Lauren Novak

July 18, 2024
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to its lowest level since mid-March, dropping 12 basis points from last week. Mortgage rates are headed in the right direction and the economy remains resilient, two positive incremental signs for the housing market. However, homebuyers have yet to respond to lower rates, as purchase application demand is still roughly 5 percent below Spring, when rates were approximately the same. This is not uncommon: sometimes as rates decline, demand weakens, and the apparent paradox is driven by buyers making sure rates don’t decline further before they decide to purchase.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

July 11, 2024
Following June’s jobs report, which showed a cooling labor market, the 10-year Treasury yield decreased this week and mortgage rates followed suit. There is also more inventory on the market, including a fair number of listings with price cuts, which is an encouraging sign for prospective buyers.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

July 3, 2024
Mortgage rates increased this week, coming in just under seven percent. Both new home and pending home sales are down, causing active listings to rise. We are still expecting rates to moderately decrease in the second half of the year and given additional inventory, price growth should temper, boding well for interested homebuyers.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

June 27, 2024
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage continues to trend down, hitting the lowest level in almost three months. By historical standards, the economy is in good shape, and we expect rates to continue to come down over the summer months, bringing additional homebuyers back into the market.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

June 20, 2024
Mortgage rates fell for the third straight week following signs of cooling inflation and market expectations of a future Fed rate cut. These lower mortgage rates coupled with the gradually improving housing supply bodes well for the housing market. Aspiring homeowners should remember it’s important to shop around for the best mortgage rate as they can vary widely between lenders.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

June 13, 2024
Mortgage rates continued to fall back this week as incoming data suggests the economy is cooling to a more sustainable level of growth. Top-line inflation numbers were flat but shelter inflation, which measures rent and homeownership costs, increased showing that housing affordability continues to be an ongoing impediment for buyers on the house hunt.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

June 6, 2024
Mortgage rates retreated this week given incoming data showing slower growth. Rates are just shy of seven percent, and we expect them to modestly decline over the remainder of 2024. If a potential buyer is looking to buy a home this year, waiting for lower rates may result in small savings, but shopping around for the best rate remains tremendously beneficial.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

May 30, 2024
Following several weeks of decline, mortgage rates changed course this week. More hawkish commentary about inflation and tepid demand for longer-dated Treasury auctions caused market yields to rise across the board. This reality, as well as economic signals that have moved sideways over the last few weeks, have resulted in mortgage rates drifting higher as markets continue to dial back expectations of interest rate cuts.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

May 23, 2024
Spring homebuyers received an unexpected windfall this week, as mortgage rates fell below the seven percent threshold for the first time in over a month. Although this week’s data on previously owned home sales showed a decline, total inventory of both new and existing homes is up. Greater supply coupled with the recent downward trend in rates is an encouraging sign for the housing market.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.