Recent economic indicators show a lackluster economic climate. And that led to the surprise 50-basis-point rate cut by the Fed yesterday.
More Quotes from Frank Nothaft:
There is a slight chance the Federal Reserve Board will raise rates when it meets later this month, but with the current labor market and slowing consumer spending, it is more likely that it will take no action until August at the earliest. As a result, short-term interest rates, such as the one-year adjustable-rate mortgage, drifted further down this week.Frank Nothaft
Indications of a stronger economy gave rise to an increase in mortgage rates this week. Consumer confidence and existing home sales unexpectedly rose. Much of this strength is attributed to a healthy labor market, which translates into greater consumer spending. This should support an active housing market over the next few months.
Frank Nothaft
People are feeling much more financially secure. Families who are more financially secure are much more likely to buy a big-ticket item, like a house.
Frank Nothaft
Although mortgage rates have risen for the second week running, the long-term figures are still only about 50 basis points higher than they were at the start of the year. This may have slowed the refinance market a little, but refinancing continues to make up about half of all applications for mortgages, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Frank Nothaft
The level of interest rates has slowed home sales in recent months, even though house prices still grew at a double-digit annualized pace during the final quarter of 2005, according to Freddie Mac's Conventional Mortgage Home Price Index (CMHPI). Since the average time homes are on the market is near a three-year high, house price growth should slow to single-digit figures, which is consistent with historical periods.
Frank Nothaft
Responding to a weak labor market report that showed November job growth to be far less than had been anticipated, long-term yields -- and that includes mortgage rates -- reversed last week's hike and fell to the previous week's level.
Frank Nothaft
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