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☆ Stocks could be shaky in the week ahead as sigh-of-relief rally runs its course
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The stock market is about to enter one of the seasonally strongest months of the year, but volatility could persist in the week ahead with fading momentum and a big jobs report. The stock market is closed that day to observe Good Friday. Week ahead calendar Monday 10:00 a.m. Construction Spending, Feb. 10:00 a.m. ISM Manufacturing, March Tuesday 10:00 a.m. Factory Orders, Feb. 10:00 a.m. JOLTS, Feb. Wednesday 7:00 a.m. Mortgage Applications 8:15 a.m. ADP, March 8:30 a.m. Trade Balance, Feb. 10:00 a.m. ISM Service, March Thursday Earnings: Constellation Brands 8:30 a.m. Initial claims Friday The stock market is closed for Good Friday 8:30 a.m. Nonfarm Payrolls

☆ Mortgage rates fall for the third week in a row
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington, DC CNN —Homebuyers saw another week of falling mortgage rates, with the average rate dropping last week for the third week in a row, according to data from Freddie Mac released Thursday. “Economic uncertainty continues to bring mortgage rates down,” 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. “Pent-up housing demand is evident with every gain in affordability, whether it be softening prices or lower mortgage rates,” said Jones. “The mortgage market has seen a partial revival in March, with the recent decline in mortgage rates boosting borrower demand,” said Bob Broeksmit CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association.

☆ Home prices will fall 15% over the next year as high interest rates squeeze the housing market, economist says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Home prices are set to drop 15% over the next year, according to Pantheon Macroeconomics. That's because rates are likely to remain high, helping push down affordability and demand as a result. Some economists think a housing market recovery could be coming in 2024. US home prices have fallen amid higher mortgage rates over the last year, notching their seventh straight month of declines in January. Mortgage rates touched a 20-year-high in 2022 and have stayed elevated, crimping housing affordability and demand while putting downward pressure on prices.

☆ Mortgage demand gets a boost from bank volatility, but it may be short-lived
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Stress in the banking system turned out to be a boon for the U.S. mortgage market. Mortgage rates followed. Mortgage demand, consequently, rose 2.9% compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. Mortgage applications to purchase a home increased 2% for the week but were 35% lower than the same week one year ago. Mortgage rates, however, moved more than 20 basis points higher to start this week, according to a separate survey from Mortgage News Daily.

☆ Home prices cool in January, even falling in some cities, S&P Case-Shiller says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Home prices cooled in January, up only 3.8% nationally than they were a year earlier, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index. That was likely due to a brief drop in mortgage rates and a resulting jump in sales. Home prices have been cooling due to higher mortgage rates. Miami prices were up 13.8%, Tampa prices up 10.5%, and Atlanta prices rose 8.4%. All 20 cities, however, reported lower prices in the year ending January 2023 versus the year ending December 2022.

☆ Two millennial founders share how they invest in real estate for financial stability while building their own businesses
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Real-estate investments can help business owners find financial stability if done correctly. Two founders revealed how they invest in real estate for extra income. Rowan didn't go on a homebuying spree, but is slowing adding to her real-estate investments. It's OK to start smallRowan said her slow approach to real-estate investing is attractive to millennials, who have a lower rate of homeownership compared to previous generations. "If you're investing $100, you're not going to make a huge return, but you're still going to make the same percentage as the person that invested $100,000," she previously told Insider.

☆ Mortgage rates fall for a second week
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington, DC CNN —Mortgage rates dropped again this week for the second week in a row amid lingering concerns about bank failures and uncertainty in the financial markets. The average mortgage rate is based on mortgage applications that Freddie Mac receives from thousands of lenders across the country. When Treasury yields go up, so do mortgage rates; when they go down, mortgage rates tend to follow. “Each downward tick in mortgage rates is met with increased buyer demand, as many eager home shoppers take advantage of the slightly lower cost of financing a home,” she said. “At the current price and mortgage rate level, the typical housing payment on a median-priced home is 43% higher than one year ago,” said Jones.

☆ Mortgage demand increases again, but interest rates are rising
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mortgage demand has increased for three straight weeks now, as interest rates dropped in response to the recent bank failures. "However, mortgage rates have not dropped as much as Treasury rates due to increased MBS market volatility." Refinance demand is highly sensitive to weekly rate moves, but there are precious few borrowers right now who can still benefit from a refinance at today's higher interest rates. Today's homebuyers may be less influenced by weekly interest rate moves and more influenced by the state of the economy. Mortgage rates don't follow the Fed exactly, but they do respond to its perception of the overall economy.

