20 Jul 2015
By Mark Feder

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

Market Outlook
Last week's economic news included an encouraging report from the National Association of Home Builders, whose housing market index held steady with a reading of 60 in July. This was the 13th consecutive month for readings over 50, which indicate that more builders are confident about housing markets than those who are not. July's reading was noteworthy as it was the highest since November 2005 prior to the recession. Housing Starts, Building Permits Increase The Commerce Department provided further evidence of stronger housing markets with reports on housing starts and building permits issued in June. Housing starts rose from May's…
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13 Jul 2015
By Mark Feder

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

Market Outlook
Last week's scheduled economic events were few due to the Independence Day holiday. Freddie Mac's weekly survey of mortgage rates brought good news as mortgage rates fell across the board. The Federal Reserve released the minutes of its most recent Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting and weekly jobless claims rose. Job Openings Rise to Highest Level Since 2000 The Labor Department reported that U.S. job openings rose from April's reading of 5.33 million to 5.36 million job openings in May. This was the highest reading for job openings since the report's inception in 2000. Private sector job openings rose…
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06 Jul 2015
By Mark Feder

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 6, 2015

Market Outlook
Last week's housing-related economic events included the Case-Shiller Home Price Index reports for April, the Commerce Department's Pending Home Sales report and a report on Construction Spending. In other economic news, Non-Farm Payrolls, the ADP Employment report and Consumer Confidence reports were released. Freddie Mac's mortgage rates summary and the weekly unemployment claims report were released as usual. Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Slows in April The Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index reported that year-over-year home prices slowed in April with a reading of 4.20 percent as compared to the March reading of 4.30 percent. David M Blitzer, chairman of the…
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29 Jun 2015
By Mark Feder

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 29, 2015

Market Outlook
Last week's economic news was largely positive as both new and existing home sales beat expectations. FHFA reported that home price growth held steady in May, while weekly jobless claims edged up, but were lower than expected. New and Existing Home Sales Exceed Expectations According to the Commerce Department, new home sales reached 546,000 on an annual basis for May. This surpassed expectations for 525,000 new homes sold and April's revised reading of 534,000 new homes sold. Expectations were based on the original reading of 517,000 new homes sold in April. Existing home sales rose by 5.10 percent in May…
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