The Federal Reserve’s relentless attack on inflation is jeopardizing our housing market.
The Fed should immediately reverse course and buy mortgage securities to help moderate consumer mortgage rates.
This will allow the Fed to raise non-housing interest rates, if necessary, while also allowing the housing market to resume functioning normally again.
The central bank raised its key federal funds policy interest rate to a level about 22 times what it was previously in less than 18 months.
In normal times, higher Treasury rates, which make mortgages more expensive, divert household income to mortgage payments and away from other purchases, dampen home buyer demand and, ultimately, lower home prices.
Persons:
Paul Volcker
Organizations:
Fed