The Fed's acknowledgement of weakness in the economy and a flight to quality in the bond market caused fixed-rate mortgage rates to slide further. And low mortgage rates certainly help offset rising home values, keeping houses affordable for a larger pool of homebuyers.
More Quotes from Frank Nothaft:
Las Vegas generally runs above the national average in investor and second-home purchase activity. It's beginning to raise flags.Frank Nothaft
Declines in worker productivity coupled with accelerating labor costs increase the threat of inflation down the road. Inflationary pressure generated by these two factors pushes long-term mortgage rates upward, which is why we have seen rates rise these last two weeks.
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
And when inflation is thought to be in check, mortgage rates naturally drift downward as they did this week.
Frank Nothaft
Previous years pale in comparison.
Frank Nothaft
A tepid national economy has anchored mortgages rates to current low levels so far this year, ... However, according to the Federal Reserve's 'Beige book,' the housing industry is the only bright spot in the economy right now. That is primarily due to low mortgage rates.
Frank Nothaft
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