Bright Future Ahead

All over Silicon Valley families are getting ready to launch into the 2018/2019 school year. Soon our streets will be filled with crossing guards and a sea of backpack laden youth scurrying about excitedly to get to their next class. Meanwhile, the bustling real estate market is experiencing a very slight cooling off period with fewer offers, longer marketing times and reduced pricing. Buyers are jumping back into the market with renewed enthusiasm ready to find the home of their dreams in this land of innovation.

Don’t Miss This Window of Opportunity

All but two cities on our Top 10 list showed declining prices over the prior month. Campbell and Los Gatos showed small increases of $111 and $82 per square foot respectively. The data supports that If you are thinking about selling, now may be the time to jump off the fence and list your home. The market is still robust as the demand remains strong. With the formally fatigued buyers re-entering the marketplace combined with the continued inventory shortage, the future remains bright for home sellers.

Protect Your Assets with an Umbrella Policy

The fact is that many homeowners are underinsured. Accidents can happen and in a blink of an eye, your entire asset portfolio could be put under a microscope, including home equity, future income, and retirement accounts if you have an insurance shortfall. Teen drivers and long commutes are just two factors that put us in a higher risk bracket. When we consider the high cost of medical treatment over an extended period of time our limits can be depleted within months and then we are faced with covering the difference.

BEST ROI: The great news is that for only about $10.00 extra month you can add $1,000,000 in liability coverage with a personal umbrella policy, $20.00 per month $2,000,000 and so on. The more assets you have the more you should step up that coverage to protect you and your family. Restrictions apply and prices vary. Contact your insurance agent for more information.

Karen’s Mortgage
Minute

Current Rates – 6/12/18

15 Year Fixed – 3.875% No Points 3.895% APR *

30 Year Fixed – 4.375% No Points   4.40% APR *

Market Commentary: The Market has been moving steadily higher (with one exception) due to positive May Economic Data.
• Consumer Confidence reached a 17 year high.
• Stock Market continued to climb higher.
• Inflation concerns are in check.
• The ten-year bond (a benchmark interest rate tool) was sitting at a four year high at 3.11.
So why did interest rates suddenly drop in late May for a brief time?  The World is a Global Economy.  The Italians were rumored to be pulling out of the EU.   A few years back England (Brexit) pulled out of the EU and the market plummeted stimulating a refinance boom (lowest all-time rates).   The Current (May 26th) Market reacted to the Italian rumors and many investors began to short Treasury bonds (hitting a low 2.77).  This action dramatically dropped interest rates (approx. 35 bps) for a very short time.  As the Italian concerns seemed to retreat….  Treasury Bonds started to rise again.   As of June 4th, the ten-year has reached 2.92 and appears to inching higher.   Provided no economic surprises…. The Market should be poised to go higher on the short term.
Credit Tweed B. New Fi.

Asset Depletion Loans

Debt ratios too high? Just use our asset depletion to bring in additional income. We divide the asset over 10 years. $200,000 in assets = $1,666 additional monthly income.

Need a mortgage loan?  Contact Karen today. (408) 399-3300

*Based on $400k loan size, payments 30 year $1995.00. 15 year $2934.00 Rates are subject to change and to qualification.

Grandma’s Blackberry Cobbler

INGREDIENTS

Baking Powder Biscuits
2 cups All-purpose Flour sifted
3 teaspoons Baking powder
1 teaspoon Salt
1/4 cup Shortening
3/4 cup Milk

Blackberry Cobbler
6 cups Blackberries about 30 oz.
1 tablespoon Lemon juice
3/4 cups Sugar
4 tablespoons Butter

Baking Powder Biscuits
Sift the dry ingredients together and cut in the shortening until all ingredients are well mixed.
Add milk, stirring until all flour is moistened.
Turn the dough out on a lightly floured surface.
Work the dough for about 20 seconds.
Place the dough in a bowl until ready to use.
Blackberry Cobbler
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Wash blackberries and pat dry.
Toss blackberries with lemon juice and then add sugar tossing until they are well coated. Place berries in a greased 11″x7″ casserole dish.
Cut 2 tbsp of butter and distribute over the top.
Drop the biscuit dough into the blackberry mixture in 2 tablespoon portions (this doesn’t have to be exact but don’t use too much more dough for each drop biscuit or it will take longer to bake. Cover the top of the cobbler with some berries peeking through.
Bake in 350 degrees F. oven for 30 minutes. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and in the last 10 minutes of baking brush it over the biscuit tops to help them brown. Continue baking 10-15 minutes or until mixture is bubbling and biscuit dough is golden brown.
Let cool for 15 minutes before serving.