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Thanks to high mortgage rates, mortgage refinance rates, and even higher home prices, the mood among hopeful homebuyers has been fairly bleak. Is there a chance the housing market will crash anytime soon? Though a large number of Americans believe the housing market is at risk of crashing, the economists who study housing market conditions overwhelmingly do not expect a crash in 2024 or beyond. The US is currently between 2.3 million and 6.5 million units short of a healthy housing supply, according to Realtor.com. What a housing market crash would mean for homebuyersAnything is possible, and nobody has a crystal ball to see for certain what will happen in the housing market in the coming months and years.

Persons: —, homebuyers, Fannie Mae's, Lawrence Yun, Yun Organizations: Service, Housing Survey, National Association of Realtors, Housing Locations: Chevron

Mortgage rates have been very sensitive to incoming economic data, so we could see rates move up or down on Thursday depending on what this latest inflation report shows. Because we'll likely need to wait at least a few more months for the Fed to start cutting rates, mortgage rates have trended back up as well. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Hold Steady (-0.03%)The average 15-year mortgage rate is 6.00%, just three points lower than last week. Mortgage Refinance Rates30-Year Fixed Refinance Rates Hold Steady (+0.03%)The average 30-year refinance rate is 7.01%, only three basis points higher than last week.

Persons: they'll, you'll, It's, refinance Organizations: Federal Reserve, Fed, Zillow, FHA Locations: Chevron

☆ Home Equity Loan Alternative Could Revolutionize the Housing Market
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( James Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

Like a lot of homeowners, Schummer was keen to convert some of his theoretical wealth into real cash. These kinds of deals, often referred to as home-equity-sharing agreements or home-equity investments, have existed on the fringes of housing finance for decades. The success or failure of home-equity investments could shape the future of homeownership in America. If the home's value has gone up, everyone wins; sell it for a loss, and the investor might share in that downside. "Over time for us, the customer becomes everybody," Eoin Matthews, the chief business officer and a cofounder of Point, told me recently.

Persons: Kennis Schummer, Schummer, Laurie Goodman, Goodman, he'd, Eoin Matthews, —, Hometap, Jim Riccitelli, Riccitelli, Adam Rust, Rust, Rust wasn't, I'm, Jordan Gilberti, Holly Bunting, Mayer Brown, Edwin Remsberg, Matthews, they'd, Jeffrey Glass, Glass, I've, he's Organizations: Consumer, Urban Institute, Federal Reserve, Bain Capital, Palisades Group, Redwood Trust, Getty, Consumer Federation of America Locations: Pensacola , Florida, California, homeownership, America, Connecticut, Maryland, Florida

☆ 7% interest rates hit weekly mortgage demand hard
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Higher mortgage rates continue to hit demand from both current homeowners and potential homebuyers. Total mortgage application volume dropped 5.6% last week from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. Fratantoni noted, however, that mortgage demand from buyers looking at newly built homes jumped 19% year over year in January. However, mortgage rates above 7% sure don't help," he added. Mortgage rates moved higher again to start this week, according to a separate survey from Mortgage News Daily.

Persons: Mike Fratantoni, Fratantoni, Matthew Graham Organizations: Mortgage, VA, FHA, Mortgage News

Mortgage rates have dropped a bit from last week's highs, but they haven't come down enough yet to substantially improve affordability for borrowers. Average 30-year mortgage rates dropped to 6.34% in January, according to Zillow data, a low not seen since last spring. If the core PCE price index comes in hotter than expected, mortgage rates could trend back up a bit. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's interest rates will affect your monthly payments. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates inched down to 6.29% last week, according to Freddie Mac data.

Persons: you'll, Freddie Mac, it's, they've Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Federal, Core PCE, Zillow, Federal Reserve Locations: Chevron

Strong economic data has pushed back expectations of when mortgage rates will drop, but experts still believe they'll go down this year. This means that mortgage rates may remain elevated for at least a few more months. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. 15-year Fixed Mortgage RatesLast week, average 15-year mortgage rates were 6.29%, a 17-basis-point increase from the previous week, according to Freddie Mac data. Once the Fed cuts rates, mortgage rates should fall even further.

