May 8, 2023 | Financial Reports
Last week’s economic news included reporting on construction spending, the Federal Reserve’s decision to raise its benchmark interest rate, and weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims.
Construction Spending Increases in March
The Commerce Department reported that month-to-month construction spending rose by 0.30 percent and year-over-year construction spending increased by $1.83 trillion. Residential construction fell by -0.20 percent in March, which was the tenth consecutive monthly decline in residential construction spending. Non-residential construction spending rose by 0.70 percent in March for the ninth gain in the past 10 months.
Fed Raises Key Interest Rate Range
Federal Reserve policymakers raised the Fed’s key interest rate range by a quarter point to 5.00-5.25 percent at its Federal Open Market Committee meeting held on Tuesday and Wednesday. This was the tenth consecutive rate hike as the Fed continues efforts to control inflation.
Analysts noticed a subtle change in the tone of the Fed’s post-meeting statement and suggested that the less aggressive tone used in the post-meeting statement signaled a softer approach to raising the Fed’s benchmark rate. While some Fed policymakers recently suggested the possibility of a recession, Fed Chair Jerome Powell disagreed: “This is not my own most likely case.” Chair Powell also said that he expected economic growth in 2023 but at a slower pace.
Mortgage Rates Mixed, Jobless Claims Rise
Freddie Mac reported mixed movement of mortgage rates last week as the average rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages fell by four basis points to 6.39 percent. The average rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages rose by five basis points to 5.76 percent.
Initial jobless claims rose to 242,000 claims filed last week as compared to the prior week’s reading of 229,000 first-time claims filed. Continuing jobless claims fell with 1.81 million claims filed as compared to the prior week’s reading of 1.84 million claims filed.
What’s Ahead
This week’s scheduled economic news includes readings include readings on inflation and consumer sentiment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims will also be published.
May 5, 2023 | Mortgage Tips
When you are looking for a mortgage for your home, your credit score is very important. Any potential lender will check your score and will use the number to assess your creditworthiness and the interest rate that they offer you.
The better your credit score the lower the mortgage interest rates will be available to you, as the lender will be able to see that you can handle credit well.
However, if you have a very bad credit score, it could be causing you to be offered high interest rates on your mortgage that could cost you thousands over the years.
Improving your credit score before searching for a mortgage will ensure that you get the best rate possible. But what can you do to improve your credit score?
Here are three tips that can help you improve your credit score and your mortgage loan:
Be Patient
Remember that improving your bad credit will be a little bit like losing weight. You might not see results right away but it is the long term benefit of your good habits that will make all the difference.
When it comes to all of the ways to improve your credit score, there are no quick-fixes and the best way to rebuild your credit is to be responsible over time.
Check Your Credit Report For Errors
If you don’t know precisely what your credit score currently is, the first step will be for you to obtain a credit report. You can request a free copy of your credit report and check it over carefully for errors. There might be an error on the report that is making your score appear worse than it should be.
Set Up Payment Reminders
If you have trouble remembering to make your credit payments by the due date, this can be one of the biggest negative factors bringing down your score. You can ask your bank to set up convenient reminders through the online banking portals so that you will receive an email or a text whenever your payments are due.
Your credit score is very important when looking for a Worcester County area home mortgage, as it will mean that you receive much better program options and interest rates. Keep these tips in mind so that you can enjoy the best rates possible on your mortgage.
For more tips on how to improve your prospects for the best mortgage, feel free to contact your local, trusted mortgage professional.
Apr 26, 2023 | Real Estate
When you go through the process of applying for a mortgage, you need to make sure you understand all of the terms on the page. Two of the most common numbers you will come across include the mortgage rate and the APR. Many people associate both of these numbers with interest rates, but you will probably notice that they are not quite the same. What are the differences between these two numbers, and how are they going to impact your mortgage loan?
The Mortgage Interest Rate
The first number you are probably going to look at is the mortgage interest rate. This reflects the additional money that you will be charged over the life of the mortgage. For example, if you take out a loan for approximately $250,000 that has an interest rate of 5 percent, you will end up paying not only the principal but also an interest component of approximately $233,000 over the life of the loan. Keep in mind that an interest rate can be fixed or variable, so make sure you read the application carefully.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
The other number that you might see is your APR. This calculation is a bit more complex because it considers all facets of your application, not just the interest rate on the mortgage. Your APR is going to include other values as well, such as private mortgage insurance premiums, discount points, closing costs, and other closing expenses. This number might be a bit harder for people to understand, but it will also give you a more accurate picture of the total cost of your mortgage.
