Mortgage rates slipped for a third consecutive week as Wall Street rallied around positive inflation data.
Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 7.44%, a modest decline from the week prior’s 7.5%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.61%.
The 15-year fixed rate fell from 6.81%% to 6.76%. A year ago, it averaged 5.98%.
“For the third straight week, mortgage rates trended down, as new data indicates that inflationary pressures are receding,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “The combination of continued economic strength, lower inflation, and lower mortgage rates should likely bring more potential homebuyers into the market.”
The consumer price index for October dipped by 0.1% month-over-month and…
Mortgage rates hit a more than two-decade high last week, exacerbating creeping financial troubles for many would-be buyers.
Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 7.31%, jumping from 7.19%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.70%.
The 15-year fixed-rate rose to 6.72% from 6.54%. A year ago, it averaged 5.96%
“The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has hit the highest level since the year 2000,” Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist, said.
“However, unlike the turn of the millennium, house prices today are rising alongside mortgage rates, primarily due to low inventory. These headwinds are causing both buyers and sellers to hold out for better circumstances.”
Pending home sales tanked in August, reversing…
Mortgage rates stayed above 7% again last week.
Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 7.19%, up from 7.18%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.29%.
The 15-year fixed-rate rose to 6.54% from 6.51%. A year ago, it averaged 5.44%
“Mortgage rates continue to linger above 7% as the Federal Reserve paused their interest rate hikes,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.
“Given these high rates, housing demand is cooling off and now homebuilders are feeling the effect. Builder sentiment declined for the first time in several months and construction levels have dipped to a three-year low, which could have an impact on the already low housing supply.”
August’s inventory…
Mortgage rates increased slightly last week, inching up after falling the week prior.
Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.81%, up from 6.78%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.30%.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage also increased, up to 6.11% from 6.06%. A year ago, it averaged 4.58%.
“Higher interest rates continue to dampen activity in interest rate-sensitive sectors, such as housing. However, overall U.S. consumer confidence is unwavering, surging to a two-year high in the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index for July 2023,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.
“Rising consumer confidence often leads to greater spending, which could drive more consumers into the housing market.”
Consumers believe that…
Mortgage rates retreated last week, dropping more than ten basis points in a one-week period.
Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.78%, down from 6.96% the week prior. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.54%.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage reversed course as well, down a whopping 24 bps from 6.30% to 6.06%. A year ago, it averaged 4.75%.
“As inflation slows, mortgage rates decreased this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “Still, the ongoing shortage of previously owned homes for sale has been a detriment to homebuyers looking to take advantage of declining rates.”
Existing-home sales saw their most sluggish levels in 14 years in June.
At the…
Mortgage rates fell again, the third consecutive week of declines, but once again gave only an inch.
Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.67%, down from 6.69% the week prior.
A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.81%.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage slipped as well, down from 6.10% to 6.03%. A year ago, it averaged 4.92%.
“Mortgage rates slid down again this week but remain elevated compared to this time last year,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.
“Potential homebuyers have been watching rates closely and are waiting to come off the sidelines. However, inventory challenges persist as the number of existing homes for sale remains very low. Though, a…
Mortgage rates dipped again last week, continuing to fluctuate within the 6% range.
Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.35%, down from 6.39% the week prior.
A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.30%.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage decreased as well, to 5.75% from 5.76%. A year ago, it averaged 4.48%.
“This week’s decrease continues a recent sideways trend in mortgage rates, which is a welcome departure from the record increases of last year,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.
Khater noted that moderating inflation has weakened mortgage rate growth.
Both the consumer price and producer price indices, released this week, showed better-than-expected results. The CPI’s shelter cost component rose…
Prospective homebuyers may be benefiting from the luck of the Irish this week as mortgage rates fall.
Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate averaged 6.60%, down from 6.73% the week prior.
A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.16%.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage dipped from 5.95% to 5.90%. A year ago, it averaged 3.39%.
“Mortgage rates are down following an increase of more than half a percent over five consecutive weeks,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.
“Turbulence in the financial markets is putting significant downward pressure on rates, which should benefit borrowers in the short term. During times of high mortgage rate volatility, homebuyers would greatly benefit from shopping…
Mortgage rates rose again this week, a second consecutive increase, pushing sub-6% rates further out of reach.
Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate averaged 6.32%, up from 6.12% the week prior.
A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.92%.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 5.51% to 5.25%. A year ago, it averaged 3.15%.
“The economy is showing signs of resilience, mainly due to consumer spending, and rates are increasing. Overall housing costs are also increasing and therefore impacting inflation, which continues to persist,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.
Shelter inflation in particular is on the rise.
A blog post by Christian Zimmermann, Assistant Vice President of Research Information…
By CHUCK GREEN
As the average mortgage rates decline and markets slow in parts of the country that were red-hot during the pandemic, we at The Mortgage Note decided to ask who is currently in favor during negotiations – the buyer or the seller?
It seems that the current consensus on the ground is that there are benefits to being either.
Aaron Kozikowski is a loan officer at Ross Mortgage Corporation. The company is headquartered in Troy, Michigan, and serves customers in Michigan, Kentucky, Florida, and Virginia.
Kozikowski said “in this market, we’ve been seeing homes sit on the market longer, which allows buyers to take their time instead of having to put in an offer immediately. Sellers are also…