Persons: they'll, Fannie Mae, Doug Duncan, Freddie Mac, you'll, it's Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow Locations: Chevron

☆ Optimism around economy has led activity in refinance markets, says JPMorgan's Foley
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailOptimism around economy has led activity in refinance markets, says JPMorgan's FoleyKevin Foley, JPMorgan global head of debt capital markets, joins 'Money Movers' to discuss the Federal Reserve's decision making, the impact to the credit markets, and why there's so much pent up demand.

Persons: JPMorgan's Foley Kevin Foley Organizations: JPMorgan

FHA loan borrowers struggling to keep up with their mortgage may soon be able to reduce their payments by as much as 25%. The FHA launched the Payment Supplement option in response to high mortgage rates. Lenders can offer the Payment Supplement starting May 1, and they have to start offering it by January 1, 2025. FHA loan borrowers who are struggling to keep up with their mortgage payments will soon have a new option to help them avoid losing their homes to foreclosure. Called the Payment Supplement, this new option can temporarily lower a borrower's monthly payment so they can get back on their feet after a financial hardship.

Persons: —, forbearance, Charles Williams, Percy, you'll, Julia Gordon Organizations: FHA, Service, Finance, Federal, Administration

Average 30-year mortgage rates started the month low, but they've increased substantially since then and are now nearing 7%. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesThe average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.90% last week, according to Freddie Mac. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates were 6.29% last week, according to Freddie Mac data, which is a 17-basis-point increase from the previous week. Now that the Fed has paused hiking rates, mortgage rates have come down a bit.

Persons: Christopher Waller, Freddie Mac Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow, Fed Locations: Chevron

Right now, average 30-year mortgage rates are more than 40 basis points higher than they were this time last month. As long as price growth continues to come down, mortgage rates should ease this year. The person with the better score would also pay around $300 less on their monthly mortgage payment. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage Refinance Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments.

Persons: They're, they've, it's, myFICO, Fannie Mae Organizations: Zillow, Federal Reserve, Mortgage, Association, ARM Locations: Chevron

☆ Wall Street will try to maintain AI-fueled momentum in the final week of February, as inflation concerns linger
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

In the final week of February, Wall Street will strive to maintain its AI-fueled rally even as economic concerns linger and the Federal Reserve's favorite inflation measure is on deck. But many worry the writing is on the wall for these market leaders as economic and inflation risks linger. The 'lone cloud' of inflation The Fed's preferred inflation gauge will also be released in the week ahead. Investors are concerned that sticky inflation will mean that the Fed will hold onto its higher-for-longer interest rate policy. Next week will also be the final week of February, with stocks headed for another strong month of gains.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Patrick McDonough, Europe's, PGIM's McDonough, McDonough, Charlie Ashley, Dhaval Joshi, Joshi, Ashley, John Williams, TJX Cos Organizations: Dow Jones Industrial, Nasdaq, Nvidia, Japan's Nikkei, Catalyst Funds, BCA Research, CPI, PPI, Dow, New, Dallas Fed, Fidelity National Information Services, Richmond Fed, eBay, Enterprise, Cruise Line Holdings, New York Federal Reserve Bank, York, Monster Beverage, Paramount Global, PCE Deflator, Chicago PMI, . Kansas City Fed Manufacturing, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Autodesk, Body, Hormel, PMI, Manufacturing Locations: U.S, Lowe's, Chicago, . Kansas, Michigan

The economy has been doing surprisingly well so far this year, and it's pushing mortgage rates back up. Average 30-year mortgage rates rose 13 basis points to 6.90% this week, according to Freddie Mac. Average 15-year mortgage rates also increased to 6.29% this week, a 17-point jump. Once the Federal Reserve starts lowering the federal funds rate, mortgage rates are expected to go down as well. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

☆ Americans could save up to $300 a month on their mortgages if interest rates drop as expected in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Cork Gaines | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Homeowners who recently purchased properties with interest rates as high as 8% face much higher monthly mortgage payments than those seen a few years ago. Of course, interest rates will not return to 3% anytime soon, but homeowners don't need rates to drop much to see a big difference in their bank accounts. Homeowners with high-interest mortgage loans are expected to quickly refinance when rates drop. While mortgage interest rates started to fall in late 2023, they were above 7% for much of the year, peaking near 8% in October, and recently climbed back above 7%. Win McNamee/Getty ImagesWhenever cuts happen, a drop in rates would save existing and new homeowners money each month.

