26
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – March 26th, 2018

Last week's economic releases included readings on new and pre-owned home sales and the Federal Open Market Committee's customary post meeting statement. Fed Chair Jerome Powell gave his first press conference as Chair of the Federal Reserve and FOMC. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. February Sales of Pre-Owned Homes Exceed Expectations, New Home Sales Fall Short Sales of previously-owned homes exceeded expectations at a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 5.54 million sales. Analysts expected a rate of 5.40 million sales based on January's reading of 5.38 million sales. Lawrence Yun, National Association of Realtors® Chief…
Read More
19
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – March 19th, 2018

Last week's economic news included readings From National Association of Home Builders, Commerce Department reports on housing starts and building permits issued Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. NAHB Posts 3rd Consecutive Decline in Builder Confidence According to the National Association of Home Builders, builder confidence in housing market conditions dropped by one point in March to an index reading of 70. Three sub-categories of builder sentiment used to calculate the overall reading were either unchanged or lower than February readings.  Confidence in current market conditions were unchanged at 72, Builder confidence in market…
Read More
05
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – March 5th, 2018

Last week's economic releases included readings on new home sales, pending home sales and Case-Shiller Home Price Indices. Construction spending and consumer sentiment reports were also released, along with weekly readings on average mortgage rates and new jobless claims. New Home Sales Drop in January New home sales were reported at a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 593,000 sales in January according to the Commerce Department. Analysts expected a rate of 693,000 sales based on December's upwardly revised rate of 643,000 sales of new homes. January's reading was 7.80 percent lower than for December; January's reading was one percent lower than…
Read More
26
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 26th, 2018

Last week's economic releases included minutes from the most recent FOMC meeting, a report on January sales of pre-owned homes and weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. FOMC Minutes: Economic Strength Hints at More Rate Hikes Minutes of the January 30-31 meeting of the Fed's Federal Open Market Committee indicated that most Committee members believe that inflation will reach the Fed's goal of 2.00 percent. Members found that the economy was stronger since 2017 and expected "a gradual upward trajectory of the federal funds rate would be appropriate." While analysts expect three rate hikes in 2018, the…
Read More
20
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 20th, 2018

Last week's weeks economic releases included readings on the NAHB Housing Market Index, housing starts and building permits issued and consumer sentiment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. NAHB: Builder Confidence in Housing Market Holds Steady in February The National Association of Home builders reported an index reading of 72 for its Housing Market Index in February. January's reading was also 72; readings over 50 indicates that more builders than fewer are confident about housing market conditions. Three readings comprising the overall NAHB HMI reading include builder confidence in current market conditions, which was…
Read More
12
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, , ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 12th, 2018

Jerome "Jay" Powell was sworn in as Chair of the Federal Reserve amidst wild fluctuations in U.S. stock markets. Analysts attributed sliding stock prices to fears over inflation. Mr. Powell, who follows former Fed Chair Janet Yellen, introduced himself via a video clip on the Fed's website. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. New Fed Chair Promises "Transparency" in Video Introduction In a video introduction posted on the Fed's website, new Fed Chair Jay Powell promised that the Fed would explain "what we are doing and why we are doing it." Mr. Powell did not address…
Read More