Annual inflation cools for 3rd month straight to 3.1%
The Consumer Price Index rose only 0.1% between October and November, 3.1% higher than a year earlier, suggesting interest rates will hold steady at this week's Federal Reserve meeting
by Ben Verde Dec 12
Mortgage rates edge up on surprisingly strong jobs report
Employers added 199,000 workers to their payrolls in November, a sign that the economy may achieve a soft landing but making Fed spring rate cuts less likely
by Matt Carter Dec 8
Homebuyer sentiment tallies record low amid falling rates
Fannie Mae economist warns that, while mortgage rates have retreated, the primary drivers of housing pessimism are persistent affordability challenges and worries about household finances
by Matt Carter Dec 7
How low can they go? Mortgage rates back under 7% this week
Mortgage rates keep falling after Powell tries to deflate expectations for the spring rate, as 3 new reports released this week suggest the economy is, in fact, losing steam
by Matt Carter Dec 6
Fed Chair Powell's attempt to deflate rate-cut expectations flops
Rates keep falling as fresh data pours in, with investors who fund most mortgages still convinced the Federal Reserve will begin lowering rates in the spring to avoid strangling the economy
by Matt Carter Dec 1
Homebuyers seizing the day as mortgage rates continue to slide
Demand for purchase loans picks up for 4th consecutive week, and bond market investors are pushing rates lower on hopes for Fed easing as inflation subsides
by Matt Carter Nov 29
Economists agree rates have peaked. But will they come down?
Two closely watched forecasts agree that mortgage rates have probably peaked, but the MBA and Fannie Mae diverge sharply on how quickly they'll come down over the next 2 years
by Matt Carter Nov 22
Homebuyers perk up as mortgage rates hit lowest level in 2 months
Requests for purchase loans were up 4% last week compared to the week before, but down 20% from the same time a year ago, Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly survey of lenders finds
by Matt Carter Nov 22
Mortgage rates post biggest 1-day drop since onset of the pandemic
Tuesday's big drop in rates followed an encouraging inflation report, with bond market investors now convinced the Federal Reserve is done hiking rates and may reverse course in the spring
by Matt Carter Nov 15
Inflation stays flat in October, but shelter costs continue to rise
The index for shelter rose 0.3% between September and October and was up 6.7% year over year, according to CPI data released Tuesday
by Ben Verde Nov 14
Mortgage rates inch back up after Powell warns Fed could hike again
Speaking at an IMF research conference, Powell said the Fed is committed to raising rates as high as needed to bring inflation down, and 'we are not confident that we have achieved such a stance'
by Matt Carter Nov 13
Homebuyers respond to biggest drop in mortgage rates this year
Purchase mortgage applications trended up last week for the first time in a month as mortgage rates retreated from 2023 highs, according to the MBA's weekly survey of lenders
by Matt Carter Nov 8
Record 85% of Americans said October was a bad time to buy
Monthly Fannie Mae survey shows homebuyer pessimism hitting a new high last month, but a broader index aimed at capturing overall housing market sentiment actually improved
by Matt Carter Nov 7
Big drop in mortgage rates as unemployment hints at recession
After breaching 8% in mid-October, 30-year fixed mortgage rates have plummeted to levels not seen since September as more investors expect Fed policymakers to lower rates in the spring
by Matt Carter Nov 3
Fed pause could revive demand for mortgages as rates reverse course
Demand for purchase mortgages hit the lowest level since 1995 last week, but relief could be in sight after Federal Reserve policymakers elected not to hike short-term rates on Wednesday
by Matt Carter Nov 2