Mortgage Application Volume fails to

The mortgage application sector revealed an unusual behavior towards the end of April after it recorded a decline in mortgage application volume. This happened despite the increasing housing market activities amid the pandemic. Could mortgage applications be struggling to keep up with the hot housing market? What could be behind this?

According to MBA, its Market Composite Index— a measure of mortgage loan application volume— decreased 0.9% on a seasonally adjusted basis during the week ended April 30. The index was 1% lower than the previous week on an unadjusted basis. Additionally, the refinance share of mortgage activity surged 60 61% of total applications from 60.6% the previous week. On the other hand, the seasonally adjusted Purchase Index dropped 3% and was down 2% on an unadjusted basis. Moreover, purchase activity was still up 24% compared to the same week in 2020.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

According to Joel Kan, MBA’s Associate Vice President of Economic and Industry Forecasting, both conventional and government purchase applications declined, but average loan sizes increased for each loan type.

“This is a sign that the competitive purchase market, driven by low housing inventory and high demand, is pushing prices higher and weighing down on activity. The higher prices are also affecting the mix of activity, with stronger growth in purchase loans with larger-than-average

balances,” Kan said.

mORtgAgE APPLICAtIOn vOLumE fAILs tO kEEP uP wItH tHE REd HOt HOusIng mARkEt

WHAT COULD BE BEHIND THIS NEW TREND?

“An increase in conventional refinances was offset by a decline in government refinances. The 30-year fixed rate was up slightly to 3.18%, which is still 22 basis points lower than a year ago, but higher than it was between mid-2020 and February 2021,” Kan added.

Indeed, this is true. According to MortgageNewsDaily, the FHA share of total applications dropped to 10.1% from 10.7% the previous week, while the VA share dropped from 12.2% to 11.9%. Moreover, the average loan balance surged to $337,000 from $330,100, while purchase application balances rose by $8,000 to $408,100.

Elsewhere, MortgageNewsDaily indicates that the average contract interest rate for 30year fixed-rate mortgages or FRM with loan balances at or under the conforming limit, which is $548,250 went up by one basis point to 3.18%. The 30-year FRM backed by the FHA recorded an average rate of 3.13%, representing an increase of 1 basis point week-over-week, while points dropped from 0.24 to 0.22 as the effective rate went up to 3.20%. Moreover, the 15year FRM rate dropped from 2.55% to 2.54% as points went up from 0.30 to 0.31, and the effective rate dropped to 2.62%. Forbearances.

In other news, MBA’s recent Forbearance and Call Volume Survey revealed that 4.47% of all loans in servicer portfolios were in forbearance as of April 25. This represents a drop of 2 basis points from the prior week. According to MBA, about 2.23 million homeowners remain in forbearance plans with 12.8% of the loans in their initial terms, while 82.3% were in a forbearance extension, and the remaining 4.9% were re-entries to the program.

Elsewhere, the share of loans in forbearance dropped for the ninth consecutive week after dropping by two basis points, according to Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s Senior Vice President and Chief Economist.

123rf.com

“The rate of exits has slowed the past two weeks, with this week’s exit rate reaching the lowest since February,” said Mike. “The increase in the forbearance share for portfolio and PLS loans highlights both the ongoing buyouts of delinquent loans from Ginnie Mae pools as well as an increased forbearance share for other loans that are not federally backed.”

The recent MBA survey covers the period from April 19 through April 25 and represents 74% of the first-mortgage servicing market, which equates to 37 million loans.

Work cited.

http://www.mortgagenewsdaily. com/05052021_applications_and_ forbearances.asp.

JunE Is ALzHEImER’s And bRAIn AwAREnEss mOntH

Alzheimer’s disease is a disease that can affect someone who has a brain. This disease destroys nerve cells and tissue in the brain, impairing a person’s ability to remember, think, and plan. The brain shrinks rapidly as the disease progresses due to cell death. People lose the ability to talk, remember family and friends, and care about themselves. Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent type of dementia, is one of the country’s most serious public health problems. It is the only one of the top ten causes of death in the United States that cannot be avoided, treated, or even slowed.

Alzheimer’s and other dementias affect 47 million people worldwide, and if nothing changes, this figure is projected to rise to 76 million by 2030. However, everybody should contribute to putting an end to this epidemic. The Alzheimer’s Association celebrates Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month in June as an opportunity to raise awareness and combat this global epidemic.

