Bob Ramalho

Berkshire Hathaway - Verani Realty

  • Home
  • About
  • Video Library
  • Info
    • First Time Home Buyer Tips
    • First Time Home Seller Tips
  • Property Search
  • Reviews
  • Blog
  • Contact

Bob Ramalho January 8, 2018

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 8, 2018

Last week’s economic reports included readings on construction spending, minutes of the most recent meeting of the Fed’s Federal Open Market Committee. Labor reports including ADP, Non-Farm Payrolls, and national unemployment were released along with weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims.

Construction Spending Rises; Driven by Residential Building

Residential construction drove November construction spending surpassed expectations of a 0.50 percent increase; Overall, construction spending rose by 0.80 percent in November. Residential construction was up 7.90 percent year-over-year. Single-family home construction rose 8.90 percent year-over-year. Rising rates of single-family construction is good news for homebuyers, who have faced obstacles due to short inventories of available homes. Analysts expected Q4 2017 construction pace to be the highest since Q1 2016.

While more homes for sale could help ease rapidly rising home price, rising mortgage rates could sideline first-time and moderate-income buyers, but Fed policymakers had mixed opinions about raising the federal funds rate forecast for 2018.

Fed Policy Makers Divided Over Projected Interest Rate Hikes

Minutes for the FOMC meeting held December 12 and 13 reflected varied views among Committee members about three projected interest rate hikes in 2018. Analysts watch Fed policy decisions carefully as raising the target federal funds rate typically causes mortgage rates and consumer lending rates to rise.

Labor markets continued to grow and although mortgage lending standards eased somewhat, lenders remained reluctant to fund mortgages and auto loans for those with low credit scores. Inflation hovered beneath the Fed’s objective of two percent, but FOMC members voted to raise the target federal funds rate of 1.25 to 1.50 percent. This increase remained within the accommodative range according to FOMC members.

Mortgage Rates, New Jobless Claims

Average mortgage rates were lower across the board last week. Rates for 30-year fixed rate mortgages averaged 3.95 percent which was four basis points lower than the previous week. Rates for a 15-year fixed rate mortgage were six basis points lower at an average of 3.38 percent; rates for 5/1adjustable rate mortgages averaged 3.45 percent. Discount points averaged 0.50 percent for fixed rate mortgages and 0.40 percent for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages.

New jobless claims rose by 3000 claims to 250,000 new claims, which exceeded expectations of 240,000 new claims and prior week’s reading of 247,000 first-time jobless claims. December readings for the labor sector included ADP payrolls, which tracks private-sector jobs. 250,000 jobs were added in December as compared to November’s reading of 185,000 jobs added. The Commerce Department reported 148,000 new public and private sector jobs added in December against November’s reading of 252,000 jobs added. Analysts expected 195,000 new jobs to be added in December. National unemployment held steady at 4.10 percent, which matched expectations and November’s reading.

Filed Under: Mortgage Rates Tagged With: Mortgage Rates

Bob

Bob Ramalho


REALTOR ®
Cell: 603-440-3697
Office: 800-392-2377
Email: bob.ramalho@verani.com
NH License #067453
MA License #9550545

Logo
Verani Realty: (800) 392-2377

View My Recommendations

Sign Up For My FREE Newsletter!

Connect with Me!

How can I help?

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Recent Articles

  • What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 19, 2021
  • NAHB: Home Builder Confidence Ticks Up in April
  • How To Get A Mortgage If You Are A Gig Worker
  • Do Not Procrastinate On These Spring Maintenance Tasks
  • 7 Inexpensive Upgrades You Can Make To Your Rental Property
  • What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 12, 2021
©2020 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.®

Looking For Something?

Our Location

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty
One Verani Way
Londonderry, NH 03053

Return to top of page

Copyright © 2021 Bob Ramalho. All rights reserved.   Log In