Mortgage rates over 7% are throttling homebuyer demand

Mortgage demand slumps again as interest rates hover over 7%

Megan Henney / FOXBusiness

 

A key measure of home-purchase applications fell for the fifth week in a row as mortgage rates continued to hover above 7%, throttling demand among would-be buyers.

The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) index of mortgage applications fell 5.6% for the week ended Feb. 23, compared with a 10.6% drop the previous week, according to new data published Wednesday. 

The data also showed that the average rate on the popular 30-year loan decreased slightly to 7.04% last week. While that is down from a peak of 8% in October, it remains noticeably higher than the start of the year.

“Higher rates in recent weeks have stalled activity,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s chief economist.

Housing demand has ground to a halt as rates move higher. Applications for a mortgage to purchase a home dropped 5% from the previous week. Application volume is down 12% compared with the same time last year. Read more and see video here.

Biden White House Issues an Order to Sanctuary Cities, But Will It Have an Impact?

Matt Vespa / Townhall Tipsheet

 

Joe Biden’s advisers see the polls on the issue, and they’re on the losing end of it if they don’t do something about illegal immigration. Despite what the progressive wing thinks, this is and never has been a slam-dunk issue for Democrats. Hispanic voters aren’t high on mass amnesty, nor are they overly warm about a pathway to citizenship for newly arrived illegal aliens. 

Health care is where Democrats have an actual advantage over Republicans. Still, the spike in violent crime nationwide, especially at the hands of illegals, has forced the Biden White House to tell sanctuary cities it’s time for them to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (via Fox News): 

"The White House is calling for "sanctuary" cities and jurisdictions across the U.S. to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in turning over criminal illegal immigrants for deportation, just as there is renewed scrutiny over such policies in the wake of several high-profile crimes committed by illegal immigrants who had previously been released by local law enforcement despite pleas from...Read more and see video here.

Michigan inches Biden and Trump closer to 2020 rematch as Super Tuesday approaches                                 Biden and Trump hold commanding leads after early primaries

By Michael Lee / Fox News

Fox News contributor Mollie Hemingway and Richard Fowler, host of ‘The Richard Fowler Show,’ react to Donald Trump’s blowout win in the South Carolina primary election.

Voters in Michigan handed decisive victories to President Biden and former President Trump Tuesday, increasing the odds of a 2020 rematch as the candidates look to solidify their frontrunner positions on Super Tuesday.

The Associated Press called Michigan for Biden and Trump shortly after polls closed Tuesday, leaving both candidates undefeated in their bid to once again represent their respective parties in 2024's presidential election.

Biden's victory in the state came despite a late push among Arab Americans to "abandon" their support for the president over his continued support of Israel in the War in Gaza.

A growing movement called on voters to cast an "uncommitted" ballot instead of continuing what has typically been overwhelming support for the president.

It Looks Like McConnell's Frustration With House Republicans Boiled Over

Matt Vespa / Townhall Tipsheet 

 

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell appears to be at a breaking point with House Republicans, as he told Speaker Mike Johnson that the Ukraine goodie bag is the “only game in town” and he should pass it post-haste. The GOP Senate leader reportedly reached out to Democrats in the lower chamber to pass their Ukraine package in separate votes—that request was denied. It’s McConnell’s scoffing at border security that will surely make him less popular with the base than he already is right now:

The initial deal was also a joke: $117 billion for border security, though the lion’s share of that package was devoted to Ukraine aid. Of course, there was an uproar from the GOP. This proposal was a three-month negotiation, which Mitch had to have known would collapse. It was a horrible ploy to satisfy conservatives, a poorly executed con to give the impression of being serious about border security when it wasn’t.  

Also, spending around $20 billion on controlling the southern border is insufficient. When you factor in the government-funded immigration lawyers...Read more and see Xs here.

RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...Podcast

 

If you missed last nights RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS broadcast where Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discussed 'Vote Wisely...America's Survival Depends On It'; 'Greenie Weenies vs Common Sense'; NYC Mayor Adamas wants his city's sanctuary law 'modified'; today's Michigan primary; and Biden and Trump both to visit the border on Thursday....you can listen to it (and past shows) at your convenience at: https://rspradio1.com ... go directly to Podcasts.