10 WAYS TO LOvE YOUR BRAIN

People may reduce their risk of cognitive impairment, according to growing evidence. The Alzheimer’s Association and its experts have produced a list of 10 Ways to Love Your Brain – tips that can help minimize the risk of cognitive decline:

1. Break a sweat: Regular

cardiovascular exercise raises your heart rate and improves blood flow to your body and brain. Several studies have discovered a link between physical activity and a lower risk of cognitive decline.

2. Go over your books:

Formal education will help reduce your risk of cognitive impairment and dementia at any age. Take a class at a nearby college, community centre, or online, for instance.

3. Butt your cigarette

out: There is evidence that smoking raises the likelihood of cognitive impairment. Quitting smoking will reduce the risk to levels comparable to nonsmokers.

4. Follow your heart:

Obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes are all risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke, and they all have a detrimental effect on your cognitive health. If you take care of your heart, your brain will follow.

5. Heads-up! - A brain injury will increase the chances of developing cognitive impairment and dementia. Wear a seat belt, wear a helmet while riding a bike or contact sports, and avoid falls.

6. Keep the fuel upright:

To help reduce the risk of cognitive loss, eat a safe and balanced diet high in vegetables and fruits and low in fat.

7. Get some sleep:

Insomnia or sleep apnea may cause memory and thought if you don’t get enough sleep.

8. Look after your mental health: Some

reports relate a history of depression to a higher risk of cognitive impairment, so seek medical attention if you are experiencing signs of depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues. Often, make an effort to manage stress.

9. Make a friend:

Maintaining social engagement can benefit brain health. Engage in social events that are important to you. Find ways to contribute to your community – if you like animals, try volunteering

at a rescue shelter. Join a local choir or volunteer at an afterschool program if you enjoy singing. Alternatively, engage in sports with family and friends.

10. Brainstorm: Your

mind should be challenged and activated. Build a piece of furniture. Put together a jigsaw puzzle. Make an artistic effort. Play games that need you to think creatively, such as a bridge. Challenging your mind can benefit your brain in both the short and long term.

In addition to lowering your risk of cognitive impairment, these tips can also lower your risk of dementia. The evidence for lowering the risk of dementia is currently strongest compared to formal education and preventing head injury; other tips can also help reduce the risk.

TAKE ACTION THROUGH vOLUNTEERING

The Alzheimer’s Association, which has 75 chapters, has many volunteer opportunities available if you have a couple of hours a week to spare or can make a substantial time commitment. Among the volunteer opportunities are:

• Facilitator of a Support Group As a coordinator: You will lead monthly meetings in your group for adult children, family caregivers, spouses, or individuals living with dementia. • Educator in the community If public speaking is one of your strongest suits, you might want to consider a career as a community educator. These speakers aid in providing education and expanding the Alzheimer’s Association program’s scope. You must give at least 12 presentations per year. • In addition, volunteers are required for the organization’s annual activities, such as the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and The Longest Day.

CONCLUSION

Alzheimer’s disease often necessitates long-term treatment, and families are often burdened financially. There are many services available to assist families and caregivers The Alzheimer’s Association will help you find low-cost or no-cost community support programs such as support groups, respite care, transportation, and homedelivered meals.

Living a balanced lifestyle is also one of the easiest but most profound ways to honor people living with Alzheimer’s. While there is no known way to avoid Alzheimer’s disease completely, evidence suggests that eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly, maintaining social engagements, and fueling the mind with ongoing education and engaging activities can all help to delay cognitive loss.

You can also watch the series on Facebook Live or our YouTube channel. Tune in today!

References

https://www.unicityhealthcare.com/ june-is-alzheimers-and-brain-awarenessmonth-showing-support-for-those-livingwith-dementia/ https://www.prnewswire.com/ news-releases/skypod-supportsalzheimers--brain-awareness-month-injune-2021-301296580.html

June is Also World sickle cell dAy

The United Nations designated a day to increase sickle cell awareness nationally and internationally, and it is regarded as the World Sickle Cell Day. On December 22, 2008, The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution recognizing sickle cell disease as a public health issue and “one of the world’s leading genetic diseases.” The resolution encourages members to increase sickle cell awareness on a national and international scale on June 19 of every year.

