the 10 Year Treasury seems to be comfortably below the 4.5% yield threshold which is good news for future homebuyers and home sellers alike! Supply and Demand, yadda, yadda, yadaa…. As always, FREE 1 on 1 consultations available at: http

Like Garfield, Zach loves lasagna and hates Mondays. Burying the lead: Mortgage rates start the week lower! Investors are digesting the latest manufacturing data, pushing the 10-Year Treasury Yield down to almost 4.4% Computex, a computer expo held annually in Taipei, Taiwan is nearly upon us! But that hasn’t stopped companies like Nvidia, AMD, Intel, Microsoft, etc… from making some “pre” announcements. Looks like they are all doubling-down on AI; integrating it into their upcoming chips and software. Lots of talk about how AI will be taking people’s jobs, but why stop there? Pretty soon you won’t need to talk to friends, watch movies, or listen to music because the AI will handle all of that for you! We’re still seeing lots of purchase activity as our prequalified buyers find properties they want to buy, some within days, others after years of searching. Credit card debt remains at all-time highs, so it might be time to take a look at one of Townstone’s Home Equity products to let you consolidate your de

Barry vs. Zach: the Pay-Per-View you can watch for FREE! The 10-year Treasury seems befuddled: closing under 4.5% last week, spiking above 4.7% to start this week, and now trending back down to 4.5%. Pending home sales in April are down 7.4% compared to last year, but the share of sellers cutting prices this month in May has hit 6.4%. Supply and Demand at work! Zach describes his car dealership/servicing nightmare, unbelievable right? We’re proud to announce: OFFICIAL TOWNSTONE MERCH! Now you can show off your support for the #1 mortgage company since 2002 by following this link https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/161479917

Barry and Zach have a beautiful feelin’! Everything’s goin’ their way! Memorial Day is right around the corner! Intended to be a day of honoring and mourning U.S. military personnel who died while serving, most Americans use it as a day to eat too many hotdogs and drink too many beers! And isn’t that truly what America is about? While we may be stuffing our faces Monday, we truly thank the vets for their service. Townstone has been taking care of veterans with the lowest rates and costs on VA loans since 2002! Just imagine the alternate history without the brave service from these men and women; we might’ve been eating bratwurst and schnitzel. Barry’s favorite stock Nvidia (NVDA) hits a new all-time high. The rest of the market seems pretty tame by comparison, while the yield of the US 10-YR Treasury flirts with 4.5%. Gold and Silver are down a bit for the day, but still near all-time highs as well. Conspiracy Alert: cicadas are supposedly out in the trillions, but have you seen any yet? Barry and Zach give

Barry and Zach have a candid session covering a variety of topics starting with Barry’s gripes about bureaucracy and red tape. He sheds light on the often complex and frustrating processes that is especially burdensome for individuals and small business. With a couple of personal victories under his belt this week, Zach shares his recent experience with DIY car and HVAC repairs, offering insights into the challenges and rewards of tackling such tasks without professional help. Who doesn’t love a good fixer-upper story? But mortgages and real estate remain the heart of the show, as Barry and Zach discuss the latest developments in mortgages and the real estate market. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned investor, or simply keeping an eye on market trends, we hope to provide valuable perspective on the current state of real estate and what it means for your wallet. Tune in for an episode that’s hopefully as educational as it is entertaining. We promise to leave you happier and better informed t

After sharp increases in mortgage rates last week, we’re starting the week with some much-appreciated relief from the market. But what’s good for mortgage rates may not be good for the overall economy. “Stagflation” is quickly becoming the new economic buzzword, meaning an economy plagued by a combination of inflation AND slower growth. And we had our 1st official bank failure of the year Friday 4/26, as regulators seized Republic First Bancorp, a troubled Philadelphia lender. Townstone Financial NMLS#136639 is an Independent Mortgage Broker: that means offer our customers more products, better rates, lower costs, and a higher level of service when compared to the competition. If you haven’t discovered this for yourself yet, set-up a FREE consultation at https://townstone.com/consultation-request/ Purchase Mortgages Refinance Mortgages Home Equity Lines/Loans Reverse Mortgages Don’t settle for less!

