The Federal Open Market Committee Leaves Key Interest Rate Unchanged

It was a 9-1 vote
They down played global weakness, which was one of the main reasons for skipping a rate hike in Sept
They cited a slowdown in the labor market and that measures of inflation are below their target rate.
They said the economy continues to grow at a "moderate" pace.
This is statement was artfully crafted to leave the door open for a December rate hike but did not telegraph one.






Now is the time to refinance or purchase a home or second home.  Call The Easterbrook Team Today!


916-850-6050 easterbrookteam@spmc.com


John Easterbrook NMLS #226555
916-224-7653


Patty Aguon NMLS# 994635
916-833-5063

Homebuilder confidence hits 10-year high, again

The nation’s homebuilders’ confidence in the market for newly constructed single-family homes continued rising in October, to a level not seen since before the housing crisis began.
The good news comes from the latest edition of the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, which rose three points in October to 64.




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The Easterbrook Team
John Easterbrook
916-224-7653
NMLS#226555


Patty Aguon
916-833-5063
NMLS#994635


Easterbrookteam@spmc.com

Infographic: What the real estate industry needs to know about millennials

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Millennials now number 83.1M – more than one quarter of the nation’s population. As the largest demographic cohort in America, Millennials are a powerful buying force and brands are vying for their attention. They are the largest source of new demand for rental housing and represent 32% of the U.S. home buying market and 68% of first-time home buyers . As such, their preferences will greatly impact the economy and shape the residential real estate market, including how homes are built and financed.
While Millennials are key to the future of housing demand, the Great Recession has left them at a financial disadvantage and they are delaying key life milestones, such as homeownership, marriage, and having children. Economic challenges, such as rising student loan debts, stagnant wages, a competitive job market, rising rents, and high price-to-income ratios, have made it difficult for Millennials to save and/or qualify for a home. Despite their economic and financial challenges, Millennials are optimistic about their future and aspire to own a home - 84% consider a home purchase a good financial investment.
As digital natives, Millennials are the most tech-savvy generation that advertisers have targeted. They demand instant access to product information, price comparisons, and reviews and are turning to trusted brands that offer high quality, transparency, and convenience at the lowest cost. They are also adopting new approaches to finding a real estate agent, searching for their dream home, and home finance.
The infographic below shares various characteristics of Millennials and what they value in the home buying and selling experience. It also highlights their untapped demand for homeownership, which brings great opportunities for brands and those in real estate that are strategically positioned to serve them
- See more at: http://www.upnest.com/1/post/what-the-real-estate-industry-should-know-about-millennials-infographic/#sthash.lVQNlND1.dpuf




Based in Folsom, California, Sierra Pacific Mortgage has 144 offices nationwide. The Easterbrook Team at Sierra Pacific is associated with the #1 office in the nation for SPMC for the 3^rd month in a row!  We want to thank you so much for the support.  Come by and visit our office at 806 Bidwell Street in Folsom. 


John Easterbrook-NMLS 226555   Patty Aguon-NMLS 994635


Call us at 916-850-6050 for your purchase and refinance needs!

5 Things to Consider When You Move to a New City

Moving can be an exciting opportunity to experience new things, but it’s a good idea to look into some details about your potential new city before calling it home. Many cities have very different price tags—from international capitals such as Prague to London and even between those in the same state such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. So what does cost of living really mean? What else will affect your future if and when you move to a new place? Check out some of the factors you need to consider when comparing city experiences.

1. Cost of housing

Apartment and home costs can vary significantly, and some cities are friendlier to renters. If you are thinking about buying a home and getting a mortgage in your new location, it’s important to look at what other homes are going for and what they have to offer. (You can calculate how much house you can afford.) Your credit score is a major factor in the interest rate you’ll be approved for on the loan, so be sure to keep an eye on your credit in the months before applying. You can check your credit scores for free every month on Credit.com.

2. Basic needs

Housing is often the biggest, but not the only, expense you will face in your new city. The price of basic utilities, health care, and even groceries can vary greatly between places. Some goods are also more or less available depending on where you are located. Finally, it’s important to factor in the cost of transportation. Is there public transit? Can you walk to work? Do you need a car? This can make a big difference in your monthly costs.

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Based in Folsom, California, Sierra Pacific Mortgage has 144 offices nationwide. The Easterbrook Team at Sierra Pacific is associated with the #1 office in the nation for SPMC for the 3^rd month in a row!  We want to thank you so much for the support.  Come by and visit our office at 806 Bidwell Street in Folsom.   


