12 Oct 2020
By Mortgage Blog Content

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 12, 2020

Financial Reports
Last week’s economic reporting included readings on inflation,  job openings, a speech by Fed Chair Jerome Powell on the economy, and the latest Consumer Sentiment Index from the University of Michigan. Weekly reports on new and continuing jobless claims and mortgage rates were also released. Hiring Surge and Job Separations Ease in August The U.S. Department of Labor reported fewer job openings in August with 6.49 million job openings reported as compared to July’s reading of 6.70 million jobs available. Analysts noted that this indicated a slowdown in hiring after businesses re-opened when COVID-19 restrictions lapsed. Job separations, which include quits, layoffs. and terminations were also lower with 4.50 million job…
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05 Oct 2020
By Mortgage Blog Content

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 5, 2020

Financial Reports
Last week’s economic news included readings from Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, along with Commerce Department readings on public and private-sector job growth and the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index. Weekly reports on jobless claims and mortgage rates were also released. Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Ramps Up as Demand for Homes Increases July home prices rose at a year-over-year rate of 4.80 percent in July as compared to June’s reading of 4.40 percent. Shortages of available homes were driven by demand. Homebuyers were looking for larger homes to accommodate working from home and also wanted to leave congested urban areas. Home prices in Case-Shiller’s 20-City Index rose by 3.90 percent year-over-year…
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28 Sep 2020
By Mortgage Blog Content

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 28, 2020

Financial Reports
  Last week’s economic news included readings on new and existing home sales and Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s testimony on changing the Fed’s business loan policy. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. Sales of New and Pre-Owned Homes Rise In August New homes sold at a seasonally-adjusted annual pace of 1.01 million sales; analysts expected the sales pace to fall to 900,000 sales from July’s reading of 965,000 new home sales. Homebuyers turned to new homes as the supply of pre-owned homes dwindled. Homeowners stayed put as fears over COVID-19 contagion limited sales. Pre-owned homes sold at a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of six million homes as…
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08 Sep 2020
By Mortgage Blog Content

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 8, 2020

Financial Reports
Last week’s scheduled economic news included readings on construction spending and labor sector reports on public and private sector jobs. The national unemployment rate was also reported. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also published. July Construction Spending Rises Construction spending rose from June’s seasonally adjusted annual pace of  $1.363 billion to $1,365 billion in July. The U.S. Census Department reports construction spending and readings are subject to adjustment. Growth in construction spending is due to a demand for homes in less congested areas.COVID-19 is creating more demand for larger homes that accommodate working from home. Mortgage Rates Mixed as Jobless Claims Fall Mortgage rate activity was mixed…
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24 Aug 2020
By Mortgage Blog Content

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – August 24, 2020

Financial Reports
Last week’s economic news included readings from Case-Shiller on home prices, the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Indices, and sales of previously-owned homes. Readings on housing starts and building permits issued were released. Weekly reports on mortgage rates, new and continuing jobless claims were also published. NAHB: Home Builder Confidence Rises in August The National Association of Home Builders reported that builder confidence in housing market conditions rose six points to an index reading of 78.in August. The expected reading of 73 was based on July’s reading of 72. Homebuilder confidence was based on sharp demand for homes as city dwellers sought larger homes in less dense housing metro…
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17 Aug 2020
By Mortgage Blog Content

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – August 17, 2020

Financial Reports
  Last week’s scheduled economic news included readings on inflation and retail sales. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and new and continuing jobless claims were also released. In other news, the FHFA announced an increase in fees charged by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for home loan refinance transactions. Inflation Readings Mixed as Retail Sales Fall Consumer prices rose by 0.60 percent in July and matched June’s reading. Analysts expected a July reading of 0.40 percent growth. The Core Consumer Price Index, which excludes volatile food and energy sectors, rose by 0.60 percent in July and exceeded June’s reading of 0.20 percent and July’s expected reading of 0.20 percent price growth.…
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