What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 14th, 2019

Last week's economic reports included remarks by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, readings on inflation and core inflation. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and first-tome jobless claims were also released. If the government shutdown continues, it is expected to impact release dates for readings from federal government agencies. Federal Reserve Watches and Waits on Interest Rates as Inflation Slows Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve will "wait and see" about raising the target federal funds rate this year. Chairman Powell spoke at a discussion hosed by the Economic Club of Washington,…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 7th, 2019

Last week's economic reports included Labor Department readings on private and public sector jobs, the national unemployment rate. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. Monthly reporting on construction spending was delayed due to the government shutdown. Public and Private-Sector Jobs Growth Exceeds Expectations ADP reported 271private sector jobs added in December as compared to 157,000 jobs added in November. Analysts expected 182,000 jobs added for December and said that December's reading was the highest number of jobs added in almost two years. Large companies added 54,000 jobs, medium sized companies added 129,000 jobs and…
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Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Grinds to Lowest Rate in 2 Years

Home prices rose by 0.40 percent in October according to Case-Shiller's 20-City Home Price Index and were unchanged from September's year-over-year reading of 5.50 percent growth. Slower growth in home prices could help some would-be home buyers enter the market, but rapidly rising mortgage rates have sidelined buyers concerned with affordability and meeting strict mortgage lending requirements. High Mortgage Rates Stifle Demand for Homes October's year-over-year reading for home price growth was the lowest in two years, but home price growth continued to exceed wage increases; builders continued to face labor shortages and higher materials costs. Rising mortgage rates were…
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