Ask Questions Before You Sign Your Contract
Because there are so many moving parts involved when you apply for a mortgage, you need to take the time to ask questions before you sign on the dotted line. You will be focused on your primary interest rate, as it will play a major role in the total cost of your loan as well as your monthly payment; however, you need to have an accurate picture of the other fees associated with your home loan as well. Reach out to an expert who can help you find the right mortgage to meet your needs.
Apr 3, 2023 | Financial Reports
Last week’s economic reporting included readings on home prices, inflation, and pending home sales. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also published.
S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices Report Slower Home Price Growth in January
Home price growth cooled in January according to S&P Case-Shiller’s 20-City Home Price Index. Home prices increased by 2.50 percent year-over-year in January but rose at a slower pace than December’s reading of 4.60 percent. The FHFA Home Price Index also showed slower growth in January with year-over-year home price growth of 5.30 percent as compared to December’s home price growth rate of 6.60 percent.
The top three cities for home price growth in the 20-City Home Price Index were Miami, Florida, Tampa, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia. In contrast, western U.S. cities posted the most declines in home prices. San Francisco, California, Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon posted the steepest declines in home values in January. Home prices in western cities grew rapidly before the pandemic and are falling in post-pandemic markets.
Rapidly rising mortgage rates have narrowed the pool of qualified homebuyers and ongoing shortages of available homes are keeping home prices relatively high. As long as demand for homes exceeds available homes, it’s unlikely that housing markets will crash, but prospective buyers seem wary of recently rising mortgage rates and a slowing economy.
Mortgage Rates Fall as Jobless Claims Rise
Freddie Mac reported lower average mortgage rates last week as the rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages fell by 10 basis points to 6.32 percent. Rates for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages fell by 12 basis points and averaged 5.56 percent. Lower rates were welcome especially when some analysts expect mortgage rates to climb past eight percent in coming months.
198,000 new jobless claims were filed last week and outstripped predictions of 195,000 claims filed and the prior week’s reading of 191,000 first-time claims filed.
The final edition of the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Survey for March fell from an index reading of 67 to 62. Index readings above 50 indicate that most consumers surveyed have a positive view of current economic conditions, Current sentiment remains below an index reading of 101 recorded before the pandemic.
What’s Ahead
This week’s scheduled economic reporting includes readings on construction spending, public and private-sector reports on job growth, and the national unemployment rate. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims will also be released.
Mar 27, 2023 | Financial Reports
Last week’s financial and economic reporting included readings on sales of new and previously-owned homes, along with weekly data on mortgage rates and jobless claims.
Single-Family Home Sales Rise in February
Year-over-year sales of previously owned homes rose 14.5 percent to a seasonally-adjusted pace of 4.58 million sales. Analysts expected 4.20 million sales of pre-owned homes as compared to January’s year-over-year reading of 4.0 million sales. February’s increased sales halted 12 months of falling sales of previously-owned homes. February’s reading marked the highest pace of sales since July 2020, when sales of pre-owned homes rose by 22.40 percent.
The National Association of Realtors® said that February’s reading represented the largest increase in existing home sales since the inception of reporting sales of previously-owned homes in 1999. The median sale price of existing homes was $363,000 in February. There was a 2.6-month supply of homes available in February.
February sales of new single-family homes rose to 640,000 sales from January’s reading of 633,000 sales. While analysts said that a brief lull in climbing mortgage rates contributed to increased home sales, new home sales remained 22.60 percent lower than in February 2021.
FOMC Statement: Fed Strives to Hold Inflation in Check, Mortgage Rates Fall
The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee released the minutes of its March meeting; the Committee voted to raise its key interest rate range to 4.75 to 5.00 percent; the Committee reaffirmed its goal of returning inflationary growth to two percent. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that the Fed was planning to continue rate hikes before the failure of Silicon Valley Bank. Chairman Powell said the bank’s failure forced Fed policymakers to consider a halt to interest rate hikes.
Freddie Mac reported lower average mortgage rates as the rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages fell by 18 basis points to 6.42 percent. The average rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages fell by 22 basis points to 5.68 percent. Initial jobless claims fell slightly to 191,000 claims as compared to the previous week’s reading of 192,000 first-time claims filed. Continuing jobless claims rose to 1.69 million claims filed from the prior week’s reading of 1.68 million ongoing claims filed.
What’s Ahead
This week’s scheduled economic reports include readings on home prices, inflation, and consumer sentiment. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and jobless claims will also be released.
