8 Tips to Be More Effective in Business!

To most people, being more effective in business means being more successful. Write down the ways you might measure that success--sales revenues, net income, number of new clients, annual growth rate. Then choose the goals you'd like to achieve.

To reach those goals, the experts believe it takes a mindset and an approach that you need to apply consistently. Here are the key ingredients of such an approach:

1. Start with the end in mind. Know what your goal is in every effort you undertake. Then keep that goal at the front of your thought from the very beginning.

2. Stay one step ahead. Some people call this being proactive. Just think of it as taking action. Successful people act more than they react.

3. First things first. You know the things that are of most value to you. Focus on those ahead of everything else.

4. Understand the client. It's more important for you to understand the needs of the people you're serving than for them to understand all the great things you do.

5. Seek synergy. Don't hesitate to engage strategic partners who bring something to the table you don't offer. When it's appropriate, two heads definitely are better than one.

6. Success should always be mutual. Deliver great benefits to your clients and great benefits will come to you. That's the real meaning of win-win--constantly seeking mutual benefit in all your business interactions. It's an approach that's very appealing to prospects and clients.

7. Stay fresh. You don't want to get stale, so self-renewal is important. Pursue programs and activities that keep you fresh mentally, physically, socially (or emotionally) and spiritually. These four areas of our lives are equally important.

8. Watch your time. We all know time management is key. Books have been written on how to better manage your time, but here are four easy ways to get more efficient right now:

• Write a to-do list. It can be on your computer, in an app or, old school, on a piece of paper. And it's critical to using your time well.
• Be real. Realistically estimate the amount of time a task will take. Everyone tends to underestimate. This is sometimes by a lot.
• Keep organized. Don't waste time looking for things. Know where they are. Scan business cards into your computer. Keep all passwords in their own little address book. Back up computer files daily.
• Get the tech advantage. You don't have to go for every new gadget. But if a piece of technology lets you get things done during waiting or down times, it makes sense to use it.

Start putting some of these tips to work right away. They can represent big changes in your approach and attitude. But the more you do them, the easier they become.... Enjoy a great month!

This e-mail is an advertisement for Dan Davidson. The material provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment and/or mortgage advice, or a commitment to lend. Although the material is deemed to be accurate and reliable, there is no guarantee of its accuracy. The material contained in the newsletter is the property of PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company and cannot be reproduced for any use without prior written consent. It is designed for real estate and other financial professionals only. It is not intended for consumer distribution. The material does not represent the opinion of PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. © 2011 PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. Trade/service marks are the property of PlainsCapital Corporation, PlainsCapital Bank, or their respective affiliates and/or subsidiaries. Some products may not be available in all states. This is not a commitment to lend. Restrictions apply. All rights reserved. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company (NMLS no: 13649) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is an exempt lender in the following states: AK, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WI, WY. Licensed by: AL State Banking Dept.- consumer credit lic no. MC21004; AZ Dept. of Financial Institutions- mortgage banker lic no. BK 0907334; Licensed by the Department of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act- lender lic no. 4130996; CT Dept. of Banking- lender lic no. ML-13649; D.C. Dept. of Insurance, Securities and Banking- dual authority lic no. MLO13649; Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee, IL Dept of Financial and Professional Regulation, - lender lic no. MB.6760635; IN Dept. of Financial Institutions- sub lien lender lic no. 11169; ME Dept. of Professional & Financial Regulation- supervised lender lic no. SLM8285; MD Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation- lender lic no. 11058; Massachusetts Division of Banking– lender & broker license nos. MC5404, MC5406, MC5414, MC5450, MC5405; MI Dept. of Labor & Economic Growth- broker/lender lic nos. FR 0010163 and SR 0012527; Licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department- lender lic no. 14553-MB; NJ Dept. of Banking and Insurance-lender lic no. 0803658; NM Regulation and Licensing Dept. Financial Institutions Division- lender license no. 01890; ND Dept. of Financial Institutions- money broker lic no. MB101786; RI Division of Banking- lender lic no. 20102678LL and broker lic no. 20102677LB; TX OCCC Reg. Loan License- lic no. 7293; VT Dept. of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration- lender lic no. 6127 and broker lic no. 0964MB; WA Dept. of Financial Institutions-consumer lender lic no. 520-CL-49075. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. NMLS# 10331

