Tag Archives: federal reserve

Job market is cooling, but not fast enough to alarm Fed policymakers

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An estimated 7.24 million Americans were unemployed in May, as hiring by private employers slowed and the federal government continued to shrink its payroll. Continue reading →

Dip in mortgage rates doesn’t do much to excite homebuyers

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While purchase loan demand was still up 18 percent last week from a year ago, some of that demand may not translate into sales, with Redfin reporting an unusual bump in cancelled purchase contracts. Continue reading →

Wells Fargo free to grow again after Fed lifts $1.95T asset cap

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Lifting of the asset cap could give the bank greater leeway to originate jumbo mortgages that exceed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s $806,500 conforming loan limit in most markets. Continue reading →

Real estate agent commissions are not falling off a cliff

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A new Redfin report indicates that most consumers are still willing to pay for their real estate agents and that last year’s NAR rules have had minimal impacts on agent pay. Continue reading →

Homebuyers out in force for a 2nd week as mortgage rates stabilize

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With more homes to choose from, purchase loan applications were up 18 percent from a year ago last week as buyers forged ahead despite economic uncertainty. Continue reading →

A June rate cut is now seen as off the table as Fed stays put

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Central bank policymakers need time to assess Trump administration’s “substantial policy changes” in areas including tariffs, immigration, taxation and regulations Continue reading →

Shrinking economy bolsters the case for a June Fed rate cut

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Advance GDP reading suggests the economy shrank by 0.3 percent during Q1, as a rush by businesses to import goods before tariffs took hold and government spending cuts dented growth. Continue reading →

Homebuyer demand falls for 2nd consecutive week as rates climb

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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. Continue reading →

Tariffs to spur ripple effects across real estate, industry leaders warn

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Rising construction costs and shifts in foreign investments will result in falling sales as the weight of the tariffs are felt across U.S. housing markets, economists and real estate leaders told Inman. Continue reading →

Homebuyers get cold feet as mortgage rates rebound

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Mortgage rates are climbing back toward 7 percent on fears that tariffs could reignite inflation, but Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell warns policymakers would be challenged if unemployment also rises. Continue reading →