Mortgage Rates

The Week Ahead for Mortgage Rates: February 6, 2012

Mortgage markets worsened last week as domestic job growth surprised Wall Street and the Eurozone moved yet one more step closer to reaching a lasting Greece sovereign debt solution.

Conforming mortgage rates in Northwest Indiana and Chicago suburbs rose on the news, although you wouldn’t know it from looking at Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage rate survey.

Click here to see today’s mortgage rates.

According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate fell to 3.87% last week with 0.8 discount points due at closing, plus closing costs. 1 discount point is a fee equal to one percent of your loan size.

3.87% for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage is the official, all-time low for the weekly Freddie Mac survey, conducted since the 1970s. However, because Freddie Mac gathers its results on Monday and Tuesday only, by the time the survey results were released Thursday morning, mortgage rates were already rising off their lows.

Click here to see today’s mortgage rates.

Then, Friday morning, after January’s Non-Farm Payrolls data was released, mortgage rates surged.

The January jobs report exceeded expectations in nearly every fashion possible :

• Economists expected to see 135,000 jobs created in January. The actual number was 243,000.
• Economists expected to see the Unemployment Rate at 8.5% in January. The actual number was 8.3%.
• Revisions added an additional 180,000 net new jobs to the original 2011 tally.

As compared to one year ago, there are 2.1 million more people employed in the U.S. workforce. Figures like this hint at a stronger national economy, and that tends to drive mortgage rates up.

Click here to see today’s mortgage rates.

This week, with little economic data due for release, mortgage rates are expected to move on momentum. Right now, that momentum is causing rates to rise.

If you’re shopping for a mortgage rate in Northwest Indiana and want to know if the time is right to lock, consider that it’s impossible to time a market bottom, but simple to spot a “good deal”.

Mortgage rates remain near historical lows — it’s a good time to lock one in. This is The Week Ahead for Mortgage Rates: February 6, 2012.

Click here to see today’s mortgage rates.

Quick general rule of thumb when keeping an eye on mortgage rates.

Strong Economic News: $$$ from Bonds —> Stocks = Home Loan Rates Go Up

Weak Economic News: $$$ from Stocks —> Bonds = Home Loan Rates Go Down

If you or someone you know is thinking about buying a home, the combination of low home loan rates and affordable home prices make this an ideal time to buy a home. Want to know if you can afford a new home? Call or text me at 512-522-7284 to discuss your personal situation and your home loan options!

The Week Ahead for Mortgage Rates: January 30, 2012

Mortgage markets improved last week as news from the Federal Reserve, the U.S. economy, and Europe combined to spur new demand for mortgage-backed bonds.

Conforming mortgage rates rallied from Wednesday through Friday’s close, ending the week near all-time lows set earlier this year. Last week’s rally was sparked by the Federal Open Market Committee.

After its first meeting of the year, Chairman Ben Bernanke & Co. changed its projection for “exceptionally low rates” to at least late-2014. Previously, the Fed had said its benchmark Fed Funds Rate would remain low until 2013.

This, in conjunction with the Fed’s message that further economic stimulus may be coming, led Wall Street investors to increase their bets on mortgage bonds, pushing up prices and pushing down yields.

Lower yields means lower rates.

Mortgage rates were also helped lower by mixed data on the U.S. economy including weaker-than-expected housing reports, and another setback in the Greece sovereign debt negotiations.

Each time that Eurozone leaders have failed to reach an expected accord with Greece since 2010, mortgage rates have dropped. Last week was no different.

This week, with a large amount of U.S. economic data due for release and a high-profile summit among European Union leaders, mortgage rates are poised to move. Unfortunately, we can’t know in which direction.

Some of the news that will move markets include :

• Monday: Personal Consumption Expenditures
• Tuesday: Consumer Confidence; Case-Shiller Index
• Wednesday: Construction Spending
• Thursday: Weekly Jobless Claims
• Friday: Non-Farm Payrolls; Factory Orders

Of all of the economic releases, Friday’s Non-Farm Payrolls has the most potential to move markets. More commonly called “the jobs report”, Non-Farm Payrolls details the monthly change in national employment and the national Unemployment Rate. 

