Hiring slows and unemployment rises, boosting odds of Fed rate cut

Employers added 227,000 workers to their payrolls in November, but with 7.1 million Americans out of work the unemployment rate is back up to 4.2 percent. Continue reading

Inflation cooled in September, nearing the Fed’s 2% target

Mortgage rates inch up as an expected decline in key inflation gauge does little to change expectations for rate cuts among investors who fund most home loans. Continue reading

Latest inflation numbers could give mortgage rates additional lift

Reports send mixed signals on the economy, with CPI showing prices rose more sharply than expected in September and jobless claims surging to highest level in more than a year. Continue reading

Mortgage rates are soaring on strong September jobs report

With a soft landing seen as more likely, analysts say Fed policymakers can now afford to be more cautious about the pace of future rate cuts, and mortgage rates aren’t likely to fall below 6 percent anytime soon. Continue reading

Weak jobs report drags down stock indexes — and mortgage rates

August payroll report includes “huge downward revisions” to previous estimates of June and July job growth, renewing recession worries and prospects for aggressive Fed rate cuts. Continue reading

Mortgage rates are tumbling again as job openings hit 18-month low

Bond market investors who fund most mortgages are already certain the Fed will slash rates this month. The question has become how much will policymakers cut on Sept. 18, Nov. 7 and Dec. 18? Continue reading

Mortgage rates continue descent as Fed hints at September rate cut

Fed policymakers are acknowledging that while they’re determined not to cut rates until inflation is tamed, they’re also worried about waiting too long — and throwing the economy into a tailspin. Continue reading

Housing inventory is roaring back to life. So why aren’t new listings?

Inventory is rising again, according to an analysis of housing data. But agents are still scrounging. Hundreds of brokers and agents shared what’s working in the latest polling from Inman Intel. Continue reading

Housing inventory is climbing back. So why are leads still lagging?

Inventory is rising again, but agents are still scrounging for new listings. Hundreds of brokers and agents shared what’s working in still-tight markets in new responses from the Intel Index survey. Continue reading

Mortgage rates retreating from 7% on ‘massive’ revision to jobs report

After spiking after the June 27 presidential debate, mortgage rates are trending down again on mounting expectations that the Federal Reserve will start cutting rates in September. Continue reading