Persons: —, Michele Raneri, Raneri, Eric Audras, Raphael Bostic, Jerome Powell, Win McNamee Organizations: Service, Business, TransUnion, Atlanta Fed, CNN, . Federal Reserve Locations: TransUnion

In its latest forecast, the Mortgage Bankers Association predicts that 30-year mortgage rates will fall to 6.1% by the end of this year. This means we'll likely have to deal with high mortgage rates for at least a few more months. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Back Below 6% (-0.12%)The average 15-year mortgage rate is 5.91%, down just 12 points from last week. Mortgage rates also rose dramatically in 2023, though they started trending back down toward the end of the year.

Persons: Mike Fratantoni, MBA's, you'll, It's, refinance Organizations: Mortgage, Association, Survey, Zillow, FHA Locations: Chevron

☆ Pricey stocks and homes, shaky banks, office turmoil, and people's debt woes are all worrying the Fed
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

AdvertisementThe Federal Reserve is worried about expensive stocks and homes, sinking office prices, shaky banks, and cash-strapped consumers. The S&P 500 soared to record highs this year as investors bet that the Fed will conquer inflation and start cutting rates within months, pushing stocks higher and staving off a recession. Fed economists said during their latest meeting that the value of multi-family homes, offices, and other commercial real estate could decline further. AdvertisementThe commercial real estate sector certainly faces a raft of headwinds. But its experts are clearly concerned about lofty stocks and home values, further commercial real estate fallout, vulnerable banks, and struggling consumers as potential threats to a soft landing.

Persons: They've Organizations: New, New York Community, Silicon Valley Bank Locations: New York, Silicon

☆ Fed rate hikes are creeping back into the conversation
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. AdvertisementExperts maintain that any hikes this year are unlikely, but say it's notable how they have creeped back into the policy conversation once again. "You can't say zero probability for something to break in the event of another rate hike," Jason Draho, head of asset allocation in the Americas for UBS Global Wealth Management, told Business Insider. "That last mile [of inflation] will be harder to obtain," Anthony Saglimbene, Ameriprise Financial's chief market strategist, told Business Insider. "The Fed's erring on the side of hawkishness," Hunter told Business Insider.

Persons: —, Larry Summers, Summers, Jason Draho, you'd, Goldman Sachs, Anthony Saglimbene, Ameriprise, Paul Mielczarski, Mielczarski, Ameriprise's Saglimbene, Andrew Hunter, Hunter Organizations: Service, Federal, Business, PPI, Fed, Former, Bloomberg, Traders, UBS Global Wealth Management, Capital Economics Locations: Americas, OER, Brandywine, hawkishness

Mortgage rates jumped up last week following the release of some hotter-than-expected inflation data. Once it looks clearer that inflation is coming down to the Fed's 2% target, mortgage rates should ease. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's interest rates will affect your monthly payments. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesThis week's average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.77%, according to Freddie Mac. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates inched down to 6.12% last week, according to Freddie Mac data.

Persons: Mary Daly, agilely, Daly, Price, you'll, Freddie Mac, it's, they've Organizations: Federal Reserve, National Association for Business, San Francisco Fed, Index, Fed, Zillow Locations: Chevron

☆ Mortgage demand takes a massive hit as interest rates cross back over 7%
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mortgage interest rates surged last week to the highest level since early December, and that hit mortgage demand hard. "Potential homebuyers are quite sensitive to these rate changes, as affordability is strained with both higher rates and higher home values in this supply-constrained market," Fratantoni added. With rates higher, the adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) share of activity increased to 7.4% of total applications. ARMs offer lower interest rates but are considered more risky because they can adjust higher after a fixed period. Mortgage rates jumped even higher Friday after a monthly government report on wholesale prices showed inflation is still persistent and hotter than most analysts had expected.

Persons: Mike Fratantoni, Fratantoni Organizations: Woodland, Lifestyle Homes, Mortgage Locations: Cold Springs , Nevada

The economy has been doing surprisingly well so far this year, so it may be a bit longer before we see mortgage rates start trending down. Higher mortgage rates will likely temper demand, meaning that those who are able to take on higher rates will be up against less competition. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. 15-year Fixed Mortgage RatesLast week, average 15-year mortgage rates were 6.12%, a 22-basis-point increase from the previous week, according to Freddie Mac data. Once the Fed cuts rates, mortgage rates should fall even further.