Lions and Tigers and 10-year Treasury Yields Surpass 4.5% (Oh My!) So, what’s the ACTUAL impact on the economy and consumers? As Treasury yields rise, interest rates on consumer loans, such as mortgages and car loans, often increase. This can lead to higher borrowing costs for mortgages, cars, credit cards, and more. Middle East Tensions get hotter! Escalations between Israel and Iran have already led to a selloff in Iranian currency and stocks, indicating increased market volatility and investor concern over the stability of the region. We expect this to put pressure on oil prices/outflows from emerging markets. Also, is it time to buy some defense stocks like weapon manufacturers? Real Estate Insights - Home Prices: Home prices nationwide were up 6.4% year-over-year in February. Sales Volume: The number of homes sold rose 2.8%, and the number of homes for sale rose 4.9% Market Predictions: Experts predict a slower rise in home prices this year compared to recent years, but price fluctuations will continue

Just in case you didn’t pay attention in class: Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing. Mortgage rates start the week higher as the 10-year Treasury yield is above 4.4% (highest YTD, but nowhere close to the 5% we saw last October) Handyman Zach! Replaces his car’s wiper blades/air filter, and Nintendo Joy-Con stick drift fixed by replacing them. This or That: Barry Vs. Zach Barry’s favorite: the Chicago Cubs might be finding their groove with a 6-3 record to date, how far does he think they’ll go this year? Biden’s new plan to reduce student loan balances for approximately 23 million borrowers, is trying to buy votes? Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday that nonfarm payrolls grew by 303,000 in March, far above expectations, but will we have another downward revision next month as is becoming the norm? Friendly R

Townstone Financial has more products for home purchases, refinances, home equity line, home equity loans, reverse mortgages, down payment assistance, and more! Low rates, top-notch services, and Barry and Zach (what more could you ask for?) Don't settle for any other mortgage company when you can be working with the BEST! As always, FREE 1 on 1 consultations available at: https://townstone.com/consultation-request/

You should ALWAYS be vigilant when browsing the internet, but today is April Fool’s, so you should probably wait until tomorrow for confirmation if you hear about something that doesn’t pass the smell test. Mortgage rates start the week higher along with treasury yields while equities fall. Gold is breaking records, currently trading at over $2,200 per ounce. Announcing a NEW segment: “This or That: Barry Vs. Zach” where we’ll argue opposing sides on everything from future interest rates to movies and politics. It’ll be one place on the show where we’ll find absolutely no common ground! As always, FREE 1 on 1 consultations available at: https://townstone.com/consultation-request/

Who Pays Realtor Commissions? With the National Association of Realtors agreeing to pay $418 million in damages along with other rule changes, some housing experts are saying this will drive down housing costs. But what does it actually mean? Barry and Zach are here to discuss! Who pays Realtor commissions now? Who will pay Realtor commissions in the future? How does this impact home sellers? How does this impact home buyers? As always, FREE 1 on 1 consultations available at: https://townstone.com/consultation-request/

Don’t say we didn’t tell you! Stocks are down with Treasury yields higher after the release of PPI (Producer Price Index) data reflecting hotter-than-expected U.S. inflation. As the last major piece of economic data to be released prior to the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy meeting, set for March 19-20, it’s hard to argue that a “fed rate cut” is in the cards for next week. That said, we’re still seeing increased activity in both purchases and refinancing. Purchases are expected this time of year as buyers and sellers come out of their winter hibernation. Refinances are up because American consumer debt continues to rise and it’s simply better to pay 6%-7% on a mortgage than 20%+ on outstanding credit card debt. As always, FREE 1 on 1 consultations available at: https://townstone.com/consultation-request/

