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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 5, 2021

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What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - July 5, 2021Last week’s economic reports included readings from S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices and data on pending home sales. Readings on job growth and und unemployment were also released along with weekly reports on mortgage rates and jobless claims.

S&P Case-Shiller: April Home Price Gains Reach Record Highs

Craig Lazzara, managing director and global head of investment strategy for S&P Dow Jones Indices, said that April’s year-over-year national home price growth rate of 14.60 percent was “ truly extraordinary.” All cities included in the 20-City Home Price Index posted higher home prices;  five cities including Charlotte, North Carolina, Cleveland, Ohio, and Dallas, Texas posted their highest home price gains ever along with Denver, Colorado, and Seattle, Washington.  

Phoenix, Arizona, San Diego, California, and Seattle, Washington continued to hold the top three positions for annual home price growth in the 20-City Home Price Index.

Realtors Report Increase in Pending Home Sales

Pending home sales rose by eight percent in May as compared to April. Analysts expected a one percent decrease in pending sales. Lawrence Yun, the chief economist at the National Association of Realtors®, said “May’s strong increase in transactions, as well as a sudden erosion in home affordability, was indeed a surprise. The housing market is attracting buyers b due to the decline in mortgage rates and an uptick in listings.”

Mortgage Rates, Jobless Claims Show Mixed Results

Freddie Mac reported lower average rates for fixed-rate mortgages. Rates for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages fell by four basis points to 2.98 percent; rates for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages fell by eight basis points to 2.26 percent. The average rate for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages rose by one basis point to 2.54 percent. Discount points averaged 0.60 percent for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages and 0.70 percent for 15-yar fixed-rate mortgages. Discount points for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages averaged0.30 percent.

First-time jobless claims fell to 364,000 initial claims filed from the prior week’s reading of 415,000 new claims filed. Continuing jobless claims increased with 3.47 million ongoing claims filed. ADP reported 692,000 private-sector jobs added in June; The federal Non-Farm payrolls report posted 850,000 public and private-sector jobs added as compared to 583,000 jobs added in May. The national unemployment rate ticked up to 5.90 percent in June from May’s reading of 5.80 percent unemployed.  

What’s Ahead

This week’s scheduled economic reports include the minutes from the most recent meeting of the Fed’s Federal Open Market Committee and the Labor Department’s report on job openings. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims will also be released.

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 28, 2021

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What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - June 28, 2021Last week’s economic reports included readings on sales of new and previously-owned homes.  Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released.

New Home Sales Fall in May

New home sales dropped to their lowest reading in a year in May with 769,000 new single-family homes sold on a  seasonally adjusted annual basis.  May’s reading was 5.90 percent lower than April’s reading of 817,000 sales but was 9.20 percent higher year-over-year.

May’s decline in new home sales was caused by a 14.50 percent decrease in sales in the South; Sales rose by 33 percent in the Northeast and 4.80 percent in the West. The sales pace for new homes in the Midwest was unchanged.

Multiple factors caused fewer new home sales during what is typically a busy home-buying season. Rising costs of lumber, along with high demand for homes and affordability challenges presented obstacles to first-time and moderate-income buyers in recent months, but lumber prices fell in May. High demand for homes created opportunities for cash buyers who sidestepped making purchase offers contingent on mortgage approvals.

Analysts said that falling lumber prices will eventually provide relief for homebuyers, but short inventories of available homes coupled with high home prices continued to sideline first-time and moderate-income buyers. The median price for new homes rose to $374,000 as compared to $369,000 in April. Real estate pros reported a 5.1 month supply of available homes in May, which was the highest reading in a year.

Existing Home Sales Lower in May as Market Slows

Sales of previously-owned homes also fell in May; this was likely due to low inventories of available homes and the covid induced home-buying frenzy easing. Would-be home buyers have also left the market due to affordability challenges.

Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors® said: “Home sales fell moderately in May and are now approaching pre-pandemic activity.” Mr. Yun identified low inventories of available homes and affordability as the main obstacles facing prospective home buyers.

Mortgage Rates Rise; Jobless Claims Fall

Freddie Mac reported higher mortgage rates last week; average mortgage rates surpassed three percent for the first time in 10 weeks. Rates for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages rose nine basis points to 3.02 percent; the average rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages rose 10 basis points to 2.34 percent. Rates for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages averaged 2.53 percent and were one basis point higher. Discount points averaged 0.70 percent for fixed-rate mortgages and 0.30 percent for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages.

New jobless claims fell to 411,000 claims filed last week as compared to the prior week’s reading of 418,000 first-time claims filed. Continuing jobless claims also fell with 3.39 million ongoing claims filed as compared to the prior week’s reading of 3.53 million continuing claims filed. 

What’s Ahead

This week’s scheduled economic news includes readings from Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, and reports on pending home sales, construction spending, and consumer confidence. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims will also be published.

Juggling Priorities: How to Manage Buying a New Home and Selling Your Old One at the Same Time

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Juggling Priorities: How to Manage Buying a New Home and Selling Your Old One at the Same TimeAre you a homeowner who is thinking about selling their current home and making an upgrade to a newer, larger home?

If you’re facing the prospect of having to manage a home purchase and a home sale at the same time you’ll find that there are numerous priorities that are begging for your attention.

In today’s blog post we’ll share a few tips for how to manage a buying and selling transaction simultaneously without being overwhelmed by them.

Start By Getting Your Finances In Order

Before you start the hunt for a new home you’ll want to ensure that your finances are in order and that you’re fully prepared for the many costs that you’ll face.

If you are currently paying off a mortgage on your home, you’ll either need to be approved for a second mortgage to buy your new home or you’ll need to sell your current home first.

You’ll also need to have your down payment lined up for the new home, as well as some money set aside to cover your closing costs. If you plan on selling first and then buying afterwards you may want to have a “transition fund” set aside to cover any rental or other costs if it takes a month or two before you get into a new home.

Selling First Is Typically Far Easier

It’s worth noting that selling your home first and then buying is far easier than buying first and trying to sell. There is a lot of uncertainty in the selling process, especially if you’re in a slower real estate market. Conversely, once you find that perfect new home you can typically get an offer in and close on it quickly if you’re the only bidder.

Begin The Hunt For Your New Home Immediately

Although you may want to wait before you buy your new home, you’ll want to get your house hunt started as soon as you decide to make your move. The more time you give yourself to find a new home, the better the chance you’ll get one in your target community and with the features you’re after.

Leverage Professional Expertise To Help You Manage It All

Trying to manage both selling your current home and buying a new one at the same time will be a significant challenge – one that can be made far easier by working with an experienced real estate agent who knows the ins and outs of the local market. Contact your real estate agent before getting started and they’ll be able to advise you how to best proceed.

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 28, 2020

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What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - September 28, 2020Last week’s economic news included readings on new and existing home sales and Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s testimony on changing the Fed’s business loan policy. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released.

Sales of New and Pre-Owned Homes Rise In August

New homes sold at a seasonally-adjusted annual pace of 1.01 million sales; analysts expected the sales pace to fall to 900,000 sales from July’s reading of 965,000 new home sales. Homebuyers turned to new homes as the supply of pre-owned homes dwindled. Homeowners stayed put as fears over COVID-19 contagion limited sales.

Pre-owned homes sold at a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of six million homes as compared to the expected reading of 6.03 million sales and 5.86 million sales in July. Previously-owned home sales rose by 2.40 percent from July to August and were 10.50 percent higher year-over-year. The sales pace from July to August was the fastest since December 2006.

The median sales price of pre-owned homes rose to $310.600 in August and the average price for pre-owned homes was 11.40 percent higher year-over-year. Inventories of available pre-owned homes were lower than the six months supply considered average; there was a three months inventory of unsold pre-owned homes in August.