For the week of November 28, 2011 – Vol. 9, Issue 48

>> Market Update  QUOTE OF THE WEEK..."One who is a master of patience is master of everything else."--George Savile (1633–1695), English statesman, writer and politician INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE...The patient approach advocated by the 1st Marquess of Halifax is proving to be the right tactic for mastering today's housing market. Last week, October Existing Home Sales inched up to an annual rate just under 5 million units. And although things appear to be improving only slowly, existing home sales are actually UP 13.5% from a year ago. Even better, the months' supply of existing homes fell to 8.0 and inventory is now down 13.8% versus a year ago. The naysayers jumped on the fact that the median price was also down. But a large portion of October sales came from distressed properties whose prices are heavily discounted. Although some see this as a negative, it's what's needed for inventories to be worked down and for the housing market to recover. BUSINESS TIP OF THE WEEK...Planning is important but stay flexible. The unexpected often happens in business and flexibility keeps you open to the creative thinking needed to succeed. >> Review of Last Week NO THANKS... People feel positive around Thanksgiving, but folks on Wall Street spent the week in a decidedly negative mood. They were put there at the start by Congressional leaders who couldn't get past partisan politics to deal with our nation's fiscal issues. Then Moody's fed the down vibe with cautious comments about France's debt rating outlook. A third bummer came with Tuesday's downward revision to Q3 GDP, coming in at a measly 2.0%. The net result? The worst ever Thanksgiving week for stocks. There really were some things to be thankful for. The Q3 GDP report showed business investment growing at its fastest pace this year. Chain store sales were UP 3.7% over last year by one study and UP 2.8% by another. Incomes grew in October more than predicted, although spending grew less. Initial jobless claims stayed below 400,000. Finally, October Durable Goods orders were down slightly for the month, but if you take out volatile transportation, they are UP 11.7% from a year ago. For the week, the Dow ended down 4.8%, at 11232; the S&P 500 went down 4.7%, to 1159; and the Nasdaq sank 5.1%, to 2442. With stocks having such an awful week, you'd expect bonds to benefit immensely. Not so this time. With volumes down as usual on Black Friday's shortened trading day, bond performance was mixed. The FNMA 3.5% bond we watch ended the week down .02, at $101.20. National average mortgage rates remained at or near record lows for the fourth week in a row, according to Freddie Mac's weekly survey. DID YOU KNOW?... The 1792 Buttonwood Agreement created the New York Stock Exchange. It was signed by 24 stockbrokers under a buttonwood tree outside 86 Wall Street. >> This Week’s Forecast NEW HOME SALES, PENDING HOME SALES, JOBS... Of great interest this week will be more housing market reports and the jobs numbers that are key to the real estate recovery. October New Home Sales are expected to hold steady, above the 300,000 level. September Pending Home Sales, indicating Existing Home Sales a few months out, look to be up a tad. Friday, we get the November Employment Report. Although payrolls should rise, the number of new jobs is still not enough to bring down the unemployment rate. >> The Week’s Economic Indicator Calendar Weaker than expected economic data tends to send bond prices up and interest rates down, while positive data points to lower bond prices and rising loan rates. Economic Calendar for the Week of Nov 28 – Dec 2  Date Time (ET) Release For Consensus Prior Impact M Nov 28 10:00 New Home Sales Oct 312K 313K Moderate Tu Nov 29 10:00 Consumer Confidence Nov 43.0 39.8 Moderate W Nov 30 08:30 Productivity-Rev. Q3 2.6% 3.1% Moderate W Nov 30 09:45 Chicago PMI Nov 57.5 58.4 HIGH W Nov 30 10:00 Pending Home Sales Sep 0.1% -4.6% Moderate W Nov 30 10:30 Crude Inventories 11/26 NA -6.219M Moderate W Nov 30 14:00 Fed Beige Book Nov NA NA Moderate Th Dec 1 08:30 Initial Unemployment Claims 11/26 390K 393K Moderate Th Dec 1 08:30 Continuing Unemployment Claims 11/19 3.650M 3.691M Moderate Th Dec 1 10:00 ISM Index Nov 51.0 50.8 HIGH F Dec 2 08:30 Average Workweek Nov 34.3 34.3 HIGH F Dec 2 08:30 Hourly Earnings Nov 0.2% 0.2% HIGH F Dec 2 08:30 Nonfarm Payrolls Nov 118K 80K HIGH F Dec 2 08:30 Unemployment Rate Nov 9.0% 9.0% HIGH >> Federal Reserve Watch    Forecasting Federal Reserve policy changes in coming months...The Fed says it wants to keep the Funds rate where it is through mid-2013 and economists expect that they will. Note: In the lower chart, a 1% probability of change is a 99% certainty the rate will stay the same. Current Fed Funds Rate: 0%–0.25% After FOMC meeting on: Consensus Dec 13 0%–0.25% Jan 25 0%–0.25% Mar 13 0%–0.25% Probability of change from current policy: After FOMC meeting on: Consensus Dec 13      <1% Jan 25      <1% Mar 13      <1%

