After a rapid increase throughout most of the spring, mortgage rates have now declined in five of the past six weeks.
The run-up in mortgage rates earlier this year represented not just a rise in risk-free borrowing costs, but for investors, the mortgage spread also rose back to more normal levels by about 20 basis points. What that means for buyers is good news. Mortgage rates may have a little more room to decline over the very short term.
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Mortgage Rates Fall Again
Mortgage rates declined over the past week and have now retreated in four of the past five weeks. The decrease in borrowing costs are a nice slice of relief for prospective buyers looking to get into the market this summer. Some are undoubtedly feeling the affordability hit from swift price appreciation and mortgage rates that are still 67 basis points higher than this week a year ago.
Mortgage Rates Retreat
Mortgage rates inched back over the past week and have now declined in three of the past four weeks.
After a sharp run-up in the early part of 2018, mortgage rates have stabilized over the last three months, with only a modest uptick since March. However, existing-home sales have hit a wall, declining in six of the last nine months on a year-over-year basis.
This indicates that persistently low supply levels, and not this year’s climb in mortgage rates, are handcuffing sales – especially at the lower end of the market. Home shoppers can’t buy inventory that doesn’t exist.
Mortgage Rates Back on the Rise
June 14, 2018
After declining for two straight weeks, mortgage rates reversed direction this week and rose to their second highest level this year. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage climbed eight basis points to 4.62 percent, and the Federal Reserve Board on Wednesday raised the federal funds rate by 25 basis points.
The good news is that the impact of rising rates on consumer budgets will be smaller than past rate hike cycles. That is because a much smaller segment of mortgage loans in today’s market are pegged to short-term rate movements. The adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) share of outstanding loans is a lot smaller now – 8 percent versus 31 percent – than during the Fed’s last round of tightening between 2004 and 2006.
Mortgage Rates Inch Backward
Mortgage rates dipped for the second consecutive week. Homebuyers have taken advantage of the recent moderation in rates, which led to a 4 percent increase in purchase applications last week. Although demand has remained steadfast against the backdrop of this year’s higher borrowing costs, it’s important to note that the growth rate of purchase loan balances has moderated so far this year – and particularly since March. This slowdown indicates that buyers are having difficulty stretching to keep up with the pace of home-price growth.
Mortgage Rates Ease Up
Mortgage Rates Maintain Steady Climb
Mortgage rates moved up over the past week to 4.66 percent, their highest level since May 5, 2011 (4.71 percent). Mortgage rates so far in 2018 have had the most sustained increase to start the year in over 40 years. Through May, rates have risen in 15 out of the first 21 weeks (71 percent), which is the highest share since Freddie Mac began tracking this data for a full year in 1972.
Mortgage Rates Move Up to Highest Level in Seven Years
After plateauing in recent weeks, mortgage rates reversed course and reached a new high last seen eight years ago. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate edged up to 4.61 percent, which matches the highest level since May 19, 2011. Healthy consumer spending and higher commodity prices spooked the bond markets and led to higher mortgage rates over the past week. Not only are buyers facing higher borrowing costs, gas prices are currently at four-year highs just as we enter the important peak home sales season.
Mortgage Rates Level Out
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate remained at 4.55 percent over the past week. The minimal movement of mortgage rates in these last three weeks reflects the current economic nirvana of a tight labor market, solid economic growth and restrained inflation. While this year’s higher rates – up 50 basis points from a year ago – have put pressure on the budgets of some home shoppers, weak inventory levels are what’s keeping the housing market from a stronger sales pace.
Mortgage Rates See Modest Decline
After steadily rising in most of April, average mortgage rates dipped slightly over the past week. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate declined three basis points to 4.55 percent in this week’s survey. While mortgage rates have increased by one-half of a percentage point so far this year, it has not impacted home purchase demand, which continues to grow this spring. The observed buyer resiliency in the face of higher rates reflects the healthy economy and strong consumer confidence, which are important drivers of home sales activity.
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