December 17, 2020
The housing market continues to surge higher and support an otherwise stagnant economy that has lost momentum in the last couple of months. Mortgage rates are at record lows and pushing many prospective homebuyers off the sidelines and into the market. Homebuyer sentiment is sanguine and purchase demand shows no real signs of waning at all heading into next year.
Information provided by Freddie Mac.
December 10, 2020
Mortgage rates remain at record lows, resisting their typical correlation to Treasury yields, which have recently been moving higher. Mortgage spreads – the difference between mortgage rates and the 10-year Treasury rate – are declining from their elevated levels earlier this year. Although today’s mortgage spread is about 1.8 percentage points and still has some room to move down if the 10-year Treasury continues to rise, it’s encouraging to see that the spread is almost back to normal levels.
Information provided by Freddie Mac.
December 3, 2020
Despite persistently low mortgage rates, home sales have hit a wall. While homebuyer appetite remains robust, the scarce inventory has effectively put a limit on how much higher sales can increase. Unfortunately, the record low supply combined with strong demand means home prices are rapidly escalating and eroding the benefits of the low mortgage rate environment.
Information provided by Freddie Mac.
November 25, 2020
Mortgage rates remain at record lows and while that has fueled a refinance boom, it’s been driven mainly by higher income borrowers. With about 20 million borrowers eligible to refinance, lower-and middle-income borrowers are leaving money on the table by not taking advantage of low rates. On the homebuying side, demand continues to surge, and it has created a seller’s market where inventory is at a record low and home prices are rising, beginning to offset the benefits of the low rates.
Information provided by Freddie Mac.
November 19, 2020
Weaker consumer spending data, which accounts for the majority of economic growth, drove mortgage rates to a new record low. While economic growth remains unstable, strong housing demand continues to have a domino effect on many other segments of the economy.
Information provided by Freddie Mac.
November 12, 2020
Mortgage rates jumped this week as a result of positive news about a COVID-19 vaccine. Despite this rise, mortgage rates remain about a percentage point below a year ago and the low rate environment is supportive of both purchase and refinance demand. Heading into late fall, the housing market continues to grow and buttress the economy.
Information provided by Freddie Mac.
November 5, 2020
Mortgage rates hit another record low, the twelfth time this year, due to economic and political ambiguity. Despite the uncertainty that we’ve all experienced this year, the housing market, buoyed by low rates, continues to be a bright spot.
Information provided by Freddie Mac.
October 29, 2020
The record low mortgage rate environment is providing tangible support to the economy at a critical time, as housing continues to propel growth. Strong purchase demand is helping to lift the construction, manufacturing and transportation industries that build new homes and it is also leading to more consumer spending for owners, who are selling or improving their homes. On the refinance front, many consumers are smartly taking advantage of the ability to lower their monthly payment, which means they can spend, save or pay down debt more so than they have in the past.
Information provided by Freddie Mac.
October 22, 2020
Mortgage rates remain very low, providing homeowners who have not already taken advantage of this environment ample opportunity to do so. Mortgage rates today are on average more than a full percentage point lower than rates over the last five years. This means that most low- and moderate-income borrowers who purchased during the last few years stand to benefit by exploring refinancing to lower their monthly payment.
Information provided by Freddie Mac.
October 15, 2020
Low mortgage rates have become a regular occurrence in the current environment. As we hit yet another record low, the tenth record this year, many people are benefitting as refinance activity remains strong. However, it’s important to remember that not all people are able to take advantage of low rates given the effects of the pandemic.
Information provided by Freddie Mac.