Frank Nothaft
Frank Nothaft
both dropping existing home housing july june levels sales somewhat starts took
Both existing home sales in June and housing starts in July took a breather, dropping to somewhat more sustainable levels of activity,
continues current economy expand housing inflation issue large lending low market mortgage rates recession remain signs
As the economy continues to show signs that the recession is ending, the housing market continues to expand thanks, in large part, to current low mortgage rates. And as long as inflation is not an issue in the economy, lending rates should remain around 7 percent.
breaking current demand economy housing keeping low mortgage overall rates record
Current record breaking low mortgage rates are keeping demand for housing strong, even as the overall economy stumbles sluggishly into the first part of the new year.
affordable coming continue expect housing low market mortgage percent present rate rates remaining strong
With the unemployment rate at a low of 4.3 percent and mortgage rates remaining at present affordable levels, we expect the housing market to continue to be strong into the coming months.
confidence consumer economists expect housing low mac market months mortgage rates remain strong
With mortgage rates low and consumer confidence high, Freddie Mac economists expect the housing market to remain strong in the months ahead.
combined confidence consumer continue housing low market prosper rates strong summer
Low rates combined with the up-tick in consumer confidence are strong indications that the housing market will continue to prosper into the summer months,
active alive confident continue expected great housing increase industry levels months mortgage november rates reached remain rose second seen since starts surprise three time
It was no great surprise that housing starts rose for the second time in three months since mortgage rates in November reached levels not seen since the mid-1960s. Since mortgage rates are not expected to increase significantly, we remain confident that the housing industry will continue to be alive and active well into 2003.
compare directly growth housing matter percent quarter second year
As a matter of fact, housing directly contributed to real GDP growth of 19 percent in the first quarter of the year and 23 percent in the second quarter. To put this in perspective, this would compare to 17 percent of real GDP growth over all of 2004.
based cause currently higher highest housing january market occurred rates starts week
That said, January housing starts were the highest in over 20 years, and that is based on higher rates than we are currently experiencing, ... All in all, the little run-up in rates that occurred this week will not be enough to cause a significant slowdown in current housing market activity.
concern consumer continued cut declining drop economy federal helped housing interest mortgage overall rates recent since spite support weakness year
The Federal Reserve's recent cut in interest rates and a continued concern over weakness in the overall economy contributed to another drop in mortgage rates this week. In spite of the slowdown in other sectors and a lessening of consumer confidence, declining mortgage rates since the first of the year have helped to support housing activity.
continue fixed high housing key last level low mortgage past percent played rate rates role six witnessed
For the past six months, 30-year fixed rate mortgage rates have hovered between 6.75 percent and 7.25 percent. We continue to see a very low mortgage rate environment, and this has played a key role in the high level of housing construction we have witnessed over the last two quarters.
consumer deflation economy housing indicate leading pick price ready released reports starts stronger suggesting together week
The Consumer Price Index released this week showed no decline, suggesting that the possibility of deflation is still low. Housing starts were stronger than expected, as were the leading indicators released today. All of these reports together could indicate the economy is ready to pick up growth.
compared consumer credit employment growth helped higher highest interest january jump level mortgage push rates since strength unexpected
The strength in employment growth and an unexpected jump in consumer credit in January helped push mortgage rates a little higher this week. While long-term interest rates are at the highest level since May of 1998, they are still very affordable, particularly when compared to the 1970s and 1980s.
almost basis beginning bond continue creeping daily expect inflation mortgage pushing rates remains rising since yields
Bond yields have been creeping up on an almost daily basis since the beginning of October, pushing mortgage rates up as they go, ... Inflation remains low, however, and we expect that to continue into 2004 and beyond. And as long as it does, we won't see mortgage rates rising very dramatically.