Purchase loan demand was up 11 percent last week, with “surprisingly strong” demand from conventional loan borrowers given lingering economic uncertainty, MBA economist Mike Fratantoni says. Continue reading
Central bank policymakers need time to assess Trump administration’s “substantial policy changes” in areas including tariffs, immigration, taxation and regulations Continue reading
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
Slowing economy could also help bring mortgage rates down to Earth more rapidly, with the latest forecast predicting rates will drop to 6.2 percent by the end of this year and to 6 percent next year. Continue reading
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
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
Inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index dropped to an annual rate of 2.4 percent last month, but the impact of tariffs is unlikely to show up in data until May. Continue reading
Stocks rebounded and pressure on interest rates eased after Trump announces 90-day pause on country-specific “reciprocal tariffs” with the exception of 125 percent duties on Chinese goods. Continue reading
Sweeping plan imposes higher duties on “worst offenders” and is in addition to 25 percent tariff on foreign automobiles slated to take effect April 3. Continue reading
Demand for purchase mortgages has been stronger than a year ago for more than two months as mortgage rates stay well below 2025 highs seen in January, lender surveys show. Continue reading