In a couple of hours, the FOMC will wrap up their two-day meeting with an announcement on their decision on if they are going to make adjustments to the Fed funds rate. The Fed funds rate does not directly affect mortgage interest rates (except for HELOCs) however, it does influence the direction of mortgage rates. This is because the Fed’s decision is based on the level of inflation. Mortgage rates react negatively to inflation as mortgage rates are based on bonds (mortgage-backed securities/MBS). So, when the Fed raises the funds rate or keeps the rate unchanged due to inflation being too high, mortgage rates tend to move higher. If inflation is in line, we often see mortgage rates improve. [Read more…]