This e-mail is an advertisement for Dan Davidson. The material provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment and/or mortgage advice, or a commitment to lend. Although the material is deemed to be accurate and reliable, there is no guarantee of its accuracy. The material contained in the newsletter is the property of PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company and cannot be reproduced for any use without prior written consent. It is designed for real estate and other financial professionals only. It is not intended for consumer distribution. The material does not represent the opinion of PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. © 2011 PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. Trade/service marks are the property of PlainsCapital Corporation, PlainsCapital Bank, or their respective affiliates and/or subsidiaries. Some products may not be available in all states. This is not a commitment to lend. Restrictions apply. All rights reserved. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company (NMLS no: 13649) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is an exempt lender in the following states: AK, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WI, WY. Licensed by: AL State Banking Dept.- consumer credit lic no. MC21004; AZ Dept. of Financial Institutions- mortgage banker lic no. BK 0907334; Licensed by the Department of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act- lender lic no. 4130996; CT Dept. of Banking- lender lic no. ML-13649; D.C. Dept. of Insurance, Securities and Banking- dual authority lic no. MLO13649; Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee, IL Dept of Financial and Professional Regulation, - lender lic no. MB.6760635; IN Dept. of Financial Institutions- sub lien lender lic no. 11169; ME Dept. of Professional & Financial Regulation- supervised lender lic no. SLM8285; MD Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation- lender lic no. 11058; Massachusetts Division of Banking– lender & broker license nos. MC5404, MC5406, MC5414, MC5450, MC5405; MI Dept. of Labor & Economic Growth- broker/lender lic nos. FR 0010163 and SR 0012527; Licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department- lender lic no. 14553-MB; NJ Dept. of Banking and Insurance-lender lic no. 0803658; NM Regulation and Licensing Dept. Financial Institutions Division- lender license no. 01890; ND Dept. of Financial Institutions- money broker lic no. MB101786; RI Division of Banking- lender lic no. 20102678LL and broker lic no. 20102677LB; TX OCCC Reg. Loan License- lic no. 7293; VT Dept. of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration- lender lic no. 6127 and broker lic no. 0964MB; WA Dept. of Financial Institutions-consumer lender lic no. 520-CL-49075. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. NMLS# 10331

Inside Lending Newsletter - For the week of November 21, 2011 – Vol. 9, Issue 47

>> Market Update  QUOTE OF THE WEEK..."Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."--Confucius INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE...Last week some observers felt there were signs home building may be starting to rise. October Housing Starts came in above expectations at a 628,000 unit annual rate. Off a mere 0.3% from the month before, starts are now up 16.5% versus a year ago. Single-family starts were up 3.9% in October, so the slight monthly decline was all from those very volatile multi-family units. Multi-family starts are actually up 88.6% over a year ago. Even better, Building Permits, which indicate where Housing Starts may be a few months out, were UP 10.9% in October, to a 653,000 annual rate. Over the last year, permits are UP 6.6% for single-family homes and UP 48.0% for multi-families. The total number of homes being built has increased three times in the last four months, after posting no increases from 2006 until four months ago. In line with all this, a national home builder index rose to its best reading since May 2010. BUSINESS TIP OF THE WEEK...The best way to handle a complaint is to quickly address it. Studies show this often makes a customer even more likely to come back. >> Review of Last Week WEAK WEEK...In last week's financial and economic news, all the stories seemed to be coming out of Europe. Coverage of the debt crisis continued, and was joined by concerns that economic growth was slowing, putting some of the more troubled countries on the brink of recession. All this Euro trashing sent our stocks on a mighty slide down, the market ending up with its worst weekly performance in almost two months. Over here, our Leading Economic Indicators (LEI) Index headed up, bolstering hopes for the U.S. economy. New jobless claims dropped by 5,000 last week, to 388,000, while Continuing Claims declined by 57,000, to 3.6 million. Some analysts feel November could be another month with respectable job growth. Retail sales rose for the fifth consecutive month in October and are 7.2% higher than a year ago. Vehicle sales in November are tracking at a 14 million annual rate. And consumer confidence was up for the third month in a row in early November. For the week, the Dow ended down 2.9%, at 11796; the S&P 500 was down 3.8%, to 1216; and the Nasdaq slid 4.0%, to 2573. The plummeting stock market help bonds somewhat. But economic data that beat expectations prevented bond prices from really taking off. The FNMA 3.5% bond we watch ended the week up .03, at $101.22. National average mortgage rates were little changed, according to Freddie Mac's weekly survey, staying at their recent extremely low levels. DID YOU KNOW?... This week's Durable Goods report measures consumer spending on products expected to last more than three years, such as cars, TVs and appliances. The data provides insight into the future of manufacturing. >> This Week’s Forecast NO TURKEYS... We can be thankful this holiday-shortened week isn't expected to serve up any turkeys via its economic reports. October Existing Home Sales shouldn't ease off too much and the Second Estimate for Q3 GDP is forecast to stay at a modest level, but none of this is awful news. Meanwhile, Initial Weekly Jobless Claims are predicted to remain under 400,000, with Core PCE Prices expected to show inflation under control in October. The markets are closed Thursday and Friday for the holiday. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!             >> The Week’s Economic Indicator Calendar Weaker than expected economic data tends to send bond prices up and interest rates down, while positive data points to lower bond prices and rising loan rates. Economic Calendar for the Week of Nov 21 – Nov 25  Date Time (ET) Release For Consensus Prior Impact M Nov 21 10:00 Existing Home Sales Oct 4.85M 4.91M Moderate Tu Nov 22 08:30 GDP - Second Estimate Q3 2.5% 2.5% Moderate Tu Nov 22 08:30 GDP Deflator - Second Estimate Q3 2.5% 2.5% Moderate Tu Nov 22 14:00 FOMC Minutes 11/2 NA NA HIGH W Nov 23 08:30 Initial Unemployment Claims 11/19 391K 388K Moderate W Nov 23 08:30 Continuing Unemployment Claims 11/12 3.620M 3.608M Moderate W Nov 23 08:30 Personal Income Oct 0.3% 0.1% Moderate W Nov 23 08:30 Personal Spending Oct 0.3% 0.6% HIGH W Nov 23 08:30 Core PCE Prices Oct 0.1% 0.1% HIGH W Nov 23 08:30 Durable Goods Orders Oct -1.0% -0.6% Moderate W Nov 23 09:55 Univ. of Michigan Consumer Sentiment-Final Nov 64.2 64.2 Moderate W Nov 23 10:30 Crude Inventories 11/19 NA -1.056M Moderate >> Federal Reserve Watch    Forecasting Federal Reserve policy changes in coming months...The Fed wants to keep the Funds rate where it is through mid-2013. Economists don't see any reason why they won't be able to. Note: In the lower chart, a 1% probability of change is a 99% certainty the rate will stay the same. Current Fed Funds Rate: 0%–0.25% After FOMC meeting on: Consensus Dec 13 0%–0.25% Jan 25 0%–0.25% Mar 13 0%–0.25% Probability of change from current policy: After FOMC meeting on: Consensus Dec 13      <1% Jan 25      <1% Mar 13      <1%

