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image_560x190 Last Week in Review The Fed's Monetary Policy Statement had a big impact on the markets, while ... winter put a freeze on some housing data. Markets Rally After Fed Meeting The Fed's dovish statement after their March meeting caused a rally in Mortgage Bonds, helping home loan rates move closer to record lows. The Fed's Monetary Policy Statement had a little something for Stocks and Bonds as both traded sharply higher after the statement was released on Wednesday. Perhaps most significant: the word "patient," which had been used to describe the Fed's stance on raising the benchmark short-term Fed Funds Rate, was dropped from the text. The Fed Funds Rate is the rate banks charge each other to lend money overnight. This was a clear sign that a Fed rate hike is not happening just yet, which prompted the rally in the markets. Also of note, the Fed said that "economic growth has moderated somewhat," a downturn as compared to their January commentary that "economic activity is expanding at a solid pace." The Fed also decreased projections on Gross Domestic Product and now expects our economy to grow 2.3 to 2.7 percent this year, down from the 2.6 to 3 percent growth it projected in February. The Fed's forecast for inflation was also lowered. Over in the housing sector, severe weather across the country caused a big 17 percent decline in Housing Starts in February, as builders broke ground on just 897,000 units. This was well below the 1.040 million units expected, and also the lowest level since January 2014. Starts on single-family units fell nearly 15 percent, while multi-family units declined 21 percent. February's reading was also 3.3 percent lower than a year ago. A bright spot in the report saw Building Permits, a sign of future construction, up 3 percent in February from January to 1.092 million units. This is a good sign that the setback in Housing Starts is temporary due to the weather. It will be important to see if these housing numbers improve as the weather begins to warm.

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4 Keys to Making a Great First Impression "You have just 7 seconds to make a good first impression." Roger Ailes, CEO, FOX News "You never get a second chance to make a good first impression." Will Rogers... We know we're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but we just can't help it. The root of the problem is that our brains are capable of making 1,001 estimations and calibrations at lightning speed. First impressions are just another timesaver. According to a joint study by NYU, Tufts, and Harvard, people make 11 decisions about us in the first seven seconds of contact: education level, economic level, perceived creditability and believability, trustworthiness, level of sophistication, sexual identification, level of success, political background, religious background, ethnic background, and social and professional desirability. If you happen to be on the receiving end of this process, there are a few things you can do to make a great first impression: Honorable mentions. If you really think about it, meeting someone new really is quite an honor. After all, you never know what that relationship could turn into or how it might transform your life or business someday. Knowing that, it's easy to treat other people with distinction. What have you done for them lately? Playing the hard-sell networking card within a few minutes of meeting someone is a turn off. Instead, figure out what you can do for them. What they can do for you will naturally follow. When you lose, you win. You may indeed be the best at everything, but you don't need to show it. Compliment others, and be genuinely impressed by their achievements--be a little jealous even. The rewards of humility will be apparent quickly. Network like a ninja. The artfulness of martial arts comes from using another person's strength in your favor. It just so happens that getting people to talk about themselves in conversation works much the same way. As soon as you know something about someone, ask how they did it, or why they did it, or what they learned from it. Showing your respect and recognition will make you attractive. Don't forget to pass these helpful tips along to your clients and colleagues. "Remember 1st impressions are "lasting impressions" so always strive to put your best foot forward." Lou Zubiate