☆ Analysis: Credit Suisse collapse threatens Switzerland's wealth management crown
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( John Revill | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/3] Logos of Swiss banks UBS and Credit Suisse are seen in Zurich, Switzerland March 20, 2023. Switzerland's credibility as a stable, predictable country had been upended by moves like the decision to wipe out the holdings of Credit Suisse bondholders, he said. Under the takeover deal, holders of Credit Suisse AT1 bonds will get nothing, while shareholders, who usually rank below bondholders in compensation terms, will receive $3.23 billion. "In that sense I also see a prosperous future for the financial centre because we have hundreds of very well capitalised banks and very successful wealth management and asset management banks." Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsReuters GraphicsOthers were more skeptical about the future, highlighting a reluctance to confront mistakes at Credit Suisse or take responsibility for the aftermath.

☆ Mortgage giant Fannie Mae tackles climate risk, but changes to underwriting may take several years
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

But the housing market currently doesn't price that climate risk into home values. The mortgage giant's chief climate officer, Tim Judge, says mortgage underwriting does not currently account for climate risk. To help, Judge is hiring climate risk modeling firms, such as First Street Foundation and Jupiter Intelligence, as well as others, to figure out just how to factor climate risk into home values and mortgage underwriting. First Street, for example, looks at climate risk from floods, fire and wind, and brings it down to an individual property level. But Fannie Mae is not yet rejecting any mortgages based solely on climate risk.

☆ Mortgage rates plunge in wake of bank failures
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington, DC CNN —Mortgage rates dropped this week in the wake of several bank failures, reversing course after rising half a percentage point over the past month. The average mortgage rate is based on mortgage applications that Freddie Mac receives from thousands of lenders across the country. The events of the past week, ranging from strong economic indicators to unforeseen events in banking, sent mortgage rates down. When Treasury yields go up, so do mortgage rates; when they go down, mortgage rates tend to follow. “This year, both prices and mortgage rates are higher than a year ago, resulting in a 50% increase in housing costs for the typical US home.

To help you get started, CNBC Select rounded up a list of the best mortgage lenders first-time homebuyers should consider. Types of loans offered: The most common kinds of mortgage loans include conventional loans, FHA loans and VA loans. The most common kinds of mortgage loans include conventional loans, FHA loans and VA loans. Fees: Common fees associated with mortgage applications include origination fees, application fees, underwriting fees, processing fees and administrative fees. Common fees associated with mortgage applications include origination fees, application fees, underwriting fees, processing fees and administrative fees.

☆ Mortgage rates rise for the fifth-straight week
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington, DC CNN —Mortgage rates edged further toward 7%, rising for the fifth consecutive week, as the Federal Reserve suggests rate increases will continue amid stubborn inflation. “Mortgage rates continue their upward trajectory as the Federal Reserve signals a more aggressive stance on monetary policy,” 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. Housing market chilledRising mortgage rates have put a damper on the spring selling season. While applications for a mortgage rose slightly last week after three weeks of declines, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, activity is muted.

☆ Mortgage demand recovers slightly, despite rising interest rates
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

After dropping to a 28-year low the previous week, mortgage demand recovered slightly, even though interest rates marched higher. Total mortgage application volume rose 7.4% last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. ARMs offer lower interest rates at higher risk. Mortgage rates have moved even higher, crossing over 7%, according to a separate survey from Mortgage News Daily. Mortgage rates follow loosely the yield on the 10-year Treasury.

☆ Investors pour the most into cash since COVID in latest week - BofA
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Cash funds saw inflows of $68.1 billion, BofA said citing EPFR data. Investors ditched equities and gold, which tends to suffer in an environment of rising real interest rates. Such a credit event could originate from the "Anglo-Saxon real estate" sector which has been hit by higher rates, the BofA analysts wrote. Bonds saw inflows of $8.4 billion, while global stocks recorded outflows of $7.4 billion and investors pulled $900 million out of gold funds. Investors meanwhile shed $1.8 billion in emerging market debt and bought $2.4 billion in emerging market equities.

It's a really bad time to buy a home with interest rates at their highest point in years. Mortgage rates are extremely highDuring the pandemic, when mortgage interest rates hit historic lows, a lot of my friends took advantage of that and became first-time homeowners. Back then, they were able to lock in 15-year mortgage rates at around 2% to 3%. But now, in 2023, mortgage interest rates are double or triple what they were just two years ago. I can find cheaper rent if I need toFinally, rent payments can fluctuate way more than mortgage payments can.