Mortgage Rates, Jobless Claims Mixed

Freddie Mac reported higher fixed mortgage rates last week as the average rate for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages fell. 30-year fixed-rate mortgages rose three basis points on average to 2.90 percent. Rates for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 2.40 percent and were five basis points higher. The average rate for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages was six basis points lower at 2.90 percent. Discount points averaged 0.80 percent for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, 0.70 percent for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, and 0.20 percent for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages.

New jobless claims rose to 870,000 new claims filed from the prior week’s reading of 866.000 initial claims filed. Continuing jobless claims fell to 12.58 million ongoing claims from 12.78 million ongoing claims filed in the prior week

In other news, Fed Chair Jerome Powell testified before the House Financial Services Committee regarding the feasibility of the Federal Reserve offering smaller business loans for COVID-19 relief. The Fed’s current minimum loan amount is $250,000; Chairman Powell told the Committee that the Fed’s loan program had few requests for loans of less than $1 million. He also said that if the minimum loan amount was changed, the current lending program would have to be scrapped and restarted from scratch.

What’s Ahead

This week’s scheduled economic releases include Case-Shiller Home Price Indices,  pending home sales and reports on public and private-sector jobs, and the national unemployment rate.

 Last week’s economic news included readings on new and existing home sales and Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s
testimony on changing the Fed’s business loan policy. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were
also released.
Sales of New and Pre-Owned Homes Rise In August
New homes sold at a seasonally-adjusted annual pace of 1.01 million sales; analysts expected the sales pace to fall to
900,000 sales from July’s reading of 965,000 new home sales. Homebuyers turned to new homes as the supply of
pre-owned homes dwindled. Homeowners stayed put as fears over COVID-19 contagion limited sales.
Pre-owned homes sold at a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of six million homes as compared to the expected
reading of 6.03 million sales and 5.86 million sales in July. Previously-owned home sales rose by 2.40 percent from
July to August and were 10.50 percent higher year-over-year. The sales pace from July to August was the fastest
since December 2006.
The median sales price of pre-owned homes rose to $310.600 in August and the average price for pre-owned homes
was 11.40 percent higher year-over-year. Inventories of available pre-owned homes were lower than the six months
supply considered average; there was a three months inventory of unsold pre-owned homes in August.
Mortgage Rates, Jobless Claims Mixed
Freddie Mac reported higher fixed mortgage rates last week as the average rate for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages
fell. 30-year fixed-rate mortgages rose three basis points on average to 2.90 percent. Rates for 15-year fixed-rate
mortgages averaged 2.40 percent and were five basis points higher. The average rate for 5/1 adjustable rate
mortgages was six basis points lower at 2.90 percent. Discount points averaged 0.80 percent for 30-year fixed-rate
mortgages, 0.70 percent for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, and 0.20 percent for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages.
New jobless claims rose to 870,000 new claims filed from the prior week’s reading of 866.000 initial claims filed.
Continuing jobless claims fell to 12.58 million ongoing claims from 12.78 million ongoing claims filed in the prior
week
In other news, Fed Chair Jerome Powell testified before the House Financial Services Committee regarding the
feasibility of the Federal Reserve offering smaller business loans for COVID-19 relief. The Fed’s current minimum
loan amount is $250,000; Chairman Powell told the Committee that the Fed’s loan program had few requests for
loans of less than $1 million. He also said that if the minimum loan amount was changed, the current lending
program would have to be scrapped and restarted from scratch.
What’s Ahead
This week’s scheduled economic releases include Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, pending home sales and reports
on public and private-sector jobs, and the national unemployment 

 

Four Surefire Ways to Irritate Potential Buyers and How to Avoid These Costly Mistakes

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Selling Tips: Four Surefire Ways to Irritate Potential Buyers and How to Avoid These Costly MistakesIrritating any potential buyers is the last thing you want to do when selling a house because it is can be a challenging and sometimes lengthy process.