 

Op-ed:

Vote Wisely...America's Survival Depends On It

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / Right Side Patriots / Right Side Patriots Radio 

The Op-ed posted here is this authors opinion alone,and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.com or Google.

 

... Remember I previously stated the dreaded word “impeachment”...the fact remains that without Republican control of both Houses of Congress, know a third Trump impeachment is sure to follow and it will most probably be in record time, thus rendering the Republican party truly irrelevant not just for Trump's what would be a true “lame duck” one term presidency, but for many years...if not for a generation...to come.

So please do not think that Trump's retaking the White House is solely what November is all about...it's not...actually the “down-ticket” House and Senate Congressional wins are just as important if not more so. Simply, November must be about a total course change back to the “right” if our country is to survive even semi-intact. Remember, no matter what Biden or his people say or use as their “talking points”  to rally their masses, the truth is that our economy remains not in good shape as everyday Americans see wages not keeping pace with the costs of essential goods and services like groceries, the price at the pump, homes, healthcare, etc...what I call “generalized affordability” if you will... unemployment numbers are starting to rise again as they usually do after the holiday season is over; inflation is not really declining as it is status-quo at best; our southern border remains an unmitigated disaster; crime is on the rise especially retail crime; and the Middle East and Europe are both on the brink of all out war...Hamas, Iran, and Vladimir Putin have well seen to that. Read entire article here.

Michigan primary puts major battleground state in play for 2024

Republicans, Democrats in Michigan to vote in their respective party primaries Tuesday

Brooke Singman / Fox News

Michigan voters hit the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in the state-run primary, with both Republicans and Democrats making their pick for their party's 2024 nominee. 

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. Most of the state runs on Eastern Standard Time, but four counties in the Upper Peninsula observe Central Time.

Democrat primary voters can choose from President Biden and his challengers, Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota and author Marianne Williamson. Those voters will also have the option to cast an "uncommitted" vote.

Meanwhile, Republican voters on Tuesday will have their choice from former President Trump and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, the only two GOP candidates left in the race, and others who have since dropped out, including former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson. There are 16 delegates at stake. Read more and see videos here.

Reporter: 'Chinese Control Over US Oil and Gas at Heart of Biden Family Influence Peddling'

Matt Vespa / Townhall Tipsheet

The Biden influence peddling operation has been exposed. If we had a serious Department of Justice, there would be a full investigation into whether felonious activities were committed. Instead, we’ve had independent and conservative media reporters flesh out the details, whereas the establishment press report on Hunter Biden’s antics, for the most part, but thread Russian disinformation nonsense into the mix. There isn’t any Russian disinformation; Hunter’s laptop was authenticated. The media is salivating over the indictment of Alexander Smirnov, the source of the Biden Burisma bribery allegations since it can rehash Russian disinformation and blow up the impeachment push from congressional Republicans. That is not the case. 

As Michael Shellenberger wrote, there’s another Biden associate, Jason Galanis, whose testimony matches what has been publicly reported on the influence operation. Galanis is a convicted criminal who is serving 15 years for securities fraud. But his testimony from jail also revealed the main prize of the Biden peddling operation and a national security threat.

RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE!                                             

 

Today, Tuesday, February 27th, from 7-8:30pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss 'Vote Wisely...America's Survival Depends On It'; 'Greenie Weenies vs Common Sense'; NYC Mayor Adamas wants his city's sanctuary law 'modified'; today's Michigan primary; and Biden and Trump both to visit the border on Thursday. Hope you can tune in to RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS on https://rspradio1.com Click 'LISTEN LIVE' starting at 6:50 pm EST with show beginning at 7pm EST.

 

Op-ed:

Vote Wisely...America's Survival Depends On It

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / Right Side Patriots / Right Side Patriots Radio 

The Op-ed posted here is this authors opinion alone,and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.com or Google.

