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☆ Mortgage rates drop after climbing for four weeks
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington, DC CNN —Mortgage rates ticked down slightly this week, a tiny boon to buyers eager to make a move with newly listed homes coming to market. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.88% in the week ending March 7, down from 6.94% the previous week, according to data from Freddie Mac released Thursday. While mortgage rates are expected to fall further in 2024, Sturtevant added, short-term movements in mortgage rates will likely be influenced by congressional testimony given this week by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. During his semiannual monetary report to Congress, he indicated there is no rush to cut interest rates with more evidence of cooling inflation. The February jobs report, which will be released Friday, is also likely to have some bearing on mortgage rates.

Persons: Freddie Mac, ”, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s, homebuyers, Khater, Redfin, Lisa Sturtevant, ” Sturtevant, Sturtevant, Jerome Powell Organizations: DC CNN —, Mortgage, Association, Federal Housing Administration, Redfin, MLS, Bright MLS, Federal, Congress Locations: Washington

The housing market began 2024 in the doldrums as housing starts and permits for new construction both fell, the Census Bureau reported on Friday. Starts fell 14.8%, way more than the flat reading expected by economists. “High mortgage rates, with maybe a dash of cold weather, caused starts and permits to fall from December. The optimism is a turnaround from August 2023, when 80% of small businesses surveyed said their long-term financial confidence was being negatively affected by the economy. Some 50% of small business owners said they were planning to expand in 2024.

Persons: didn’t, ”, Robert Frick, Lisa Sturtevant, Ksenia Potapov, “, they’re, Bill Dunkelberg Organizations: Census, Navy Federal Credit Union, MLS, “, National Federation of Independent Business, American Express Locations: American

☆ Renters are being hit harder by inflation than homeowners are
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington, DC CNN —Renters and homeowners experience inflation differently; and right now, renters are taking a much more painful hit. While shelter inflation has come down over the past few months, in December, the shelter index was still 6.2% higher year over year. Inflation divide between renters and homeownersTwo things are driving the divide between how homeowners and renters experience inflation. And 64% of homeowners have a mortgage rate of 4% or lower — more than two and a half percentage points lower than prevailing rates. Even if the typical mortgage payment is higher than a typical monthly rent payment, renters’ incomes tend to be lower than homeowners.

Persons: “, Lisa Sturtevant, Danielle Hale, Realtor.com, ”, Hale Organizations: DC CNN, Bright MLS, Bank of America Institute, BLS, “ Locations: Washington

☆ Inflation slowed to a 3.1% annual rate in November
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-12 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

While the monthly rate indicated a pickup from the flat CPI reading in October, the annual rate showed another decline after hitting 3.2% a month earlier. The consumer price index, a closely watched inflation gauge, increased 0.1% in November, and was up 3.1% from a year ago, the Labor Department reported Tuesday . Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been looking for no gain and a yearly rate of 3.1%. Food prices increased 0.2%, boosted by a 0.4% jump in food away from home. On an annual basis, food rose 2.9% while energy was down 5.4%.

Persons: Dow Jones, Liz Ann Sonders, Charles Schwab, Lisa Sturtevant Organizations: Labor Department, Federal Reserve, Treasury, Bright MLS, Fed, CNBC Fed Survey, CNBC PRO

☆ Why are real estate commissions 6%? – and why that’s about to change
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Many thought the internet would eventually kill the 6% real estate commission. Even as the ranks of stockbrokers and travel agents have dropped in recent years as commissions petered out, the number of real estate agents has grown and their typical commissions are bigger than ever as home prices have risen. That is largely because of the power of the National Association of Realtors, an influential lobbying group that represents 1.5 million real estate agents. How real estate commissions workHome sellers are usually on the hook for their real estate agent’s commission as well as for paying the agent that represents the buyer. Real estate agents will tell you commissions are negotiable — and they are.

