Mortgage Rates Reach Highest Levels in a Year

Mortgage rates rose again this week, continuing their ascent to reach their highest levels in a year.

Despite pausing for brief periods along the way, the bond yields that dictate mortgage rate movements keep pushing higher, as better-than-expected vaccine distribution and the passage of more fiscal stimulus have fueled expectations for robust economic growth and inflation. Yields and rates keep rising even as the Federal Reserve holds firm on its messaging that it has no plans to raise benchmark interest rates or slow their program of bond purchases. With the economy showing signs of improvement, the Fed finds itself in the unenviable position of having to delicately cultivate a message that expresses ongoing support for markets while also affirming that it will rein in potential.

Either way, upward pressure on mortgage rates is likely to remain, as increased economic activity and steeper inflation both tend to push rates higher. Further fueling this week’s increases was the implementation of a new policy from the Federal Housing Finance Agency. The policy places a cap on how the share of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s portfolio that loans associated with investment properties or second homes can comprise. Lenders who had a larger share of those loans had to quickly raise rates associated with them to lessen their ratios.

All told, the upward movement in mortgage rates showed no signs of stopping this week.

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