Creeping on us....... Even though the Consumer Price Index (CPI) this morning showed no inflation to worry the bond market, long term rates keep creeping up. 30 year fixed is back at 6% again.....It's making the 7/1 ARM at 5.5% look pretty good. Lots of Fed officials speaking this week. They seem to be saying that with the economic weakness continuing, they're in no hurry to raise hosrt term rates again.....ST 05/14/08
Slow week so far.... But I expect things to move more later this week. Right now 30 year fixed is holding at 5.875% for best credit/largest loan borrowers. On the "not so good" side of things, FannieMae has announced that they're going to again tighen up qualifying (credit scores and debt ratios) in their system on June 1....ST 5/12/08
Quiet week....and our stats aren't so bad.... Came across some Mar 2008 status compiled by MLS. Average "days on market" for homes for sale was 38, and average selling price was 93% of list price. Those seem like pretty good status to me, and much better than the gloom and doom national averages that are always quoted.....30 yr fixed rate is stuck at about 5.875%. Not much movement this week so far....ST 5/7/08
Employment Effect.... Last Friday's employment report showed a lesser drop in jobs than expected, and the unemployment rate also unexpectedly fell to 5.0%. The result was a jump in mortgage rates.......I guess the market thinks the economy is quickly strengthening. Today/Monday rates are flat with 30 year stuck around 6%. I think rates go a little lower from here over the next 30 days....ST 5/5/08
Why the Fed May Not be Done.... From their release: "Financial markets remain under considerable stress, and tight credit conditions and the deepening housing contraction are likely to weigh on economic growth over the next few quarters." This tells us the Fed is till very worried about the effects of the banking crises, housing mess, and credit crunch. This dealy trio is so overwhelming that the Fed may not only cut more, but may keep rates low for a very long time to come. ST 5.1.08
They Cut Again.... Fed lowered the overnight bank rate by .25% to 2%. That means that the Prime Rate will drop to 5% and those with home equity lines of credit will enjoy another small decrease in their rate.....No clear impact on fixed mortgage rates as of yet. While we might get a small dip down over the next couple of days, the Fed made it clear that inflation is out there and as that becomes more front of mind, long term fixed rates will rise....ST 4.30.08
Easing and the Fed.... Rates finally beginning to ease back some. 30 year at about 6.0%. Fed is meeting today and tomorrow and will tell us at 1:15 if they're going to cut the overnight rate again. Most expect a .25% cut and then no more for at least awhile. Also, Fri. is the Employment Report which never fails to move the market. ST 4/29/08