Call us today! 916-850-6050 or email: easterbrookteam@spmc.com


John Easterbrook-NMLS 226555  Patty Aguon-NMLS 994635

The Easterbrook Team

What You Need To Know Before You Knock Down A Wall In Your Home

I would like to remove the two corner walls in my kitchen that are common with my living and dining room. This will allow me to install more cabinets and a countertop with a bar to eat at. The entire house will seem more open. Can the walls be removed? What’s involved? Who does this work? Do you think the average homeowner can successfully tackle a job like this? — Angel G., Dover, Idaho
I used to do remodeling work of the sort you envision. In the process I made more than one homeowner’s wildest kitchen remodeling dreams come true. You’ll not believe how taking down one or two walls can completely transform a space. Your smallish kitchen will seem triple the size once this job is complete.
The simple answer to your question is yes, the walls can be removed. The complex answer is the one about what’s involved in doing this. You need to determine what’s inside each of the two walls and whether one or both are bearing walls.

Based in Folsom, California, Sierra Pacific Mortgage has 144 offices nationwide. The Easterbrook Team (John Easterbrook, Patty Aguon, Lorae Oliver, and Kelly Mickelson) at Sierra Pacific Mortgage Corporation is associated with the #1 office in the nation for SPMC for the 3^rd month in a row!  We want to thank you so much for the support.  Come by and visit our office at 806 Bidwell Street in Folsom or call (916) 850-6050.

To Read The Entire Article Please Click Here!

2015’s Best & Worst Cities for California Families

The famous Gold Rush that drew in legions of economic hopefuls to California in the mid-19th century ended not too long after it started. Nonetheless, a stream of new arrivals flowed incessantly into the aptly nicknamed Golden State, solidifying its spot on the record books as the most populated U.S. state.
So why do people from all over the U.S. and abroad flock to California? Well, it’s rich in square footage, for one, so there’s plenty of breathing room for newcomers. And while few are bound to strike gold in the literal sense, big dreams are known to come true in prominent areas of California like Hollywood and Silicon Valley.
Besides its appeal to actors and entrepreneurs, however, the state also boasts the biggest economy in the U.S. and the seventh largest globally, abundant natural and cultural diversity, year-round balmy weather in its lower half and some of the best universities in the world. Add to that the state’s leadership in implementing a comprehensive paid family leave program in 2004. All of these qualities combined make California a great place for families with roots on its soil or those seeking to adopt the state as their permanent home.
But because it’s not all moonlight and roses everywhere in California — or in terms of particular factors such as public K-12 education and housing affordability — WalletHub analysts searched for the Golden State cities that are most conducive to family life. We compared 240 cities in total across 22 key metrics. Our data set ranges from the number of attractions to the number of pediatricians per capita to unemployment rate. You can find the results, additional expert commentary and a detailed methodology below.

Based in Folsom, California, Sierra Pacific Mortgage has 144 offices nationwide. The Easterbrook Team (John Easterbrook, Patty Aguon, Lorae Oliver, and Kelly Mickelson) at Sierra Pacific Mortgage Corporation is associated with the #1 office in the nation for SPMC for the 3^rd month in a row!  We want to thank you so much for the support.  Come by and visit our office at 806 Bidwell Street in Folsom or call (916) 850-6050.

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How to Improve Your Cellphone Signal at Home

It’s not just fancy new high-rises that can have spotty cellphone service. Dropped calls and slow data can be caused by everything from the construction materials used in a building to topographical obstructions like hills or mountains. Here are some ways to improve cellphone reception, whether you live in the basement of a brownstone, in a penthouse of a prewar apartment building or in a house deep in the country.

Get a Personal Cell Site

If your cellphone doesn’t work inside your home or even when you step outside the building to make a call, you might consider a femtocell. Often described as a mini base station, this small wireless device connects to your carrier’s network via your home’s broadband connection, enabling you to make calls and send data, usually between 3,000 and 5,000 square feet from where it is placed. Devices like AT&T’s MicroCell and Verizon’s Network Extender cost between $150 and $250.

Use Wi-Fi

If you have access to Wi-Fi, you can make calls and send text over the Internet using apps like Viber and Skype at no charge, so long as the person you are calling or messaging also has downloaded the service. T-Mobile, AT&T and Sprint also support Wi-Fi calling.

To Read Even More Tips Click Here!

Based in Folsom, California, Sierra Pacific Mortgage has 144 offices nationwide. The Easterbrook Team (John Easterbrook, Patty Aguon, Lorae Oliver, and Kelly Mickelson) at Sierra Pacific Mortgage Corporation is associated with the #1 office in the nation for SPMC for the 3^rd month in a row!  We want to thank you so much for the support.  Come by and visit our office at 806 Bidwell Street in Folsom or call (916) 850-6050.