18
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 18, 2016

Last week's economic news included reports on inflation, retail sales and weekly readings on mortgage rates and weekly jobless claims. Mortgage rates were mixed with average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage rising by one basis point to 3.42 percent. The average rate for a 15-year mortgage dropped by two basis points to 2.72 percent, and the average rate for a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage rose six basis points to 2.76 percent. Discount points averaged 0.50 percent for 30-year fixed rate mortgages and 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages and 0.40 percent for 15 year fixed rate mortgages. Freddie Mac said…
Read More
11
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 11, 2016

Last week's economic news included minutes from the most recent meeting of the Fed's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) along with several reports on private and public sector employment and the national unemployment rate. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. FOMC Minutes: Committee Closely Monitoring Economic Developments The minutes of June's FOMC meeting indicate that Fed policymakers continue to be cautious based on low inflation and close review of domestic and global economic developments. Committee members acknowledged improvements in the housing market, but also noted that annual inflation remains below the Fed's two percent…
Read More
05
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 5, 2016

Last week's economic events included S&P Case-Shiller's Housing Market Indices for April along with reports on Construction Spending and Pending Home Sales. Consumer Confidence was higher in June in spite of low wage growth and inflation well below the Fed's goal of 2.00 percent annually. S&P Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Ticks Downward April home values grew by 5.40 percent in April on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis. Case Shiller reported a drop in momentum from the March reading of 5.50 percent according to the S&P Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index. While no city included in the 20-City Index reported lower home…
Read More
27
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 27, 2016

Last week's economic news was dominated by Great Britain's vote to withdraw from the European Union. New and Existing Home Sales were released along with weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. "Brexit" Vote Tanks Stocks, Could Cause Lower Mortgage Rates US stocks plunged in reaction to the news of Britain's decision to leave the EU and the resignation of its Prime Minister. While investors don't want to see their 401(k) values crash, mortgage rates may also fall as a result of "Brexit". Fallout caused by economic uncertainty connected with Great Britain's move to regain independence is expected…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More