Remember, as a general rule, weaker than expected economic data is good for rates, while positive data causes rates to rise. Economic Calendar for the Week of November 24 - November 28 Date ET Economic Report For Estimate Actual Prior Impact Mon. November 24 10:00 Existing Home Sales Oct 5.05M 4.98M 5.14M Moderate Tue. November 25 08:30 GDP Chain Deflator Q3 4.2% 4.2% 4.2% Moderate Tue. November 25 08:30 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Q3 -0.5% -0.5% -0.3% Moderate Tue. November 25 10:00 Consumer Confidence Nov 39.5 44.9 38.0 Moderate Wed. November 26 08:30 Personal Consumption Expenditures and Core PCE YOY NA 2.1% 2.2% HIGH Wed. November 26 08:30 Personal Consumption Expenditures and Core PCE Oct NA 0.0% 0.2% HIGH Wed. November 26 08:30 Personal Spending Oct -0.7% -1.0% -0.3% Moderate ... 11/28/2008

With the economy slowing and holidays just around the corner, many consumers may be looking to credit cards to help them get through the heavy shopping season. While that may be a good short-term solution, you want to make sure you don't overlook the long-term impact on your credit rating. After all, the actions you take today could hang over your head for years to come--and may make it tough for you to get the home loan or car loan you want in the future. To help you make sure you manage your credit cards--and your credit score--during the upcoming holiday spending season, follow these steps: Double-check your card limits. Many credit card companies today have started lowering credit limits. That means you have less credit available, but it also may mean that your credit score is about... 11/28/2008

  It will be a holiday shortened week in the markets as Thanksgiving is celebrated, but there are several important reports that could determine which direction Bonds and home loan rates move. On Tuesday, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Report will be released, and on Wednesday we will get the details on the Fed's favorite gauge of inflation, the Core Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) data, from the Personal Income report. Given the Fed's recent talk of deflation, it will be important to see what these reports reveal. Also on Wednesday, we'll get a read on consumer and business consumption and buying behavior from the Durable Goods Report. Durable goods are items that are non-disposable, like cars, furniture, appliances, games, cameras, business equipment, etc. In addition, we'll... 11/28/2008

"THE IMPORTANT THING IN THIS WORLD IS NOT SO MUCH WHERE WE STAND, AS IN WHAT DIRECTION WE ARE MOVING." Oliver Wendell Holmes. And when it comes to the direction our economy may be moving, there was some surprising news from the Fed last week that the "Minutes" from their October meeting revealed. After years of being concerned about inflation, the Fed is now concerned about deflation. So what exactly is deflation? Deflation is when prices drop, which generally is due to lack of demand, and therefore lack of pricing power. With the economy slowing down, we are hearing economists forecast that we may be in for a deflationary recession. In a deflationary environment, investors flee into fixed instruments like Bonds, because the fixed payment received would actually buy them more goods and ... 11/28/2008

I have watched many of my clients (mortgage and real estate) see their clients and peers get involved in Loan Modificaiton programs/companies/scams and would love to get your take on this activity. If you need to modify your terms to help you stay in your home (lowering the interest rate, resetting the payment to show current and adding the arrearage to the end of the note, lowering the current principle balance, etc.) I see this as a good thing. I am happy to see Fannie Mae, Bank of America, and others trying to step in to help homeowners stay in their home. I also have seen perfectly good people intentionally wreck their credit by slow paying their mortgage to be "Eligible" for a loan modification (or so they think.) The most confusing part is that different programs have different gu... 11/25/2008

David Burns | Keller Williams Realty | 856 321 1212 16 Olde Mill Run, Medford, NJ 4BR/2.5BA Single Family House offered at $449,000 Year Built 1983 Sq Footage 3,200 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 70,567 sqft HOA/Maint $7 per month DESCRIPTION PRICE JUST REDUCED! A Beautiful contemporary diamond of a home situated on lovely wooded knoll. Surrounded by beautiful inground pool and wrapped with 72 ft of expansive decking for entertaining and relaxation. Winding driveway (lit during evening) leads to pristine 4 BR/2.5 BA home featuring sunlight vaulted ceiling foyer, chef's kitchen, sunny breakfast room and more. Family room and living room each have beautiful fireplaces. Four double wide sliding glass doors throughout first floor allow for eas... 11/03/2008

