Global tensions between the United States and Iran have led many in the mortgage industry to wonder whether the bombing of Iran nuclear sites would move bond yields and lead to a drop in mortgage rates. On Monday, just as economists were factoring in the possibility of war with Iran, at least one member of […]
The mortgage market hopes for rate cuts amid war moves Read More »
The May existing-home sales report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows sales at just 4.03 million, a 0.7% decrease year over year and up 0.8% compared to April. It was the slowest May for existing home sales since 2009 and the fourth consecutive month with a year-over-year decline in sales. Unsold inventory also continues
Inventory is rising, but existing home sales remain in a major slump Read More »
After the weekend’s global events, many expected that the bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities would influence bond yields, either up or down, today. However, the real surprise came from Michelle Bowman, Federal Reserve Vice Chair of Supervision, who talked about a potential rate cut in July. In a speech she gave at a research conference
Fed Vice Chair Michelle Bowman supports July interest rate cut Read More »
On Saturday night, the U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear sites, sending shockwaves around the world and leading people to ask me what this means for mortgage rates. This type of global event can lead to significant market movements in oil prices, the U.S. dollar and the 10-year yield in the short term. However, this year, we’ve
How will mortgage rates react to US bombing of Iran? Read More »
The most notable housing trend for me in 2024 and 2025 has been inventory growth, particularly the increase in new listings during this time. I had set a minimal target of 80,000 new listings per week for 2025 and we’ve met that goal two times this year. However, the data for new listings is losing
New listings slowdown shows lack of home seller stress in 2025 Read More »
FHFA Director Bill Pulte called for Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to resign today, shortly after President Trump urged Powell to cut the Fed funds rate by 2.5% in a social post. This follows the Federal Reserve’s decision yesterday to keep the Fed Funds rate unchanged. Although Powell pointed out the challenges of finding a
FHFA Director Bill Pulte calls on Fed Chair Powell to resign Read More »
Today, President Trump called Fed Chairman Jerome Powell “Too Late” in a social post and said that he can save the country billions of dollars by shaving 2.5% off the Fed Funds rate. This is part of an ongoing Trump attack on the Fed Chair to cut rates, but is this strategy the best way
Trump wants Powell to lower rates. Here’s how to do that Read More »
The U.S. home flipping market showed signs of strain in the first quarter of 2025 as the number of flipped properties dropped to a six-year low and profit margins continued to erode, according to ATTOM’s Q1 2025 U.S. Home Flipping Report. A total of 67,394 single-family homes and condominiums were flipped between January and March,
Home flipping activity slows nationwide as profits tighten Read More »
A rising tide of financial pessimism is washing over U.S. consumers, driven by concerns about inflation, global instability and a lack of economic clarity. At the same time, a solid majority of Americans remain optimistic about their financial future, according to TransUnion’s Consumer Pulse Study for the second quarter of 2025. The result is a
‘Feelings-based recession’: More Americans fearful of finances Read More »
Even though new home sales showed growth last month, the homebuilders — both big and small — have no desire to grow housing permits or starts with 7% mortgage rates. Housing starts and permits peaked in 2022 and have been fluctuating at levels similar to the early stages of the COVID-19 recession for some time
Homebuilders have no motivation to grow permits with 7% rates Read More »