☆ Mortgage rates rise for the fourth week in a row
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington, DC CNN —Mortgage rates shot up for the fourth consecutive week, as inflation concerns remain. “However, given sustained economic growth and continued inflation, mortgage rates boomeranged and are inching up toward 7%.”The lower rates in January brought buyers back into the market, Khater said. The average mortgage rate is based on mortgage applications that Freddie Mac receives from thousands of lenders across the country. When Treasury yields go up, so do mortgage rates; when they go down, mortgage rates tend to follow. “The recent jump in mortgage rates has led to a retreat in purchase applications, with activity down for three straight weeks,” said Bob Broeksmit, MBA’s CEO.

☆ Mortgage rates jump back over 7% as inflation fears drive yields higher
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Mortgage rates loosely follow the yield on the U.S. 10-year Treasury . "The recent jump in mortgage rates has led to a retreat in purchase applications, with activity down for three straight weeks," said Bob Broeksmit, president and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association. "After solid gains in purchase activity to begin 2023, higher rates, ongoing inflationary pressures, and economic volatility are giving some prospective homebuyers pause about entering the housing market." But that recovery has now stalled, and rising rates are only part of the picture. Unfortunately, traders will be hesitant to push rates aggressively lower until they have several successive months pointing to meaningfully lower inflation.

☆ FTX might not have been the only crypto exchange using customer money for other things
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

As if the universe knew that I hadn't written a crypto newsletter in some time, here we go: Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange, has been under some scrutiny this week. The world's largest crypto exchange reportedly transferred nearly $1.8 billion in stablecoin collateral to hedge funds, the report said. Any move by Binance to shuffle customer money around isn't exactly illegal, but the risks are apparent in the wake of the FTX disaster, part of which involved the exchange using customer money for making big bets via its affiliated trading arm. That account, Reuters reported, was used to send $400 million to a trading firm managed by Zhao. In other news:Traders work on the main trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange March 21, 2007.

☆ U.S. mortgage interest rates remain at highest level since November - MBA
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The average contract rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased by 9 basis points to 6.71% for the week ended Feb. 24, data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) showed on Wednesday, a third weekly rise in mortgage rates after several weeks of declines. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note acts as a benchmark for mortgage rates. The rise in mortgage rates meant fewer would-be purchasers. The MBA's Market Composite Index, a measure of overall mortgage loan application volume, fell 5.7% from a week earlier. The MBA's Purchase Composite Index, a measure of all mortgage loan applications for purchase of a single family home, declined 5.6% from the prior week.

☆ Mortgage applications drop 28% as rates climb
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

With mortgage rates half a percentage point higher over the past month, home buyers are pulling back even as the spring home buying season should be heating up. Mortgage applications were down 5.7% for the week ending February 24 from the week prior as rates trended higher, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. “After a brief revival in application activity in January when mortgage rates dropped down, there has now been three straight weeks of declines in applications as mortgage rates have jumped 50 basis points over the past month,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s vice president and deputy chief economist. The Fed does not set the interest rates that borrowers pay on mortgages directly, but its actions influence them. Mortgage rates tend to track the yield on 10-year US Treasury bonds, which move based on a combination of anticipation about the Fed’s actions, what the Fed actually does and investors’ reactions.

☆ A rush of homes go under contract in January, but it's unlikely to last
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Signed contracts on existing homes jumped 8.1% last month compared with December, according to the National Association of Realtors. Closed sales in January were lower because they were based on contracts signed in November and December, when mortgage rates were higher. "Buyers responded to better affordability from falling mortgage rates in December and January," said NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun. Some of that was due to incentives offered by big builders, but lower rates improved affordability, especially for buyers of entry-level homes. Going forward, with rates higher and the supply of homes for sale still historically low, sales may not be able to continue this type of growth.

If you're ready to begin your home shopping journey, make sure you get a mortgage pre-approval first. A mortgage pre-approval letter is an essential step in the homebuying process. Below, CNBC Select breaks down how a mortgage pre-approval works and when you want to get one. What is mortgage pre-approval? Bottom lineA mortgage pre-approval can help you gauge how much mortgage you can afford and position yourself as a serious homebuyer.

☆ Wells Fargo, others lays off mortgage bankers
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Hugh Son | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWells Fargo, others lays off mortgage bankersCNBC's Hugh Son breaks down the housing market as U.S. mortgage rates jump to their highest levels since November.

☆ US mortgage rates rise for the third week in a row
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington CNN —Mortgage rates shot up for the third-straight week, as inflation concerns make rates more volatile. The average mortgage rate is based on mortgage applications that Freddie Mac receives from thousands of lenders across the country. Inflation concerns remainThe mortgage rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate loan continued to climb as the 10-year Treasury yield has surged. When Treasury yields go up, so do mortgage rates; when they go down, mortgage rates tend to follow. “This decline may be due to a combination of multiple factors such as high housing prices, high mortgage rates, and the recent wave of tech layoffs on the West Coast,” said Xu.

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