Greetings to you all!
THE MARKET
It’s not new news to tell you that the rates are up into the 5% range and likely to go farther. I have been selling real estate a long time and it does not panic me to see this kind of rate, but it is disconcerting for those who have been looking for a home and thought they were going to get a 3+% mortgage. This is a significant increase! Given that the housing inventory continues at record lows, prices continue to escalate. I expect this will have a couple of effects on buyers. One, the change will adversely affect the affordability and price range of the potential properties. Two, it will increase the motivation and speed at which a buyer must act to avoid even higher interest rates. They are coming. The only weapon the Federal reserve has, to combat the rabid inflation rate rise, is to raise the rates. The huge influx of cash to the system with the spending spree of the past year has lit that inflation fuse and it is going to be difficult to stop without some pain.
Prince and Princess Report
The past weekend was a fun time with Uma going to Rehoboth with Claire for a girls weekend and I had the chance to spend some quality time with Leo. That boy has been lifting weights as part of this training regimen for football. He is getting ripped! He was successful for the first time in defeating me in Miniature golf.
We had a blast at Jimmy Mack’s. Even though I was several strokes ahead in the second match, he scored a hole in one in the last hole to nullify my victory and score a free game! We have an agreement that scoring a hole in one supersedes any score. So, I was beat twice! I don’t know what the girls did but we had a ball. We had a great meal at Central Family Restaurant and capped off the night with a super hero movie, viewed from the cozy comfort of Pampy’s theater room/man cave. The 2nd Dr. Strange movie is going to be released May 6th. I have to talk with Leo to see if he wants to check it out. Maybe we can see it at an IMAX.
The pool will be opening soon, and I am looking forward to lots of time with all the grand kids there. All except Jimmy and Elisabeth can swim. I am hoping Jimmy will have increased desire to join the fun. Ben will be a good influence, they are best buddies and I expect he can goad Jimmy into a more enthusiastic approach to his learning!
Home Front News
Mowing has begun, the second cut will be tomorrow. Although I don’t particularly like to mow on Sunday, when I am bagging, I am able to put the clippings out for pickup for Monday morning. It is inconvenient and smelly to have it sit around so Sunday is the ticket.
Golf league begins this Tuesday, some rain in the current forecast but I hope it will not stop us. I have been out to the driving range, trying to see if I can improve my swing (and to see if I can still have a swing) I am looking forward to weather that will allow me to get back to walking “the hill” as well as more chances to bike. The little I have been able to ride so far, the E-bike proves nice to have. I can use the pedal assist or not. I use it as little as possible to force myself to work.
Paint jobs are on the horizon as I have windows at the office to complete. I probably should clean up the shutters on my house. They are looking a little shabby and need washed up, maybe Armor All'ed or clear-coated. I am not looking forward to getting up on a ladder. The support posts at my patio are looking bad and probably in need of replacement. Not sure I can pull that off.
Until next month,