This e-mail is an advertisement for Dan Davidson. The material provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment and/or mortgage advice, or a commitment to lend. Although the material is deemed to be accurate and reliable, there is no guarantee of its accuracy. The material contained in the newsletter is the property of PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company and cannot be reproduced for any use without prior written consent. It is designed for real estate and other financial professionals only. It is not intended for consumer distribution. The material does not represent the opinion of PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. © 2011 PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. Trade/service marks are the property of PlainsCapital Corporation, PlainsCapital Bank, or their respective affiliates and/or subsidiaries. Some products may not be available in all states. This is not a commitment to lend. Restrictions apply. All rights reserved. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company (NMLS no: 13649) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is an exempt lender in the following states: AK, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WI, WY. Licensed by: AL State Banking Dept.- consumer credit lic no. MC21004; AZ Dept. of Financial Institutions- mortgage banker lic no. BK 0907334; Licensed by the Department of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act- lender lic no. 4130996; CT Dept. of Banking- lender lic no. ML-13649; D.C. Dept. of Insurance, Securities and Banking- dual authority lic no. MLO13649; Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee, IL Dept of Financial and Professional Regulation, - lender lic no. MB.6760635; IN Dept. of Financial Institutions- sub lien lender lic no. 11169; ME Dept. of Professional & Financial Regulation- supervised lender lic no. SLM8285; MD Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation- lender lic no. 11058; Massachusetts Division of Banking– lender & broker license nos. MC5404, MC5406, MC5414, MC5450, MC5405; MI Dept. of Labor & Economic Growth- broker/lender lic nos. FR 0010163 and SR 0012527; Licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department- lender lic no. 14553-MB; NJ Dept. of Banking and Insurance-lender lic no. 0803658; NM Regulation and Licensing Dept. Financial Institutions Division- lender license no. 01890; ND Dept. of Financial Institutions- money broker lic no. MB101786; RI Division of Banking- lender lic no. 20102678LL and broker lic no. 20102677LB; TX OCCC Reg. Loan License- lic no. 7293; VT Dept. of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration- lender lic no. 6127 and broker lic no. 0964MB; WA Dept. of Financial Institutions-consumer lender lic no. 520-CL-49075. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. NMLS# 10331

