There are rumors that our Fed is considering an idea to abandon its present 2% target rate for inflation in favor of a floating target where inflation would be allowed to rise above 2%... »
Read More of the post Changes That Could Affect Rates
Whether you’re hosting a few out-of-towners for the weekend or housing the entire extended family, the holidays can force you to realize how much more space your home really needs. Using a 203(k)... »
Read More of the post How a Renovation Loan Can Turn Your House Into a Holiday Home
That famous line describes the current wonderful backdrop for housing and the overall U.S. economy. Many are wondering what lies ahead for housing as we enter 2020.
There are many reasons why the U.S.... »
Read More of the post A Great Housing Backdrop
“Looking ahead, my colleagues and I see a sustained expansion of economic activity, a strong labor market, and inflation near our symmetric 2% objective as most likely.”
– Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, November 13,... »
Read More of the post A Goldilocks Economy
Right now, the biggest news story to follow is the U.S. and China trade negotiations.
This past week, home loans started inching higher but were "saved" momentarily midweek when reports came out suggesting a... »
Read More of the post How Fast Rates Can Change
This past week the Federal Reserve cut the Fed Funds Rate for the third time this year, by .25%. Along with the rate cut, the Fed released a statement that suggested a "pause"... »
Read More of the post Fed Takes Action
This past week home loan rates were essentially unchanged from the previous week, breaking a trend of higher rates since the beginning of October.
Bonds hate good news and there is still plenty to... »
Read More of the post The Remedy for Higher Rates
This past week home loan rates ticked up, yet remain just above 3-year lows.
Here are 3 reasons why:
Solid corporate earnings and future positive guidance from many public companies were a pleasant surprise... »
Read More of the post Optimism Hurts Rates
U.S. bond yields and home loan rates ticked modestly higher this week as the world watches the U.S. and China have their first serious talk since July. There is a growing sentiment that... »
Read More of the post Fed Rate Cut Coming — But Don’t Wait
A common mortgage myth related to renovation is that you have to own your home for a million years before you can renovate. When in fact, you can take advantage of a renovation... »
Read More of the post Mortgage Mythbusting: Renovation Edition
Recession fears were back in full swing this past week, thanks to the weakest manufacturing report since June 2009, which was the last month of the Great Recession.
Manufacturing makes up 12% of our... »
Read More of the post Slowing but Growing
This past week was a classic example of how good news means bad news for bonds and home loan rates.
A little trade deal with Japan, solid housing numbers, and hopeful news on the... »
Read More of the post Bullard Wants More
This past week the Federal Reserve cut the Fed Funds Rate for the second time this year, lowering the rate to 2.00%. Remember that the Fed Funds Rate is a short-term, overnight rate... »
Read More of the post Three Things the Fed Said
This past week home loan rates ticked up sharply from the previous week leaving many wondering – have rates bottomed?
For would-be homebuyers, real estate agents, and folks working in the housing industry, here... »
Read More of the post Stocks and Mortgage Rates Rise
Bonds and home loan rates hate good news. So, the influx of positive news abroad coupled with strong jobs data here in the U.S. pressured mortgage bonds lower and home loan rates higher.
The... »
Read More of the post Too Much of a Good Thing
Home loan rates finished this past week essentially where they began, near 3-year lows.
With all the chatter of a global recession and elevated fears that the U.S. will slip into a recession thanks... »
Read More of the post Fed vs. Recession
We’ve all been there: you’re enjoying one of your favorite home renovation shows wondering how you can have the updated features of your dreams at a price you can afford. As the nation’s... »
Read More of the post DIY – Home Renovation with Homebridge
The U.S. Bond market traded in a tight sideways range, leaving home loan rates essentially at unchanged levels week over week. However, the technical picture reveals Bond market indecision as prices trade near... »
Read More of the post Indecision Ahead of Huge News Week
This past week had little economic data for the financial markets to react to. As a result, home loan rates have inched higher though they remain near multi-year lows.
