No Foolin’: Mortgage Rates Begin April on the Rise
Despite Wednesday’s tepid numbers, markets still expect a strong report on Friday, in which case more upward movement in mortgage rates could be on the way.
Market Trends
February New Home Sales: No More Chill in the Air
The wounds from January's disappointing numbers may be still raw, but today’s surprisingly upbeat figures offer at least a partial reprieve for the new home sales market and paint a promising picture for the coming months.
California Home Prices Are So High, Even High-Income Households Can’t Keep Up
The cost of housing in most major California metros has risen so high that the median household cannot reasonably afford a median-priced house, even with a 20 percent down payment.
Mortgage Rates Plummet After Fed Fallout and Weak Eurozone Data
Markets had largely assumed that an immediate rate hike was unlikely, but the revelation that most of the committee sees no hikes as necessary for the remainder of 2019 was viewed by many analysts as dovish and indicative of the Fed’s growing sensitivity to a slowing global economy.
January Case-Shiller Results and February Forecast: Lowest Gains Since 2015
The national housing market’s ongoing, slow march back to “normal” is continuing into the start of 2019 -- setting up a spring in which buyers will have more power than they have in years, although they still may need to work hard to find a favorable deal.
February Housing Starts: A Step Backward
Today’s lackluster release is likely due to poor weather conditions, which led to a decline in construction activity and jobs from the month prior.
Where Sellers Get the Biggest Bang for Their House-Prepping Buck
Not all renovations and upgrades are equal, and some might actually cost sellers in the long run. Here’s how to prep smarter, not harder.
February Existing Home Sales: Nothing But Net
With mortgage rates remaining low and inventory continuing to creep up, it’s likely that this newfound zeal will carry into the busy spring season, even as home values continue to grow.
Doves and Dives: Mortgage Rates Set to Fall Following Fed Statement
Markets had largely assumed that an immediate rate hike was unlikely, but the revelation that most of the committee sees no hikes as necessary for the remainder of 2019 was viewed by many analysts as dovish and indicative of the Fed’s growing sensitivity to a slowing global economy.
Older First-Time Home Buyers Have Lower Incomes, More Likely to Pay With Cash
About a third of first-timer buyers are 40 and older. Some may have been financially able to purchase a home but continued renting for lifestyle reasons, while others could have been waiting until they saved enough for a down payment.