The buyer is going to have a wide array of options when deciding on a new home, so they have no problem going somewhere else if they see something they do not like.

While there are a plethora of ways for a seller to irritate a potential home buyer, these are the four most common – and most costly.

Pricing The House Too High

There is nothing worse you can do when trying to sell a home than pricing it too high. While you may think that it gives you room for the buyer to counter at a lower price, they are more likely to simply ignore your listing entirely even if the home is a good fit. The best way to keep this from happening is by pricing your home in the same price range as the rest of the neighborhood.

Not Making Home Repairs

Buyers are going to be immediately turned off if they walk into the home and see a state of disrepair. Not taking the time to make small visible fixes is going to make the buyer think that the house is going to have major issues. Taking the time to get the house in great shape before showing it at an open house will ensure the house sells faster.

Leaving Your Stuff Everywhere

Buyers want to feel like they could move into the house as soon as the purchase is finalized. They also want to envision themselves living in the home, and this is almost impossible if you have your personal items throughout the house. This is more difficult to pull off when selling a home you are currently living in, but it is best to stage the home with as few personal items as possible.

Getting Emotionally Invested

While you may have lived in your house for years, you have to drop any emotional attachment to the home the second it hits the market. You can’t take it personally if the buyer wants to make a major change to the house after the purchase. Their idea of a perfect home is not going to be the same as yours. The best way to make sure you do not insult the buyer when they bring up their vision of the home is by letting your agent handle home viewings. If you have become too attached to your home or are guilty of any of the other three things on this list, then you make sure they are corrected before your next open house.

Selling to Millennials: High-Tech Upgrades That Will Increase Your Home’s Appeal to Young Buyers

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Selling to Millennials: Three High-Tech Upgrades That Will Increase Your Home's Appeal to Young BuyersMillennials are finally starting to enter the real estate market after delaying home purchases for several years. With a completely new client base looking for homes, it is time to start making your home more appealing to these young buyers.

Millennials are used to using high-tech gadgets every day, so they are going to desire these things in their new home. While there are several high-tech upgrades you can make on your home, these three will appeal the most to young homebuyers.

Keyless Entry: Security for the New Millennium

Keyless entry doors are becoming a popular way of keeping a home secure while adding that great “wow” factor. These keyless entry systems mean there’ll be no more fumbling for keys when all you want to do is get in the door. It may seem like something out of a sci-fi film, but several companies have mastered the art of keyless entry doors that you can use in your home today.

The door automatically locks when it is shut, and you will need the correct fingerprint to unlock the door. If you could show off a keyless entry system at your open house, you would immediately pique the interest of every young buyer interested in technology.

A Home Security System is a Great Practical Addition

A high-tech home security system will certainly make your home more appealing to young buyers, who may even be thinking about having children in the near future. No matter how safe your neighborhood is, everyone is always looking to feel more secure at home. Placing a few security cameras around the exterior of your home will allow you to know what is happening outside at all times, and buyers will love having that peace of mind.

Home Energy Monitor: For the Eco-Conscious Generation

Young people are extremely conscious of the environment, so they would love seeing a home energy monitor when shopping for a new home. A home energy monitor is able to track the energy use of every aspect of your home.

If you think your air conditioner is not running efficiently, a home energy monitor can tell you whether or not you’re right. Since young people know about the dangers of improper energy use, they will want to make the home as efficient as possible.

Solar Panels

Solar power only costs around 5 to 6 cents a kWh to produce, making it a no brainer that it makes your home more appealing to young buyers.

Millennials are slowly entering the real estate market, and although they are starting to look at homes, you’ll face a lot of competition from other homeowners looking to pass properties onto this new generation. These three upgrades will increase your home’s value and make it more appealing to Millennial buyers. For more information about selling your home, contact a trusted real estate professional today.