Fed stays put but is prepared to hike rates one more time this year

Treasury yields, a barometer for mortgage rates, barely budged Wednesday as bond market investors look ahead to next year when the Fed is expected to start bringing short-term rates back down. Continue reading

Homebuyer mortgage demand falls to lowest level since 1995

As mortgage rates hit new post-pandemic highs on inflation worries, an MBA survey finds applications for purchase loans fell for the sixth consecutive week last week and are down 30 percent from a year ago. Continue reading

After pausing in June, Fed hikes rates to highest level since 2001

Federal Reserve policymakers keep their options open for another rate hike in September, but futures markets investors and some economists think the Fed is probably done hiking rates. Continue reading

Inflation drops steeply in June to lowest level in more than 2 years

Housing costs were again the largest contributor to inflation, accounting for more than 70 percent of the annual increase of the Consumer Price Index, according to new Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Continue reading

Jumbo mortgage rates rise as lenders pull back

Rates for mortgages backed by Fannie and Freddie continue to ease despite Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s tough talk on inflation, but liquidity issues put pressure on bigger loans. Continue reading

Inflation is falling. So what happens next? Here’s what economists say

The impact of high housing costs is expected to fall out of inflation, giving cover for the Federal Reserve to stop raising interest rates, economists said. But there are still warning signs. Continue reading

Housing is outperforming, but recession may still be in the cards

Fannie Mae economists say “extraordinarily tight” inventories of existing homes driven by mortgage lock-in effect has shifted demand toward new homes. Continue reading

Mortgage applications surged last week but rates are climbing again

Applications for purchase mortgages rose 5 percent last week, but a strong jobs report and ongoing bank instability are pushing mortgage rates back up. Continue reading