December Fed rate cut seen as a lock — then caution may prevail
The latest CPI reading is in line with expectations, but progress in the fight against inflation has stalled, economists warn. A slower pace of easing might keep mortgage rates above 6% in 2025
by Matt Carter Dec 11
Hiring slows and unemployment rises, boosting odds of Fed rate cut
Employers added 227,000 workers to their payrolls in November, but with 7.1 million Americans out of work, the unemployment rate is back up to 4.2%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports
by Matt Carter Dec 6
Sustained drop in mortgage rates gets attention of homebuyers
Purchase mortgage demand picks up for the 4th week in a row to highest level since January as rates continue a post-election retreat that could have legs: MBA survey
by Matt Carter Dec 4
Latest inflation data ups the odds of a December Fed rate cut
Progress in taming inflation slowed in October, but futures market investors think the latest numbers increase the odds of another Federal Reserve rate cut next month
by Matt Carter Nov 27
real estate economist
Windermere’s Principal Economist Jeff Tucker looks at October's falling month-to-month new construction numbers
by Jeff Tucker Nov 27
Dramatic downward revisions for projected 2025 home sales: Fannie
Fannie Mae and MBA forecasts dampened expectations for projected home sales in 2025 while offering a more cautious outlook on the prospects of mortgage rates coming down in the new year
by Matt Carter Nov 21
Latest CPI reading leaves door open for December Fed rate cut
October Consumer Price Index report isn't having a big impact on mortgage rates, as investors who fund most home loans doubt the Fed will have much room to bring rates down next year
by Matt Carter Nov 13
Mortgage rates not expected to budge on latest Fed rate cut
Move was anticipated by investors that fund most home loans, who have been driving up mortgage rates over concerns about inflation and pace of future Fed rate cuts
by Matt Carter Nov 7
Record number of Americans say they'd rather rent than buy
Housing market sentiment rose in October to the highest level since February 2022, but 8 in 10 consumers still said it was a bad time to buy: Fannie Mae survey
by Matt Carter Nov 7
Mortgage rates climb as investors weigh impact of election results
Appetite for bonds wanes as investors pile into the stock market and assess whether Donald Trump's return to the White House will fuel more government borrowing and reignite inflation
by Matt Carter Nov 6
real estate economist
Windermere’s Principal Economist Jeff Tucker looks at how recent events have impacted the October jobs report and what it means for the economy
by Jeff Tucker Nov 5
Weak jobs, manufacturing reports provide no relief for mortgage rates
Hurricanes and strikes were expected to dent job creation, and bond market investors are looking ahead to next week's election, Fed meeting and government bond auctions, analysts say
by Matt Carter Nov 1
Inflation cooled in September, nearing the Fed's 2% target
Mortgage rates inch up as an expected decline in key inflation gauge does little to change expectations for Fed rate cuts among investors who fund most home loans
by Matt Carter Oct 31
Latest jobs, GDP reports point to November Federal Reserve rate cut
Relief would be good news for would-be homebuyers, although purchase loan applications are still up 10% from a year ago as mortgage rates hit highest levels since July, MBA survey shows
by Matt Carter Oct 30
Mortgage rates back at 7% as bond market investors stage rebellion
'Bond vigilantes' figure 'no matter which party wins the White House and the Congress, fiscal policies will bloat the budget deficit and heat up inflation,' Wall Street veteran Ed Yardeni warns
by Matt Carter Oct 28