The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is meeting September 21 and 22 to discuss the next steps on broad issues related to monetary policy. But in the mortgage industry, there’s only one question on brokers’ minds: What’s going to happen to interest rates? As of today, the best guess is: Not much. Fed-watching is an industry unto itself, and the phrase that’s caught their attention is “substantial further progress.” That’s how Fed Chairman Jerome Powell described the conditions under which the institution would begin reducing its monthly bond purchases — currently $120 billion — as part of his regime of “qualitative easing.” Shrinking the money supply, or even talk of shrinking the supply, is expected to lead to higher interest rates and,…
Good Morning! Today is Thursday, September 16. The FDA found that an additional shot of Pfizer boosts immune response, but the typical two-shot regimen is still effective. The U.S., Britain, and Australia are teaming up to launch nuclear-powered submarines to patrol the South China Sea. Olympic gymnasts abused by Larry Nasser blamed the F.BI., USA Gymnastics, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee for not responding to accusations in 2015. And in mortgage and housing news… Interest Rates Flat Again: Freddie Mac’s PMMS showed interest rates barely moved for another week, with 30-year fixed-rates averaging 2.86%. “Middlemen”: Mat Ishbia says UWM’s in-house appraisal program will speed things up by removing AMCs, which needlessly hinder closing times. Non-banks Non-primes Down: Fitch…
Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) showed rates stayed basically flat for yet another week, with 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaging 2.86%. It was 2.87% this week a year ago. Last week it inched up 0.1% to 2.88%. This week it dropped 0.2%. Overall, it’s been months since it moved significantly. Rates on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages dropped to 2.12%, down from 2.19% last week. Fifteen-year rates averaged 2.35% a year earlier. Five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) averaged 2.51%, increasing from last week’s 2.42%. Last year it was 2.96%. “It’s Groundhog Day for mortgage rates, as they have remained virtually flat for over two months. The holding pattern in rates reflects the markets’ view that the prospects for the economy…
Good Morning! Today is Wednesday, September 15. Californians voted not to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom. Senate Democrats proposed a compromise voting rights bill that includes voter ID requirements. Facebook documents reportedly show Instagram is harmful to teenage girls. North Korea violated U.N. resolutions by testing two ballistic missiles. And in mortgage and housing news… Purchase Applications Up: MBA’s weekly survey showed mortgage applications bouncing back from last week’s low, driven by purchase applications. Debt Burdens: More than half of non-homeowners say their student debt delayed them from buying a home, a NAR poll found. PSPA Provisions Suspended: FHFA and the Department of the Treasury suspended certain provisions from the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements, FHFA announced in a press release. Delinquencies…
Good Morning! Today is Tuesday, September 14. Californians vote on whether to recall Governor Gavin Newsom today. Chevron pledged to spend $10 billion in its new low-carbon unit, focusing on biofuels and hydrogen production. A Wall Street Journal investigation found that Facebook exempts high-profile users from its content rules. And in mortgage and housing news… Good News For Struggling Borrowers: The total number of loans in forbearance took a nosedive this week, with numbers down in every category. Cash-Outs Soar: Black Knight’s latest Originations Market Monitor report showed cash-out refinancing rose 41% in the last three months, while overall rate locks for mortgage originations increased in August. MHCs: Freddie Mac rolled out new tenant protections for manufactured home owners who rent the land they live on. Breathing Room: Ginnie Mae is…
Cash-out refis skyrocketed in the last three months, while overall rate locks for mortgage originations increased in August, according to Black Knight’s latest Mortgage Origination Monitor report. Rate locks rose 1.3% from July, driven by a 7.6% increase in cash-out refinancing activity. Refi lending is up 41% over the last three months, making refi the largest share of the market for the first time since February. “The rise in cash-out lending is hardly surprising given the extraordinary growth we’ve seen in tappable equity this year,” Black Knight Secondary Marketing Technologies President Scott Happ said. American homeowners gained a record $1 trillion in tappable equity in the second quarter of 2021. “We’ve now seen cash-out activity increase for three consecutive months,…
Good Morning! Today is Friday, September 10. Tomorrow is the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. US unemployment hit a new pandemic low as it continues to trend down. President Biden announced a new plan to require vaccinations in workplaces of 100 employees or more or face weekly testing. The Taliban allowed 113 Americans and other Western passport holders to leave Kabul. And in mortgage and housing news… Tap That: American homeowners gained a record $1 trillion in tappable equity in the second quarter of 2021, a single-quarter record according to Black Knight. Speeding Like A Bullet: The national median monthly mortgage payment for homebuyers rose 67% faster than rents year-over-year in August, but mortgage hikes are starting to…
Good Morning! Today is Thursday, September 9. Elizabeth Holmes’ trial starts today; she’s accused of defrauding investors and patients through her blood-testing company Theranos. Job openings in the US have leveled off after breaking records over the summer. Eighty percent of gas and oil production on the Gulf coast is still down after Hurricane Ida. And in mortgage and housing news…Rates Don’t Budge: Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey found that mortgage rates held steady another week, up just .01% from last week to 2.88%. Feminists, Former Employees Cry Foul Over Ishbia’s Big-Dollar MSU Player Stipends: UWM’s Mat Ishbia is paying $6,000/year in stipends to MSU football and basketball players — but only the men. Women’s advocates see sexism,…
Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS®) found that mortgage rates held steady another week, up just .01% from last week to 2.88%. Rates haven’t moved much in several weeks. The rate on a 30-day fixed-rate mortgage averaged 2.88%, inching up compared to last week. It was 2.86% a year ago. Rates on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages followed the same trend, averaging 2.19%, nearly identical to the 2.18% rate in the previous week. Fifteen-year rates averaged 2.37% a year earlier. Five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) averaged 2.42%, shaking things up with slight decrease from last week’s 2.43%. Last year it was 3.11%. “While the economy continues to grow, it has lost momentum over the last two months due to…
Good Morning! Today is Wednesday, September 8. The Taliban named a wanted man on the US terrorism list as interior minister. Bitcoin selloff has cooled after a flash crash yesterday erased billions in its value. RFK’s widow Ethel Kennedy says his assassin, Sirhan Sirhan, should not be released from prison in California. And in mortgage and housing news… Mortgage Applications Down: Mortgage applications are down again this week, with refi applications dropping 3%, according to the MBA’s latest survey. Forbearances Down, Too: The MBA reported that number of loans in forbearance fell from 3.25% to 3.23%. Residential Construction Gains: Residential construction, especially multi-family properties, grew in suburban and small metro urban core markets during Q2, NAHB’s Home Building Geography Index reported. Ginnie Mae-king…