Jobs are believed to be the key to U.S. economic recovery so strength in jobs should result in higher mortgage rates throughout Northwest Indiana and the greater Chicago-land metro area.

Mortgage rates remain very low. If you’re nervous about mortgage rates rising this week or next, it’s as good of a time as any to lock your rate and start moving toward closing. This is The Week Ahead for Mortgage Rates: January 30, 2012.

Quick general rule of thumb when keeping an eye on mortgage rates.

Strong Economic News: $$$ from Bonds —> Stocks = Home Loan Rates Go Up

Weak Economic News: $$$ from Stocks —> Bonds = Home Loan Rates Go Down

If you or someone you know is thinking about buying a home, the combination of low home loan rates and affordable home prices make this an ideal time to buy a home. Want to know if you can afford a new home? Call or text me at 512-522-7284 to discuss your personal situation and your home loan options!

The Federal Reserve Meets Today: Mortgage Rates Expected To Move

The Federal Open Market Committee adjourns from a scheduled 2-day meeting today, its the first of 8 scheduled meetings this year.

The FOMC is a designated, rotating, 12-person committee within the Federal Reserve, led by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. Members of the FOMC sub-committee are the voting members of the Federal Reserve; the ones that ultimately determine U.S. monetary policy.

The most well-known Federal Reserve monetary policy tool is the central bank’s Fed Funds Rate. The Fed Funds Rate is the prescribed interest rate at which banks borrow money from each other for a period of one night. The Fed Funds Rate can only be changed by FOMC vote.

For home buyers and would-be refinancing households in Schererville Indiana, it’s important to recognize that the Fed Funds Rate is an interest rate separate and distinct from “mortgage rates”. Mortgage rates are not voted upon by the Federal Reserve. Rather, mortgage rates are based on the price of mortgage-backed bonds, a security bought and sold among investors.

Historically, there is little correlation between the Fed Funds Rates and 30-year fixed rate mortgage rates throughout Indiana. Going back 20 years, the benchmark rates have been separated by as much as 5.29% and have been as near as 0.52%. 

The spread has even gone negative, most recently in 1979 and 1981 — a period marked by high inflation.

Today, the separation between the Fed Funds Rate and the average, 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate is roughly 3.60%. Beginning at 11:30 AM CT, however, that spread is expected to change. The FOMC will make its statement to the press at that time, and will release its quarterly forecast to the markets.

As Wall Street reacts to the Fed’s press release and projections, mortgage rates will move.

Investors expect the Fed to vote the Fed Funds Rate unchanged from its current range near 0.000 percent, but are unsure of how the Fed will characterize the U.S. economy. If the Fed speaks optimistically on the economy, stock markets should rise and mortgage bonds should fall, driving mortgage rates higher.

Conversely, if the Fed shows concern for future economic growth, mortgage rates should drop. Either way, today figures to be volatile one for mortgage markets. 

When mortgage markets get volatile, the safe play as a mortgage rate shopper is to lock your mortgage rate immediately. There is too much risk in floating your mortgage rate.

The Week Ahead For Mortgage Rates: January 23, 2012

The outlook for the U.S. economy improved last week, taking the mortgage bond market with it. For the first time this year, conforming mortgage rates rose throughout Indiana and Illinois from one week to the next.

Data was strong across all categories last week.

• Home Resales: Existing Home Sales rose 5%
• New Homes: Single-Family Housing Starts rose 4%
• Builders: Home Builder Confidence rose to a 5-year high
• Jobs: Jobless claims fell to lowest level since April 2008
• Inflation: CPI remained in balance

In addition, European leaders moved closer to a final resolution on the Greek sovereign debt default situation.

Overall, the action gave investors reason for optimism in the U.S. economy, and economies abroad. This drew money away from the U.S. mortgage bond market, which caused mortgage rates to rise.

Freddie Mac reports the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage slipping 0.01 percentage points to 3.88% nationwide, with an accompanying 0.8 discount points and complete set of closing costs. These costs are slightly higher as compared to the week prior.

1 discount point is equal to one percent of the borrowed loan size.

Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage rate survey puts the conforming 30-year fixed rate mortgage under 4 percent for 7 consecutive weeks.

