Addison Baldwin Group

First United Mortgage Group

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Pre-Qualify Now
  • Rate Quote
  • Contact

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 23rd, 2019

September 23, 2019 by Michael Addison

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 23rd, 2019Last week’s economic reports included readings from the National Association of  Home Builders on housing market conditions, Commerce Department reports on Housing starts and building permits issued and the National Association of Realtors® report on sales of previously owned homes.

The Fed reduced its key interest rate and weekly reports on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released.

Builder Confidence in Housing Market Improves, Sales of Pre-Owned Homes Rise

The National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index rose one point to an index reading of 68 in September. August’s reading was adjusted to 67 from an initial reading of 66. September’s reading matched the highest reading posted year-over-year.

Readings over 50 indicate that most builders are confident about housing markets. Analysts noted that builder confidence rose despite ongoing concerns about higher materials costs caused by trade wars and tariffs.

According to the Commerce Department, housing starts rose in August with 1.364 million starts on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis. Analysts expected 1.300 million starts and 1.215 million starts were posted for July. More housing starts are good news for housing markets stifled by short supplies of available homes and high demand for homes.  

Building permits issued in August also rose from July’s reading. 1.419 million permits were issued as compared to July’s reading of 1.217 million permits issued on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis.

August sales of previously-owned homes rose to 5.49 million sales as compared to July’s annual sales pace of 5.42 million sales. Analysts predicted August sales of pre-owned homes to decrease to 5.39 million sales.

Mortgage Rates, Weekly Jobless Claims Rise

Freddie Mac reported higher mortgage rates last week with rates for 30-year fixed rate mortgages 17 basis points higher at an average of 3.73 percent. Rates averaged 3.21 percent for 15-year fixed rate mortgages and were 12 basis points higher.

The average rate for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages was 13 basis points higher at  3.49 percent. First-time jobless claims rose last week to 208,000 claims. Analysts expected 215,000 new claims based on the prior week’s reading of 206,000 new jobless claims filed.

The Fed cut its benchmark short-term interest rate by one-quarter point to 1.75 to 2.00 percent, but there was some dissent among policymakers. Seven members of the Federal Open Market Committee voted for the rate decrease; two members voted against the rate cut and one member thought that rates should be cut 0.50 percent.

What’s Ahead

This week’s scheduled economic reports include readings on Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, inflation, pending home sales and consumer sentiment. Weekly  readings on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims will also be released.

Filed Under: Financial Reports Tagged With: Financial Reports, Interest Rates, Mortgage Rates

headshot

Michael Addison & Jessica Baldwin

Loan Officer
NMLS 603214 | 857625
Call Us Today!
214-233-5123

PRE-QUALIFY NOW  

FREE RATE QUOTE   



Addison Baldwin

Connect with Us

Let’s Keep In Touch!

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

Browse Articles by Category

Recent Articles

  • Buying in a New Community: How to Meet and Make Friends with Your New Neighbors
  • What You Need To Know About Your Home Appraisal And Your Mortgage
  • Most Renters Are Paying Far More Than Their Landlord’s Mortgage
  • What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 5, 2023
Equal Housing Lender
NMLS Consumer Access
Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender | NMLS# 400025

Looking for something?

Our Location


2805 N Dallas Pkwy, Ste 525
Plano, TX 75093

Copyright © 2023 · Powered by MySMARTblog

Copyright © 2023 · Genesis Sample Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in