Don’t look now, but rates continue to rise as geopolitical uncertainty continues to increase due to the conflict in Ukraine and the war in Israel. However, here at home, the economy and incomes continue to grow even as the housing market becomes less affordable. As a result, the housing market is seeing less purchase demand.
The markets and mortgage rates, too, have been on a seesaw ride of volatility as high-impact economic data and geopolitical events in Israel have increased uncertainty about the economy and the Fed’s next move. Let’s break it down… As you know, last week, we saw a parade of employment reports come out, which can often
As we kick off the fourth quarter of the year, market conditions are not getting better for home buyers as mortgage rates continue to rise and housing inventory remains challenging. Yes, homes are still moving, being bought and sold, and transactions are happening but conditions are not what we’d love them to be. Why? Largely
The last week since we were last here has been a little crazy! Here’s what’s happened. First, as you know, last week, the Fed had a meeting. On Wednesday, as expected, they announced that there was no change in the Fed Fund Rate, the interest rate they set. Then all heck broke loose with Fed
Last week’s biggest economic headline centered on inflation news and the consumer price data that came out showing the CPI (consumer price index) rising by 0.6 percent for the month, higher than expected. The main reason? Energy prices, mainly oil prices, which, if you’ve been to the gas station recently, is no surprise. The core
Mortgage rates improved but just by a tiny bit last week, according to the weekly survey of average rates released by Freddie Mac. The economy remains strong, and inflation has eased, but there are concerns by economists that inflation may be headed up again, thanks to rising oil prices. If you’ve been to the pump
Last week’s ‘bad’ news is good news for mortgage borrowers as we saw a nice improvement in rates. The weekly survey of average mortgage rate published by Freddie Mac showed rates breaking their momentum higher following worse than expected news from a leading indicator in the job market, inflation, and consumer confidence. The JOLTS report,
If you’ve been following economic news, then you likely have seen the headlines that mortgage rates continue to climb. According to Freddie Mac’s most recent survey of average rates, published last week, the 30-year rate has risen to its highest level since 2001. This precipitous climb over the past few weeks has come largely as
A normally innocuous event last week sent mortgage rates higher. The opening line of the Fed’s Meeting Minutes, “uncertainty of the U.S. economic outlook remains elevated…” confirmed for traders that we still don’t have certainty about the direction of inflation. Uncertainty and inflation are two of the arch enemy’s of mortgage rates, and when they
Well, even though August is vacation time for many, me included, mortgage rates have not taken a vacation from hiking higher. For the third week in a row, rates have risen bit by bit, according to Freddie Mac’s weekly survey of average rates. Yes, it makes homes less affordable, but rates rise as a result