Inside Lending Newsletter - For the week of November 14, 2011 – Vol. 9, Issue 46

>> Market Update  QUOTE OF THE WEEK..."Life will always be to a large extent what we ourselves make it."--Samuel Smiles, Scottish author and reformer  INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE...Like life, the situation in the housing market depends on what we make of it. Last week, both options were covered in the latest quarterly report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The good option: home sales in Q3 rose in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The negative: the median existing single-family home price rose in only 39 of 150 metro areas, declining in 111 of them. Yet the NAR chief economist pointed out that the sales data was encouraging, because "Home sales need to recover first--only then can prices stabilize." More good news: inventory levels have been trending gradually down. Good reason for that was offered by NAR President Ron Phipps: "Housing affordability conditions have been at a record high this year, rents are rising and homes are selling for less than the cost of construction in most of the country. For people with secure jobs, good credit and long-term plans, today's conditions will be remembered as a golden opportunity to enter the housing market." Another survey told us a mere 5% boost in prices would motivate 11.7% of owners to sell their home. BUSINESS TIP OF THE WEEK...Failure is a learning opportunity and nothing creative, innovative or exciting happens without risking failure. >> Review of Last Week ARRIVEDERCI, PRIME MINISTERS...Wall Street investors maintained their focus on Europe, but last week the developments were much more positive. Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou stepped down after upsetting everyone by proposing a popular vote on his country's bailout package. Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi followed suit on Saturday. Earlier in the week, investor fears of political turmoil were allayed by a successful auction of Italian bonds. Stocks went in both directions, but by the end of hostilities on Friday, the Dow and S&P 500 were up for the week, with the Nasdaq off just a smidge. Economic data over here was sparse but not terrible. Initial jobless claims came in 10,000 less than the week before, at 390,000. Continuing unemployment claims dropped 92,000 to 3.62 million. The trade deficit shrank in September, which hadn't been expected. And even same-store chain store sales keep gaining, up around 3% from a year ago according to two different surveys. For the week, the Dow ended UP 1.4%, to 12154; the S&P 500 was UP 0.8%, to 1264; but the Nasdaq slipped 0.3%, to 2677. The European debt situation also had the bond market experiencing swings in both directions. But when all was said and done, mortgage bond prices suffered a little, as stocks surged on Friday. The FNMA 3.5% bond we watch ended the week down .86, to $101.19. National average mortgage rates were little changed, according to Freddie Mac's weekly survey, staying at their recent extremely low levels. DID YOU KNOW?... Building Permits reports the number of residential building permits issues the prior month. Investors use it to gauge consumer confidence in the economy. Any weakness suggests consumer spending contraction. >> This Week’s Forecast HOME BUILDING, INFLATION, RETAIL, MANUFACTURING... There's lots to ponder this week and high on the list will be Thursday's Housing Starts, expected to be down a bit for October, and Building Permits, expected to be up. We'll also get the Fed's favorite reading on inflation, the Core Consumer Price Index (Core CPI), which excludes volatile food and energy prices, and is forecast to remain under control. Tuesday's October Retail Sales are predicted up a tad, although at a lower rate than last month. Manufacturing should also be gaining, as measured by New York and Philly indexes, as well as Industrial Production and factory capacity.                             >> The Week’s Economic Indicator Calendar Weaker than expected economic data tends to send bond prices up and interest rates down, while positive data points to lower bond prices and rising loan rates. Economic Calendar for the Week of Nov 14 – Nov 18  Date Time (ET) Release For Consensus Prior Impact Tu Nov 15 08:30 Producer Price Index (PPI) Oct -0.2% 0.8% Moderate Tu Nov 15 08:30 Core PPI Oct 0.1% 0.2% Moderate Tu Nov 15 08:30 Retail Sales Oct 0.4% 1.1% HIGH Tu Nov 15 08:30 Retail Sales ex-auto Oct 0.2% 0.6% HIGH Tu Nov 15 08:30 NY Empire State Manufacturing Nov 0.0 -8.48 Moderate Tu Nov 15 10:00 Business Inventories Sep 0.1% 0.5% Moderate W Nov 16 08:30 Consumer Price Index (CPI) Oct 0.0% 0.3% HIGH W Nov 16 08:30 Core CPI Oct 0.1% 0.1% HIGH W Nov 16 09:15 Industrial Production Oct 0.4% 0.2% Moderate W Nov 16 09:15 Capacity Utilization Oct 77.6% 77.4% Moderate W Nov 16 10:30 Crude Inventories 11/12 NA -1.370M Moderate Th Nov 17 08:30 Initial Unemployment Claims 11/12 400K 390K Moderate Th Nov 17 08:30 Continuing Unemployment Claims 11/05 3.648M 3.615M Moderate Th Nov 17 08:30 Housing Starts Oct 603K 658K Moderate Th Nov 17 08:30 Building Permits Oct 603K 594K Moderate Th Nov 17 10:00 Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Nov 7.5 8.7 HIGH F Nov 18 10:00 Leading Economic Indicators (LEI) Oct 0.6% 0.2% Moderate >> Federal Reserve Watch    Forecasting Federal Reserve policy changes in coming months...The Funds rate should stay where it is through mid-2013, since that's the Fed's stated goal. They're of course betting on inflation remaining under control during that time. Note: In the lower chart, a 1% probability of change is a 99% certainty the rate will stay the same. Current Fed Funds Rate: 0%–0.25% After FOMC meeting on: Consensus Dec 13 0%–0.25% Jan 25 0%–0.25% Mar 13 0%–0.25% Probability of change from current policy: After FOMC meeting on: Consensus Dec 13      <1% Jan 25      <1% Mar 13      <1%

