What May Impact Mortgage Rates this Week: October 6, 2014

1522456_717971534888096_812580490_oLast Friday’s Jobs Report came in better than expected and mortgage rates ticked up a little higher on Friday but are still in a tight range and essentially unchanged compared to last Monday’s rate post (slightly improved). There’s not a lot on the dance card this week for scheduled events that may impact the direction of mortgage interest rates this week. Watch for the Fed Minutes on Wednesday, which has stronger odds of moving mortgage rates. Since this week’s calendar is so light, I’m adding a couple items that will not impact rates…but are eventful!

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What May Impact Mortgage Rates this Week: September 29, 2014

MortgagePorter-JobsReportThis week is packed with economic data that may influence the direction of mortgage rates wrapping up with the Jobs Report on Friday. Mortgage rates will also react to world tensions, such as what’s taking place in the Middle East. This is because mortgage rates are based on bonds (mortgage backed securities) and investors often seek the safety of bonds over the potentially higher return found with stocks. Stocks are taking a hit this morning and mortgage backed securities are improved.Here are some of the economic indicators that are scheduled to be released this week:

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How much does a bump in interest rates impact home buyers?

Kate portrait 4I’m reading an article this morning, “When Mortgage Rates Rise”, which addresses something that I’m often asked and that I also addressed recently on post here. Essentially, the “experts” are predicting that we will mortgage rates trend higher to around the 5% range by mid to late next year. Historically, speaking, 5% is not a high rate… in fact, I’m sure I wrote a blog post about when mortgage rates dipped as low as 5% back around 2008 . Our “problem” is that we have become accustomed to fixed rates in the 3 to 4% range. Mortgage rates have been at artificially low levels for a long period. And I agree that we will see this end as the Fed continues to pull back their support of mortgage backed securities.

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What May Impact Mortgage Rates this Week: September 22, 2014.

10590595_10152292265616046_3172341462878606042_nHappy first day of fall! Mortgage rates continue to be in a fairly tight range and are slightly improved compared to last Monday’s rate post.

Here’s a short  list of economic indicators that may impact the direction of mortgage rates this week:

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What May Impact Mortgage Rates this Week: September 15, 2014

20140504_210758This is a painting on black velvet that I did of our Fed Chairwoman, Janet Yellen, that hangs in my office. All eyes and ears will be on the Fed after the two day meeting FOMC meeting wraps up today. Here are some of the economic indicators scheduled to be released this week:

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What May Impact Mortgage Rates this Week: September 8, 2014

mortgageporter-economyThis week’s calendar of economic indicators seems light, especially following last week that included the Jobs Report on Friday.

Remember, mortgage rates are based on bonds (mortgage backed securities) and often change throughout the day. Sometimes mortgage rates change only slightly by price (the cost for a specific rate) and of course, we can see dramatic rate changes as well. The direction of mortgage rates may be influenced by scheduled economic data, the direction of the stock market, inflation or even world events.

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What May Impact Mortgage Rates this Week: September 1, 2014

10626879_10152256097026046_1092128899241203089_nHappy Labor Day! Our office is closed today and will re-open for business as usual tomorrow morning at 9:00 am. This photo is from an hour or so ago at the dog park at Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island. My hubby is tossing a bumper for our pup, Hitch (the black one to the right) and has a few other pups who are interested in playing too. What a gorgeous September day this is – I hope you and yours and having a wonderful holiday.

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What May Impact Mortgage Rates this week: August 4, 2014

2014-07-05 09.46.57I hope you’re enjoying your summer. Can you believe that it’s already August? Tomorrow, August 5, 2014, is Seattle Night Out (actually, National Night Out) and many neighborhoods will be getting to know each better over block parties and/or pot luck dinners during this annual crime prevention event. This is a great excuse to get to know your neighbors better so if you don’t have anything planned tomorrow, why not knock on a few doors and have an impromptu pot luck? 🙂

Photo: Our puppy, Hitch, having fun with one of his neighbors, Sadie.

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