15 Apr 2019
By Mark Feder

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 14th, 2019

Financial Reports
Last week's economic readings included reports on inflation, mortgage rates, and first-time jobless claims. Monthly reporting on consumer sentiment was delayed. Consumer Price Index: Inflation Rises in March The Consumer Price Index rose 0.40 percent in March, which matched expectations and surpassed February's month-to -month reading of 0.20 percent growth. The March reading showed the highest consumer price growth in 14 months; higher rents, fuel and food prices contributed to month-to-month price gains in March. The Core CPI excludes volatile food and energy sectors and was unchanged in March although 0.20 percent growth was expected. February's reading showed 0.10 percent…
Read More
01 Apr 2019
By Mark Feder

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 1st, 2019

Financial Reports
Last week's economic reports included readings from Case-Shiller on home price growth, Commerce Department readings on housing starts and building permits issued. The Conference Board issued its monthly reading on consumer confidence. Pending home sales and weekly reports on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. Case-Shiller Home Price Indices: Price Growth Slows in January S&P Case-Shiller Indices reported the slowest rate of home price growth in six years. January readings suggested that home price growth slowed due to easing demand. Affordability concerns sidelined buyers; participation of first-time home buyers remained lower than average. Case-Shiller's 20-City Home Price…
Read More
26 Mar 2019
By Mark Feder

What Causes Mortgage Interest Rates To Fluctuate?

Mortgage
The mortgage interest rate represents the cost of borrowing money to purchase a property. Mortgage interest rates are not fixed; that is, they fluctuate from one period of time to the next. Many different factors play into what your mortgage interest rate will finally turn out to be. Some of these factors have to deal with the economy and government decisions. Other factors have to do with your personal financial situation. Finally, mortgage interest rates can differ between lending institutions, which is why you may get different mortgage interest rate quotes from different places. Economic Factors That Cause Mortgage Interest…
Read More
25 Mar 2019
By Mark Feder

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – March 25th, 2019

Financial Reports
Last week's economic news included readings from the National Association of Home Builders, Federal Reserve Federal Open Market Committee and a press conference by Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Sales of pre-owned homes in February were reported along with weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. NAHB: Builder Confidence Unchanged Despite Headwinds Home builders remained confident about housing market conditions in March. The NAHB Housing Market Index posted a reading of 62, which matched February's reading and fell one point short of expectations. NAHB Index readings above 50 represent a positive outlook on housing market conditions. Home builders continued…
Read More