What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 20, 2020

Last week’s economic reports included readings from the National Association of  Home Builders on housing markets along with Commerce Department data on housing starts and building permits issued. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and unemployment claims were also released. NAHB: Builder Confidence in Housing Markets Increases in July Homebuilders gained confidence in housing market conditions as home buyers sought homes in less-congested suburban areas. Builder confidence rose 14 points to an index reading of 72 in July. NAHB Chair Chuck Fowke said, “Builders are seeing strong traffic and lots of interest in new construction as existing home inventory remains lean.”…
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NAHB Housing Market Index Unchanged in September

Home builder confidence in housing market conditions stayed flat in September. The National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index reported an index reading of 67, which matched expectations and NAHB's housing market reading for August. Analysts cited recent tariffs on building materials as a significant cause of easing builder confidence. While NAHB called September's reading "solid" at 67, the reading was one full point lower than the average reading for 2017 and equaled the lowest builder confidence reading in 2018 to date. Readings over 50 in the Housing Market Index indicate that more builders than fewer are confident in…
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Big Second Quarter GDP Numbers Impact Housing Market

Positive economic growth numbers are always cause for celebration and the second quarter GDP just went vertical. After nearly four years of sub-par growth, the real GDP hit 4.1 percent in the second quarter. While that economic news has everyday Americans excited that we may be entering a new age of prosperity, drawing a concrete link to the real estate market may be difficult. But by looking long and hard at this uptick and its potential impact on housing, you may get a better idea about buying, selling or standing pat on residential and commercial property. GDP Report Points To…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 2, 2017

Last week's economic reports included Case-Shiller's Home Price Indices, readings on new and pending home sales and Freddie Mac 's weekly mortgage rates report. Weekly jobless claims and reports on inflation and core inflation were also released. Case-Shiller Home Prices Rise in July; New and Pending Home Sales Lower in August According to Case-Shiller July Index reports, national home prices rose at a rate of 5.8 90 percent on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis as compared to June's reading of 5.80 percent. The top three cities in the 20-City Home Price Index were Seattle, Washington, Portland, Oregon and Las Vegas, Nevada.…
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Case-Shiller: Home Prices Higher in July, Home Prices May Have Peaked

Case-Shiller reported higher sales of new homes for July; the national reading for new home sales increased by 0.10 percent to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 5.90 percent. The 20-City Home Price Index rose by 0.20 percent to 5.80 percent on a seasonally adjusted annual basis. Seattle Washington held the top spot in the 20-City Index with a growth of 13.50 percent year-over-year. Seattle home prices are growing faster than home prices in Portland Oregon, which reported a year-over-home price growth rate of 7,60 percent. Dallas, Texas lost its third-place standing in the 20-City Index to Las Vegas, Nevada, which…
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