This week, mortgage rates may rise; the week is anchored by a 2-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting. Whenever the FOMC meets, mortgage rates can be volatile.

The Ben Bernanke-led FOMC is not expected to raise the Fed Funds Rate from its current target range near 0.000 percent, but it’s not what the Fed does that can change mortgage rates as much as it is what the Fed says. 

After its 2-day meeting concludes Wednesday, the FOMC will issue its customary statement to the markets, to be followed by a press conference led by Chairman Bernanke. Wall Street will watch the press release and conference for clues about the Fed’s next steps and its outlook for the U.S. economy.

If the Fed indicates that the economy is growing, mortgage rates in Northwest Indiana are likely to rise. Conversely, if the Fed indicates that the economy is slowing, mortgage rates are likely to fall.

Other factors influencing mortgage rates this week include the President’s annual State of the Union address (Tuesday), the Pending Home Sales Index (Wednesday) and New Homes Sales data for December (Thursday).

Mortgage rates remain low but may not stay that way. If you’re looking for the best rates of the year, this week may be your chance. This is The Week Ahead for Mortgage Rates: January 23, 2012.

Quick general rule of thumb when keeping an eye on mortgage rates.

Strong Economic News: $$$ from Bonds —> Stocks = Home Loan Rates Worsen

Weak Economic News: $$$ from Stocks —> Bonds = Home Loan Rates Improve

If you or someone you know is thinking about buying a home, the combination of low home loan rates and affordable home prices make this an ideal time to buy a home. Want to know if you can afford a new home? Call or text me at 512-522-7284 to discuss your personal situation and your home loan options!

The Week Ahead for Mortgage Rates: January 17, 2012

Mortgage markets gained last week, picking up momentum into the weekend. Global demand for mortgage-backed bonds helped push mortgage rates to new lows, and closing costs eased somewhat, too.

According to Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage rate survey, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate fell to 3.89% nationwide. In order to get access to 3.89% mortgage rates, Freddie Mac said, mortgage applicants should expect to pay a full set of closing costs plus 0.7 discount points.

1 discount point is equal to 1 percent of your loan size.

Loans with “low closing costs” or “no closing costs” will be at higher rates than Freddie Mac’s published, average rate.

The biggest reason why mortgage rates fell last week is because — once more — concerns over European sovereign debt resurfaced on Wall Street. This has been an ongoing story for more than a year, and one that won’t likely end soon.

Several Eurozone nations saw their respective credit ratings downgraded last week, a move that sparked safe haven buying of U.S. mortgage bonds. France was stripped of its top credit rating. Slovakia, Italy and Austria were each downgraded, too.

Markets were also influenced by a conflict between Greece’s creditor banks and the nation-state’s government. The breakdown in talks increases the likelihood of the Eurozone’s first sovereign default.

Meanwhile, domestically, in-line Retail Sales figures and rising consumer confidence helped to prop up the U.S. dollar, a move that’s linked to lower mortgage rates.

This week, the markets were closed for the federal holiday Monday, and re-open Tuesday without much data on which to trade. Several inflationary reports are set for release including the Producer Price Index and the Consumer Price Index; and, in housing-related data, we’ll see the Housing Starts report and Existing Home Sales figures for December.

Expect mortgage rates to follow the Eurozone story this week. Pessimism and weak data will be good for mortgage rates in Indiana and nationwide. Strength will lead mortgage rates higher.

If you’re still floating a mortgage rate or have otherwise yet to lock, mortgage rates are lower than they’ve been in history. It’s an ideal time to make an interest rate commitment.

The economic calendar this week has the following key economic and financial reports.

This is The Week Ahead for Mortgage Rates: January 17, 2012.

Quick general rule of thumb when keeping an eye on mortgage rates.

Strong Economic News: $$$ from Bonds —> Stocks = Home Loan Rates Worsen

Weak Economic News: $$$ from Stocks —> Bonds = Home Loan Rates Improve

If you or someone you know is thinking about buying a home, the combination of low home loan rates and affordable home prices make this an ideal time to buy a home. Want to know if you can afford a new home? Call or text me at 512-522-7284 to discuss your personal situation and your home loan options!

