Fed preparing to slow the pace of 'quantitative tightening'
In addition to anticipating 3 rate cuts this year, Federal Reserve policymakers are considering whether to taper the pace at which they unwind the central bank's $7T balance sheet
by Matt Carter Mar 20
Many hoped a March rate cut would boost housing. Now, it's not so clear
Most real estate professionals believe rate cuts by the Fed will be crucial for a sales recovery, according to results from the Inman Intel Index survey. But the timing on those cuts is hazy
by Chris LeBarton Feb 19
Homebuyer purchase loan demand falls again as mortgage rates firm
After picking up during the first 3 weeks of January, MBA lender surveys show applications for purchase loans are contracting, with mortgage rates no longer in free fall from 2023 highs
by Matt Carter Feb 7
Fed policymakers want more data, dash hopes of March rate cut
Chair Jerome Powell says a rate cut at the central bank's next meeting is not 'the base case,' with policymakers wanting to see more data showing inflation is on a sustainable path down to 2%
by Matt Carter Jan 31
Mortgage rates poised to drop as Fed projects 3 cuts
Federal Reserve policymakers anticipate 3 rate cuts by the end of next year, but investors and some economists think the central bank may cut faster and harder, with relief by spring
by Matt Carter Dec 13
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
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
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
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
Mortgage demand slips again as rates continue relentless rise
Loan applications slip to lowest level since 1995 as mortgage rates climb for the 7th week in a row, according to a weekly survey of lenders by the Mortgage Bankers Association
by Matt Carter Oct 25
Mortgage rates ease after Powell weighs in on impacts of tightening
The Fed chair acknowledged that elevated term premiums — higher rates of return bond investors are demanding to compensate them for risk — could reduce the need for further rate hikes
by Matt Carter Oct 20
Bond yields soar again on Fed governor's hawkish remarks
Fed Governor Michelle Bowman warns bankers that she thinks the Fed may need to hike rates more than once and keep them high next year to get inflation under control
by Matt Carter Oct 2
Fed stays put but is prepared to hike rates one more time this year
Treasury yields, a barometer for mortgage rates, barely budged Wednesday as bond market investors look ahead to next year when the Fed is expected to start bringing rates back down
by Matt Carter Sep 20
Inflation ticks up 0.6%, boosted by 'outsized' housing costs
The Consumer Price Index increased 0.6% in August, faster than the July rate of 0.2%, according to data released Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
by Ben Verde Sep 13
Homebuyer mortgage demand falls to lowest level since 1995
As mortgage rates hit new post-pandemic highs on inflation worries, MBA survey finds purchase loan demand down 5% week over week and 30% from a year ago
by Matt Carter Aug 23