After extensive data analysis, the Federal Reserve has released information that net equity in household real estate increased by $2.2 trillion in the third quarter of 2012 to Q3 2013. In addition, homeowners’ equity as a percentage of household real estate experienced a drastic increase—from 44.3% a year ago to 50.8% at the end of […]
Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey recently reported that the average rate for a 30-year fixed-mortgage was 4.48% as of the week ending December 26. The week prior, the rate was 4.47% — resulting in a 0.7% increase. One year ago during the same week, 30-year fixed-rate mortgages were about 3.35%. The 15-year fixed-rate […]
According to the Commerce Department, new home sales declined 2.1% in November at an adjusted annual rate of 464,000, compared to an upwardly revised figure of 474,000 in October. Despite the drop in home sales, last month’s figure exceeded economists’ estimates of 440,000. Commerce also revised August and September’s numbers upward because more prospective homebuyers […]
Rates for fixed mortgages increased this week, which has indicated that buying a home will be less affordable in upcoming months. The average rate on a 30-year loan jumped from 4.29% to 4.46% this week, according to Freddie Mac. Regarding 15-year loans, rates also increased from 3.30% to 3.47%. Since May, when the Federal Reserve […]
Economists at Fannie Mae recently released their first economic forecast of 2013. The survey, titled “Transition to Normal,” describes where the direction the housing market is going will be affected by economic policy decisions being made and yet to be made by the federal government. The forecast states that the Federal Reserve will not raise […]
The Commerce Department reported today that spending on non-residential real estate construction fell in August, despite gains made in the housing market. Overall construction spending — residential, commercial and government — fell 0.7% in August compared to July, according to Commerce. It was the second straight month of losses. This drop has lowered construction spending […]
The Wall Street Journal recently reported on the recent fall of mortgage rates. According to Freddie Mac’s weekly survey of mortgage rates, this week saw a decline in mortgage rates with the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgages dropping to 4.80% the week of April 21, compared to 4.91% the week before. A 15-year […]
The housing market may be impacted by the possibility of a government shutdown. The Wall Street Journal reported on April 7 that Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan told Senate lawmakers that he is “very concerned” that if the government shuts down as a result of lawmakers failing to reach an agreement on a […]
Housing Wire recently reported that mortgage applications to lenders fell 2.3% for the week ending December 10, marking the third straight week of declines. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, the refinance index also declined for the fifth consecutive week by 0.7%. However, the refinancing share of the mortgage activity grew to 76.7% of total […]
MarketWatch recently reported that the Mortgage Bankers Association is predicting that — barring any “blockbuster” announcement from the Federal Reserve next month — mortgage rates will come out of their record lows, reaching above 5% by 2011. The MBA predicts that rates on the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage will average 4.4% in the fourth quarter of […]