Around 11:00 PST today, the FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee aka The Fed) will wrap up their two-day meeting with an announcement on any adjustments they are making to the federal funds rate. Although the Fed does not directly control mortgage interest rates*, the changes to the funds rate and the Fed’s commentary influences the direction of mortgage interest rates. Mortgage rates are based on bonds (mortgage-backed securities or MBS) and are traded, just like other types of bonds. Markets will react to the Fed’s actions and this will impact mortgage rates. Commentary or signs that inflation is not getting into check will push mortgage rates higher and indications that inflation is taming and that the Fed will lower the funds rate soon will help lower mortgage interest rates. [Read more…]
It’s FED Day! [Live post]
It’s FED Day!
Today the FOMC wraps up their two-day meeting and around 11:00 am PST, we will learn if the Fed is going to make any adjustments to the Fed Funds rate. It is widely expected they will not adjust the rate today.
What may impact mortgage interest rates today will be the press release and Fed Chair Powell’s commentary following the meeting.
As I write this post at 7:58 a.m., mortgage-backed securities are pretty flat with the 30YR 6% up 3 basis points. The DOW is up 33 to 39,243. [Read more…]
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?
What May Impact Mortgage Rates this Week: March 16, 2015 | LIVE Mortgage Rate Post
My 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!
Fed to Keep Mortgage Rates Sweet and Low
The 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
Mortgage 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.
What May Impact Mortgage Rates this Week: August 19, 2013
I 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.
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