The Medford-Vincentown Rotary Club is sponsoring the 62nd Annual Halloween Parade on Main Street in Medford, New Jersey.   This weekend, it has been moved, due to rain, to Sunday, October 26, beginning at 7:00 p.m.The parade will start at at St. Mary's Catholic School and continue up Main Street to the Judges stand located at Main and Trimble.  "Put on your costumes and get ready to celebrate Halloween, Medford-style on Main Street. Kids who dress up are invited to join the parade. Judges are present to hand out prizes for the best costumes. Floats from local organizations make their way down Main Street for our best attended parade of the year. Bring your Trick-or-Treat bags because the candy is plentiful." This large parade is a popular annual event, held on the Saturday (or Sunday if... 10/25/2008

Do you need advice on selling a home in Medford or the surrounding area?  Member of the Burlington/Camden County Board of Realtors, Janet Larsen has the proven experience and track record in your area.  Call for a free market analysis today at 856-261-6910.  Janet is a NJ Association of Realtors Circle of Excellence Award winner for 5 consecutive years.  She has sold over 30 million is residential real estate and is full time!  Marketing, advertising and negotiation skills are a proven with Janet Larsen.  You will be making the right choice!   10/16/2008

Don't forget to mark you calendars for the upcoming Apple Festival at Kirby's Mill in Medford, NJ.   It will be the 30th anniversay of this popular annual event.  Date: October 11, 2008Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.According it's sponsor, the Medford Historical Society, "More than 100 arts and crafts booths welcome visitors. Lively Celtic music by Jennifer Mylod and the Boys of O'cean will set feet tapping. Good food, children's activities and an inflatable Wizard's Castle bounce make it an unforgettable event for the whole family. Get there early to sample the Apple Bake Off entries. For more information, call Bill Stauts at 609-654-5382."There is plenty to see, eat and do at the festival and surrounding Medford area.Kirby's Mill is located in South Jersey's Burlington County, northeast of Med... 10/02/2008

  The Constitution of the United States of America "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."  The source of this preamble was found here : http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.preamble.html       Politics at its best... right?  I really don't like to talk about politics and religion. But I needed to voice my opinion because there has been to much finger pointing and accusations.  I am also tired of how we can't get along on Capital Hill. It's either the Democrats fault or the Republicans... 09/29/2008

 I believe you get back what you give in life, my success is not based on the income I earn, but rather on the number of people's lives I can touch and help. Honestly is the cornerstone of everything I do or have done, both in my personal and business life. You can never go wrong telling the truth. That being said I was watching a show on cable the other night and it had a panel of experts who shared inside tips on how to spot if someone is being truthful. Can you tell when someone is being upfront and honest with you?  I always put my customers needs and financial health first before all else and by doing so have established some really great relationships. 100% of my new customers come from referrals and I have to say it always amazes me just how great word of mouth adverting can be. ... 08/07/2008

Here's another opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and lean about Medford area history.   "Step back into the 19th Century to enjoy activities at historic Kirby's Mill as it might have been then. The sawmill, blacksmith shop and lathe will all be operating and children can try hands-on activities, see household crafts like broom making, weaving and pottery and explore the campground of Civil-War re-enactors. Call 609-654-7767 for information." Date/Time: Sunday, July 13, 12 noon - 4 pm Location: Historic Kirby's Mill, Church & Fostertown RoadsSource: Medford Historical SocietyDon't forget about the Medford Canoe Trail that starts at Kirby's Mill where you can enjoy beautifal scenery, exercise, relaxation and end up with time for shopping and plenty of food. Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerk... 07/03/2008

Medford Township will Celebrate Independence Day with a Fireworks display in Freedom Park in Medford.  The fireworks are always great and enjoyed by all.  Festivities will start at 6 p.m.If for some reason you can not make it to the celebration tonight, other communities in Burlington County, South Jersey and the Delaware Valley, will provide many opportunities to enjoy fireworks displays put on by local communities.You can also attend Fort Dix's Independence Day Celebration for what I believe is one of the best fireworks displays you will enjoy up close. Check out Philly.com's 2008 Fireworks Finder for the location, date and time of fireworks in your area of the Delaware Valley. Keep in mind that some areas will have fireworks tonight, like Medford, or during the weekend, instead of on... 07/03/2008