Persons: Sellers, ”, Jordan Barry, “, Tiffany Hagler, won’t, Babiracki Barlow, “ we’ve, Vasi Organizations: DC CNN, Kansas City, Brookings Institution, stockbrokers, National Association of Realtors, University of Southern, National Association of Real, Exchanges, NAR, Association, Geard, Bloomberg, Getty, realtors, Agents, MLS, Department of Justice, DOJ, California Association of Realtors, New, Real, Board Locations: Washington, New York City, University of Southern California, Larchmont , New York, Boston, New York, New York —, York

Consumers grew somewhat more optimistic about the future of the economy in November as expectations about inflation improved, but their sense of the current state of affairs worsened a bit. Still, two-thirds of consumers surveyed still expect a recession to be “somewhat” or “very likely” within the next 12 months. However, that is well above current inflation of 3.2% and forecasts from the Federal Reserve and mainstream economists. In the peak hour from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. EST, consumers spent $15.7 million a minute, according to online analytics firm Adobe. One thing that might make some consumers happy is that home prices continued to increase in September.

Persons: ”, Dana Peterson, ” Peterson, Jeffrey Roach, Craig J, Lazzara, Lisa Sturtevant Organizations: Conference, Federal Reserve, LPL, “, Adobe, MLS Locations: Detroit, San Diego

New home sales fell 5.6% in October, worse than expected, as higher mortgage rates took a bite out of demand. The annual level of sales in October was 679,000, down from September’s substantially revised 719,000 pace, However, sales in October were still up 17.7% from a year ago. October saw a sharp increase in mortgage rates to around 8% for a 30-year fixed rate loan. However, the higher mortgage rates have slowed sales of new homes as well. The recent drop in mortgage rates, with more expected next year, could prove to be a tonic to the market.

Persons: ”, Kelly Mangold, Greg Logan, Lisa Sturtevant, ” “, ” Sturtevant Organizations: Census Bureau, Department of Housing, Urban Development, Builders, RCLCO Real Estate Consulting, MLS Locations: RCLCO, Southern, Northeast, Midwest

The pace of new construction quickened in October as both building permits and housing starts rose despite elevated mortgage rates, the government reported on Friday. New housing starts were 1.372 million compared to 1.346 million a month earlier. “A good inflation report and steadily declining mortgage rates provide some relief to the market. Also on a positive note, mortgage rates fell this week following the CPI and the resultant drop in bond yields from their recent highs. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to an average of 7.44% in the week ending Nov. 16, a drop from 7.5% a week earlier, Freddie Mac said on Thursday.

Persons: Wells, ”, Lisa Sturtevant, homebuyers, Freddie Mac, Odeta Kushi Organizations: Census Bureau, Department of Housing, Urban, National Association of Home Builders, MLS, homebuilders, ”, CPI, “ Builders, First Locations: Midwest, West

☆ Mortgage rates fall for third straight week, bringing some homeseekers off the sidelines
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Mortgage rates have cooled in recent weeks as markets absorbed the latest economic indicators, including an improving inflation picture. “For the third straight week, mortgage rates trended down, as new data indicates that inflationary pressures are receding,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. When Treasury yields go up, so do mortgage rates; when they go down, mortgage rates tend to follow. “The gap between the 10-year Treasury yield and the 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate is historically around 180 basis points,” she said. “While the gap has narrowed somewhat, the 30-year mortgage rate remains 280 basis points higher than the bond yield.”By historical norms, she said, mortgage rates should be under 6.5%.

Persons: Freddie Mac, ”, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s, Price, Jiayi Xu, Jerome, Powell, ” Xu, Bob Broeksmit, Lawrence Yun, ” Yun, “, Lisa Sturtevant, ” Sturtevant Organizations: DC CNN —, Mortgage, Association, Federal Reserve, Treasury, Consumer, “, National Association of Realtors, Bright MLS Locations: Washington

“So many more people have credit cards now.”Wise says the main thing to watch for is how strapped consumers are in their overall financial condition. There are signs the consumer may still have a little left in the tank. And speaking of tanks, gas prices have been coming down, a move that will free up a little more money for consumers to spend. And this occurred while consumers repeatedly tell surveys they are feeling gloomy and pessimistic about the state of the economy. The pace of increase in consumer prices has fallen from around 9% annually in the summer of 2022 to under 4% now.

