From Our Economists
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.
Canada Can’t Fix Its Housing Crisis Without a Land Value Tax
This article was co-authored with Floyd Marinescu and was originally published in the Toronto Star on June 22, 2024. Canada faces a housing crisis, with
Soft Jobs Report Increases Chance of Lower Mortgage Rates
Continued cooling in the labor market, as shown in the June jobs report, points to a September rate cut from the Fed as long as
Today’s Fed Meeting May Temper Mortgage-Rate Relief Brought By the Morning’s Cooler-Than-Expected Inflation Data
In their June 12 meeting, the Fed held interest rates steady, and projected one rate cut before the end of the year. Markets had expected
Cooler-Than-Expected Inflation Report Should Bring Homebuyers Some Relief By Pushing Mortgage Rates Down
The May inflation report shows that inflation is continuing to cool, which could be the nudge the Fed needs to set the stage for impending
Hot Jobs Report Likely to Push Mortgage Rates Up
The stronger-than-expected May jobs report will reverse mortgage-rate declines from the last two weeks. But ultimately, the Fed’s decision about interest rates will be decided
Today’s Inflation Report Should Bring Mortgage Rates Down Slightly, A Relief For Homebuyers
The April CPI report came in just a tad softer than expected, which means mortgage rates should come down slightly and leaves open the possibility
