Al Drago/Bloomberg Key insight: Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman signaled that she is onboard for notable short term interest rate cuts if the labor market picture continues to worsen. Expert quote: “The recent data, including the estimated payroll employment benchmark revisions show that we are at serious risk of already being behind the […]
Fed’s Bowman: ‘Serious risk’ of labor market deterioration Read More »
Mortgage rates hit a low of 6.13% before the Federal Reserve meeting last week and then rose higher to close the week at 6.35%. I discuss what happened at the Fed press conference in this episode of the HousingWire Daily podcast and then covered the next two days of wild pricing in this episode. Let’s
Where do mortgage rates go from here? Read More »
The long-term rate drop in anticipation of the latest Federal Open Market Committee has affected servicing, but since the confirmation of a 25 basis point FOMC cut has stabilized financing costs the impact currently appears limited on a go-forward basis. “Servicers should expect a pickup in refinances as there are a significant number of households
What the current Fed rate outlook means for servicing Read More »
Mortgage rates have had a wild ride since Fed Chair Jerome Powell started talking at the Fed press event Wednesday, rising 15 basis points today. However, I think the bond market responded appropriately after the Fed meeting, and on Thursday morning. Why? Even though the Fed lowered rates, the tone of the press conference was
Mortgage rates go wild following Fed rate cut and Powell remarks Read More »
The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to issue an emergency order that would allow for the removal of Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve’s board of governors. The move came after an appeals court refused to back the administration’s attempt to oust Cook earlier this week, upholding federal Judge Jia Cobb’s order last
Trump asks Supreme Court to uphold firing of Fed governor Cook Read More »
Key insight: The Federal Reserve’s move to cut rates was bolstered by growing concern over a softening labor market. Expert quote: “Almost everyone wrote down support for this cut. Some supported more cuts, and some didn’t — and that’s just how it is,” — Fed Chair Jerome Powell What’s at stake: Despite the Fed moving
More rate cuts eyed as Fed zeroes in on soft labor market Read More »
Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg Key insight: The Trump administration is asking the highest court in the nation to remove barriers from ousting Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook before litigation proceeds. Expert quote: “This court should stay the district court’s deeply flawed preliminary injunction and should grant an immediate administrative stay,” — U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer. What’s
Trump asks Supreme Court to remove Fed Gov. Cook Read More »
Mortgage lenders are recalibrating ahead of the Federal Reserve’s anticipated monetary easing cycle by rolling out rate promotions, streamlining operations and broadening product menus. They aim to capture demand while navigating affordability and margin pressures. Executives told HousingWire they’re preparing for renewed borrower activity as rates edge lower — but with caution, given political headwinds,
How will lenders recalibrate as Fed signals path to lower rates? Read More »
The Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday, setting the target range at 4% to 4.25%. The first cut since December 2024 marks a new phase in the central bank’s effort to balance maximum employment and stable prices. Economists say it could usher in an easing cycle with direct
Fed cuts rates by 25 bps as inflation lingers, labor market weakens Read More »
Homebuilders in America are cheering, not because of the disappointing housing permit data released today, but because mortgage rates are near 6%. We have seen four consecutive months of job losses in residential construction labor, as mortgage rates have been elevated and builders’ inventory has been piling up. Housing permits, which have been declining since early 2022,
Disappointing housing permits show why we need 6% mortgage rates Read More »