What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 4th, 2019

Last week's economic reports included readings new and pending home sales, Case-Shiller housing market indices and consumer sentiment. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. New Home Sales Rise as Pending Home Sales Fall Sales of new homes rose 17 percent in November for an eight-month high. Year-to-date sales of new homes were only 2.70 percent higher than for the same period in 2018.New home sales rose to 657,000 sales as compared to expectations of 563,000 sales and November's reading of 562,000 sales. Analysts cautioned that Commerce Department readings for new home sales are prepared…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 28th, 2019

Last week's economic news included readings on sales of previously owned homes and weekly readings on average mortgage rates and new jobless claims. A scheduled report on sales of new homes was not available due to the government shutdown. National Association of Realtors®: Sales of Pre-Owned Homes Lowest in 3 Years Sales of previously owned homes fell in December and failed to meet expectations. 4.99 million pre-owned homes were sold on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis; analysts predicted 5.10 million sales based on 5.33 million sales in November 2018. December's reading showed the lowest number of sales since November of 2015.…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 22nd, 2019

Last week's economic reports included National Association of Home Builders' Housing Market Index, the Federal Reserve's Beige Book report and the University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. Commerce Department readings on housing starts and building permits issued were delayed due to the federal government shutdown, which continued and became the longest government shutdown on record. NAHB: Builder Confidence Rises Amid Headwinds Home builder confidence rose two points in January according to the National Association of Home Builders. Builder concerns over rising construction costs and tariffs on building materials…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 14th, 2019

Last week's economic reports included remarks by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, readings on inflation and core inflation. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and first-tome jobless claims were also released. If the government shutdown continues, it is expected to impact release dates for readings from federal government agencies. Federal Reserve Watches and Waits on Interest Rates as Inflation Slows Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve will "wait and see" about raising the target federal funds rate this year. Chairman Powell spoke at a discussion hosed by the Economic Club of Washington,…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 31st, 2018

Last week's economic reports included readings from Case-Shiller Housing Market Indices, National Association of Realtors® on pending home sales and weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims.   The Commerce Department's reading on sales of new homes was delayed due to the federal government's shutdown. Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Lowest in Two Years Home price growth was nearly nil with October's month-to-month reading of 0.40 percent; The Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index showed a year-over-year home price growth rate of 5.50 percent, which matched September's year-over-year reading. Las Vegas, Nevada led home price growth in the 20-city index…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 24th, 2018

Last week's economic news included readings from the National Association of Home Builders, Commerce Department readings on housing starts and National Association of Realtors® report on sales of previously-owned homes. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. NAHB: Home Builders Lose Confidence as Housing Crunch Continues Homebuilder confidence fell to a 36 month low in December as homebuilder concerns over rising home prices, high mortgage rates and decreasing inventories of available homes sidelined home buyers. The NAHB Housing Market Index fell four points to 56. Components of the Housing Market Index reading also fell as…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 17th, 2018

Last week's economic reports included readings on inflation and retail sales. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. Retail Sales Grow, Inflation Unchanged in November November retail sales grew by 0.20 percent in November as compared to expectations of 0.10 percent and October's reading of 1.10 percent growth. Core retail sales, which exclude automotive sales, grew by 0.20 percent and met expectations. Analysts said online stores pushed retail sales growth in November. Inflation held steady in November as expected. Inflation grew by 0.30 percent in October. Core inflation, which excludes volatile fuel and food sectors, rose…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 10th, 2018

Last week's economic reports included readings on construction spending and Labor Department readings on private and public jobs growth. The Consumer Sentiment Index was released along with weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. Construction Spending Slows in October Residential construction slowed in last month as public works projects increased. Private sector construction spending fell by -0.10 percent as compared to expected growth of 0.30 percent and last month's negative reading of -0.10 percent. Construction spending for October was $1.309 billion on a seasonally adjusted annual basis as compared to September's revised reading of $1.311 billion. Overall construction…
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