18 May 2016
By Mark Feder

NAHB: Home Builder Confidence Holds Steady in May

Housing Market
The National Association of Home Builders reported that home builder confidence in the U.S. housing market conditions held steady for the fourth consecutive month in May. Builder confidence stayed at a reading of 58, which was the number expected by analysts and was also the reading for April. Analysts said that the consistency in readings signified expansion in housing markets. Any reading over 50 indicates that more builders than not are confident about market conditions. Components of the NAHB Housing Market Index include readings on builder confidence in current market conditions which held steady at 63 and builder confidence in…
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16 May 2016
By Mark Feder

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 16, 2016

Mortgage Rates
Last week's economic news included reports on retail sales and consumer sentiment along with weekly releases on new jobless claims and mortgage rates. Retail sales jumped 1.30 percent in April as compared to the March reading of 0.30 percent. Retail sales excluding the automotive sector rose from 0.40 percent growth in March to 0.80 percent growth in April. Both retail sales reports exceeded expectations. Growth in consumer spending suggests higher confidence in economic conditions and may lead potential homebuyers to consider buying rather than renting their homes. Consumer sentiment jumped in May to a reading of 95.8 as compared to…
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09 May 2016
By Mark Feder

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 9, 2016

Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates fell across the board last week according to Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey. Other economic news included reports on construction spending, public and private sector employment and national unemployment. Construction Spending Grows in March The Commerce Department reported that the growth rate for construction spending fell in March to 0.30 percent/Analysts expected a reading of 0.70 percent based on February's upwardly revised growth rate of 1.0 percent. Construction spending was propelled by a 1.50 percent increase in residential construction spending; this is good news for would-be home buyers who've been shut out of the market due to…
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25 Apr 2016
By Mark Feder

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 25, 2016

Mortgage Rates
Last week's economic releases included Existing Home Sales, Commerce Department Releases on Housing Starts and Building Permits and the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. Mortgage rates and new jobless claims were released according to their weekly schedule. Home Builder Confidence Holds Firm in April According to April's National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, home builder confidence held steady with a reading of 58 for the third consecutive month. Analysts viewed April's reading as a sign of steady expansion for home building, but builders noted concerns over labor shortages. NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz…
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