The year, 1979 just after Steve Dahl’s Disco Demolition at Comiskey Park, confirming that rock ‘n roll was here to stay. So as a young 14 year old my future looked bright. Van Halen came out with their hit “Dance the Night Away,” and The Cars came out with “Let’s Go.” Both songs were in reference to the joys of living the freestyle life, partying every night with a different girl. I was set, with high school on the horizon; I was ready to live the night life, baby and dance the night away.

Freshman year came around and all the girls that I wanted never acknowledged my existence. They of course were dating seniors. So I was le with geing a six pack of Stroh’s at Poker Jack’s Liquor Store, (Yes, When I was a Freshman I could buy beer!) and heading to the forest preserve with some friends convincing ourselves that this is what we really wanted to do anyway and discussing whether Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven was the greatest song of all time. What the heck is that song about anyway? All that was le in the night was geing home and watching late night cable and R rated movies about adolescents like me who were living the good life and dating all the prey girls.

I felt betrayed. All the promise, all the wild times, all the fun — where were they?

I was 6’2” back then weighing in at 175lbs, with a huge head, and wavy feathered back hair ala Keith Partridge. I had it all! Why was rock ‘n roll promising me so much when in reality nothing was there for me? Then it hit me my junior year. It was only rock ‘n roll…but I liked it. Never were more profound words ever written. Thank you Mick and Keith and the Rolling Stones! So what does this have to do with mortgages; everything. Have you heard or seen all these ads from all these mortgage companies guaranteeing or promising the most amazing rates or programs ever? Then you get to the closing table and reality sets in. I can just hear David Lee Roth singing the ads.

Just like it took the world’s Greatest Rock ‘n Roll Band to put things in perspective, it will take Chicago’s Greatest Mortgage Company, Perl Mortgage to secure your funding. As the liner notes read…Perl Mortgage, Your Lender for Life…It’s just that easy.

I know, they’re only mortgage loans, but we like them.

Can it be?

Is the picture telling the truth? It must be. The Chicago Cubs have officially become Sox fans! I never thought I would live to see the day where the North Side-South Side rivalry would be mended. Even more surprising it was done by the White Sox. Even Michael Vlamis, pictured in his Sox jacket, is excited. This was his reaction when the White Sox disposed of the Angels to clinch the American League Pennant. Now the Sox are headed to the World Series!!!

Aside from the Michael Jordan era, which was an aberration for this city, Chicago is more used to events like the 2003 Cubs, and the 1987 and the 1988 Bears for highlights in its history. And while it’s tough to beat the Super Bowl Shuffle, the World Series certainly steals the show. All four White Sox starters have pitched complete game wins in the ALCS which has not been done since 1844 when the Decatur White Stockings trounced the Albany Redlegs.

So what lies ahead for Chicago’s premier baseball team? My pick; Sox take the series in 5 games…6 at most.

Mortgage Notes
Quick and Easy! Remember the old days, or how things are still done at other places? Perl Mortgage offers our quick and easy program. Getting a mortgage is easier than ever. Ditch those pay stubs and those W-2’s and fill in the loan application over the phone…all in ten min- utes. The hassle of digging up old bank statements, pay stubs, and other bothersome documents don’t apply at Perl. We have taken control of the loan process and get your loan approved on your time and make the closing stress free.

Economic Outlook
Mr. Greenspan is a very persistent man. When will he ever learn? Yes, once again the Fed has raised the federal funds rate, blah, blah, blah, and the market still does not care. But don’t worry Mr. Greenspan; we all know that you are there. The bigger picture in all this that at some point these actions will level off, and the final result after at least ten rate hikes is that mortgage rates are still very competitive.

This has helped the housing market stay strong and unemployment is at its lowest in four years. With all the past year’s actions, rates at Perl Mortgage are still low, and business is still strong which means the purchase market is going strong.

Mortgage Notes
Remember the old days, or how things are still done at other lenders? Did you waste a lot of time digging up old bank statements, pay stubs, and other bothersome docu- ments? Perl Mortgage offers a quick and easy mortgage program. Getting a mortgage is easier than ever! Ditch those pay stubs and W-2’s and simply fill out a loan application with me over the phone in ten minutes.

We have taken control of the loan process and just made life a whole lot easier. Perl Mortgage values you as a customer and strives everyday to be your lender for life.

Six months ago, if you were betting money on who knew where interest rates were headed, would you have bet on Alan Greenspan, chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, or on Dean Vlamis, your “Lender for Life”? To the 1% who bet on me, thank you and enjoy your winnings!

Rates have once again come down, in spite of Chairman Greenspan’s repeated attempts to do the contrary. The Federal Reserve’s actions should be lauded, because after all, they are trying to keep inflation in check. Anyone old enough to remember the Carter Administration can appreciate the perils of inflation.

What does this mean for the Real Estate market? Plenty. The economy is still growing, with GDP coming in at 3.4% in the last quarter and job growth remains steady. Low rates combined with a strong economy can keep the purchase market going strong.

The market news came to head this past Friday as the government released the monthly unemployment figures. Job creation was up 78,000, but far less than the 200,000 the experts predicted. This led to a roller coaster day in both the bond market and mortgage backed securities. However, to claim that the soft employment numbers make for a slowing economy is not looking at the big picture. One must also consider the strong GDP numbers, home sales and construction to know that perhaps Wall Street over estimated itself. In a nut shell, things look good!

My next prediction…The White Sox will win their division, and the penant!