Helping Washington State homeowners learn more about their mortgage options.
This morning, Japan announced their GDP (gross domestic product) continues to decline, giving US mortgage bonds a slight boost. This week has a lot of economic indicators scheduled to be released that could impact the direction of mortgage rates. Keep an eye out for data that reveals inflation, as that will cause mortgage rates to trend higher.
Currently mortgage rates are continuing to improve (see below) compared to last week’s mortgage rate post.
This week is packed full of economic indicators that may influence mortgage interest rates, including the Fed meeting on Wednesday and Jobs Report on Friday. The Jobs Report carries a lot of weight with mortgage rates as it may indicate inflation. As the economy and employment improves, we may see signs of wage inflation. Inflation is the arch enemy of bonds, like mortgage backed securities – which mortgage rates are based on. World tensions may also impact mortgage rates as investors may seek the safety found in bonds.
Mortgage rates are based on mortgage backed securities (bonds) and often change throughout the day. Since they are based on bonds, mortgage rates will often improve when the stock markets are deteriorating as investors will trade the safety of bonds for the potential greater return found with stocks. The reverse is also true. World events as well as scheduled economic indicators may impact the direction of mortgage interest rates. Watch for signs of inflation, which erodes the value of bonds and therefore, causes mortgage rates to trend higher.
We don’t have any economic indicators scheduled to be released today…however, the rest of this week is loaded with data that could impact mortgage rates. If the reports reveal inflation heating up, mortgage rates may trend higher. Here’s a list of what’s scheduled for this week:
The strong Jobs Report on Friday caused mortgage rates to trend higher. This morning rates are still at that level. Please keep in mind that although I talk about mortgage rates been higher – they’re still very low. However if you’ve been pricing mortgage rates over the last two months, you’ll notice that the price (discount) for the same rate you’ve been quoted, cost more.
The stock and bond markets are closed today in observance of President’s Day. Here are a few of the economic indicators scheduled to be released this week.
Wed. February 20: Building Permits; Producer Price Index (PPI); Housing Starts; FOMC Minutes released
Thurs. February 21: Consumer Price Index (CPI); Initial Jobless Claims; Philadelphia Fed Index; Existing Home Sales
Watch for signs of inflation from the PPI or CPI, which tends to drive mortgage rates higher. Wall Street will also be paying close attention to the FOMC minutes.
Happy President’s Day!
This week is packed with economic reports that may impact the direction of mortgage interest rates. Mortgage rates are based on mortgage backed securities (bonds). When the Fed minutes revealed hints that the FOMC may stop purchasing mortgage backed securities last week, mortgage rates ticked slightly higher. However Japan is hinting of buying US bonds, which is helping rates trend lower this morning.
Signs of inflation or the economy recovering may also cause mortgage rates to trend higher. Here are some of the economic indicators scheduled to be released this week:
NOTE: Monday, January 21, 2012 our office will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Day.
As I write this post (8:24 am pst) the DOW is up 5 at 13493 and MBS for the FNMA 30 year is up slightly.
If you would like a mortgage rate quote for your Washington state home, please click here. I’m happy to help!
Mortgage rates continue to provide many the opportunity to reduce their mortgage payments or to qualify to a home at extremely low rates. With the re-election of President Obama, it’s also likely we will see expansion of the Home Affordable Refinance Program to HARP 3.0 as well as the governments prolonged purchasing of mortgage backed securities, manipulating mortgage rates at these historic low levels.
Rhonda Porter is a Licensed Mortgage Originator MLO121324 living in the greater Seattle area. Rhonda began her career in 1986 in the title and escrow industry and began her mortgage career in 2000. She enjoys helping people understand the mortgage process and started writing The Mortgage Porter in late 2006. Read More…
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