Fed’s Finesse: Navigating the Seas of Inflation & the Job Market

Navigating the Seas of Inflation

As dawn breaks on the financial horizon, all eyes are set on the upcoming September 20th meeting of the Federal Reserve. Will they drop, stop, or take a brief intermission in their policy adjustments? With the market’s heartbeat echoing through mortgage-backed securities and the ever-watchful 10-year rates, it’s a day of cautious optimism. Let’s delve into what’s setting the rhythm of the market today.

Of Pause and Promises: Fed Leaders Speak

New York Fed president John Williams is humming the tune of a pause for the September 20th rendezvous, suggesting that our monetary policy already strikes a balanced chord. However, his lyrics leave room for future adjustments, hinging on upcoming data’s melody. Similarly, Dallas Fed president Laurie Logan hints at a possible pass this September. But if you think that means they’re hanging up their monetary hats for good, think again. Logan’s eyes are on the horizon, and more adjustments might be in the pipeline.

Inflation, Jobs, and the Dance of Numbers

While inflation’s tempo may have slowed, it’s still not matching the Fed’s ideal rhythm. Yet, the true crescendo of concern arises from the labor market. Upon a second glance, recent job reports reveal a symphony of revisions. Each month’s job figures are dwindling, causing concern among those who once rejoiced at their robustness. A sharp correction from 209,000 to 105,000 in June certainly raises an eyebrow. And with the unemployment rate currently at 3.8%, there’s a historical refrain to consider: recessions often follow when unemployment bottoms out and starts to climb, as past market cycles demonstrate. Could history be about to repeat its haunting refrain?

Charting the Future: Inflation Reports and Mortgage Movements

Prepare for a whirlwind week ahead! The CPI inflation report takes center stage next Wednesday, shedding light on economic fluctuations. Not to be overshadowed, the 30-year bond auction will also play its part, followed by Thursday’s performance by the Producer Price Index. And for the encore? Mortgage-backed securities are dancing upward, breaking past the 25-day average and hinting at future promise. However, whether this uptrend can break the cycle remains the cliffhanger.

California Platinum Loans invites you to stay tuned as we decode these market movements, always with an ear to the ground and an eye on opportunity. As the saying goes, “Economists predict the future – and they’re right, one out of every recession.” But with knowledge as our compass, we’re prepared to navigate even the most turbulent financial seas.

How Can I Discover Great Hidden Neighborhoods For Homes in LA?

Hidden Gem

With over 21,000 miles of public road in Los Angeles County, you could drive around for a long time before discovering one of LA’s many “hidden gem” neighborhoods. With Los Angeles home prices averaging much higher than most other cities, finding the hidden best spots can help you to get the most value for your home buying budget.

It may be easier to consult ranking websites which will let you know about the benefits of various neighborhoods. In LA County, you can find excellent neighborhoods from the harbor and beaches to the LA basin, San Fernando valley, and other nearby areas.

Here are a few criteria to look for when analyzing different neighborhoods, courtesy of Niche’s 2023 “Best Places to Live in Los Angeles County.”

Public School Quality in LA Neighborhoods

Not everyone has children, but public school quality can affect your experience living in a neighborhood even if you don’t have kids. Better schools usually mean that children have ample opportunities for recreation, sports, and social activities. Montrose, near Glendale, is one “hidden gem” neighborhood that has excellent public schools as well as other amenities, including a walkable downtown with adorable shops and restaurants.

Near Amenities and Shopping

If you need to commute for work, the last thing you may want to do when you get home is drive more to get to shopping. A few neighborhoods with excellent shopping districts include Los Cerritos in Long Beach, Wilshire/Montana and North of Montana in Santa Monica, and Redondo Beach. 

Good Places to Buy a Single Family Home

There are several up and coming neighborhoods in the Los Angeles area which have good schools, good shopping, and many amenities. While most of neighborhoods with these qualities are well-known for being high-priced, a few of them are still developing, meaning you can get more for your home buying dollar. 

Several neighborhoods in Long Beach as well as different neighborhoods in South Bay could qualify as a “hidden gem” neighborhood. Whether you would prefer a suburban neighborhood such as Calabasas, or an active urban lifestyle on the Westside, there are many choices.

You can visit online ranking sites to determine if the neighborhood you’re interested in will have all of the amenities you desire. Working with real estate professionals at California Platinum Realty and California Platinum Loans  

Sources:

Los Angeles Almanac. “Miles of Public Road in Los Angeles County.” url: http://www.laalmanac.com/transport/tr01.php

Niche. “2023 Best Places to Buy A House in Los Angeles County,” url: https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/search/best-places-to-buy-a-house/c/los-angeles-county-ca/

I’m 35 And Want to Buy a House in LA: What Do I Do?

Buying a house in LA

Here’s an interesting fact: in 1980, about two-thirds of Californians who were ages 35 to 45 owned a home. By 2021, only about 40% of Californians in this age group were homeowners. The average age that people become homeowners in California is 49, the highest of any stage. However, if you lived in Arizona, you’d have a 50% chance of being a homeowner by age 35. 

If you’re 35 and want to own your own home in Los Angeles, you need to be creative in order to escape becoming a negative statistic. Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take to become a homeowner at 35.

First Steps: Build Your Credit

Your credit score will impact the types of loans and interest rates that you can get. Older adults tend to have higher credit scores than younger people, but there is no hard and fast rule that says you can’t build your credit score at age 35. You will want to achieve a credit score of 700 or better before you enter the mortgage loan process. 

Is this fair? Of course not. But it’s the reality; however, an experienced mortgage loan broker can offer you a choice of loan program which can fit your budget, goals and needs.

Second Steps: Establish a Budget

RentCafe reported that the average apartment rent in Los Angeles was $2,742 as of August 2023. At about 7.1% interest, a 30-year fixed rate mortgage for $350,000 would have a monthly payment of about $2,359. 

There aren’t millions of homes in Los Angeles County selling for under $350,000, but there are a number of smaller homes, townhomes, and condos available for modest purchase prices. You may also be able to find them in up and coming, desirable neighborhoods. 

Third Steps: Get Pre-approved

You have probably heard about houses selling for more than  their list price, and also about people buying homes with cash-only offers. You can avoid disappointments when you’re ready to make an offer to buy a home by getting pre-approved for a mortgage.

Next Steps: Work with a knowledgeable real estate professional

It seems easy to look at houses online. Nearly every home search website has a mortgage calculator built-in, and it will also show you pricing history for the home you could be interested in. However, there are many aspects of buying a home which aren’t usually covered by online advice sites and mortgage companies. 

You’ll get the best deal and find the home that’s right for you by working with a human expert. Fortunately, California Platinum Realty and California Platinum Loans have you covered. 

Sources:

RentCafe. “Los Angeles CA Rental Market Trends.” url: https://www.rentcafe.com/average-rent-market-trends/us/ca/los-angeles/

Wagner, David. “Homeownership Rates Are Plummeting For Younger Californians (And No, It’s Not About Delayed Marriage),” LAist, 8 May 2023, url: https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/housing-homeownership-home-buying-rates-young-california-terner-center-berkeley-study

Yale, Aly J. “Your Credit Score Affects Your Mortgage Rate—Here’s How to Improve It.” Wall Street Journal BuySide, 22 February 2023, url: https://www.wsj.com/buyside/personal-finance/mortgage-rates-by-credit-score-287bb3d8