The Week Ahead for Mortgage Rates: January 9, 2012

Mortgage markets improved last week, pushing mortgage rates in Indiana lower for the second straight week. Conforming fixed and adjustable-rate mortgage cut new, all-time lows, and FHA mortgage rates did the same.

In a holiday-shortened trading week, stronger-than-expected U.S. economic data and ongoing weakness within Europe drove investors into the U.S. mortgage-backed bond market. When demand for bonds is high, mortgage rates improve.

The Refi Boom continues.

Since beginning their descent last February, mortgage rates have shed 114 basis points en route to reaching 3.91%, the current, “average”, 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate nationwide and a new all-time low, according to Freddie Mac and its mortgage market survey.

If you’re among today’s home buyers or would-be refinancers, on a $200,000 mortgage, the 1.14% rate drop represents a monthly mortgage payment savings of $135 — $1,623 per year.

Larger loans save more, smaller loans save less.

This week, with little economic news set for release, mortgage rates are expected to take their cue from the 8 Federal Reserve members scheduled to speak in public, and from whatever news may bubble up from the Eurozone.

The Federal Reserve said it will communicate its vision for the U.S. economic more openly and more often so Wall Street will be watching the Fed members’ speeches this week, in search of clues about the Fed’s 2012 roadmap.

For example, there has been speculation that a new round of stimulus would be introduced at the Fed’s next meeting later this month. If, after listening to this week’s speeches, investors sense it will happen, mortgage rates may be susceptible to an increase in Schererville and everywhere else.

We’ll also be watching the Retail Sales report this week, due Thursday. Retail Sales are a reflection on consumer spending and consumer spending accounts for roughly 70% of the U.S. economy. If Retail Sales make gains, it may spark stock market gains at the expense of mortgage bonds.

This, too, would result in higher mortgage rates.

You can’t time the mortgage market, but with mortgage rates this low, it’s hard to go wrong. Complete the “Live Rate Quote” form to the right to get a live rate quote today.

The economic calendar this week has the following key economic and financial reports.

This is The Week Ahead for Mortgage Rates: January 9, 2012.

Quick general rule of thumb when keeping an eye on mortgage rates.

Strong Economic News: $$$ from Bonds —> Stocks = Home Loan Rates Worsen

Weak Economic News: $$$ from Stocks —> Bonds = Home Loan Rates Improve

If you or someone you know is thinking about buying a home, the combination of low home loan rates and affordable home prices make this an ideal time to buy a home. Want to know if you can afford a new home? Call or text me at 512-522-7284 to discuss your personal situation and your home loan options!

Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Are A Relative Bargain Today

For home buyers and refinancing households throughout Indiana, adjustable-rate mortgages are a relative bargain as compared to fixed-ones.

According to Freddie Mac’s weekly survey of more than 125 banks nationwide, Illinois mortgage applicants electing for a conventional ARM over a conventional fixed-rate mortgage will save 105 basis points on their next mortgage rate.

“Conventional” loans are loans backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

Today’s average, conventional 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate is 3.91% plus points and closing costs. The average rate for a comparable 5-year ARM is 2.86%, plus points and closing costs.

In other words, for every $100,000 borrowed, a conventional 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage will save you $58.15 per month, or $698 per year.

That’s a 12 percent savings just for choosing an ARM.

12 percent is a big figure that adds up over 5 years — especially for households that plan to sell within those first 60 months anyway. There is little sense in paying the mortgage rate premium for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage when a 5-year ARM is perfectly suitable.

For the reason why adjustable-rate mortgages continue are so much lower than their fixed-rate counterparts, look no further than the U.S. economy. ARMs reflect Wall Street’s short-term economic expectations; whereas fixed-rate mortgages reflect medium- to long-term expectations.

In the short-term, analysts expect the U.S. economy to grow slowly, with low levels of inflation. This supports the U.S. dollar, the currency in which mortgage bonds are denominated. When the dollar is strong, demand for mortgage bonds tends to increase.

This supports lower interest rates.

Conversely, over the longer-term, inflation is expected to return, which devalues the dollar and everything paid in it (e.g.; mortgage-backed bonds). This is why inflation is linked to higher mortgage rates. When inflation is present in the economy, mortgage bonds lose value, driving mortgage rates up.

