What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 16, 2016

Last week's economic events included weekly releases on new jobless claims, mortgage rates and testimony by Fed Chair Janet Yellen concerning the Federal Reserve's monetary policy. Here are the details: Mortgage Rates, New Jobless Claims Drop Freddie Mac reported that average mortgage rates fell across the board last Thursday, with the rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage seven basis points lower at 3.65 percent. The average rate for a 15-year fixed rate mortgage was six basis points lower at 2.95 percent, and the average rate for a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage was two basis points lower at 2.83 percent.…
Read More

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – Feburary 8, 2016

Last week's scheduled economic news included reports on construction spending and several labor-related reports along with weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. The details: Construction Spending Higher in December U.S. construction spending rose by 0.10 percent in December for a seasonally adjusted annual total of $1.12 trillion. The Commerce Department reported that construction firms spent 10.5 percent more than in 2014.Residential construction spending totaled $416.8 billion for 2015, which was 12.60 percent higher than in 2015. Higher construction spending can be a double-edged sword, as it can indicate that builders are stepping up construction or that they…
Read More

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – Feburary 1, 2016

Last week's economic events included S&P Case-Shiller's home price indexes, reports on new and pending home sales and the Fed's FOMC statement. The details: Case-Shiller Reports Fast Paced Home Price Growth According to S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indexes, U.S. home prices grew at their fastest pace in 16 months in November. Portland, Oregon led the charge with home prices increasing 11.10 percent year-over-year followed by San Francisco, California at 11.0 percent; Denver, Colorado posted a year-over-year gain of 10.90 percent. 14 cities posted home price gains while four cities posted declines in home prices and two cities posted no change…
Read More