What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 14, 2022

Last week’s economic reporting included readings on inflation and the University of Michigan’s preliminary February reporting on consumer sentiment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. Inflation Rises as Fed Considers Raising Key Rate The government’s Consumer Price Index for January reported that month-to-month inflation rose by 0.60 percent as compared to an expected increase of 0.40 percent which was based on December’s month-to-month increase of 0.50 percent.  Year-over-year inflation rose to a rate of 7.50 percent, which was the highest inflation rate in 40 years. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy sectors, also rose 0.60 percent in January from December’s reading of 5.50 percent.…
Read More

Why Purchasing A House In 2022 Is Smart Despite Inflation

Anyone who has paid attention to the news has likely noticed that inflation is a constant headline. Inflation takes place when the average cost of goods and services begins to rise. There are a number of reasons why inflation has been rising at record rates during 2021 and 2022. The federal government has pumped money into the economy, and supply chain constraints have led to a shortage of goods. This means that everything from cars to groceries has gotten more expensive. Many individuals and families are looking for ways to save money, and this might mean putting off homeownership dreams. Even though housing prices have gotten more expensive as well, inflation…
Read More

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 18, 2022

Last week’s scheduled economic reporting focused on inflation with monthly and year-over-year readings on overall and core inflation. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell was confirmed for a second term as Federal Reserve chair.  The University of Michigan released its monthly survey on consumer sentiment and weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. Inflation Rises in December; Nears Fastest Growth Pace in 40 Years Year-over-year inflation rose to a pace of seven percent in December and approached its fastest growth rate in 40 years according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Analysts expected year-over-year inflationary growth of seven percent as compared to November’s pace of 6.80 percent. Month-to-month…
Read More

FOMC Statement: Fed Policymakers Discuss Easing Accommodations as Economy Improves

The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee considered easing monetary accommodations implemented in response to stronger economic conditions according to its post-meeting statement issued November 3. The Fed started making trillions in monthly bond purchases when the pandemic started but slowed its purchasing pace to $120 billion per month in June 2020. The Fed will soon reduce its monthly bond purchases to $105 billion monthly. The Fed said it will continue to purchase bonds until the economy makes “substantial progress” toward its legally mandated goals of achieving two percent inflation and maximum employment. Supply shortages and high demand for goods caused by the pandemic have impacted the overall economy, but labor…
Read More

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – August 16, 2021

Last week’s economic reporting included readings on job openings, inflation, and consumer sentiment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. Job Openings Rise as Inflation Rate Falls The Labor Department reported a record number of job openings for the fourth consecutive month in June. Job openings rose to 10.1 million available jobs from May’s reading of 9.5 million job openings. Analysts expected job openings to decrease to 9.1 million jobs in June.  Analysts said that previous headwinds to hiring including generous unemployment benefits and childcare issues may be easing. Workers took advantage of the rising demand for employees to negotiate higher wages and switch jobs for better…
Read More

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 19, 2021

Last week’s scheduled economic reports included readings on inflation, Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, and the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. Consumer Price Index: June Inflation Grows at Fastest Pace Since 2008 June’s Consumer Price Index showed the fastest pace of inflationary growth in 13 years; inflation grew by 5.40 percent on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis. Used car sales accounted for one-third of the growth, but prices also rose for clothes, food, energy, and travel/hospitality. The year-over-year inflation rate for May was 5.00 percent. Inflation grew by 0.90 percent month-to-month, which exceeded analyst’s…
Read More