Medford Township's Department of Recreation is be providing a free "Family Summer Movies in the Park" series to be shown in Freedom Park, at 86 Union Street, Medford, NJ 08055 (across from the Public Safety Building).  The movies will be shown at dusk every Tuesday evening through August 26.  If weather is bad on Tuesday, movies will be shown the following Wednesday evening at dusk.So gather up your family, snacks, lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy some fun family films with the rest of the township.If you desire more information, then contact the Recreation Department  at 609-654-2512. Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.  Home Website | NJ Property Search | Sell | Buy | Rent | Search | Relocate | Resources | Contact Me | Commercial  06/25/2008

Once used as a water and power source and a natural highway in the days before the railroad, the Rancocas River with it's tributaries is still an important natural resource.  In an effort to allow access to the river for recreation and to enjoy it's surrounding scenic beauty, the Medford Canoe Trail was created with the help of the local community and many individuals.  The Medford Canoe Trail Committee (MCTC) was created to coordinate the efforts.  "The over two-mile Medford Canoe Trail on the Southwest Branch of the Rancocas Creek begins in Medford Park and ends at historic Kirby's Mill. It offers superb scenery with lush vegetation and tranquil waters. Once an important conduit for trade and commerce, the Rancocas now provides water recreation for kayakers and canoeists. The upper en... 06/21/2008

There's still time to participate and contribute to the Race for Life now being held at Medford Township's Freedom Park.It is taking place Saturday and Sunday (June 20th and 21st) at Freedom Park, where you also have the opportunity to participate first-hane in a landmark new CPS-3 study.  See the Race for Life web page for details.The event is offically called the "Reach for the Stars, Relay for Life, Medford, NJ". "Each year, across the nation, one event brings together entire communities to take part in the fight against cancer. That event is the American Cancer Society Relay For Life®. It's a time and place where people come to celebrate those who have survived cancer, remember those we've lost, and fight back against a disease that touches too many lives. Won't you join us this yea... 06/21/2008

Yesterday, Medford Township celebrated the holiday it's annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremonies.  It was lead off by the Shawnee High School Marching Band, followed by kids in their decorated bikes, local honorees, officials, community groups and a long line of police, fire and emergency vehicles from Medford and the surrounding communities of Medford Lakes, Southampton, Shamong, Evesham and Tabernacle townships and the Forest Service.   At the conclusion of the parade, the traditional wreath laying ceremony was held at the War Memorial.VFW Post 7677 hosted the activities in conjunction with Medford Township officials.Mr. William F. Bielec, World War II veteran and 30 year resident of Medford was honored as the Grand Marshall of this year's parade.  Mr. Bielec fought in Europe in Worl... 05/27/2008

Medford Township's annual Memorial Day Parade will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, starting at Memorial Middle School, on Mill Street.  The parade will proceed through town and finish at the Veterans' Monuments at  21 S. Main St.There, an official Memorial Day ceremony will take place.   (If it rains, the ceremony will be held in the VFW Hall on Church Road.)  William Bielec, a 30-year Medford resident and World War II veteran, will be the Grand Marshall for the parade.  Also participating will be VFW Post 7677, Shawnee H.S. Marching Band, local Police, EMS and fire companies.There is also an opportunity for bikers with decorated bikes and local scout troops and civic organizations to take part in the parade and celebration.  All area veterans are invited to either march or ride in the parade.... 05/24/2008

The HMVA Festival of Wine, Art & Music has been cancelled because of lock of sponsorship, in part due to the economic conditions. "Unfortunately, despite several smaller sponsorships, we did not have any presenting sponsors. Without a presenting sponsor it is just not feasible to have a festival.We would like to thank you for all your support and let you know that we appreciate you having made our festivals successful. We hope that next year we will be able to present our festival once again.If you sent in a check as a sponsor or as a vendor or artist, we will be refunding your money in the next week or so. If you do not receive it by May 23rd please contact us."Source: HMVAFor more news, information and resources see 08055.info 05/17/2008

Medford hosted it's annual "Blast from the Past" on Saturday, May 17th.  It was a great success with perfect weather, chance to shop and eat in Medford and enjoy live entertainment...  and of course, take in fabulous custom cars and trucks.  Below are a few pictures for you to share in some of the sights:Lots of people, including family, groups and individuals of all ages getting out and enjoying the weather, town and cars... A classic in every sense of the term... You can't have a classic show without a '57 Chevy...Classic elegance...Live entertainment was enjoyed by all...The young enjoying the old...'69 Chevy SS396, second only to the '68... Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.  Home Website | NJ Property Search | Sell | Buy | Rent | Search | Relocate | Resources |... 05/17/2008