20
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 20, 2016

Mortgage rates fell after Federal Reserve policymakers decided not to raise the Fed's target federal funds rate. The Federal Open Market Committee cited ongoing concerns over global financial and economic developments and slow jobs growth as factors in its decision not to raise rates. Fed Chair Janet Yellen emphasized the committee's decision-making process is not predetermined and said that ongoing review of current and developing news is significant to monetary policy decisions. Last week's economic news also included the NAHB Housing Market Index, the monthly inflation rate and retail sales along with weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless…
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13
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 13, 2016

Last week's economic news was highlighted by Fed Chair Janet Yellen's speech in Philadelphia. Although Chair Yellen alluded to future Fed rate hikes, she did not specify when Fed policymakers would next raise the target federal funds rate.  Increases in the fed funds rate typically signal increases in consumer credit and home mortgage rates. Last week's speech was seen as a precursor to the Federal Open Market Committee statement that will occur at the conclusion of next week's FOMC meeting.  Chair Yellen is also scheduled to give a press conference after the FOMC statement next Wednesday. Mortgage rates and new…
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31
May
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 31, 2016

Last week's economic reports included new home sales, pending home sales along with weekly mortgage rates and new jobless claims. New Home Sales Surpass Expectations Sales of new homes surpassed expectations and the prior month's reading. April's reading of 619,000 sales exceeded expectations of 523,000 new homes sold and 531,000 new homes sold in March.  New home sales rose by 16.60 percent on a seasonally adjusted annual basis, which was the highest increase in 24 years.  Analysts said that April's new home sales indicate that builders are increasing production of new homes to meet high demand for homes. Short inventories…
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23
May
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 23, 2016

Last week's economic news included the NAHB Housing Market Index, reports on housing starts, building reports and existing home sales. Minutes of the Federal Reserve's last FOMC meeting were also released. Homebuilder Confidence Unchanged, Housing Starts and Building Permits Increase The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported that builder confidence held steady with a reading of 58 in May. Analysts projected a reading of 58 and April's reading was also 58. Builder confidence in market conditions could be slowing due to concerns over acquiring skilled labor and a shortage of developed lots. Demand for homes remains high, but a…
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19
May
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips,

How Are Mortgage Rates Determined?

If you've been paying attention to the mortgage rate news, you may be wondering exactly how it is banks decide what mortgage rates to offer. Do they just pick a number at random? Mortgage rates may seem somewhat arbitrary, but there's actually something of a science to them. So how does your bank or lender determine what your interest rate will be? Here are just some of the factors that go into the equation. Rates Always Account For Inflation First and foremost, every mortgage interest rate needs to account for inflation. Inflation is the average annual change in purchasing power…
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18
May
By Jim Hasek
Housing Market,

NAHB: Home Builder Confidence Holds Steady in May

The National Association of Home Builders reported that home builder confidence in the U.S. housing market conditions held steady for the fourth consecutive month in May. Builder confidence stayed at a reading of 58, which was the number expected by analysts and was also the reading for April. Analysts said that the consistency in readings signified expansion in housing markets. Any reading over 50 indicates that more builders than not are confident about market conditions. Components of the NAHB Housing Market Index include readings on builder confidence in current market conditions which held steady at 63 and builder confidence in…
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