Frank Nothaft
Frank Nothaft
board change combined data economic elected factors federal future interest key mortgage negative painted picture pressures rates reserve slightly week
With productivity up and inflationary pressures muted, the Federal Reserve Board elected this week not to change a key short-term interest rate. Moreover, most other economic data releases, such as unemployment and manufacturing, painted a slightly negative picture for future economic growth. These factors combined to keep mortgage rates stable.
discern economy fairly financial growing growth markets mortgage quickly rates remained stable tried week
Mortgage rates remained fairly stable this week as the financial markets tried to discern just how quickly the economy is growing and how sustainable that growth will be.
confidence consumer fell growth hit keeping less lower means mortgage rates report result slower spending week year
Mortgage rates fell this week as a result of the Consumer Confidence report , which hit a 4-1/2 year low. Lower confidence translates into slower consumer spending. Less spending means less growth, and less growth means less inflationary pressure, keeping mortgage rates affordable.
bit economic employment february figures interest mortgage news pressure puts rates suggested week
Mortgage interest rates were up this week on news that February employment figures suggested an economic upturn. That news, however, puts a bit of upward pressure on long-term mortgage rates.
activity holiday mortgage move rates week
There was little activity during this holiday week to move mortgage rates one way or another,
below direction drive mortgage move news percent rates reason second staying week
There was no news this week that would drive mortgage rates in one direction or the other. Therefore, mortgage rates didn't have much reason to move a lot, staying below 7 percent for the second week running.
based cause currently higher highest housing january market occurred rates starts week
That said, January housing starts were the highest in over 20 years, and that is based on higher rates than we are currently experiencing, ... All in all, the little run-up in rates that occurred this week will not be enough to cause a significant slowdown in current housing market activity.
bond dismal economic high highly impending iraq likely market mortgage news pressures rates remain resolution rise sent since stock sustained volatility week within
The escalating tensions within the U.N. over the impending resolution on Iraq and dismal economic news this week sent the stock market tumbling and with it went bond and mortgage rates. The high volatility is likely to remain for a while. But since there are no upward pressures at the moment, any sustained rise in rates in highly unlikely.
consumer deflation economy housing indicate leading pick price ready released reports starts stronger suggesting together week
The Consumer Price Index released this week showed no decline, suggesting that the possibility of deflation is still low. Housing starts were stronger than expected, as were the leading indicators released today. All of these reports together could indicate the economy is ready to pick up growth.
across built couple england families home last markets means pace past percent seen strong value values
Over the last couple of years, we've seen many markets with strong home value appreciation. They're up at a considerable pace in many markets across the country, particularly from New England all the way down to Washington, D.C., ... Home values are up in D.C., for example, by over 10 percent over the past year. That means families have built up home equity.
albeit compared few likely modestly mortgage next rates rise
Long-term mortgage rates will more than likely rise over the next few months, albeit modestly compared to shorter-term rates.
annual average below economic mortgage projection rates spring thanks
Today's annual average mortgage rates are below even that projection thanks to the spring 'soft-patch' in economic growth.
affordable coming continue expect housing low market mortgage percent present rate rates remaining strong
With the unemployment rate at a low of 4.3 percent and mortgage rates remaining at present affordable levels, we expect the housing market to continue to be strong into the coming months.
accounts bulk equity home typical
For the typical family, home equity accounts for the bulk of their wealth.