Tag Archive for ‘monetary policy’

Purchasing and Refinance Activity Thrive Amid Low Rates

As the Mortgage Bankers Association’s 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate reached a new historic low of 3.3%, sliding down by 8 basis points from the previous week, its benchmark Market Composite Index increased by 8% from the previous week, on a seasonally adjusted basis. Purchase applications increased to the highest level in over 11 years and for the ninth consecutive week…. Read More ›

Mortgage Rates Fall Back in March

Information compiled by Freddie Mac shows that mortgage rates decreased on a monthly basis. As of end of March, the 30-year FRM – Commitment rate, declined by two basis points to 3.45 percent from 3.47 percent in February. The cycle peak was 4.87 percent in 2018 November. Given the market volatility due to the rapidly spreading Coronavirus COVID-19, the Federal… Read More ›

Mortgage Rates Fall Back in February

Information compiled by Freddie Mac shows that mortgage rates decreased on a month-over-month basis. As of end of February, the 30-year FRM – Commitment rate, declined by 16 basis points to 3.47 percent from 3.62 percent in January. The cycle peak was 4.87 percent in 2018 November. Given the recent market volatility, the Federal Reserve cut the benchmark interest rate… Read More ›

Federal Reserve Enacts 50 Basis Point Rate Cut

Reacting to the growing demand- and supply-side impacts of the coronavirus, the Federal Reserve FOMC today reduced the target range for the federal funds rate by 50 basis points, lowering the target to 1 1/4  and 1 percent. This is the first time since 2008 the FOMC enacted a federal funds rate cut outside of the typical meeting schedule. It… Read More ›

Mortgage Rates Continue to Increase in December

For the third consecutive month, information compiled by Freddie Mac shows that mortgage rates increased slightly on a year-over-year basis. As of end of December 2019, the 30-year FRM – Commitment rate, increased by two basis points to 3.72 percent from 3.70 percent in November. The cycle peak was 4.87 percent in 2018 November. The Federal Reserve maintained the benchmark… Read More ›

A Decade of Home Building: The Long Recovery of the 2010s

Home building in the 2010s was a story of the Long Recovery. After the Great Recession, the number of home builders declined significantly, and housing production was unable to meet buyer demand. This deficit of housing in the United States continues to exist because of persistent supply-side headwinds for builders, creating a critical housing affordability challenge for renters and homebuyers…. Read More ›

Slight Increase in the 30-Year Mortgage Rate in November

For the second consecutive month, information compiled by Freddie Mac shows that mortgage rates increased slightly on a year-over-year basis. As of end of November 2019, the 30-year FRM – Commitment rate, increased by one basis points to 3.70 percent from 3.69 percent in October. The cycle peak was 4.87 percent in November. The Federal Reserve maintained the benchmark interest… Read More ›