Adjustable-rate mortgages aren’t perfect for everyone, but in the right situation, they can be a big money-saver and a helpful tool for stretching a household budget. Given today’s rates, the money-saving potential is larger than usual.

Before you choose an ARM, discuss your options with a qualified loan officer.

The Week Ahead for Mortgage Rates: December 19, 2011

Just when you thought the economy could move forward, the politicians in Congress want to prolong the debate on extending tax cuts for the general public. If an agreement cannot be made by December 31st nearly 160 million Americans will see their payroll taxes increase by 48%. This ultimately means less take-home pay and slower economic growth in 2012.

Although 2012 is just a couple weeks away there are still plenty of key economic and financial reports to end 2011. This week has a load of housing data that includes November Housing Starts and Permits, November Existing and New Home Sales, and a couple of housing price index reports.

We will also get a final look at 3rd Quarter GDP, November Durable Goods Orders, November Personal Income and Spending and of course Weekly Jobless Claims. Claims declined 19,000 last week to 366,000. This week the early take is for an increase of 14,000.

Most of the key economic and financial reports this week is important, even the sales of homes although there is no reason to expect much improvement.

The Treasury will also auction $99 Billion of 2 year, 5 year and 7 year notes beginning Monday through Wednesday. Add in the holidays coming on and Europe’s continual fumbling, the markets may present volatility with many  traders and investors closing down for the year.

Last week the 10 year note yield fell 25 basis points on continuing safe haven moves against Europe’s mess; mortgage rates are following but way behind, the move to lower interest rates is mostly confined to the Treasury markets.

Mortgage rates and mortgage bond prices are trading an even narrower range. The price on the 3.5 FNMA coupon has held in a 50 basis point price range now for almost a month. We remain skeptical that US interest rates will decline much from their present levels. The long-term outlook is that mortgage rates will begin to slowly increase from present levels.

The economic calendar this week has the following key economic and financial reports.

This is The Week Ahead for Mortgage Rates: December 19, 2011.

Quick general rule of thumb when keeping an eye on mortgage rates.

Strong Economic News: $$$ from Bonds —> Stocks = Home Loan Rates Worsen

Weak Economic News: $$$ from Stocks —> Bonds = Home Loan Rates Improve

If you or someone you know is thinking about buying a home, the combination of low home loan rates and affordable home prices make this an ideal time to buy a home. Want to know if you can afford a new home? Call or text me at 512-522-7284 to discuss your personal situation and your home loan options!

Fannie Mae Mortgage Bonds 48 Hour Reversal of Fortune

It seems as if it were just yesterday that everyone in the financial sector was astounished how low the yield for the Fannie Mae 30 year fixed mortgage bonds had been pushed. Wait a second…it was yesterday.

Fast forward to the closing bell today and it was a complete reversal of fortune for Fannie Mae mortgage bonds. Take a look at the chart below and observe the performance from yesterday through today.

It should be noted that when the price increases on the Fannie Mae mortgage bond, it actually has an inverse relationship with mortgage rates. Coincidentally, mortgage rates on 30 year fixed rate home loans would go down. The opposite holds true as well. When Fannie Mae mortgage bonds decrease in price, 30 year fixed mortgage rates increase.

As you can see in the chart from the past 48 hours, Fannie Mae mortgage bonds are actually worse than where they opened Thursday morning. Although this occurs often in today’s volatile bond market, it is the extreme range in price movement that was all the buzz.

Rarely do you see Fannie Mae mortgage bonds increase and/or decrease more than 50 bps a day. In this case, they changed near 100 bps both days. What does all this mean to you as a home buyer or someone who was interested in refinancing their home?

Mortgage rates literally decreased by more than 0.250% – 0.375% on Thursday to only increase 0.375% – 0.500% today. If you’re uncertain as to which way mortgage rates are trending, we don’t blame you. The quickest and easiest way to monitor the daily rate trend is to keep an eye on the rate meter to the right.

Don’t have the time or the patience to keep close tabs on how Fannie Mae mortgage bonds and mortgage rates are trending? Call or text me at 512-522-7284 to get your personalized rate monitor service.

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