Mortgage Rate Recap and Outlook For Week Ending June 8, 2018
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I am the author of this blog and also a top-producing Loan Officer and CEO of InstaMortgage Inc, the fastest-growing mortgage company in America. All the advice is based on my experience of helping thousands of homebuyers and homeowners. We are a mortgage company and will help you with all your mortgage needs. Unlike lead generation websites, we do not sell your information to multiple lenders or third-party companies.
Without any geopolitical flare-ups over the last week, the impact of economic data has been very mild with no measurable effect on the markets or mortgage rates. The biggest job news was the filing of Jobless claims coming in slightly below predictions, but the 4-week moving average ticked up to 225,500 – amazingly low.
Global economic news has also had little effect on mortgage rates, with continued talk of a timeline to end qualitative easing (QE) in the ECB the only topic of import.
While the markets are quiet now, all eyes are on the meeting of the leaders of the seven industrialized nations (G7) beginning tomorrow in Toronto. In the last few days leading up to the meeting, there have been several ‘shots across the bow’ of potential pushback on several trade agreements and even retaliation against recent US protectionist economic policies.
Even Putin is trying to ‘join the club’ with EU countries in calling out the US for perceived bullying tactics. The reality of what transpires in the G7 meetings and the impact it may have on the long-term bond market remains to be seen.
Mortgage Rates Improved
This candlestick chart below covers this weeks’ Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) activity and the impact on interest rates. Rates improved slightly over this past week, although the candlestick chart shows more red than green. MBS directly impact mortgage rates, and the days with red indicate higher and green lower rates.
This week’s Mortgage Banking Associations’ (MBA) weekly rate survey shows effective rates decreased for all loan products with an 80% loan-to-value.
Per the MBA weekly survey: “The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($453,100 or less) decreased to 4.75 percent from 4.84 percent, with points decreasing to 0.46 from 0.47 (including the origination fee.)”
1 point in cost = 1% of the loan amount
“The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with jumbo loan balances (greater than $453,100) decreased to 4.70 percent from 4.73 percent, with points decreasing to 0.35 from 0.36 (including the origination fee.)”
“The average contract interest rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages decreased to 4.21 percent from 4.24 percent, with points decreasing to 0.50 from 0.51 (including the origination fee.)”
“The average contract interest rate for 5/1 ARMs decreased to 4.08 percent from 4.11 percent, with points decreasing to 0.41 from 0.62 (including the origination fee.)”
Mortgage Rates Next Week
Bankrate’s weekly survey of mortgage and economic experts, countrywide, shows a majority (62%) predicting interest rates will increase this coming week (plus or minus two basis points), and 23% predicting a fall in rates next week. The remaining 15% predict rates will remain unchanged.
The chart below, from Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage survey, shows conforming rates decreasing slightly over the last week, June 1st to June 7th, for 30Y fixed, 15Y fixed and the 5/1 ARM.
In Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage survey it was noted that “Mortgage rates dipped for the second consecutive week.
Homebuyers have taken advantage of the recent moderation in rates, which led to a 4 percent increase in purchase applications last week.
Although demand has remained steadfast against the backdrop of this year’s higher borrowing costs, it’s important to note that the growth rate of purchase loan balances has moderated so far this year – and particularly since March. This slowdown indicates that buyers are having difficulty stretching to keep up with the pace of home-price growth.
While the very healthy job market continues to fuel interest in buying a home, the supply shortages in most markets are pushing prices higher and currently keeping sales at a standstill. Listings for new and existing homes need to increase in the months ahead to moderate price growth and reignite sales activity.”
Lock Advice
Recommend locking in a rate now if you are purchasing or refinancing. There is not enough potential market improvement to support taking any risk in floating right now.
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