27 Apr 2015
By Mark Feder

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 27, 2015

Market Outlook
Last week's housing related reports included the FHFA Home Price Index, the National Association of Realtors® Existing Home Sales report and The Commerce Department's report on new home sales. Results were mixed, but suggest that housing markets are strengthening. FHFA Home Prices Up in February, Existing Home Sales Highest in 18 Months The Federal Housing Finance Agency reported that home prices associated with mortgages owned or backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac rose from a 5.10 percent increase in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.40 percent in February. The National Association of Realtors® reported that sales…
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20 Apr 2015
By Mark Feder

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

Market Outlook
Last week's economic reports included the NAHB Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, Housing Starts, and Freddie Mac's weekly survey of mortgage rates. Other news included the weekly jobless claims report and consumer sentiment for April. Mortgage Rates, Jobless Claims Rise Mortgage rates moved up according to Freddie Mac. The average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage increased by one basis point to 3.67 percent. The average rate for a 15-year fixed rate mortgage also increased by one basis point to 2.94 percent. The average rate for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages rose by five basis points to 2.88 percent. Discount…
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16 Apr 2015
By Mark Feder

Home Builder Confidence Rises in April

Market Outlook
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported that April's Housing Market Index rose from a reading of 52 in March to 56 for April. This is in line with warmer weather and the peak home buying season in spring and summer. Readings over 50 indicate that more builders view market conditions as positive as those who do not. NAHB members cited lower mortgage rates and better labor market conditions as reasons they expect more home buyers to enter the market. All Components of Builder Confidence Increase The NAHB Home Builder Index is calculated from three components. The reading for…
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13 Apr 2015
By Mark Feder

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 13, 2015

Market Outlook
Last week's economic news included the minutes from the most recent FOMC meeting, which indicated that the Fed's monetary policymakers are eyeing a potential increase in the target federal funds rate, but don't expect to do so immediately. Members of the Federal Open Market Committee expressed concerns about lagging housing markets and noted that inflation has not yet achieved the Fed's two percent goal. When the Fed decides to raise its target federal funds rate, which now stands at 0.00 to 0.25 percent, Interest rates and mortgage rates can be expected to rise as well. Mortgage Rates Lower, Jobless Claims…
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