26 Jan 2015
By Mark Feder

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 26, 2015

Market Outlook
Last week's economic reports included the National Association of Home Builders Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, Housing Starts for December and the FHFA Home Price Index report for November. The National Association of Realtors® also released its Existing Home Sales report for December. Freddie Mac and the Department of Commerce released their weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. Builder Confidence Close to Record High, Housing Starts Rise The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported that home builder confidence slipped by one point in January to an index reading of 57. This was not a significant decline…
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21 Jan 2015
By Mark Feder

NAHB: Home Builder Confidence Nears 2005 High

Market Outlook
The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) Wells Fargo Housing Market Index reported that homebuilder confidence in sales conditions for single-family homes declined one point to a reading of 57. The NAHB Housing Market Index measures home builder confidence based on builder opinions of current market conditions, future market conditions and buyer foot traffic in new homes. Home Builder Confidence Stable for Seven Consecutive Months January's index reading of 57 was one point below December's reading of 58. Any index reading above 50 indicates that more home builders are confident about housing market conditions than not. January's reading was the seventh…
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20 Jan 2015
By Mark Feder

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

Market Outlook
Last week's scheduled economic news was mixed. Job openings increased and jobless claims increased, and consumer sentiment rose. Mortgage rates fell across the board. Labor market conditions improved and consumer prices fell in large part due to decreasing fuel prices. The details: Labor Market Conditions Index Suggests Stronger Economy, Jobless Claims Jump Positive labor market ratings continued to show evidence of strengthening economic conditions. The Federal Reserve's Labor Market Conditions Index rose from November's revised reading of 5.50 to December's reading of 6.10. This index measures 19 economic indicators and rose well above its median reading of 1.90. November's reading…
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12 Jan 2015
By Mark Feder

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 12, 2015

Market Outlook
Last week's economic news was dominated by labor reports and FHA's announcement that it will lower its mortgage insurance premiums in an effort to make homes more affordable for first-time and moderate income home buyers. Mortgage rates fell last week as employment reports showed strengthening job markets. The details: FHA Lowers Mortgage Insurance Premiums HUD, the agency that oversees FHA, announced Thursday that it will lower annual mortgage insurance premiums by0.50 percent. The change is expected to become effective toward the end of January; HUD stated in its press release that a Mortgagee Letter outlining the changes will be issued…
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