Numbers to know: Is the Fed having second thoughts about rate cuts?

Inflation, combined with September’s strong jobs report, suggests that the Fed might be rethinking how quickly to cut the Federal Funds Rate, says Windermere’s Principal Economist Jeff Tucker. Continue reading

Would-be homebuyers put off by higher mortgage rates

Demand for purchase mortgages fell by a seasonally adjusted 7 percent last week, and requests to refinance were down 26 percent as mortgage rates continued to climb, MBA survey finds. 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

Homebuyers entering the market even as mortgage rates stabilize

Purchase loan applications are up 9 percent from a year ago, as inventories of new and existing homes increase and lower mortgage rates help with affordability: MBA. Continue reading

New inflation data gives mortgage rates room to keep coming down

With inflation continuing to inch closer to the Fed’s 2 percent goal in August, bond market investors are getting more confident that the central bank will continue to cut rates aggressively in November. Continue reading

‘The fever has broken’: Action steps for agents after rate cuts

An environment where the fed funds rate is being cut instead of raised has historically been better for the real estate industry. Now is the time for agents to become the resource for information and professionalism. Continue reading

Homebuyer demand hardly budged as mortgage rates hit 2024 lows

While many homeowners rushed to refinance, affordability is keeping a damper on sales. Now mortgage rates are climbing again, with investors having already priced in last week’s Fed rate cut. Continue reading

Is that big Fed rate cut a cure-all for the mopey market? The Download

With this week’s half-percent rate cut from the Federal Reserve, agents are hoping sellers will finally get off the fence and loosen up some inventory to get the market moving. Continue reading