Mortgage Blog - October 1, 2018

Last week’s economic readings included reports on home prices, new and pending home sales and remarks released by the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve. Weekly readings on average mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released.

Case-Shiller HPI: Home Price Growth Slows in July

Home prices grew slower in July according to data released last week. Home prices rose at a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 6.0 percent in July as compared to June’s rate of 6.2 percent growth. Analysts cited increasing inventories of homes available, which typically increases competition and lowers asking prices. Would-be home buyers have also suspended their home searches due to slim supplies of homes and competition with cash buyers.

New and Pending Home Sales Show Mixed Results

Sales of new homes rose in August according to the Commerce Department. New homes sold at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 629,000 sales. Analysts expected a reading of 625,000 sales New home sales grew by 3.50 percent from July to August and were 12.70 percent higher year-over-year. New homes sold for an average price of $320,200 in August, which was a year-over-year price increase of 1.90 percent.

Pending home sales dipped in August with a reading of – 1.80 percent in August as compared to July’s reading, which was also negative at 0.80 percent. Pending sales typically slow as fall approaches and peak hone buying season ends. Pending home sales indicate what’s ahead in closed home sales and mortgage loans. Analysts said that government readings on home sales are gleaned from small samples and are subject to adjustment.

Mortgage Rates, New Jobless Claims Rise

Freddie Mac reported higher mortgage rates last week after the Federal Reserve announced that it would raise its target federal funds range to 2.00 to 2.25 percent. Analysts said that the Federal Open Market Committee dropped the term “accommodative” in its post-meeting announcement on Wednesday.

Interest rates for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 4.72 percent, which was an increase of seven basis points. The average rate for a 15-year fixed rate mortgage rose five basis points to 4.16 percent and the average rate for a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage rose five basis points to 3.97 percent. Discount points averaged 0.50 percent for fixed rate mortgages and 0.30 percent for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages.

First-time jobless claims also rose last week with 214,000 first-time claims filed as compared to expectations of 216,000 new claims filed and the prior week’s reading of 202,000 new claims filed. High numbers of claims filed in Kentucky, North Carolina and South Carolina suggested that the jump in initial claims related to Hurricane Florence.

Buy? Refi? Prequalify.

What‘s Ahead for the Week of October 1, 2018

This week’s scheduled economic releases include readings on public and private-sector jobs growth, the national unemployment rate and construction spending. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new unemployment claims will also be released.

Monday October 1, 2018

9:00 am Raphael Bostic Speaks
9:45 am Markit Manufacturing PMI September
10:00 am ISM Manufacturing Index September
10:00 am Construction Spending August
11:00 am Neel Kashkari Speaks
12:15 pm Eric Rosengren Speaks
 
Tuesday October 2, 2018

Varies Motor Vehicle Sales September
10:00 am Randal Quarles Testifies
12:00 pm Jerome Powell Speaks
2:00 pm Rob Kaplan Speaks
 
Wednesday October 3, 2018

6:30 am Charles Evans Speaks
8:05 am Tom Barkin Speaks
8:15 am ADP Employment September
9:45 am Markit Services PMI September
10:00 am ISM Nonmanufacturing Index September
2:00 pm Lael Brainard Speaks
2:15 pm Loretta Mester Speaks
4:00 pm Jerome Powell Speaks
 
Thursday October 4, 2018

8:30 am Weekly Jobless Claims 9/27
9:15 am Randal Quarles Speaks
10:00 am Factory Orders August

Friday October 5, 2018

8:30 am Nonfarm Payrolls September
8:30 am Unemployment Rate September
8:30 am Average Hourly Earnings September
8:30 am Trade Deficit August
12:30 pm Rob Kaplan Speaks
12:45 pm Raphael Bostic Speaks
3:00 pm Consumer Credit August

Buy? Refi? Prequalify.

Cheers!

Scott Synovic
AnnieMac Home Mortgage
Colorado's Mortgage Expert
www.coloradosmortgageexpert.com
303.668.3350 Direct

NMLS: 253799 / AnnieMac Home Mortgage NMLS: 338923
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