Shrinking economy bolsters the case for a June Fed rate cut
Advance GDP reading suggests the economy shrank by 0.3% during Q1, as a rush by businesses to import goods before tariffs took hold and government spending cuts dented growth
by Matt Carter Apr 30
Homebuyer demand falls for 2nd consecutive week as rates climb
Economic uncertainty, rate volatility and mounting worries about the labor market are reducing the pool of potential buyers, putting a damper on the spring homebuying season
by Matt Carter Apr 23
Homebuyers are responding to stable rates, rising inventories
Demand for purchase mortgages has been stronger than a year ago for more than 2 months as mortgage rates stay well below 2025 highs seen in January, MBA lender surveys show
by Matt Carter Apr 2
Homebuyers respond as mortgage rates hover near 2025 lows
Purchase loan requests are up 7% from a year ago, as loosening housing inventory and a pullback in mortgage rates presents FHA buyers with more opportunities: MBA survey
by Matt Carter Mar 26
Encouraging CPI inflation report does little for mortgage rates
Homebuyers have responded to a pullback in mortgage rates from January highs, but tariffs on imported goods could keep inflation elevated and halt the downward trend in rates
by Matt Carter Mar 12
Homebuyers and homeowners jump on big drop in mortgage rates
Requests to refinance surged 37% last week and were up 83% from a year ago after the biggest 1-week decline in mortgage rates since November, the MBA's latest weekly lender survey shows
by Matt Carter Mar 5
Inflation is cooling. But is the economy about to crash?
After moving in the wrong direction for 3 months, annual inflation cooled to 2.5% in January. But the biggest drop in consumer spending since 2021 has 1 model predicting a shrinking economy
by Matt Carter Feb 28
Mortgage rates in retreat as investors weigh Trump's approach
After surprise inflation report, Trump administration says the Fed's interest rate decisions will be exempt from its attempt to exert more control over independent federal agencies
by Matt Carter Feb 19
Pullback in mortgage rates spurs refis but not purchase loans
Requests to refinance were up 12% week over week and 17% from a year ago last week after rates for 30-year fixed-rate loans pulled back to the lowest level in 6 weeks
by Matt Carter Feb 5
Mortgage rates ease on benign December inflation report
Investors bid up shares of mortgage lenders and real estate companies after 'relatively benign' CPI report ends speculation that inflation worries might force the Fed to raise rates this year
by Matt Carter Jan 15
Mortgage demand crumbles as rates are on the rise again
With mortgage rates back to where they were last summer, purchase applications are coming in at the slowest pace since February 2024, Mortgage Bankers Association lender survey finds
by Matt Carter Jan 8
Homebuyers show readiness to pounce when mortgage rates dip
Requests for purchase loans picked up last week during a short-lived drop in rates, MBA survey shows, helped by gradually improving inventory conditions and economic outlook
by Matt Carter Dec 18
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
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
Homebuyer interest surges on slight pullback in mortgage rates
Applications for purchase loans jumped 12% week over week and 52% from a year ago as rates dropped to 6.86%, according to a weekly survey of lenders by the Mortgage Bankers Association
by Matt Carter Nov 27