What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 20, 2016

Mortgage rates fell after Federal Reserve policymakers decided not to raise the Fed's target federal funds rate. The Federal Open Market Committee cited ongoing concerns over global financial and economic developments and slow jobs growth as factors in its decision not to raise rates. Fed Chair Janet Yellen emphasized the committee's decision-making process is not predetermined and said that ongoing review of current and developing news is significant to monetary policy decisions. Last week's economic news also included the NAHB Housing Market Index, the monthly inflation rate and retail sales along with weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless…
Read More

Fed Monetary Policy: No Rate Increase in June

According to its post-meeting statement issued Wednesday, the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve voted not to increase its target federal funds rate. The target federal funds rate will remain at 0.250 to 0.50 percent. Based on review of current and anticipated financial and economic events, the Committee cited slowing job growth and momentum of inflation-based compensation as reasons supporting its decision. While the national unemployment rate recently fell to 4.70 percent, FOMC members saw room for growth in employment. Unemployment rates are calculated based on active workforce members and do not include those who are under-employed or…
Read More

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 31, 2016

Last week's economic reports included new home sales, pending home sales along with weekly mortgage rates and new jobless claims. New Home Sales Surpass Expectations Sales of new homes surpassed expectations and the prior month's reading. April's reading of 619,000 sales exceeded expectations of 523,000 new homes sold and 531,000 new homes sold in March.  New home sales rose by 16.60 percent on a seasonally adjusted annual basis, which was the highest increase in 24 years.  Analysts said that April's new home sales indicate that builders are increasing production of new homes to meet high demand for homes. Short inventories…
Read More