Persons: ”, Donghoon Lee, “, TransUnion, TrasnUnion, Charlie Wise, ” Wise, we’ve, ” Patrick De Haan, De Haan, Lisa Sturtevant, Goldman Sachs, Jan Hatzius, Joseph Brusuelas, Tuan Nyugen Organizations: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, New York Fed, TransUnion, “, MLS, Federal, ” Goldman, Adobe Locations: U.S, California

The decline brought the average rate on a 30-year mortgage down to 7.76% from 7.79% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. As mortgage rates rise, they can add hundreds of dollars a month in costs for borrowers, limiting how much they can afford in a market already out of reach for many Americans. The average rate on a 30-year home loan climbed above 6% in September 2022 and has remained above that threshold since. And higher yields on 10-year Treasurys tend to push up mortgage rates. The average rate was unchanged from last week at 7.03%.

Persons: Freddie Mac, ”, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s, it’s, Lisa Sturtevant, Bob Broeksmit Organizations: ANGELES, Treasury, U.S, Federal Reserve, Bright MLS, ”, Treasury Department, Mortgage, Association, “ Locations: U.S

Home prices rose 0.4% in August and at an annual rate of 2.6%, as low inventories buoyed prices even while mortgages hit the 7% level. The CoreLogic Case-Shiller index for the month found 12 of the 20 cities in the index saw higher prices in August from the year-ago period. home prices continued to rise in August 2023,” said Craig J. Lazzara, managing director at S&P DJI. “The year’s increase in mortgage rates has surely suppressed housing demand, but after years of very low rates, it seems to have suppressed supply even more. Political Cartoons on the Economy View All 604 Images“The affordability challenge is being exacerbated by persistently higher mortgage rates,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist for Bright MLS.

Persons: ”, Craig J, Lazzara, ” Selma Hepp, Lisa Sturtevant, Hannah Jones, That’s, Rhys Williams, It’s, Venkat Balakrishnan, –, Dana Peterson, “, ” Peterson Organizations: Bright MLS, Federal Reserve, ”, Census Bureau, “, Realtor.com, Management, Fed, Conference Board, Hamas, Financial Group Locations: Chicago, New York, Detroit, Las Vegas, “, Israel

☆ Homebuilding bounced back in September
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Washington, DC CNN —US homebuilding bounced back in September, after dropping in August to the lowest levels since 2020 as mortgage rates climbed. Building permits dropped in September, falling 4.4% from August’s revised number to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.473 million. “Builders continue constructing smaller homes using less land, and offering incentives, but to build our way out of the housing shortage we’ll need mortgage rates well below current levels,” he said. Homebuilders are becoming increasingly anxious about persistently high mortgage rates and cooling demand, she said. “To keep buyers interested, many builders have been offering upgrades or buying down mortgage rates,” she said.

Persons: US homebuilding, ”, Robert Frick, Lisa Sturtevant, “, Sturtevant Organizations: DC CNN, US, Housing, Census, Navy Federal Credit Union, “ Builders, Bright MLS Locations: Washington

The report reflects the uneasy state of new construction, with builders facing the strain of high mortgage rates and increased costs for building materials. “To keep buyers interested, many builders have been offering upgrades or buying down mortgage rates, but rising home prices coupled with mortgage rates approaching 8% means there will be fewer buyers in the market to entice,” Bright MLS Chief Economist Lisa Sturtevant said. It is the week’s second report on the state of the new housing market. On Tuesday, the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index revealed that builder confidence fell for the third consecutive month in October. "Today’s September housing starts report reflects the fragility of the real estate market,” said Travis Hodges, managing director at insurance broker VIU by HUB.

Persons: “, ”, Lisa Sturtevant, Alicia Huey, Travis Hodges Organizations: Census Bureau, Department of Housing, Urban Development, MLS, National Association of Home Builders, National Association of Realtors Locations: Wells Fargo, Birmingham , Alabama, Florida, California

☆ Getting to 2% inflation won't be easy. This is what will need to happen, and it might not be pretty
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Mike Blake | ReutersIn theory, getting inflation closer to the Federal Reserve's 2% target doesn't sound terribly difficult. The main culprits are related to services and shelter costs, with many of the other components showing noticeable signs of easing. watch nowInstead, getting better control of rents, medical care services and the like could take ... well, you might not want to know. Policymakers have been banking on the notion that when existing rental leases expire, they will be renegotiated at lower prices, bringing down shelter inflation. He added that the CPI report "is a reminder that we do not have good historic examples to lean on" for long-term patterns in rent inflation.