INFORMATION ABOUT SICKLE CELL DISEASE

Sickle cell disorders are a group of diseases that affect the red blood cells. Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder, which implies that it is passed on by your parents and you are born with it; you cannot contract it from other people. Sickle cell disease allows blood cells, which are normally spherical and flexible, to stiffen and become sickleshaped, prohibiting blood cells and the oxygen they bring from flowing freely across the body and resulting in pain. This can result in severe pain episodes. These severe episodes are known as sickle cell crisis. To control the pain, they are given strong analgesics such as morphine. People with sickle cell disease are also susceptible to complications such as acute chest syndrome, stroke, blindness, bone injury, and priapism (a penile erection that is persistent and painful). Organs such as the lungs, kidney, liver, heart, and spleen may be damaged in sickle cell patients over time. Complications of the disorder may also lead to death. The majority of sickle cell treatment is focused on treating and preventing complications.

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE

According to estimates, one in every 400-500 African American newborns and one in every 1,000-1,400 Hispanic newborns is born with SCD. Due to high birth rates and under-diagnosis in the population, Latinos

are expected to outnumber African Americans

hospitalized in California hospitals for SCD by 2013. All states in the United States now screen newborns for Sickle cell disease. It is estimated that one in every ten to twelve adult African Americans carries the SCD genetic trait. If both parents are carriers, each offspring has a one in four probability of developing SCD.

Currently, the only treatment for SCD is a stem cell transplant that entirely replaces the patient’s immune system. The stem cells could be derived from cord blood or bone marrow. However, due to the complications of receiving high-dose chemotherapy for a transplant, this cure is only available to the most seriously ill patients, such as children who suffer from strokes., Researchers are conducting clinical trials to make transplants accessible to more SCD patients using Reduced Intensity Chemotherapy.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN WORLD SICKLE CELL DISEASE DAY

Supporters plan to mark World Sickle Cell Day, celebrated every June 19, raise awareness about red blood cell disease, and raise funds to combat it.

Around the world, supporters will wear red to raise awareness of sickle cell disease (SCD), sponsor a run or walk, shave or dye their hair, and share patient experiences with local media outlets.

The event, organized by the Sickle Cell Society in the United Kingdom, is also an opportunity to help and also celebrate the successes of people with sickle cell.

On its World Sickle Cell Day website, the society stated that World Sickle Cell Day is the ideal opportunity to host an event or

fundraiser to educate people in your neighborhood about sickle cell disease and support those who live with it.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic puts these patients at increased risk of complications, the Sickle Cell Society recommends that participants wear masks and observe appropriate social distancing during in-person events on World Sickle Cell Day.

CONCLUSION

World Sickle Cell Awareness Day holds June 19 every year. The international awareness day is observed each year to increase understanding and public awareness of sickle cell disease and the challenges patients, caregivers, and families face.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that sickle cell disease affects approximately 100 million people worldwide, with over 300,000 children born with the condition each year. Sickle cell disease can affect people of any race, but it is more common in Hispanics and African Americans. SCD is a group of red blood cell disorders that are typically passed down from one’s parents. It causes a change in the oxygen-carrying protein called hemoglobin which is found in red blood cells.

You can also watch the series on Facebook Live or our YouTube channel. Tune in today!

References https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/health/world-sicklecell-day-2020-aims-to-increase-awareness-over-sickle-celldisorders-71852 https://www.sicklecellsociety.org/wscd/ https://www.sicklecelldisease.org/get-involved/events/ awareness-month-and-world-sickle-day/

JunEtEEntH

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.” — General Orders, Number 3; Headquarters District of Texas, Galveston, June 19, 1865

It was this proclamation that laid the foundation comes through reports printed in white-owned for what is today known as Juneteenth- the newspapers. Thus, any understanding of these most popular celebration in the history of the events is necessarily filtered through the lens of

United States marking the emancipation of black a white press whose views ranged from being people from the yolk of slavery. It took Major Gen. sympathetic to black suffering, as typified in early