This e-mail is an advertisement for Dan Davidson. The material provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment and/or mortgage advice, or a commitment to lend. Although the material is deemed to be accurate and reliable, there is no guarantee of its accuracy. The material contained in the newsletter is the property of PrimeLending; A Plains Capital Company and cannot be reproduced for any use without prior written consent. It is designed for real estate and other financial professionals only. It is not intended for consumer distribution. The material does not represent the opinion of PrimeLending; A Plains Capital Company. © 2011 PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. Trade/service marks are the property of PlainsCapital Corporation, PlainsCapital Bank, or their respective affiliates and/or subsidiaries. Some products may not be available in all states. This is not a commitment to lend. Restrictions apply. All rights reserved. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company (NMLS no: 13649) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is an exempt lender in the following states: AK, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WI, WY. Licensed by: AL State Banking Dept.- consumer credit lic no. MC21004; AZ Dept. of Financial Institutions- mortgage banker lic no. BK 0907334; Licensed by the Department of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act- lender lic no. 4130996; CT Dept. of Banking- lender lic no. ML-13649; D.C. Dept. of Insurance, Securities and Banking- dual authority lic no. MLO13649; Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee, IL Dept of Financial and Professional Regulation, - lender lic no. MB.6760635; IN Dept. of Financial Institutions- sub lien lender lic no. 11169; ME Dept. of Professional & Financial Regulation- supervised lender lic no. SLM8285; MD Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation- lender lic no. 11058; Massachusetts Division of Banking– lender & broker license nos. MC5404, MC5406, MC5414, MC5450, MC5405; MI Dept. of Labor & Economic Growth- broker/lender lic nos. FR 0010163 and SR 0012527; Licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department- lender lic no. 14553-MB; NJ Dept. of Banking and Insurance-lender lic no. 0803658; NM Regulation and Licensing Dept. Financial Institutions Division- lender license no. 01890; ND Dept. of Financial Institutions- money broker lic no. MB101786; RI Division of Banking- lender lic no. 20102678LL and broker lic no. 20102677LB; TX OCCC Reg. Loan License- lic no. 7293; VT Dept. of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration- lender lic no. 6127 and broker lic no. 0964MB; WA Dept. of Financial Institutions-consumer lender lic no. 520-CL-49075. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. NMLS# 10331

Cut your electric bill 10% without ever noticing it! PLUS...24 tools every homeowner needs.

Most people don't know that TVs, DVD players, game consoles, computers and chargers for cell phones and other electronic devices can draw energy 24/7, even when idle.

The typical American home has 40 of these electronic devices, continuously drawing power. The U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley Lab says they account for almost 10% of home energy use. Here are some easy ways to cut this cost.

Unplug After Charging. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says one of the best ways to cut costs is to simply unplug devices as soon as they're charged. That's because standard chargers keep feeding power to a device after it's fully charged. They also draw small amounts of energy even when no device is attached!

Set on Energy Saving. Configure the energy settings on computers and monitors so they power down after you stop using them. The EPA says these setting could save up to $85 a year.

Check Standby Power Ratings. Choose home appliances, like microwaves and cordless phones, with the lowest standby-power ratings. These ratings measure how much energy a device uses when idle. You can look them up at http://www.eere.energy.gov/.

You can also buy energy saving chargers and power strips with automatic shut-offs. But be careful. They all cost money and may save only a few dollars a year, versus the charger you're using that just needs to be unplugged when it's finished.

2 DOZEN TOOLS TO SAVE YOU MONEY

You can save money on little jobs around the house by doing them yourself. Here are the tools to keep handy:

• 16-ounce rip hammer. Heavy enough to drive big nails, light enough to control. Straight claw can pull nails or rip out a wall. Fiberglass or steel handle, should feel well balanced.
• 25-foot tape measure with 1-inch blade. Extends without buckling, important when working alone.
• 4-in-1 screwdriver. Gives you large and small flat-head bits and large and small Phillips-head bits.
• 4-foot spirit level. Good size for putting up shelves. 
• Line level or torpedo level. Better for smaller jobs, like hanging pictures.
• 6-inch adjustable crescent wrench for tight spaces.
• 14-inch adjustable crescent wrench for more leverage.
• Adjustable channel-lock pliers for nuts and shower heads. 
• Lineman's pliers for cutting and twisting wire. 
• Needle-nose pliers for fine work. 
• Vise grips to also use as clamps.
• Utility knife. To mark wood, score and cut drywall and other tasks. Blade retracts or folds into handle.
• 14-volt lithium battery powered drill. Works as a power screwdriver too, if you get screwdriver bits along with the twist bits.
• 1-inch putty knife for filling nail holes.
• 6-inch drywall knife for patching wall dings.
• 9-inch paint roller frame with disposable roller covers.
• Paint tray
• 2 1/2-inch angled brush
• 5-in-1 painter's tool (blade for scraping, putty remover, spreader, 1/2-round cutout to remove paint from rollers; sharp point to open cracks for patching).
• Round-point garden shovel
• Flat-edge shovel 
• Rake
• Hand-held spade
• Hedge clippers

All of this costs around $200, which you could save on your first job.

