The U.S. residential housing economy growth will have slowed by 1.1% this year, from 2% in 2024, a result of cost pressures derived from higher tariffs on builder supplies like lumber, labor issues and weaker consumer and homebuilder sentiment about the sector, Fitch Ratings said. Over the next two years, it expects restrained growth rates […]
Fitch flags cooling housing market through 2027 Read More »
Mortgage rates rose by 2 basis points this week, but did not impact home purchase activity during the period, Freddie Mac said. “Rates for the 30-year and the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage essentially remained flat this week, but we did see purchase activity increase, which is encouraging,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. Right now,
Homebuyer activity climbs despite minor rate uptick Read More »
There’s been a lot of talk lately about how a government shutdown impacts the housing market. You might be wondering: Is it causing everything to grind to a halt? The short answer? No. The housing market doesn’t stop. It keeps moving. Homes are still being bought and sold, contracts are still being signed, and closings
What a Government Shutdown Really Means for the Housing Market Read More »
Key Insight: The October Federal Open Market Committee cut interest rates by 25 basis points as expected, but comments from Chair Jerome Powell caught market watchers off guard, casting doubt on the likelihood of another rate cut in December. Expert Quote: “There were strongly differing views about how to proceed in December. A further reduction
Fed’s rate cut trajectory unclear as dueling dissents emerge Read More »
Fannie Mae’s latest economic and housing outlook reflects more positive expectations. The government-sponsored entity notably lowered its mortgage rate expectations for the end of the year to 6.3% from 6.4% in its previous outlook, while its 2026 fourth quarter forecast remained the same at 5.9%. A quarter-over-quarter drop to 6.3% from 6.6% would mark the
Mortgage rates, home prices improve in Fannie Mae forecast Read More »
Key insight: Inflation cooled slightly but continued upward in September, climbing 0.3% after August’s 0.4% gain. Supporting data: Prices rose 3.0% year over year, tracking with the increase in core CPI. Gasoline jumped 4.1%, while shelter rose 0.2%, its smallest gain since early 2021. Forward look: The results reinforce expectations that the Fed will proceed
Inflation up modestly in September; Fed on track for cut Read More »
For all of the handwringing from government officials and economists regarding whether the Federal Reserve will reduce short-term rates again this year, many Americans just don’t care, a Wallethub survey indicates. Most people are expecting the Federal Open Market Committee to cut further at its meeting on Oct. 28 and 29, plus making what would
Many Americans ho-hum about new Fed rate cut, survey finds Read More »
If you’ve seen headlines or social posts calling for a housing crash, it’s easy to wonder if home values are about to take a hit. But here’s the simple truth. The data doesn’t point to a crash. It points to slow, continued growth. And sure, it’s going to vary by local area. Some markets will
Is the Housing Market Going To Crash? Here’s What Experts Say Read More »
Mortgage rates declined for the second week in a row, as the 10-year Treasury in recent days has flirted with falling below the 4% mark. Last Thursday, the 10-year closed at 4.15%. As of 11 a.m. on Aug. 16, it was at 4.04%, helped by recent comments by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell regarding both
Mortgage rates move lower, driven by shutdown uncertainties Read More »
Key insight: Federal Reserve Gov. Michael Barr said in a speech Thursday that he fears the way tariff price increases are being passed on to consumers could result in an unmooring of inflation expectations, potentially leading to more inflation — and higher interest rates — down the road. Expert quote: “While, in principle, tariffs are
Fed’s Barr skeptical that inflation has been tamed Read More »