It is normal to see... »
Read More of the post Summer Sideways Trend Continues
This past week, Fed Chair Jerome Powell reaffirmed the Federal Reserve's dovish position as he testified on Capitol Hill, thereby paving the way for the first Fed rate cut in 10 years later... »
Read More of the post A Slow News Week Ahead
“It's like watching paint dry.”
That was this past week as financial markets around the globe traded in a bit of a calm, sideways pattern ahead of arguably the most important economic event of... »
Read More of the post Calm Before the G20 Storm
What a difference a month makes. In May, stocks fell sharply, and interest rates declined each week. June has been a different story. The Fed has signaled rate cuts are likely coming. Stocks... »
Read More of the post Rate Decline Stalls
"Let the good times roll" (The Cars) — For the sixth consecutive week home loan rates declined, once again fueled by the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China.
However, the decline in rates... »
Read More of the post Fed Cuts and Home Loan Rates
In a move guaranteed to increase Homebridge Financial Services, Inc.’s robust mortgage lending services, Homebridge has acquired the assets of a majority of HomeStreet Bank’s stand-alone home loan centers. HomeStreet Bank is a... »
Read More of the post Homebridge Financial Services, Inc. Acquires Majority of HomeStreet Bank’s Stand-Alone Home Loan Centers
"Sell in May and go away" — an old Wall Street investment strategy which suggests not owning stocks during the Summer months.
That investment strategy certainly worked this past May as stocks declined each... »
Read More of the post Interest Rate Disconnect
The biggest story in the financial markets and around the globe is the ongoing US/China trade negotiations.
At the moment, there is no resolution and it appears there will be no resolution for at least several... »
Read More of the post Trade With China Causes Uncertainty
The Census Bureau recently reported a homeownership rate of 64.2% in the first quarter of 2019, up from the 10-year low of 63.7% in the first quarter of 2015.
A recent study by LendingTree... »
Read More of the post Americans Favor Owning
Eighteen of our Homebridge Mortgage Loan Originators were honored by Scotsman Guide as the top-producing mortgage associates in the country. The Scotsman Guide’s yearly ranking assesses more than 4,500 mortgage professionals around the... »
Read More of the post Homebridge MLOs Recognized as Top Originators by Scotsman Guide
"Transitory" — defined as non-permanent or lasting a very short time — is the word Fed Chairman Jerome Powell used this week at the Fed Meeting to describe the current low inflation environment,... »
Read More of the post Is Low Inflation Finally “Transitory”?
Good news is typically bad news for bonds and home loan rates. That has not been the trend of late, and certainly not this past week.
Durable Goods Orders is a report which shows... »
Read More of the post The US Economy Remains “Durable”
Our associates have spoken, and Homebridge Financial Services, Inc. has been named one of the leading places to work in the residential mortgage industry according to an employee survey produced by Mortgage Professional America.... »
Read More of the post Homebridge Puts Feather in Its Cap With “Best Places to Work” Accolade
The economic data coming out of the US this week showed that not only is a recession highly unlikely anytime soon, but the economy is actually reaccelerating from the slowdown seen last Fall.
Back... »
Read More of the post Fed Sparks Economic Reacceleration
Initial Jobless Claims is a weekly report that tracks how many people have filed for unemployment benefits. It is both a solid gauge on the state of the labor market and economy, and... »
Read More of the post Let the Good Times Roll
"It's getting better all the time" (The Beatles) That is the best way to describe the current home loan rate environment. This past week we saw mortgage rates experience their largest one-week decline... »
Read More of the post Yield Curve Inversion Explained
The monetary authority of the United States, the Federal Reserve, meets 8 times a year to discuss the economy and adjust monetary policy to promote maximum employment and maintain price stability (inflation).
The Fed,... »
Read More of the post Thank You, Mr. Powell
Volatility has disappeared in the financial markets and a sense of calm and complacency has emerged. Why? Well, thanks to the Fed, and to reduced threat of inflation and higher rates, both stocks... »
Read More of the post Word of the Day: Complacency
“It's a small world after all.” If inflation moves lower — or is expected to move lower — rates must go lower as well. That's the situation right now.
The financial markets and interest... »
Read More of the post Disinflation Washes Up On Our Shores
