Economists now less certain 2024 will bring much mortgage rate relief

Fed’s “higher for longer” rate strategy could keep home sales from rebounding in 2024 or limit the strength of a recovery, according to two closely followed forecasts. Continue reading

Interest rates surge again on surprisingly strong jobs report

Employers added 336,000 jobs in September, the biggest jump since January, raising the odds that the Fed will pursue “higher for longer” rate strategy. Continue reading

Surprisingly strong jobs report sends interest rates soaring

Drop in unemployment claims on the heels of hawkish Fed warnings sends 10-year Treasury yields soaring to a 15-year high, with mortgage rates likely to follow. Continue reading

Latest jobs numbers could be nail in the coffin for interest rate hikes

Mixed payroll and unemployment report sends long-term interest rates surging, but some analysts say the latest numbers reduce the odds of a September Fed rate hike. Continue reading

Good news about economy could send mortgage rates back up

Surprising GDP and jobs numbers have investors buying stocks and selling bonds over worries that Fed policymakers will continue hiking rates to combat inflation. Continue reading

Hiring in real estate ramps up — but lags behind other industries: Labor

May was a strong hiring month for the U.S. as a whole. But in a down market, real estate didn’t quite keep pace, according to new jobs data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 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

From ‘Better’ to worse: Real estate companies making layoffs so far

With a few exceptions, the layoffs have so far largely been confined to companies providing mortgages and mortgage-related services like title and closing. Continue reading

Redfin economist: The Fed can change its mind

While an abrupt shift in policy isn’t expected, Fed Chair Jerome Powell affirms that, “If things come in better than we expect, then we’re prepared to do less” tightening. Continue reading