03 Aug 2020
By Mortgage Blog Content

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – August 3, 2020

Financial Reports
Last week’s economic reports included readings from Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, data on pending home sales, and the consumer sentiment index released by the University of Michigan. The Federal Reserve released a statement from its Federal Open Market Committee and Fed Chair Jerome Powell gave a press conference. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and expanded reports on jobless claims were also released. Case-Shiller Home Price Readings Showed Slowing Home Price Gains in May May readings from Case-Shiller Home Price Indices showed no decline in home prices, but the national pace of home price growth slowed to 4.50 percent from April’s national average of 4.60 percent. The Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index…
Read More
31 Jul 2020
By Mortgage Blog Content

FOMC Statement: Fed Holds Key Rate Steady as Coronavirus Spreads

Financial Reports
Wednesday’s post-meeting statement of the Federal Reserves Federal Open Market Committee reaffirmed its concern over the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the economy and health of all Americans. The Committee voted to hold its benchmark target federal funds range at 0.00 percent to 0.25 percent. Analysts do not expect the Fed to raise its key interest rate more than once in the next three years. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said that the sharp increase in Covid-19 cases in mid-June kept the economy from recovering after the virus pandemic caused a historic plunge in the U.S. Gross Domestic Product during the second quarter. Chair Powell described the resurgence of Covid-19…
Read More
27 Jul 2020
By Mortgage Blog Content

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 27, 2020

Financial Reports
Last week’s economic reporting included readings on sales of new and previously owned homes. State and federal data on new and continuing jobless claims were released along with Freddie Mac’s weekly report on mortgage rates. Sales of New and Existing Homes Rise in June Sales of new homes rose at their highest rate in 13 years according to the Commerce Department. New homes sold at a seasonally-adjusted annual pace of 776,000 sales, which exceeded the expected reading of 710.000 new single-family homes sold and May’s reading of 682,000 new homes sold. Analysts said that increased interest in relocating to suburban areas and low mortgage rates fueled buyer interest in new homes.…
Read More
20 Jul 2020
By Mortgage Blog Content

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 20, 2020

Financial Reports
Last week’s economic reports included readings from the National Association of  Home Builders on housing markets along with Commerce Department data on housing starts and building permits issued. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and unemployment claims were also released. NAHB: Builder Confidence in Housing Markets Increases in July Homebuilders gained confidence in housing market conditions as home buyers sought homes in less-congested suburban areas. Builder confidence rose 14 points to an index reading of 72 in July. NAHB Chair Chuck Fowke said, “Builders are seeing strong traffic and lots of interest in new construction as existing home inventory remains lean.” Homebuyers sought larger homes to accommodate work-at-home needs and also fled…
Read More
13 Jul 2020
By Mortgage Blog Content

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 13, 2020

Financial Reports
Last week’s scheduled economic news included readings on consumer credit, job openings, jobless claims, and mortgage rates. Consumer Borrowing Declined at Slower Pace in May According to Federal Reserve data, consumer borrowing fell at a slower annual pace of -5.30 percent in May as compared to April’s reading of -20 percent. Non-revolving consumer credit, which includes vehicle and student loans, increased by 2.30 percent in May. The Federal Reserve does not report on real estate loans. Federal assistance programs including the first round of stimulus checks, additional unemployment payments and support for businesses contributed to better readings for the economy in May, but last week’s rising coronavirus cases may cause all…
Read More
29 Jun 2020
By Mortgage Blog Content

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 29, 2020

Financial Reports
Last week’s scheduled economic news included readings on sales of new and pre-owned homes and reports on inflation. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and new and continuing jobless claims were also released. Home Sales Results Mixed for May The National Association of Realtors® reported fewer sales of pre-owned homes in May at a seasonally-adjusted annual pace of 3.91 million sales. Analysts expected 3.80 million sales as compared to April’s reading of 4.33 million sales. This was the lowest reading for sales of pre-owned homes since July 2010 and sales were 26.60 percent lower year-over-year. Lawrence Yun,  the chief economist for the National Association of Realtors®, said that sales were expected to…
Read More