“They’ve weaponized government, and he’s saying I’m a threat to democracy.”                                                          - Former President now candidate Donald J. Trump at a rally in Iowa before January's Iowa Caucus

As primary season now heats up it is important to remember three things: 1. America is not a democracy contrary to the Democrats forced upon us claim as we are and remain a republic...a constitutional republic...and it's high time people understand that and act and govern accordingly; 2. Trump was and is one hundred percent correct in saying that our government under Joe Biden has been weaponized against any and all who do not march in lockstep with his and his puppet master Obama's far left radical agenda; and 3. the Democrats have had eight long years (four when Trump was president and the four under Biden) to “perfect,” if you will, the “fix”...“perfect” it to such a degree that there will be no question as to whom the next president will be...in fact, in Democrat minds it's already been decided. After all, our Republican party remains too busy fighting amongst themselves to have done or still do anything of substance to make sure a voting fiasco like 2020 does not happen again. 

Remember, money talks; politicians are bought and paid for; backstabbing deals continue to be made; mystery mail-in ballots will, as always, suddenly appear; machines and tallies will again be tampered with; and besides, as I write this, over 72+% of voting Americans do not want a Trump v. Biden rematch...this author surely included.

And while I have come to terms with the fact that Donald J. Trump will be the Republican nominee for president, that does not mean I have to like it. Simply, I do not...I wanted Ron DeSantis to head the Republican ticket...but I am smart enough to know that while someday he will be president it will not be in 2024...please hurry up 2028. So now that leaves me and many others with five options: 1. vote for the Democrat whomever the final nominee is; 2. vote third party; 3. leave the presidential line blank; 4. write in any of the former Republican candidates of your choice as some are saying they will do; or 5. suck it up, put the clothespin on your nose, and vote Trump. And while I take my right to vote seriously like I'm sure many of you do too...in fact I have not missed voting in an election since I started voting at the age of 18...also know that at this point in time only numbers 4 or 5 are viable options for many more folks than most think or want to believe.

But know that when November comes around I will cast my vote for whom I believe is best for my country at this most critical point in time...I am, after all, an American patriot. And while my family will always come first, my country and the freedoms she affords us are right behind in second place. And besides, I would never vote for a Democrat president nor for a third party “spoiler”... which means that none of the first three options are an option for me. Why so? In regards to the Democrats it's because today's Democrat party is so far removed from JFK's Democrat party...a Democrat party who while different from we Republicans in how we view and interpret the law as laid down in the Constitution...it was still a party that loved this country and for whom “bipartisanship” was not a dirty word. 

And as far as voting for a third party “spoiler” in this most critical of election cycles, I truly believe that doing so is not the best way to go in 2024. And while a third party vote sends a much needed and powerful message to both the Republican and Democrat parties that one is not happy with either of those parties candidates, not to be forgotten is the fact, that no one running as a third party candidate has ever won or even come close to winning a major election. And this makes voting third party, especially in this particular election... seeming like nothing but a wasted vote to me.

And how sad it is that today's Democrat masses, along with most if not all of its party hierarchy, are so far to the left that the very party itself borders on Marxism come to life. And with folks like Barack Obama no longer even trying to hide in the shadows he, as both Joe Biden's and the party faithful's puppet master, does stands to gain his fourth term in office. And knowing this is the very thing that will help Joe Biden garner not just wayward and still undecided Democrat votes, but left leaning independent votes, and die-hard “Never Trump” votes as well...not a pretty picture I'd say.

Not a pretty picture at all, for even if every Republican rallied around President Trump as the Republican nominee...thus putting party loyalty above all else...I'm still not totally convinced that Trump could win in November, because the fact remains that it's independent voters who, more times than not, decide an election's winners and losers. And now with many independents still “on the fence,” so to speak, about whom to vote for...after all Trump has alienated not only a significant number of more moderate Republicans with his silly name calling and debate refusals; many women of all ages for what should be obvious reasons; along with hoped for “crossover” more moderate Democrat voters...we could in the end find that the majority of the independent vote went instead to a third party “spoiler” candidate.

Simply, directly, and to the point, without a significant number of the independent vote going to Donald Trump, I do not see a way he can win in November...primaries are one thing, the general election is something quite different.