Remember, we're always here to answer any questions.... Have a great day!

PS  With mortgage rates low and homes super affordable, many people are upsizing, downsizing or refinancing. Please call or email us now to discuss your situation.

This was sent to you because of your relationship with Dan Davidson. The material provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment and/or mortgage advice or a commitment to lend. Although the material is deemed to be accurate and reliable, there is no guarantee of its accuracy. The material contained in the newsletter is the property of PrimeLending; A Plains Capital Company and cannot be reproduced for any use without prior written consent. PrimeLending; A Plains Capital Company is an Equal Housing Lender. © 2011 PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. Trade/service marks are the property of PlainsCapital Corporation, PlainsCapital Bank, or their respective affiliates and/or subsidiaries. Some products may not be available in all states. This is not a commitment to lend. Restrictions apply. All rights reserved. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company (NMLS no: 13649) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is an exempt lender in the following states: AK, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WI, WY. Licensed by: AL State Banking Dept.- consumer credit lic no. MC21004; AZ Dept. of Financial Institutions- mortgage banker lic no. BK 0907334; Licensed by the Department of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act- lender lic no. 4130996; CT Dept. of Banking- lender lic no. ML-13649; D.C. Dept. of Insurance, Securities and Banking- dual authority lic no. MLO13649; Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee, IL Dept of Financial and Professional Regulation, - lender lic no. MB.6760635; IN Dept. of Financial Institutions- sub lien lender lic no. 11169; ME Dept. of Professional & Financial Regulation- supervised lender lic no. SLM8285; MD Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation- lender lic no. 11058; Massachusetts Division of Banking– lender & broker license nos. MC5404, MC5406, MC5414, MC5450, MC5405; MI Dept. of Labor & Economic Growth- broker/lender lic nos. FR 0010163 and SR 0012527; Licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department- lender lic no. 14553-MB; NJ Dept. of Banking and Insurance-lender lic no. 0803658; NM Regulation and Licensing Dept. Financial Institutions Division- lender license no. 01890; ND Dept. of Financial Institutions- money broker lic no. MB101786; RI Division of Banking- lender lic no. 20102678LL and broker lic no. 20102677LB; TX OCCC Reg. Loan License- lic no. 7293; VT Dept. of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration- lender lic no. 6127 and broker lic no. 0964MB; WA Dept. of Financial Institutions-consumer lender lic no. 520-CL-49075. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. NMLS# 10331

