Blog
Greenway's Markets in a Minute | Higher Mortgage Rates Expected in 2018
Feb 23
5:12
AM
Category | Markets in a Minute
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| For the Week Ending February 23, 2018 |
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Please enjoy this quick update on what happened this week in the housing and financial markets. |
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Minutes from the Fed's last FOMC meeting point to more policy rate hikes ahead. Officials have seen an increase in economic growth and an uptick in inflation. |
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The Fed doesn't control mortgage rates, yet rates are influenced by the Fed's actions. As the Fed raises policy rates this year, mortgage rates will likely follow. |
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Jobless claims hit a near 45-year low last week, pointing to strong job growth in February. A strong labor market supports the growing economy. |
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Existing home sales fell unexpectedly in January, possibly due to tight inventory and rising mortgage rates. Home supply has declined for 32 straight months. |
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New housing starts were up though, to a 1-yr high of 1.326 million in January. Building permits soared to their highest level since 2007. |
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While builders are busy creating new homes, condos are lacking. Condos are 7% of the multifamily market (down from an average of 22% from 1985-2003). |
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Rate movements and volatility are based on published, aggregate national averages and measured from the previous to the most recent midweek daily reporting period. These rate trends can differ from our own and are subject to change at any time. |