And besides, even if Trump were able to skirt the sure to come attempted Democrat “fix,” ...voting “irregularities” the politically correct still like to call it...and pull off an election win, it could be but a hollow victory at best for we still might be facing a scenario on par with an actual Trump loss.

Do the words “impeachment” ring a bell?

Now remember back to the 2022 midterm disaster and how a “Red Wave” was predicted which instead turned out to be anything but, and how the hoped for “face saving” word “underwhelming” was freely bantered about even with us taking back the House but by the slimmest of margins. And in the interim between then and now not only did the House Speaker position change hands...Trump loyalists saw to that...but the infighting within the party itself grows stronger and nastier by the day, especially after losing an all-important New York House seat in a “special election” just a few short weeks ago. 

And dare not forget our other 2022 election loss, as in our failure to to retake the Senate what with the Democrats having successfully flipped four seats in their favor. In fact, the four Senate seats lost were in all-important “swing states,” and all who lost were high profile MAGA candidates endorsed by Trump himself.

One just needs to look to Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, and Nevada to see but a few examples of how said 2020 and 2022 Trump endorsed “down-ticket” candidates lost...lost in what were competitive races...and know it can happen in 2024 as well, And this is especially important in regards to independent voters who not only do not have the guilt trip of party or candidate loyalty to deal with, but who tend to vote more in regards to a candidate's substance and what they bring to the table in the way of change from the political norm. And when you add in voter dissatisfaction with the Republican Party in general, coupled with the ongoing dissatisfaction of having to vote between what many call the “lesser of two evils,” the fact remains that if we do lose the House and fail to retake the Senate, a Trump presidential win would basically be meaningless.

Why so? Remember I previously stated the dreaded word “impeachment”...the fact remains that without Republican control of both Houses of Congress, know a third Trump impeachment is sure to follow and it will most probably be in record time, thus rendering the Republican party truly irrelevant not just for Trump's what would be a true “lame duck” one term presidency, but for many years...if not for a generation...to come.

So please do not think that Trump's retaking the White House is solely what November is all about...it's not...actually the “down-ticket” House and Senate Congressional wins are just as important if not more so. Simply, November must be about a total course change back to the “right” if our country is to survive even semi-intact. Remember, no matter what Biden or his people say or use as their “talking points”  to rally their masses, the truth is that our economy remains not in good shape as everyday Americans see wages not keeping pace with the costs of essential goods and services like groceries, the price at the pump, homes, healthcare, etc...what I call “generalized affordability” if you will...unemployment numbers are starting to rise again as they usually do after the holiday season is over; inflation is not really declining as it is status-quo at best; our southern border remains an unmitigated disaster; crime is on the rise especially retail crime; and the Middle East and Europe are both on the brink of all out war...Hamas, Iran, and Vladimir Putin have well seen to that.

Simply, if this November's race is indeed locked in to be Trump v. Biden once again, when you go to cast your vote at least not forget how good our economy was while Trump was in office; remember how energy independent we were and how the climate change loons were kept in check; and also that Putin and Iran feared us more than we feared them...then the choice between the so called “lesser of two evils” becomes a bit more palatable to cast. And if with a Trump win another “impeachment” is on the Democrat's horizon at least that will keep them busy...too busy to screw up our country anymore than they already have.

We as a nation can survive another what would be drama filled four years of Trump... political baggage, courtroom appearances, and all. What our beloved American republic cannot survive is four more years of Obama's socialist/Marxist driven “fundamental transformation of America” courtesy of Joe Biden's again happily dancing on his now totally knotted up puppet strings. Case closed.

 

Copyright © 2024 / Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All rights reserved.

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For more political commentary please visit my RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS partner Craig Andresen's blog The National Patriot to read his latest article,Greenie Weenies vs Common Sense.

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RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE!                                             

 

Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 27th, from 7-8:30pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss 'Vote Wisely...America's Survival Depends On It'; 'Greenie Weenies vs Common Sense'; and important news of the day. Hope you can tune in to RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS on https://rspradio1.com Click 'LISTEN LIVE' starting at 6:50 pm EST with show beginning at 7pm EST.