Economic Commentary This Week
Rate Prediction
It is amazing how it seems every year we have predictions that interest rates will go up. And each year interest rates do go up. And then, they go back down. The yield of the 10-year Treasuries have gone up over 0.5% over the past few months. But they also went up just about the same amount during the winter of 2016-17. Similar rises were witnessed in 2015 and 2014, though the patterns were slightly different. Each time, rates came back down.
It is amazing how it seems every year we have predictions that interest rates will go up. And each year interest rates do go up. And then, they go back down. The yield of the 10-year Treasuries have gone up over 0.5% over the past few months. But they also went up just about the same amount during the winter of 2016-17. Similar rises were witnessed in 2015 and 2014, though the patterns were slightly different. Each time, rates came back down.
Some say that the Federal Reserve Board raising short-term interest rates makes higher long-term rates a certainty. But, we must remember, the Fed raised rates in 2015 and 2016, albeit not as quickly as 2017. In 2015 and 2016, the Fed was “normalizing” rates because the economy had stabilized. Now the economy is growing, and we have added a major stimulus. Rates are not rising because the Fed is raising rates, rates are rising because the markets and the Fed expect further economic growth. That being said, it is still impossible to predict the future of economic growth or rates. On the other hand, if you feel this is the last opportunity to take advantage of historically low rates, you may want to act accordingly.
The Weekly Market Update
Rates on home loans continued their climb in the past week. For the week ending February 8, Freddie Mac announced that 30-year fixed rates increased to 4.32% from 4.22% the week before. The average for 15-year loans rose to 3.77% and the average for five-year adjustables climbed to 3.57%. A year ago, 30-year fixed rates averaged 4.17%, higher than today’s level.
Attributed to Len Kiefer, Deputy Chief Economist, Freddie Mac — “The U.S. weekly average rate of 30-year fixed loans rocketed up 10 basis points to 4.32 percent this week. Following a turbulent Monday, financial markets settled down with the 10-year Treasury yield resuming its upward march. Rates on home loans have followed. The 30-year fixed rate is up 33 basis points since the start of the year. Will higher rates break housing market momentum? It’s too early to tell for sure, but initial readings indicate housing markets are sustaining their momentum so far. The MBA reported that purchase applications are up eight percent from a year ago in their latest Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey.”
Note: Rates indicated do not include fees and points and are provided for evidence of trends only. They should not be used for comparison purposes.
We have prepared a special interactive calculator which demonstrates simply how an increase in rates can affect the affordability of a dream home.
Have you already taken advantage of today’s low rates and not ready to move up? If you know anyone who is thinking about purchasing or refinancing, we would love the opportunity to provide assistance. Just let us know who to contact.
Not a commitment to lend. Rates are historical survey rates published by Freddie Mac and do not include fees and points. They should not be used for comparison purposes.
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