25 Nov 2019
By Fred Gruber

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – November 25th, 2019

Financial Reports , ,
Last week’s scheduled economic news releases included readings on builder sentiment from the National Association of Home Builders and. Commerce Department data on housing starts and building permits issued. The National Association of Realtors® reported on sales of previously owned homes and the University of Michigan issued its monthly report on consumer sentiment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. NAHB: Builder Sentiment Dips in November Home builders were less optimistic about housing market conditions in November; the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index dipped by one point to an index reading of…
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01 Apr 2019
By Fred Gruber

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 1st, 2019

Financial Reports , ,
Last week's economic reports included readings from Case-Shiller on home price growth, Commerce Department readings on housing starts and building permits issued. The Conference Board issued its monthly reading on consumer confidence. Pending home sales and weekly reports on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. Case-Shiller Home Price Indices: Price Growth Slows in January S&P Case-Shiller Indices reported the slowest rate of home price growth in six years. January readings suggested that home price growth slowed due to easing demand. Affordability concerns sidelined buyers; participation of first-time home buyers remained lower than average. Case-Shiller's 20-City Home Price…
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20 Feb 2018
By Fred Gruber

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 20th, 2018

Financial Reports , ,
Last week's weeks economic releases included readings on the NAHB Housing Market Index, housing starts and building permits issued and consumer sentiment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. NAHB: Builder Confidence in Housing Market Holds Steady in February The National Association of Home builders reported an index reading of 72 for its Housing Market Index in February. January's reading was also 72; readings over 50 indicates that more builders than fewer are confident about housing market conditions. Three readings comprising the overall NAHB HMI reading include builder confidence in current market conditions, which was…
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20 Jul 2015
By Fred Gruber

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 20, 2015

Market Outlook , , ,
Last week's economic news included an encouraging report from the National Association of Home Builders, whose housing market index held steady with a reading of 60 in July. This was the 13th consecutive month for readings over 50, which indicate that more builders are confident about housing markets than those who are not. July's reading was noteworthy as it was the highest since November 2005 prior to the recession. Housing Starts, Building Permits Increase The Commerce Department provided further evidence of stronger housing markets with reports on housing starts and building permits issued in June. Housing starts rose from May's…
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22 Sep 2014
By Fred Gruber

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – Sept 22, 2014

Market Outlook , ,
Last week's economic news largely concerned the Federal Reserve's FOMC meeting statement and a post-meeting conference given by Fed Chair Janet Yellen. The FOMC statement indicated that the Fed continued its wind-down of Treasury and mortgage-backed securities and that its purchases are expected to cease after the next FOMC meeting. The FOMC statement said that committee members find the economy to be improving at a moderate pace and currently strong enough to further reduce the QE3 monthly asset purchases. The Fed seeks to achieve and sustain its dual mandate of maximum employment and an inflation rate of 2.00 percent. While…
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24 Mar 2014
By Fred Gruber

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – March 24, 2014

Uncategorized , ,
Last week's economic news included several housing-related reports including the Housing Market Index (HMI) for March, a report on housing starts, and building permits for February. The National Association of REALTORS® also released its Existing Home Sales report for February and the Federal Reserve issued its first FOMC statement under the helm of Fed Chair Janet Yellen. Home Builders Conservative On Housing Market Conditions The National Association of Home Builders Wells Fargo Housing Market Index rose by one point to a reading of 47 in March against a reading of 46 in February and against an expected reading of 50.…
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24 Mar 2014
By Fred Gruber

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – March 24, 2014

Uncategorized , ,
Last week's economic news included several housing-related reports including the Housing Market Index (HMI) for March, a report on housing starts, and building permits for February. The National Association of REALTORS® also released its Existing Home Sales report for February and the Federal Reserve issued its first FOMC statement under the helm of Fed Chair Janet Yellen. Home Builders Conservative On Housing Market Conditions The National Association of Home Builders Wells Fargo Housing Market Index rose by one point to a reading of 47 in March against a reading of 46 in February and against an expected reading of 50.…
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18 Jul 2013
By Fred Gruber

Home Builder Confidence Rises To Highest Level Since January 2006

Housing Analysis , ,
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) / Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) rose in July. Home builder confidence in the market for newly constructed single-family homes rose six points to a reading of 57. NAHB reports that this was the third consecutive rise in the HMI and its highest reading since January 2006. Three components used in compiling the HMI reading include current sales, which gained five points for a reading of 60.  Confidence in prospective buyer traffic rose from 40 to 45, and sales expectations for the next six months rose from a reading of 60 to…
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19 Jun 2013
By Fred Gruber

Home Builder Confidence Jumps By Widest Margin Since 2002

Housing Analysis , ,
U.S. housing markets are gaining as demand for homes exceeds available supplies in many areas. The National Association of Home Builders/ Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) for June increased by eight points over May's reading to achieve a positive reading of 52. This last happened in August-September of 2002, when HMI monthly readings also jumped by eight points. Any reading over 50 indicates that more builders consider housing market conditions positive than negative. June's reading was the first time the HMI reading surpassed a reading of 50 since April 2006. Limited Inventory Drives Sales Of New Homes Rick Judson,…
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