Last week’s scheduled economic reports included the Case-Shiller 20 and 20-City Index reports, pending home sales data released by the National Association of Realtors® and the scheduled post-meeting statement of the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee. This week’s economic calendar includes reports on consumer spending, core inflation and consumer spending. July readings on Non-Farm Payrolls and the national unemployment rate will also be released along with regularly scheduled weekly reports on new jobless claims and mortgage rates.
Federal Reserve FOMC Announcement
The stage was set in high suspense for FOMC’s post-meeting announcement on Wednesday. As fall approaches, analysts and the media are looking for any sign of when and how much the Fed will raise its target federal funds rate. According to CNBC, some analysts were projecting two interest rate hikes before year end, but the truth of the matter remains unknown until the Federal Open Market Committee announces its intentions.
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 27, 2015
Last week’s scheduled economic news releases were limited as no news was released on Monday or Tuesday, but good news did arrive in the form of a dip in mortgage rates for fixed rate loans. NAR reported higher sales of pre-owned homes and FHFA reported that home price growth associated with mortgages held or backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac held steady in May.
Good News! Existing Home Sales, FHFA Home Prices Increase
Housing markets show continued signs of strengthening according to reports released on Wednesday. The National Association of Realtors® reported that sales of pre-owned homes rose to 5.49 million in June as compared to Mayâs revised reading of 5.32 million pre-owned homes sold and expected sales estimated at 5.42 million sales. Expectations were based on Mayâs original reading of 5.35 million sales. Juneâs reading was the highest since February of 2007. Readings for existing home sales are calculated on a seasonally adjusted annual basis.
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 20, 2015
Last week’s economic news included an encouraging report from the National Association of Home Builders, whose housing market index held steady with a reading of 60 in July. This was the 13th consecutive month for readings over 50, which indicate that more builders are confident about housing markets than those who are not. July’s reading was noteworthy as it was the highest since November 2005 prior to the recession.
NAHB: Home Builder Confidence Holds Steady
Home builder confidence remained steady at the highest reading in almost ten years according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Wells Fargo Housing Market Index for July.
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 13, 2015
Last week’s scheduled economic events were few due to the Independence Day holiday. Freddie Mac’s weekly survey of mortgage rates brought good news as mortgage rates fell across the board. The Federal Reserve released the minutes of its most recent Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting and weekly jobless claims rose.
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 6, 2015
Last weekâs housing-related economic events included the Case-Shiller Home Price Index reports for April, the Commerce Departmentâs Pending Home Sales report and a report on Construction Spending. In other economic news, Non-Farm Payrolls, the ADP Employment report and Consumer Confidence reports were released. Freddie Macâs mortgage rates summary and the weekly unemployment claims report were released as usual.
Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Slower in April
According to the Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index for April, home prices slowed from the March reading of 4.30 percent year-over-year to 4.20 percent year-over-year.
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 29, 2015
Last week’s economic news was largely positive as both new and existing home sales beat expectations. The Federal Housing Finance Agency reported that home price growth held steady in May, while weekly jobless claims edged up, but were lower than expected.