The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was back above 3% this week, and economists believe rates will continue to increase over the next few months. “The combination of rising inflation and consumer spending is driving mortgage rates higher,” says Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “Shoppers looking to buy a home are fueling a strong demand while …
Category: News
Jul 08
Inventory Woes Aren’t Slowing Down Home Sales
Existing-home sales fared strongly in October even as buyers continued to complain there aren’t enough homes on the market. Existing-home sales, which are completed transactions for single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and co-ops, increased by 0.8% in October compared to September, the National Association of REALTORS® reported Monday. Compared to a year ago, however, sales are …
Jul 03
NAR President Calls for Improving Veteran Buying Process
National Association of REALTORS® President Leslie Rouda Smith testified before Congress Wednesday, encouraging lawmakers to further help veterans achieve the American dream of homeownership. The hearing before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity brought together lawmakers and housing industry leaders to brainstorm ways to remove barriers specific to veteran homeownership. “NAR …
Jul 02
Experts: Housing Market Likely to ‘Normalize’
Economists predict slower price appreciation, easing inflation, and rising interest rates during NAR’s virtual Real Estate Forecast Summit. While strong homebuyer demand and inventory shortages will continue into 2022, the housing market is unlikely to repeat this year’s dizzying heights, in which existing-home sales reached their highest point in 15 years with an estimated 6 …
Jul 01
CFPB, DOJ Warn Against Illegal Evictions of Military Vets
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Justice Department issued letters to mortgage servicers and housing providers reminding them that military and veteran families who are leaving pandemic-related forbearance plans or renters leaving moratoriums have extra protections under law. They want to ensure that military families and vets are not illegally evicted or foreclosed on. …
Jun 28
Sales Up as Buyers Rush to Lock in Mortgage Rates
Home buyers may have felt more determined in November to purchase before 2021 comes to an end and mortgage rates and borrowing costs increase, as largely is forecasted to happen. Existing-home sales, which include completed transactions for single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and co-ops, rose 1.9% in November compared to October, the National Association of REALTORS® …
Jun 27
Borrowers Taking Out Larger Mortgages
Home prices are rising by double-digit numbers, causing increasing concerns around housing affordability. The Commerce Department reported that median sales prices for new homes rose nearly 19% in November, while the National Association of REALTORS® reported existing-home prices jumped by a median of 13.9% annually last month. As home prices press higher, so is the …
Jun 26
How about the 2021 Year-End Mortgage Rates at 3.11%?? Crazy ….
Mortgage rates stayed low for the final week of 2021, but housing analysts largely predict rates will be heading up in the coming weeks. “Mortgage rates have been effectively been moving sideways despite the increase in new COVID cases,” says Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “This is because incoming economic data suggests that the …
Jun 25
Higher Mortgage Loan Limits Take Effect
Conforming loan limits for mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have jumped in most of the country to $647,200, an increase of $98,950 from 2021’s limit of $548,250. The higher levels are in response to rising home prices over the past year. The new loan limits took effect Jan. 1. The Federal Housing …
Jun 24
2021 saw Mortgage Borrowing at Record High
The hot housing market fueled an all-time record for the amount Americans borrowed to buy homes in 2021. Mortgage lenders issued $1.61 trillion in purchase loans last year, according to preliminary data from the Mortgage Bankers Association. That tops a previous record set in 2005 of $1.51 trillion. Home prices have grown by double digits …
Jun 21
Mortgage Rates Higher Than at Any Point in 2021
Mortgage rates have taken a big leap at the start of the new year. In the first week of 2022, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage jumped nearly 60 basis points higher than a year earlier, averaging 3.22% this week, Freddie Mac reports. “Mortgage rates increased during the first week of 2022 to the highest level since …
Jun 20
How Jobs, Inflation May Influence Borrowing Costs
The real estate industry is closely watching the so-called “Great Resignation,” a movement that started with the pandemic in which people are leaving the workforce in historically higher numbers. As more Americans quit their jobs, will they set out for greener pastures by moving to a new location? The trend is only growing: In November, …
