Therapy! Barbie! And Where are Rates Going???

Therapist Quote of the Day: “My therapist says I have a preoccupation with vengeance. We’ll see about that.” – Stewart Francis

Today in history: It was on this date in 1959 when the Barbie doll debuted, introduced by Mattel at the American International Toy Fair in New York City. Did you know that the highest price paid for a Barbie doll was $302,500? Here’s 21 other Barbie facts you might find interesting.

Possible Game Show Answer: Which one of these three never spoil: Sugar, honey, or the box of Froot Loops in my pantry? The answer is…. Honey! Archaeologists have found pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that are over 3,000 years old – and still perfectly edible.

Wuss’up This Week: Before we talk about this week, let’s take a look at the highlights/lowlights from last week as there were plenty! Normally when the stock market is getting hammered that means interest rates are getting better because investors are pulling their money out of the market and putting it in a safe haven like 10yr treasury bonds. On Friday the Dow fell 2,200 points which historically would mean rates dropped at least a quarter. But… not much happened with rates as the Employment Report for February came in much better than expected – the U.S. added 228k new jobs when only around 100k new jobs were expected. I haven’t seen a day like that since… man, I don’t think ever! Reminds me of when I passed my Spanish final and totaled my car on the same day. And this week, you ask? It’s gotten worse – probably the worst week for rates in a long, long time. Wells Fargo for example had their rates go up a half a point in just the last 4 days. Here’s hoping we can salvage the rest of this week with some good news. Today we have the Minutes of Fed’s march FOMC meeting being released, tomorrow four inflation reports, and Friday three more inflation reports along with Consumer Sentiment Report. As usual if the news is good for the economy rates will tick up, and vice versa if the numbers disappoint.

Interest Rate Update: Today we find a conforming 30yr fixed rate (*that’s for any rate at $806k or less) anywhere from 6.75% - 6.99%, and for Jumbo 30yr fixed (*over $806k) we are around 7.0%, although Jumbo ARMs are .50%-.625% less). As usual rates will vary based on type of home, equity in the home, your credit score, and if you suffer from digital clutter.

Don’t forget to Remember: Any purchase that closes with me I will waive $450 in fees (and much more on refinances)! Grab yourself a cup of instant karma and pass my info along to any friends, family, coworkers, or people that like photoshop requests that can use this gift.

Therapist Quote of the Day 2: “My therapist told me to write letters to the people I hate and burn them. I did that, but now I don’t know what to do with the letters.” -Author unknown

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Timeout for Trivia: Congrats to those who guessed Adam Scott last week! Want to be entered into a drawing to win Your Last Nerve candle? Simply email me the answer to this weeks’ Who Am I? question. Good luck: “It’s my birthday today and I’m getting…old. I first gained recognition in my bicycle movie back in the late 70s, but most of the younger blog readers may have seen me in my 2024 movie that received 5 Academy Award nominations in 2025. Barry thinks the movie was overrated and had no essence or core meaning. Hmm, that sounds like a description for it’s one word title. Did you know I was married to a famous actor from 1991-2001 – she asked for the divorce so I guess she wasn’t having what I was having. My brother is a famous actor too – he has appeared in over 90 films and his first name means boisterous or rowdy. Back to me though – I’ve been in a ton of movies too. Did you see my 2005 remake or a 1968 film of the same name where I’m the leader of a blended family with 18 kids? No? Okay, how about my 2002 movie where I play the husband of a 1957 housewife whose seemingly perfect life begins to fall apart. (*that housewife has the same real last name as the actress I led off the blog talking about – they were both nominated for Golden Globes for these movies). Speaking of remakes, I also starred as a reverend in a 2011 musical and remake of the 1984 film of the same name. The music was good in that film but I won’t be dancing to the Academy Awards any time soon – the Guardian in 2009 named me one of the best actors never to have received an Academy Award nomination.”

The Adieu Mortgage Haiku:

Tariffs cause panic

The market’s head on fire

But rates are dropping

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