The Saint Paul Condo Blog

Thursday's bond market has opened in positive territory despite the release of stronger than expected economic data. The stock markets are reacting positively with the Dow up 50 points and the Nasdaq up 40 points. The bond market is currently up 8/32, which with yesterday's late gains should improve mortgage rates by approximately .375 - .500 of a discount point over yesterday's morning rates.

There were two pieces of monthly data posted this morning. The first was March's Personal Income & Outlays report that showed personal income fell short of forecasts with a 0.3% rise but that spending rose 0.4% when it was expected to rise only 0.2%. That means that consumers spent more than expected and that is considered bad news for bonds.

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) released their manufacturing index for April late this morning. It showed a reading of 48.6, meaning that manufacturer sentiment remained unchanged from March to April. Anal ysts were expecting to see a small decline, so this report could also be taken as a negative towards bonds. However, the market seems to not be too concerned with it. Trader are probably waiting for tomorrow's data before making any moves.

The almighty Employment report will be released early tomorrow morning, giving us April's employment statistics. This is where we may see a huge rally or major sell-off in the bond market and large changes in mortgage rates. The ideal situation for the bond and mortgage markets would be an increase in the unemployment rate and fewer than expected new payrolls. Just how much of an improvement or worsening depends on how much variance there is between forecasts and actual readings. This could turn out to be a wonderful day in the mortgage market, but it also carries risks of seeing mortgage rates move higher if the Labor Department posts stronger than expected readings. Current forecasts are calling for a 5.2% unemployment rate and approximately 75,000 jobs lost during the month.

Tomorrow's second report and the last of the week is March's Factory Orders data at 10:00AM. This is a fairly important release because it measures manufacturing sector strength. It is similar to last week's Durable Goods Orders, except this report includes non-durable goods such as food and clothing. Generally, the market is more concerned with the durable goods orders like refrigerators and electronics than items such as cigarettes and toothpaste. This is why the Durable Goods report usually has more of an impact on the financial markets than the Factory Orders report does. Still, a smaller increase than the 0.2% that is expected could push mortgage rates slightly lower, while a larger increase will likely lead to higher rates. But, the employment numbers are of much more importance to the markets than this data is.

If I were considering financing/refinancing a home, I would.... Float if my closing was taking place within 7 days... Float if my closing was taking place between 8 and 20 days... Float if my closing was taking place between 21 and 60 days... Float if my closing was taking place over 60 days from now... This is only my opinion of what I would do if I were financing a home. It is only an opinion and cannot be guaranteed to be in the best interest of all/any other borrowers.

I had intended on this just being a restaurant update, but there's enough stuff moving and shaking at the Rossmor, that I thought I'd just do on big update, hence the little slide show above.

First off, Sawatdee's is expanding!  The Thai restaurant hasn't even been open a year yet, and they are blowing out the wall (When Margaux was in this space, she had planned to do the same).  Once it's all completed, I will take some better photos of the interior.

Rumor has is the Equipt Fitness is also expanding and taking the suite next to them.  It's great to see the retail at the Rossmor doing so well.  I know the developer has a little bit of an interesting relationship with the residents above, but he sure knows how to lease his space!

Which leads me to Scott Miller Studio.  A new hair salon that opened on the northeast corner of the building.  Mr. Miller was one of the top stylists at the now defunct Mink Salon in downtown.  His new studio will open to the public by the end of the month.  I'm sure if you really wanted your hair cut there, he's get you in though ;)

Now, there's only one last space to fill at the Rossmor, the Northwest corner.  C'mon coffee shop!

It's time to "stimulate the economy"

Until the end of June, if you use your stimulus check towards your closing costs when you purchase a new home using us as your realtor, we will match it!*

So let your check go farther, and find a GREAT deal here in downtown!

*We will match a total of $1200 to be used towards your closing costs.  The Kleppe Group must represent you in the purchase of your condo or loft.  The property must close by June 30th, 2008.