Mortgage Rates Dramatically Increase

Today mortgage rates jumped about 0.25-0.375 in interest rate or about a full point (1% of the loan amount) in fee. Mortgage rates have been trending higher since the beginning of this year. Today’s movement with mortgage rates is a pretty significant increase for one day.

The is largely due to Federal Reserve Governor Brainard stating today that they are going to start rapidly liquidating their balance sheets as well as being more aggressive with increasing the federal funds rate. Combine this with inflation and mortgage rates will continue to push higher. [Read more…]

The Fed’s Announcement Yesterday and how it impacts Credit Cards

Yesterday the Fed (FOMC) wrapped up their two day meeting deciding to leave the Fed Funds rate unchanged.  How does this impact you?

[Read more…]

What May Impact Mortgage Rates this Week: March 16, 2015 | LIVE Mortgage Rate Post

dundeeMy apologies for being a couple days late on this post which is typically published on Mondays… I had Monday off (it was my birthday) and with taking a day off, I had fun catching up on emails yesterday.

For my birthday, my husband and I went to Pinot country in Oregon – it is absolutely beautiful. If you enjoy pinot noir or crisp white wine, I recommend you check it out!

[Read more…]

Fed to Keep Mortgage Rates Sweet and Low

iStock-000020911287XSmallThe Fed made no changes to the Fed Funds rate… no surprise there. However, the Fed did surprise the markets today announcing they are not tapering their purchasing of mortgage backed securities. From today’s press release:

…Taking into account the extent of federal fiscal retrenchment, the Committee sees the improvement in economic activity and labor market conditions since it began its asset purchase program a year ago as consistent with growing underlying strength in the broader economy. However, the Committee decided to await more evidence that progress will be sustained before adjusting the pace of its purchases.  [Read more…]

What May Impact Mortgage Rates this Week: September 16, 2013

2012-08-20-0845Mortgage backed securities are improving this morning on the news that Larry Summers has withdrawn as a candidate for the next Fed Chairman. This leaves current Fed Vice Chairman Janet Yellan as a strong candidate to replace Ben Bernanke. Bond markets are reacting positively to the news that Janet is once again a front runner as the next Fed head. Speaking of the Fed – watch for the results of the FOMC meeting on this Wednesday.

[Read more…]

What May Impact Mortgage Rates this Week: August 19, 2013

mortgageporter-economyI hope you are having a wonderful summer. Our Seattle summer has been just beautiful – I don’t even mind the few days of rain we’ve had sprinkled in. Anyhow, you’re not reading this post for a weather report, are you? Let’s get back to what may impact mortgage interest rates this week! Today and Tuesday, we don’t have any economic indicators scheduled to be released. Wednesday is the big day with the minutes from the last Fed meeting being released.

[Read more…]

What may impact mortgage rates this week: June 24, 2013

Mortgage rates are still marching higher this morning. As I’ve mentioned many times over the past couple years, mortgage rates rise much quicker than they come down, as we are experiencing that right now.  As I begin to write this post on 7:00 am on June 24, 2013, the DOW is down 243.  MBS are down over 100 bps as investors continue to sell mortgage backed securities as the end of the Fed’s manipulation of mortgage draws near.

Here are some of the scheduled economic indicators to be released this week:

Tuesday, June 25: Durable Goods Orders; S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index; Consumer Confidence; New Home Sales

Wednesday, June 26: Gross Domestic Product (GDP); GDP Chain Deflator

Thursday, June 27: Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE); Core PCE; Personal Income; Personal Spending; Initial Jobless Claims; Pending Home Sales

Friday, June 28: Chicago PMI; Consumer Sentiment Index (UoM)

I’m checking pricing for mortgage rates and we have long since left the 3’s for 30 year fixed… looks like if rates stay on this pace, it won’t be long before we are back to rates in the 5% range. Which historically speaking is still low…however, it doesn’t feel so low to those who have become accustomed to the artificially low rates we’ve enjoyed the past couple years.

As of 7:30 am, for a 30 year fixed rate based on a loan amount of $400,000 and an 80% loan to value with a 740 minimum credit score, I’m quoting (ready for this??):

  • 4.750% priced with 0.064% discount, essentially at “par” or as close to zero points and zero rebate as I can get with the lenders we work with (apr 4.830).
  • 4.625% is currently priced with 1.090% discount points (apr 4.921%).

Remember, mortgage rates change constantly, often several times a day – especially with how volatile the markets have been. If you would like a mortgage rate quote based on current pricing and your personal scenario for a home located anywhere in Washington state, where I’m licensed, click here.

Want to know more and keep informed? Subscribe to my blog in the upper right corner, follow me on Twitter and/or “like” me on Facebook.

UPDATE 8:30 am:  Check out the MBS chart from this week’s issue of Mortgage Market Guide Weekly to see how dramatically rates have recently gone up.

What may impact mortgage interest rates this week: June 17, 2013

On Wednesday, we’ll have the results of the Fed Meeting which is sure to influence mortgage rates as traders wait for clues as to what the Fed plans to do with quantitative easing. It is not anticipated that the Fed will make any changes to the Fed Funds rate at this meeting. Ben Bernanke will be holding a press conference on Wednesday following the Fed Meeting.

Here are some of the economic indicators scheduled to be released this week:

  • Monday, June 17:  Empire State Index
  • Tuesday, June 18: Building Permits; Consumer Price Index (CPI); Housing Starts
  • Wednesday, June 19: the FOMC Meeting
  • Thursday, June 20: Initial Jobless Claims; Existing Home Sales; Philadelphia Fed Index

Remember, mortgage rates are based on mortgage backed securities (bonds) and when the stock market is rallying, mortgage rates tend to deteriorate as investors will trade the safety of bonds for the potentially stronger return found with stocks. The reverse is also true.

Want more details? Check out this week’s issue of Mortgage Market Guide Weekly.

If you would like me to provide you with a mortgage rates quote for your refinance or purchase for a home located anywhere in Washington state, where I’m licensed, click here.