Trustees, Timelines, Family Dynamics

Following the Federal Reserve is like watching the season finale of a reality- television show. Will they cut rates? Won’t they? The suspense is real. The Federal Reserve doesn’t set mortgage rates. It’s more like a giant, slow-moving cruise ship. They can’t just whip a U-turn; they have to signal their turn miles in advance. When the Fed moves their federal funds rate, they’re nudging the rudder.

Right now, we’re all staring at a stubborn thermostat. The Fed turned up the heat and hiked interest rates to cool down inflation. Now that things are chilling out, we are watching the thermostat and waiting for them to click it down a few degrees.

Even though the Fed hasn’t officially lowered the federal rates, mortgage rates don’t wait for instructions. Lenders react to what they predict the Fed is going to do next week or next month. If the Fed even hints that a rate cut is coming, mortgage rates often start to dip early in anticipation.

So, what does this mean for you? If you’re looking to buy or sell, it means we’re in a game of musical chairs. The moment the Fed officially signals a rate reduction, many people who have been sitting on the sidelines are going to jump back into the market. It’s a bit of a balancing act. You can wait for the perfect rate, but you might end up in a crowded room once everyone else decides to move, too.

If you want to chat more about how interest rates are moving and what it means for you, call me at 408-316-1666 or email keith.kanady@compass.com. I promise to keep the jargon to a minimum. Wildfire Preparedness Riva Ridge and LPVFR Team Up Terry Leary In July, the Riva Ridge Homeowners Association joined forces with Loma Prieta Volunteer Fire and Rescue and Cal Fire for a day of hands-on training and equipment testing. Wildfire preparedness was our focus.

This event is an annual Riva Ridge tradition. The team serviced and tested five mobile water pumps, each kept in readiness by a homeowner with a swimming pool. These pumps can play an important role during a wildfire. If a fire threatens the area, the pumps can be positioned where fire engines can use them to fill their tanks with swimming pool water. This can save valuable time by eliminating the need for fire engines to make a longer trip to another water source.

LPVFR and Cal Fire joined the Riva Ridge team to observe the pump operations and conduct their own training exercises. It was a valuable opportunity to practice working together and become familiar with the equipment and procedures that could be needed during an emergency.

As you might expect, wildfire preparedness in the middle of summer is warm work. Once all the equipment had been serviced, tested, and safely stowed away, everyone gathered to enjoy cold drinks, hot dogs, and apple pie. A Proud Firewise Community. Riva Ridge was the second community in Santa Cruz County to achieve Firewise recognition.

Since then, the Firewise program has grown tremendously. As of mid-August, 123 communities in Santa Cruz County have achieved Firewise recognition. The continued growth of the program demonstrates what can be accomplished when neighbors work together to prepare their communities for the increasing threat of wildfire.

Steve Hand and Mark Gouldsberry servicing one of Riva Ridge’s five portable pumps.