Inside Lending Newsletter - For the week of November 7, 2011 – Vol. 9, Issue 45

>> Market Update  QUOTE OF THE WEEK..."It all will come your way, once you understand that you have to make it come your way, by your own exertions."--Ben Stein INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE...Last week, more signs appeared that things are coming our way in housing. Wednesday the Census Bureau reported that the nation's home ownership rate moved up in the third quarter to 66.1%, slightly ahead of the prior quarter. Some commentators feel the three-year decline in home ownership might be starting to bottom out. Home ownership may have been encouraged by rising rents, with the vacancy rate now up to 9.8%. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) chimed in with a forecast that existing home sales should be up 1% this year, then up another 4.3% next year. Although the median price will fall slightly this year, it's predicted to rise 2.6% in 2012. New home sales, after dropping 4.7% this year, are projected to rise 21.3% in 2012. And this year's 1.8% price hike will be followed by a 3.8% gain next year. Let's hope they're right. BUSINESS TIP OF THE WEEK...Passion counts for a lot. The relentless intensity and commitment you need to succeed come from enjoying what you do and believing it's worthwhile. >> Review of Last Week CLASSIC GREEK DRAMA...The European Union's efforts to avert a Greek tragedy featured a soap opera produced by the Greek government. One day they announced the EU bailout proposal would be put to a vote by Greek citizens, the next day opposing parties agreed to accept it. This melodrama pushed stock prices down, up, down, and after posting gains four weeks in a row, the S&P 500 scored a 2.5% weekly loss. The Fed also contributed, issuing a policy statement citing "a moderate pace of economic growth over coming quarters" and predicting "the unemployment rate will decline only gradually." Friday's October Jobs Report revealed employment levels consistent with weak-to-moderate economic growth. Just 80,000 new jobs were added in October, but prior months were revised upward and the unemployment rate edged down from 9.1% to 9.0%. ISM Manufacturing and Services indexes showed business still growing, although very slowly. Consumers are doing their part, with weekly chain store sales UP 3% for the year by one survey and UP 5.2% by another.  For the week, the Dow ended down 2.0%, to 11983; the S&P 500 was down 2.5%, to 1253; and the Nasdaq slipped 1.9%, to 2686. Investors worried about the European debt situation flocked to the bond market in droves. Yields and mortgage rates edged down, as bond prices escalated. The FNMA 3.5% bond we watch ended the week up 1.79, at $102.05. National average mortgage rates dropped again, according to Freddie Mac's weekly survey, and remain at very low levels. DID YOU KNOW?...This week's University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment index is a survey of people's feelings about their financial situation and the economy. The index was normalized to 100 in 1964. >> This Week’s Forecast VERY QUIET ON THE ECONOMIC NEWS FRONT... Following last week's Fed meeting and employment report, this week's sparse economic news provides a nice breather. Initial Unemployment Claims should stay near the 400,000 level. The September Trade Balance is forecast to hold steady, with imports about $45 billion ahead of exports. Michigan Consumer Sentiment is expected to improve. >> The Week’s Economic Indicator Calendar Weaker than expected economic data tends to send bond prices up and interest rates down, while positive data points to lower bond prices and rising loan rates. Economic Calendar for the Week of Nov 7 – Nov 11  Date Time (ET) Release For Consensus Prior Impact W Nov 9 10:30 Crude Inventories 11/5 NA 1.826M Moderate Th Nov 10 08:30 Initial Unemployment Claims 11/5 400K 397K Moderate Th Nov 10 08:30 Continuing Unemployment Claims 10/29 3.690M 3.683M Moderate Th Nov 10 08:30 Trade Balance Sep -$45.8B -$45.6B Moderate F Nov 11 09:55 Univ. of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Nov 61.5 60.9 Moderate >> Federal Reserve Watch    Forecasting Federal Reserve policy changes in coming months...Economists do not see a change in the Funds rate through mid-2013. A dramatic rise in inflation could alter that of course. Note: In the lower chart, a 1% probability of change is a 99% certainty the rate will stay the same. Current Fed Funds Rate: 0%–0.25% After FOMC meeting on: Consensus Dec 13 0%–0.25% Jan 25 0%–0.25% Mar 13 0%–0.25% Probability of change from current policy: After FOMC meeting on: Consensus Dec 13      <1% Jan 25      <1% Mar 13      <1%

This e-mail is an advertisement for Dan Davidson. The material provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment and/or mortgage advice, or a commitment to lend. Although the material is deemed to be accurate and reliable, there is no guarantee of its accuracy. The material contained in the newsletter is the property of PrimeLending; A Plains Capital Company and cannot be reproduced for any use without prior written consent. It is designed for real estate and other financial professionals only. It is not intended for consumer distribution. The material does not represent the opinion of PrimeLending; A Plains Capital Company. © 2011 PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. Trade/service marks are the property of PlainsCapital Corporation, PlainsCapital Bank, or their respective affiliates and/or subsidiaries. Some products may not be available in all states. This is not a commitment to lend. Restrictions apply. All rights reserved. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company (NMLS no: 13649) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is an exempt lender in the following states: AK, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WI, WY. Licensed by: AL State Banking Dept.- consumer credit lic no. MC21004; AZ Dept. of Financial Institutions- mortgage banker lic no. BK 0907334; Licensed by the Department of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act- lender lic no. 4130996; CT Dept. of Banking- lender lic no. ML-13649; D.C. Dept. of Insurance, Securities and Banking- dual authority lic no. MLO13649; Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee, IL Dept of Financial and Professional Regulation, - lender lic no. MB.6760635; IN Dept. of Financial Institutions- sub lien lender lic no. 11169; ME Dept. of Professional & Financial Regulation- supervised lender lic no. SLM8285; MD Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation- lender lic no. 11058; Massachusetts Division of Banking– lender & broker license nos. MC5404, MC5406, MC5414, MC5450, MC5405; MI Dept. of Labor & Economic Growth- broker/lender lic nos. FR 0010163 and SR 0012527; Licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department- lender lic no. 14553-MB; NJ Dept. of Banking and Insurance-lender lic no. 0803658; NM Regulation and Licensing Dept. Financial Institutions Division- lender license no. 01890; ND Dept. of Financial Institutions- money broker lic no. MB101786; RI Division of Banking- lender lic no. 20102678LL and broker lic no. 20102677LB; TX OCCC Reg. Loan License- lic no. 7293; VT Dept. of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration- lender lic no. 6127 and broker lic no. 0964MB; WA Dept. of Financial Institutions-consumer lender lic no. 520-CL-49075. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. NMLS# 10331