Gordon Granger two and a half years after the Chicago Tribune articles, to unabashedly racist, as emancipation proclamation to deliver the news to reflected in later Chicago Times articles.” the enslaved people in Texas. The Juneteenth celebrations dates to as far back as THE HISTORY OF JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONS the 1800s but in the early 1890s, African Americans

To understand Juneteenth better, we have to go began using the term “Juneteenth” to describe back to the Emancipation proclamation. One fact Jubilee Day. By the early 1900s, Juneteenth we have to agree on is that the end of chattel celebrations were extremely vibrant, rivaling the slavery in the U.S. took a protracted period and Independence Day celebrations. The Juneteenth with the cessation of slavery came celebrations, celebrations were livelier, filled with spiritualism. sometimes called Juneteenth, and some other However, according to the Historian Elizabeth times, Emancipation Day and some other times… Turner Hayes, the Juneteenth celebration had

Jubilee Day! If I said that the celebration was held a Civic aspect to it in that, it took on a broader at a particular date in time, I would be lying but implication about citizenship. The celebration the fact is, the celebration was held on a variety gave the African American community a platform of dates at different historical moments and in to discuss their rights, with a special emphasis various regions. Much of what is known today to voting rights and in most cases, the attendees about the Juneteenth Celebration came from would be encouraged to vie for public offices. In reports by White-Owned newspapers which that decade, freedom included the right to vote means, they may not be as accurate as possible which wasn’t so prevalent in the 19th century and as the Public Historian Amber Bailey denotes, “It is also a right that was seemingly being compromised important to note that virtually all of [the written by the 20th century. history] from these Emancipation Day celebrations

This year’s Juneteenth celebrations will be different in a way. The country hasn’t healed from the death of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and many others which means, there will be a renewed spirit in the fight for freedom. Given the sweeping changes that have so far happened to the country, especially in retrospect of the protests that happened in the country, the 2021 Juneteenth Celebration will resonate with so many people. But is it time to call for a national dialogue, to rethink emancipation?

Juneteenth is more than just a celebration! It has to be more than that. If you look at the historical records, you will notice a completely different story, today, technology has made it possible for us to examine the astonishingly rich body of archival materials in relation to these celebrations and scholars have found that emancipation was in many ways a revolutionary call. Different archival sources also tell us that there were a plethora of actors already in play calling for emancipation, but what you will never hear is that enslaved Americans were the chief protagonists in a national story.

JUNETEENTH SHOULD MATTER NOW MORE THAN EvER

Ironically, the Juneteenth celebration may be the most prominent celebration in as far as freedom is concerned, but it commemorates just a smaller moment that remains so obscured. Enslaved African Americans were freed by the signing of the 1963 Emancipation Proclamation but none of that is ‘remembered’ during these celebrations. Additionally, you will not hear a thing about the 1865 rule that ratified the 13th Amendment but instead, the celebrations are more about a ‘moment’ when the emancipation proclamation reached the slaves who were in the thick of this evil in the former Confederacy.

But come to think of it, because that delay has in a way shaped what our culture really is. In so many ways, the Juneteenth celebrations are representative of how justice and freedom in the country have always been denied through delays. Even after the abolishment of slavery as an institution, the decades that followed were marked by a wave of lynching, wrongful imprisonment, and Jim Crow laws among many others. Soon after, black people would be incarcerated in high numbers, if not incarcerated, then denial of fair opportunities to housing, if not that, then no one was willing to take an economic risk on them. Today, we still see that happening, in most cases subtly, but even that is changing dramatically. The last decade has been characterized by open acts of police violence and various racial profiling cases which make it adamantly clear that while there is some noticeable progress that has been made in an attempt to fully free the African American people in the US, there still remains considerable barriers that continue to impede that progress.

these reAsons Are why i still think JUneteenth will forever mAtter!

A DECADE OF CHANGE…

Following the protest that rocked most part of 2020, we can finally look ahead with somewhat optimism. The death of Mr. Floyd and many others has been a rallying call for radical changes in the country, effectively re-energizing and giving new direction and perspective to the Black Lives Matter Movement. While we are seeing some changes that we are highly appreciative of, still there is a room for improvement. In Minneapolis for instance, chokeholds and strangleholds have been banned. Additionally, the democrats in Congress have unveiled sweeping legislation that targets misconduct and racial discrimination by the police. It is one of the hallmark legislation that is very expansive intervening into policing. In addition to that, many businesses have come across to express their support of the BLM by either suspending or firing employees who mocked Floyd’s death or openly made racist remarks.

