05
Mar
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Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – March 5th, 2018

Last week's economic releases included readings on new home sales, pending home sales and Case-Shiller Home Price Indices. Construction spending and consumer sentiment reports were also released, along with weekly readings on average mortgage rates and new jobless claims. New Home Sales Drop in January New home sales were reported at a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 593,000 sales in January according to the Commerce Department. Analysts expected a rate of 693,000 sales based on December's upwardly revised rate of 643,000 sales of new homes. January's reading was 7.80 percent lower than for December; January's reading was one percent lower than…
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13
Jun
By
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 13, 2016

Last week's economic news was highlighted by Fed Chair Janet Yellen's speech in Philadelphia. Although Chair Yellen alluded to future Fed rate hikes, she did not specify when Fed policymakers would next raise the target federal funds rate.  Increases in the fed funds rate typically signal increases in consumer credit and home mortgage rates. Last week's speech was seen as a precursor to the Federal Open Market Committee statement that will occur at the conclusion of next week's FOMC meeting.  Chair Yellen is also scheduled to give a press conference after the FOMC statement next Wednesday. Mortgage rates and new…
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06
Jun
By
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 6, 2016

Last week's housing related news was limited to Construction Spending and Freddie Mac's mortgage rates survey, but labor reports suggested an economic slowdown may be in the works. Construction Spending Slips in April, Mortgage Rates Mixed According to the Commerce Department, overall construction spending slipped in April to -1.80 percent as compared to March's reading of +1.50 percent and May's expected reading of +0.70 percent. Residential construction spending was 1.50 percent lower, which doesn't help ongoing shortages of available single-family homes. Builders have repeatedly cited labor shortages and lack of developed lots as obstacles to building more homes. Year-over-year construction…
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