02
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – Feburary 2, 2015

Last week's economic reports included Case-Shiller 10 and 20-City Home Price Index reports for November along with new and pending home sales for December. Freddie Mac reported on average mortgage rates and new jobless claims dipped unexpectedly. The details: Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Slower in November Case-Shiller's 20-City Home Price Index for November indicated that home prices continue to slow across the nation. Seasonally-adjusted annual home price growth slowed to 4.30 percent from October's reading of 4.50 percent. Slowing momentum in year-over-year home price growth placed downward pressure on month-to-month readings. Several cities, including Atlanta, Georgia, Boston Massachusetts and Cleveland…
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20
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 20, 2015

Last week's scheduled economic news was mixed. Job openings increased and jobless claims increased, and consumer sentiment rose. Mortgage rates fell across the board. Labor market conditions improved and consumer prices fell in large part due to decreasing fuel prices. The details: Labor Market Conditions Index Suggests Stronger Economy, Jobless Claims Jump Positive labor market ratings continued to show evidence of strengthening economic conditions. The Federal Reserve's Labor Market Conditions Index rose from November's revised reading of 5.50 to December's reading of 6.10. This index measures 19 economic indicators and rose well above its median reading of 1.90. November's reading…
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12
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 12, 2015

Last week's economic news was dominated by labor reports and FHA's announcement that it will lower its mortgage insurance premiums in an effort to make homes more affordable for first-time and moderate income home buyers. Mortgage rates fell last week as employment reports showed strengthening job markets. The details: FHA Lowers Mortgage Insurance Premiums HUD, the agency that oversees FHA, announced Thursday that it will lower annual mortgage insurance premiums by0.50 percent. The change is expected to become effective toward the end of January; HUD stated in its press release that a Mortgagee Letter outlining the changes will be issued…
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22
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 22, 2014

Last week's scheduled economic events were few but informative. Housing related reports included the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index for December, which stayed close to a nine-year high reading of 59 in September. December's reading was 57 and fell two points shy of the expected reading of 59. November's reading was 58. Readings above 50 indicate that more builders are positive about market conditions than those who are not. Housing Starts for November were lower according to the Department of Commerce's report released Tuesday. The reading for November was 1.028 million starts on a seasonally adjusted…
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08
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 8, 2014

Last week's economic reports related to housing and mortgages were few, but construction spending, the Fed's Beige Book report, non-farm payrolls and the national unemployment report indicated trends for the end of the year. Construction Spending Increases U.S. construction spending rose by 1.10 percent in October according to the Commerce Department. This reading translates to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of $971 billion. Analysts had expected an increase of 0.70 percent based on September's original reading of -0.40 percent, but September's reading was revised to -0.10 percent on Tuesday. Private spending on residential projects increased 1.30 percent. Federal Reserve Beige Book…
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24
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, , , ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – November 24, 2014

Last week's scheduled economic news included the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, Housing Starts and Existing Home Sales. FOMC meeting minutes were released along with weekly Freddie Mac mortgage rates and weekly jobless claims. In addition, the National Association of Realtors® suggested that FHA should lower its mutual mortgage insurance premiums (MMI) as its fund for paying claims has normalized since recession. Homebuilder Confidence Nears Nine-Year High The National Association of Home Builders/ Wells Fargo Housing Market Index achieved a reading of 58 for November. This was two points higher than the expected reading of 56 and four points above…
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