It seems like this year we’ll see some of the most radical changes, and these sentiments have been echoed by so many including Mark Anthony Neal, an African-American studies scholar who said that there are some comparisons between the end of the Civil War to the current unrest.

“The stakes are a little different,” Mr. Neal said. “Many African-Africans, black Americans, feel as though this is the first time in a long time that they have been heard in a way across the culture.”

“I think Juneteenth feels a little different now,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for folks to kind catch their breath about what has been this incredible pace of change and shifting that we’ve seen over the last couple of weeks.”

WORLD Father’s DAy

Father’s Day is a day celebrated worldwide and it is meant to recognize the contribution of fathers and father figures make to the lives of their families and everyone around them. This is one of the days meant to celebrate fatherhood and male parenting and even though it is celebrated on a variety of days, many countries recognize Father’s Day on the Third Sunday in June.

SIGNIFICANCE OF FATHER’S DAY

Our fathers are our superheroes and the importance of a father or father figure cannot be neglected or ignored. In many households where we have a sound father, they are the ones who are very ready to take on everyday troubles for his family. A father or a father figure will always play an extremely important role in a child’s life as they stand with the family through thick and thin and help them achieve their goals in life. As such, what can be better than showing and showering our fathers with love and celebrating their sacrifices and efforts?

Father’s Day goes back way back to the 1900s and was officially proposed in 1909 to complement the Mother’s Day Celebrations. On this day, children appreciate their fathers and acknowledge their importance and role in shaping them, be it emotionally, mentally or financially. It is a day that acknowledges the many contributions of fathers not just to their own families, but the society at large. During this day, children buy and make presents for their fathers or father figures, sometimes children write and draw cards, spend the day with their fathers engaging in activities that can be enjoyed with one’s father. It may be hiking, fishing or any other activity. In many countries, most children have a very close relationship with their mothers; therefore this day will definitely help forge a closer relation with one’s father.

While the United States recognizes Father’s Day on the Third Sunday of June every year, some other countries celebrate Father’s Day on March 19 including Portugal, Spain, Croatia, and Italy. Father’s Day in many countries is not a public holiday. But since it is on a Sunday, many of the public offices are closed on this day and very few organizations actually engage in business activities.

Home ownersHip

by eric Lawrence Frazier mBA

Home ownership brings stability to individuals and families who have never had a dwelling place that they could call their own. There is something special about owning real estate that is unlike anything else on earth you can own.

Real Estate you own is not like cars that decay over time and you have to replace them. Real Estate you own is not like clothes that go out of style and you have to buy new ones. Real Estate you own is not like expensive vacations or experiences that only last a moment in time. Real Estate you own is not like an apartment where the landlord may increase the rent until it’s no longer affordable. Real Estate you own is not like staying at your parents house where you know can’t stay forever.

Home ownership is the beginning of wealth that increases over time and becomes your estate & legacy Home ownership is the pride of a mother nurturer and the kitchen her domain Home ownership is the pride of a father provider and protector of his territory and family. Home ownership is the foundation of permanence and the place where life happens, birthdays celebrated, deaths mourned.

Home ownership is the place you build memories that can never be taken from you. Memories etched in walls and concrete, experienced in rooms and floors, Memories living in trees and shrubs planted by your hand. Howe ownership is the manifestation of you - your style, your colors, your smell, your stuff, your junk, your memories, your yard and your spaces, your life.

It’s the height markers on your first child’s bedroom wall. It’s the hearts drawn in the concrete slabs when you pour your patio floor

It’s the birthday parties, and anniversaries in the living room and kitchen. It’s the back yard barbecue with friends, neighbors and family contentions it’s the high school and college graduation, and wedding receptions Its’ the family nights and block parties and the fellowship of family connections

Home ownership

It’s more than real estate. Land, brick and mortar, wood frame construction and chicken wire. It’s more than money saved, gifts recieved and grants obtained It’s more than the debt you incur to buy it. It’s more than the payments you make to own it. It’s more than the appreciation that comes with keeping it over time.

It’s memories, it’s family, and it’s life that can happen in one place Until you say it’s time to move.