Tag Archives: Federal Reserve

Why Are Mortgage Rates At Historical Lows?

The Mortgage Corner Mortgage rates continued to tumble over the past week as investors fled to the safety of government bonds, pushing Treasury yields down, mortgage provider Freddie Mac said Thursday. This is no surprise given the geopolitical uncertainties buffeting … Continue reading

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Can Economy Grow With Higher Interest Rates?

Financial FAQs The Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee announced it is raising short term interest rates by ¼ percent. But can this economy continue to grow with higher interest rates, as Fed Chairwoman Yellen has promised? That depends on several … Continue reading

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Housing Starts Surge, Millennials Are Buying

The Mortgage Corner The Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee has just announced it is raising short term interest rates by ¼ percent. Its press release said: “Given the economic outlook, and recognizing the time it takes for policy actions to … Continue reading

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Lower Payroll Employment Tomorrow?

Popular Economics Weekly Will tomorrow’s unemployment report be disappointing, and so cause the Fed to hesitate in raising their overnight interest rate above 0.25 percent, as they’ve been saying they will do this month? The most current economic indicators show … Continue reading

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Fed Rate Hike Could Hurt Employment

Financial FAQs Fed Chair Janet Yellen all but confirmed the Fed was ready to raise interest rates in December. She laid out a case for raising interest rates in a speech on Wednesday at the Economic Club in Washington. “Ongoing … Continue reading

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Oct. Pending and New-Home Sales Still Rising

The Mortgage Corner Both new and existing-home sales are still thriving, given that conforming fixed rates are still at almost historic lows, in spite of a looming Fed interest rate hike. Why? It’s mainly investors worried about worldwide growth that … Continue reading

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When Is Faster Growth Coming?

Popular Economics Weekly Where is the promised growth, with almost full employment? GDP growth was revised up from 1.5 to 2.1 percent Q2 to Q3, and is up 2.2 percent annually? When, if ever, will it return to the historical … Continue reading

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Home Ownership Rate Increases, Thanks to Millennials

The Mortgage Corner The Commerce Department just reported that homeownership rate rose to 63.7 percent in the third quarter, from 63.4 percent in the second quarter, reports the National Association of Realtors. That is still well below the high of … Continue reading

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Which Are Fastest Growing States?

Popular Economics Weekly A very interesting report by the Philadelphia Fed is just out that surveys economic growth in all 50 states. And the report shows excellent growth continuing in most of the country as of September. The Federal Reserve … Continue reading

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Pending Sales, Housing Construction Are Healthy

The Mortgage Corner Most of the Federal Reserve Governors have announced they don’t support raising interest rates until sometime next, year, and only if worldwide economic growth picks up. Why? The US Dollar is so strong that it’s hurting exports, … Continue reading

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