**Why Now Is a Perfect Opportunity to Invest in Omaha Real Estate, Even Amidst High Interest Rates** The Omaha housing market can sometimes feel like it’s dancing to its own tune, especially when faced with high interest rates and a lean inventory. However, for those considering diving into the realm of Omaha real estate, this might still be an opportune moment. Here's why: 1. Omaha Home Ownership Value: No matter the market dynamics, there's a unique charm in owning a home in Omaha. It provides a sense of community, security, and a touch of Midwest magic. The non-tangible benefits often outwe ..read more

    A Look Into the Markets   The first few trading days of 2023 saw an improvement in rates but the party was derailed by some good news. Let's look at what happened this past week and brace for what is coming in the week ahead. "You see I, I raise a toast to all of us who are breakin' our backs every day" - Nothing But a Good Time by Poison. Lower Than Last Year Long term interest rates started the year moving lower, with both mortgage-backed securities (where home loans are priced) and the 10-year Note yield posting nice gains. This is a bit different than what happened ..read more

  A Look Into the Markets Home loan rates held steady near 3-month lows despite a negative surprise from the Bank of Japan. Let's discuss what happened and look into next week. "I found out long ago (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh) It's a long way down the Holiday Road" - Holiday Road by Lindsey Buckingham. BOJ Surprise Earlier this week, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) unexpectedly allowed its 10-yr government bond rates to rise. This sounds like a big deal on the surface, but let's break it down. First, for many years, the BOJ has had a collar around their 10-yr bond, restricting it from going no more tha ..read more

    A Look Into the Markets This week home loan rates improved modestly as we approach an important Fed Meeting and inflation reading next week. Let's discuss what happened and talk about the headline risk on the horizon. "I'm just waiting on a Friend" - Waiting on a Friend by The Rolling Stones. More Signs Of Inflation Falling On Tuesday, 3rd Quarter Productivity showed that Unit Labor Costs (how much a business pays its workers to produce one unit of output), came in lower than expectations. If it costs less to produce something, there is no pressure to charge more, thereby lo ..read more

A Look Into the Markets   This week, interest rates touched the lowest levels in two months on the idea that inflation may have peaked. Let's break down what happened and look into Thanksgiving Week. "Well I'm going down. Down, down, down, down, down" Going Down by Jeff Back 10-yr Note Touches 3.67% The 10-yr Note yield touched 3.67% this week, a large rate improvement from 4.23% seen the previous week. The downtick in long-term rates also fed into home loan rates, which have declined as much as .50% in the last week or so. The big question? Does this decline in rates have "legs" and ..read more

A Look Into the Markets   This week, interest rates moved a bit sideways after Election Day and only added to the uncertainty as ballots continue to be counted. Let's discuss what happened and look into the week ahead. "Pull my shirt off and pray - we're coming up on re-election day" - Election Day by Arcadia (Duran Duran) Consumed By Uncertainty It has been nearly a year since the Federal Reserve flip-flopped on the idea that high inflation was "transitory" and the need for that word to be retired. Since that time, we have experienced unprecedented uncertainty in the financial marke ..read more

  A Look Into the Markets This week interest rates revisited 2022 highs in response to the Fed meeting, where the Federal Reserve raised the Fed Funds Rate by .75%. Let's discuss what happened and investigate the week ahead. "You had me shaking and you shook me all night long" - You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC "It's very premature in my view to be thinking about or talking about pausing our rate hikes. We have a ways to go." Fed Chair Powell at Wednesday's press conference. This quote, which took place 30 minutes after the Fed raised rates, was the main driver in a selloff in st ..read more

A Look Into the Markets This past week we watched interest rates improve nicely on the notion that central banks around the globe will be hiking rates less going forward. Let's break down what happened this week as we approach the important Fed meeting next Wednesday. "Every breath you take, And every move you make, Every bond you break, Every step you take, I'll be watching you" ... Every Breath You Take - The Police "We've made substantial progress in withdrawing accommodation" - European Central Bank (ECB) President, Christine Lagarde 10/27/22. This was the line of the week. It suggest ..read more

  A Look Into the Markets   The financial markets had a rough week, with stocks falling and rates spiking since Fed Chair Powell spoke in Jackson Hole last Friday. Let's walk through what happened and look into the week ahead. "I guess I'm always hoping that you'll end this reign - But it's my destiny to be the king of pain". King of Pain by The Police Pain It Is "While higher interest rates, slower growth, and softer labor market conditions will bring down inflation, they will also bring some PAIN to households and businesses." Fed Chair Jerome Powell – Friday, August 26, 2022 ..read more

  A Look Into the Markets   August has not been kind to bonds and interest rates. Even though the Federal Reserve did not hold a meeting in August and is not slated to raise rates again until the end of September, long-term rates moved higher. Let's break down what happened and look into the week ahead. "Our House, in the Middle of our Street" - Our House by Madness Rate Volatility and Uncertainty Continues Mortgage-backed securities (MBS), where home loan rates are derived, have declined since the beginning of August, losing nearly 200 bps through this week. As prices decline ..read more