Winter coats are going into the closet while home buyers, and home sellers are coming out! Are you ready to pounce on your dream home? A prequalification from Townstone is FREE and completed within 24 business hours! SCAM ALERT: Fake property sellers, landlords, and squatters. Buyers and Renters - make sure the person you’re sending money to (earnest money, apartment application/security deposit) is actually the owner/agent! Landlords – make sure you actively monitor any vacant property! A trespasser can be dealt with by the police, but a squatter needs to be legally evicted which takes time and money. To our Chicago-based viewers and listeners: construction on the Kennedy starts (again) next week, so plan your commutes accordingly. As always, FREE 1 on 1 consultations available at: https://townstone.com/consultation-request/

AT&T Celler Outage Disrupts Vital Services! In 2024, I like to say that only 3 things in life are certain: 1. Death 2. Taxes 3. Call phone Service Well, AT&T sure made me look like a fool this morning! It only goes to show how fundamental technology has become in our modern age. Millenials/Gen Z simply can’t fathom a world before smartphones, Uber/direct-to-doorstep delivery, and 30 second youtube videos to explain even the most advanced concepts. At Townstone , we pride ourselves on offering the best in home financing. You get to work directly 1 on 1 with a Loan Officer who will take care of your purchase, refinance, home equity line/loan, or reverse mortgage. As always, FREE 1 on 1 consultations available at: https://townstone.com/consultation-request/

Friendly Reminder: Valentine's Day is on Wednesday (2/14)... Is it one of those holidays where it's only possible to "lose"? Barry and Zach react to "The Big Game" Spoiler: one watched the football, the other watched the ads and the halftime show. Are you prequalified for purchase season? If not, we might have a mortgage company to recommend. US consumer credit card debt remains at all-time highs (about $1.1 trillion) as Americans deal with lingering inflation and the ongoing rise in interest rates, which forces them to depend more heavily on credit cards. The average annual percentage rate is now more than 20% — also an all-time high. We happen to know a GREAT mortgage company you can contact to see if a home equity line or loan can save you money, three guesses which company. As always, FREE 1 on 1 consultations available at: https://townstone.com/consultation-request/

Don't wait until it's too late!!! The BIGGEST mistake people make when looking to consolidate debt is waiting too long before reaching out to Townstone for help. Once you’re late on your mortgage there often is little we can do since an on-time mortgage is one of the biggest factors in qualifying for a new mortgage, home equity line, or home equity loan. You and your family should strive to have a 3-6 months emergency buffer of money in checking or savings to pay your mortgage and other unavoidable monthly expenses and should reach out to Townstone BEFORE you’ve even needed to tap these funds to make your payments. Worst-case, reach out to us immediately after that first month of dipping into your emergency funds. There is no cost or commitment when you reach out to Townstone for a consultation. We’ll simply review your scenario, see what program(s) you qualify for, and present you with the mathematically-best proposal that you can then decide to proceed with or not. We understand that there is sometimes

Today is the start of the Federal Reserve Meeting! Were YOU invited? Traders are watching for updates out of the Federal Open Market Committee’s two-day policy meeting that got underway Tuesday. The fed funds futures market has priced in a 97% probability that the central bank will leave rates unchanged, according to the CME FedWatch tool, so investors are instead left anticipating a shift in the policy statement that will close out the meeting. With the economic outlook and consumer confidence improving, rate-cuts seem unlikely in the months to come. But guess what? Apple is selling a $3,500 virtual reality headset that early reviewers are calling the “future of computing and entertainment”! That’s one product that Barry and Zach will not be standing in line for on release day. As always, FREE 1 on 1 consultations available at: https://townstone.com/consultation-request/

Make sure your "Attorney" is actually an Attorney! With over 35 years of combined experience in the mortgage industry, Barry and Zach have seen a lot. But this one might take the cake... It's easy to look up to make sure your Attorney, Real Estate Agent, Loan Officer, CPA, etc... is in-fact licensed. So please do your due diligence! As always, FREE 1 on 1 consultations available at: https://townstone.com/consultation-request/

Townstone has the mortgage products to help you qualify! Fill out a free consultation request at https://townstone.com/consultation-request/ to see if you're eligible for an FHA mortgage or one of our many other products and programs.