From Our Economists
Mortgage Rates Keep Rising Because the Economy Keeps Growing
When the 10-year treasury yield increases, mortgage rates increase. Several factors are causing the treasury yield to rise, including a resilient job market and consumers
September’s Inflation Report Unlikely to Push Mortgage Rates Up or Down
September’s CPI report came in just a touch above expectations, but not enough to change our outlook for the Fed’s next move. They’re still unlikely
Today’s Hot Jobs Report is Pushing Mortgage Rates Up, But It Shouldn’t Be
The Fed will look at the big picture–including the fact that rates have already increased so much recently–when considering a November rate hike. At first
Climate Change Pushes Up Home Insurance Premiums
Originally published to Forbes on September 18, 2023. A recent study from PolicyGenius found that quoted homeowner’s insurance premiums increased by 21% nationally from May 2022
4 Ways to Buy Your First Home, Even as Affordability Worsens
Originally published to Forbes on September 12, 2023. For many young Americans, the dream of owning a home feels less like a middle-class milestone and more
How Would a Government Shutdown Impact the Housing Market? Low Demand in D.C., Temporary Dip in Mortgage Rates, Loan Delays
The impact of a federal government shutdown on the economy and the U.S. housing market would likely be small, unless it lasts much longer than
Fed Projects Rates Will Be Higher For Longer, Upping Chance of Elevated Mortgage Rates Into Next Year
The Fed increased projections for 2024 and 2025 rates at its September meeting, though it kept rates unchanged for now. That will likely keep mortgage
The UAW Strike Could Be a Drag on the U.S. Economy: Here’s the Good News and Bad News For the Housing Market
The United Auto Workers strike could hamper U.S. economic growth and potentially encourage the Fed to lower interest rates, which would bring down mortgage rates.
Disappointing Inflation Report Increases Odds of a November or December Rate Hike
The Fed remains unlikely to hike rates at next week’s policy meeting The latest inflation report on consumer prices in August came in a hair
Nepo-Homebuyers: 40% of Under 30s Received Family Money for Down Payment
Originally published to Forbes on August 21, 2023. An eye-popping 38% of recent homebuyers under age 30 used either a cash gift from a family member
September Rate Hike Increasingly Unlikely After This Week’s Jobs Report
The August jobs report keeps the probability of the Fed hiking interest rates in September very low. That could be promising for homebuyers watching for
Here’s Why Mortgage Rates Are Still So High Despite All the Good News on Inflation
Despite the fact that promising inflation data has led to expectations that the Fed will cut interest rates soon, mortgage rates remain above 7%. That’s