Tag Archives: Optimal Blue

Rising mortgage rates take wind out of spring homebuying sails

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Applications for purchase loans fell 5 percent last week as rates climbed to highest level since February over concerns about inflation and growing government debt. Continue reading →

Move-up homebuyers drive surge in mortgage loan applications

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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 →

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 →

Mortgage rates ease as economic data flashes recession warning

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Consumer confidence sank to a five-year low in April over concerns about tariffs, while trade deficit surged to an all-time high in March, and job postings shrank more than expected 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 →

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 →

Inflation eased in March, but tariff impacts remain to be seen

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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 →

Pressure on mortgage rates eases as Trump pauses higher tariffs

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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 →

Mortgage rates down sharply as tariff worries spark flight to safety

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Heightened fears of a trade war and recession have investors convinced that the Fed will start cutting rates again in June — a sentiment that gives mortgage rates more room to come down. Continue reading →

Trump announces universal tariffs of at least 10% on most nations

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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 →