Persons: Mike Blake, Steven Blitz, Goldman Sachs, Lisa Sturtevant, Christopher Bruen, Marta Norton, Stephen Juneau, Juneau Organizations: Reuters, GlobalData, Street, Cleveland Fed, Bright MLS, Housing, Americas, Morningstar Wealth, Bank of America Locations: Rancho, San Diego , California, Maryland, Stephen Juneau , U.S

Consumers are growing more pessimistic about future prospects for the economy, according to the latest survey from the Conference Board released on Tuesday. “Consumer confidence fell again in September 2023, marking two consecutive months of decline,” said Dana Peterson, chief economist at the business organization. “September’s disappointing headline number reflected another decline in the expectations index, as the present situation index was little changed. “Write-in responses showed that consumers continued to be preoccupied with rising prices in general, and for groceries and gasoline in particular,” Peterson added. “Consumers also expressed concerns about the political situation and higher interest rates.

Persons: ”, Dana Peterson, “, ” Peterson, “ Consumers, Kelly Mangold, Lisa Sturtevant Organizations: Conference, “, Federal Reserve, Census Bureau, U.S . Department of Housing, Urban Development, Real Estate Consulting, MLS, American Financial Corporation

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate edged up again this week, another setback for would-be homebuyers navigating an increasingly less affordable housing market. The average rate on the benchmark 30-year home loan rose to 7.19% from 7.18% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. The average rate rose to 6.54% from 6.51% last week. Mortgage rates have been echoing moves in the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing loans. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage is now more than double what it was two years ago, when it was just 2.88%.

Persons: Freddie Mac, ”, Lisa Sturtevant Organizations: ANGELES, Bright MLS, Treasury, Federal Reserve, Federal, U.S, National Association of Realtors Locations: It’s, U.S

☆ CNBC Daily Open: August’s CPI report isn’t as bad as it seems
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Yeo Boon Ping | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Celal Gunes | Anadolu Agency | Getty ImagesThis report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our new, international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. What you need to know todayThe bottom lineAt first glance, August's CPI report seems bad news. And gasoline prices have actually retreated 3.3% from a year ago, suggesting that they're still on a downward trend in the long run. Indeed, the annual measure of core CPI still dropped from 4.7% in July to 4.3% in August.

Persons: Celal, we've, Andrew Hunter, Lisa Sturtevant, Sturtevant, Kayla Bruun, " Bruun, Dow, —, Jeff Cox, Greg Iacurci Organizations: Anadolu Agency, Getty, CNBC, CPI, U.S . Bureau of Labor Statistics, Capital Economics, Bright MLS, Morning, Markets, 3M, Caterpillar, Nasdaq Locations: Virginia, Tesla

☆ August core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 0.3%, hotter than expected
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

However, excluding volatile food and energy, the core CPI increased 0.3% and 4.3%, respectively, against estimates for 0.2% and 4.3%. Federal Reserve officials focus more on core as it provides a better indication of where inflation is heading over the long term. Inflation posted its biggest monthly increase this year in August as consumers faced higher prices on energy and a variety of other items. Food prices rose 0.2% while shelter costs, which make up about one-third of the CPI weighting, climbed 0.3%. Within shelter, the rent of primary residence index rose 0.5% and increased 7.8% from a year ago.

Persons: Dow Jones, airfares, Lisa Sturtevant, Sturtevant, paychecks, Andrew Hunter Organizations: Federal Reserve, U.S . Department of Labor, Transportation, Bright MLS, Treasury, Labor Department, Capital Economics, Group

These are tough times for the housing market. Meanwhile on Wednesday, the Mortgage Bankers Association said mortgage applications have plunged 28% since last year and are now at the lowest level since late 1996. After two years of a pandemic-fueled housing market frenzy and another year of rising rates and tight inventory, consumers are weary. During the pandemic, as the Federal Reserve moved to lower interest rates, mortgage rates fell to 3% and below, prompting a wave of refinancings. “Mortgage applications declined to the lowest level since December 1996, despite a drop in mortgage rates,” said Joel Kan, deputy chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Persons: Freddie Mac’s, ”, Lisa Sturtevant, ” Sturtevant, Joel Kan, Redfin, Niko Voutsinas Organizations: Mortgage Bankers Association, National Association of Home Builders, Housing, Bright MLS, “, Federal Reserve, Mortgage, Association Locations: Washington, Chicago

☆ Home sales fall again in July, as supply drops to near quarter-century low
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Homes sold at the slowest July pace since 2010. This count is for closings, so contracts were likely signed in May and June, when mortgage rates went from around 6.5% to well over 7%. Sales fell month to month in all regions except the West, where they rose 2.7%. Roughly three-quarters of the homes sold were on the market for less than a month, indicating still strong demand. "The housing market is at a pivotal point as we head into fall," said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS, noting higher mortgage rates in particular.