Persons: you'll, Freddie Mac, it's Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow Locations: Chevron

☆ The economy's gone from strength to strength after the pandemic — but no one quite knows why, or what comes next
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

America has gone from a pandemic crash and recession fears to stocks at record highs and an economic boom. Lockdowns, wars, shortages, inflation, interest rates, day trading, and AI have all played a role. Noam Galai/SOPA/Getty ImagesMany Americans also socked away money during the pandemic, as they saved on expenses like travel and live entertainment. Stimulus-fueled demand, combined with pandemic and war-related supply disruptions, caused inflation to spike to a 40-year high of 9.1% in June that year. The Fed swiftly raised interest rates to rein in the price growth, lifting them from virtually zero to upward of 5% in under 18 months, and hasn't touched them since.

Persons: —, We've, Noam Galai, hasn't, It's, dory Organizations: Service, Federal Reserve, GameStop, AMC Entertainment, AMC, Bank Locations: America, China, Ukraine

Average 30-year mortgage rates started the month low, but they've since ticked up and are now back near their mid-December levels. Once we see more data showing that inflation is slowing, mortgage rates could start to come down as well. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates were 6.12% last week, according to Freddie Mac data, which is a 22-basis-point increase from the previous week. Now that the Fed has paused hiking rates, mortgage rates have come down a bit.

Persons: it's, Freddie Mac Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow, Fed Locations: Chevron

Mortgage rates have been trending up this month in response to strong economic data. Most major forecasts expect mortgage rates to go down in 2024, but when they'll actually start dropping depends on the economy. Once the Fed starts lowering the federal funds rate, mortgage rates should start to come down, too. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. This is good news for mortgage rates — as inflation slows and the Federal Reserve is able to start cutting the federal funds rate, mortgage rates are expected to trend down as well.

Persons: they'll, there's, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow, Mortgage, Association, ARM Locations: Chevron

If inflation remains near current levels or looks like it's ticking back up, mortgage rates could climb higher. Average 30-year mortgage rates rose 13 basis points to 6.77% this week, according to Freddie Mac. Once the Fed starts lowering its benchmark rate, the federal funds rate, mortgage rates are expected to go down as well. This means we might not see mortgage rates fall substantially until the second half of 2024. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, Price, you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

Mortgage rates rose following the release of the latest Consumer Price Index data, and they remain elevated today. Though the Fed doesn't directly impact mortgage rates, investor expectations of Fed policy moves can push mortgage rates up or down. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. Mortgage Rates for Buying a Home30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Up Closer to 7% (+0.24%)The current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.68%, up 24 points from where it was this time last week. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Back Above 6% (+0.31%)The average 15-year mortgage rate is 6.05%, up 31 points from last week.

Persons: they've, we'll, you'll, It's, refinance Organizations: of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, Zillow, FHA Locations: reaccelerate, Chevron

☆ Commercial real estate is in big trouble — and the problems may have major financial fallout
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewThe tremors rattling US commercial real estate are spreading to other countries and sectors, and threaten to escalate into a financial earthquake as refinancing deadlines loom. There are growing signs that commercial real estate is in serious trouble. AdvertisementProspective losses, refinancing woes, international contagion, and panic selling combine to create a bleak outlook for the commercial property sector. The catalyst for both the banking and commercial real estate drama is deceptively dry: rising interest rates. AdvertisementMoreover, "Undercover Billionaire" star and real estate tycoon Grant Cardone has hailed the ongoing correction as a rare chance for everyday people to buy "trophy real estate" from institutional owners.

Persons: —, aren't, Barry Sternlicht, Pfandbriefbank, Warren Buffett, Ian Jacobs, Jacobs, Grant Cardone Organizations: Service, Business, Starwood Capital's, Bloomberg, European Central Bank, New York Community Bancorp, Investors, Silicon Valley Bank, Federal Reserve, Wall Street, Berkshire Hathaway, Ares Management Locations: Europe, Silicon, San Francisco, New York City, Manhattan, Los Angeles

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