01 Jul 2013
By Mark Feder
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 1, 2013

Housing Analysis
The past week was active for economic news and mortgage rates. The aftermath of the Fed's indication that it may start dialing back its multi-billion dollar monthly purchases of Treasury and mortgage backed securities has sent mortgage rates to record highs. If you're thinking of buying a home, this may be one last chance for finding the best deal on mortgage rates; meanwhile, home prices continue trending up as well. Here's the scoop on last week's activity affecting real estate markets: Tuesday's Case-Shiller Composite Indices for April demonstrate the momentum of recovery in many housing markets. As of April, national…
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26 Jun 2013
By Mark Feder
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Home Prices Record Highest Monthly Gains Since Case Shiller Index Inception

Housing Analysis
The S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices for April indicate that the housing recovery gained ground. In April 2013 average home prices tracked in the Case-Shiller 10 and 20-city Composites increased by 11.60 and 12.10 percent year-over-year. On a month-to-month basis, the Composites increased by 2.60 and 2.50 percent respectively. According to David M. Blitzer, Chairman of the S&P Dow Jones Indices' Index Committee, the 10-and 20- City Composites experienced their largest month- to- month gains since their inception: "Thirteen cities posted month- to-month gains of two percent or more, with San Francisco leading with a month-to-month gain of 4.90 percent."…
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24 Jun 2013
By Mark Feder
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 24, 2013

Housing Analysis
Comments by Fed chairman Ben Bernanke after Wednesday's FOMC meeting caused havoc in financial markets as investors anticipated the potential effects of any rollback of the Fed's policy of quantitative easing (QE). Chairman Bernanke said that the Fed may begin reducing its $85 billion monthly purchase of Treasury securities and MBS toward the end of this year. The chairman made it clear that any decision concerning QE would be based on careful review of current and developing economic conditions. QE is intended to keep long-term interest rates low; any reduction of the QE securities purchases could cause mortgage rates to…
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19 Jun 2013
By Mark Feder
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Home Builder Confidence Jumps By Widest Margin Since 2002

Housing Analysis
U.S. housing markets are gaining as demand for homes exceeds available supplies in many areas. The National Association of Home Builders/ Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) for June increased by eight points over May's reading to achieve a positive reading of 52. This last happened in August-September of 2002, when HMI monthly readings also jumped by eight points. Any reading over 50 indicates that more builders consider housing market conditions positive than negative. June's reading was the first time the HMI reading surpassed a reading of 50 since April 2006. Limited Inventory Drives Sales Of New Homes Rick Judson,…
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