Persons: it's, Lawrence Yun, Danielle Hale, Buyers, Lisa Sturtevant Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Homes, Realtor.com, Realtors, Federal Housing Administration, Bright MLS

☆ US 30-year fixed mortgage rate jumps to near 21-1/2-year high
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Safiyah Riddle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Octavio Jones/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 17 (Reuters) - U.S. mortgage rates surged this week, with the popular 30-year fixed rate hitting the highest level in more than 21 years, further complicating the housing market outlook. The average 30-year rate shot up to 7.09%, the highest level since April 2002, from 6.96% in the prior week, mortgage finance agency Freddie Mac said on Thursday. But sky-high mortgage rates could temper recent building trends, keeping supply tight and house prices elevated. Higher mortgage rates were blamed for the ebb in confidence among homebuilders in August. "The housing market has been surprisingly resilient, confounding expectations for the last year," said Bright MLS chief economist Lisa Sturtevant.

Persons: Octavio Jones, Freddie Mac, Freddie Mac's, Sam Khater, Lisa Sturtevant, Safiyah Riddle, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, Federal Reserve, U.S, Commerce Department, MLS, Thomson Locations: Tampa , Florida, U.S

☆ US consumer confidence races to two-year high; house prices rising
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Summary Consumer confidence index increases to 117.0 in JulyLabor market differential rises to 37.2 from 32.5 in JuneHouse prices continue upward trend in MayWASHINGTON, July 25 (Reuters) - U.S. consumer confidence increased to a two-year high in July amid a persistently tight labor market and receding inflation, bolstering the economy's prospects in the near term. That supports economists' views that consumer spending was flattening out after rising at its fastest pace in two years in the first quarter. The Conference Board's consumer confidence index increased to 117 this month, the highest reading since July 2021, from 110.1 in June. TIGHT LABOR MARKETThe survey's so-called labor market differential, derived from data on respondents' views on whether jobs are plentiful or hard to get, increased to 37.2 this month from 32.8 in June, a sign labor market conditions remain tight despite job growth slowing. And while more households planned to buy houses, they could run into affordability challenges as tight supply pushes up prices.

Persons: Robert Frick, Dana Peterson, Lisa Sturtevant, Lucia Mutikani, Paul Simao Organizations: Labor, Conference, Federal Reserve, Consumers, Navy Federal Credit Union, The, Reuters, University of, Conference Board's, Fed, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Bright MLS, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, Vienna , Virginia, U.S

☆ Inflation rose just 0.2% in June, less than expected as consumers get a break from price increases
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

On a monthly basis, the index, which measures a broad swath of prices for goods and services, rose 0.2%. Stripping out volatile food and energy prices, core CPI rose 4.8% from a year ago and 0.2% on a monthly basis. The annual rate was the lowest since October 2021. Food prices rose just 0.1% on the month while used vehicle prices, a primary source for the inflation surge in the early part of 2022, declined 0.5%. The easing in the CPI helped boost worker paychecks: Real average hourly earnings, adjusted for inflation rose 0.2% from May to June and increased 1.2% on a year-over-year basis.

Persons: George Mateyo, Mateyo, Lisa Sturtevant Organizations: Federal Reserve, Key Private Bank, of Labor Statistics, Bright MLS, Fed, Dow Jones, Treasury, Traders, CPI

☆ Home prices are in their longest slump since 2012. Here's what experts think happens next.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

US home prices just fell for the seventh consecutive month, Case-Shiller data showed Tuesday. Here's what economists are saying about the housing market outlook. Over the last year, the Federal Reserve's aggressive interest rate hiking campaign has helped lift mortgage rates sharply, weighing on affordability and demand. Here's what experts have said could come next for the housing market. "Long-term [the housing shortage] puts a floor under demand in this country for newly built homes," he told CNBC on Thursday.

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