Both CoreLogic and Black Knight are reporting home prices continue to rise and expect a 4.6% increase over the next 12 months.

The outlier is Austin Tx. They are back and above pre-pandemic levels. This has forced significant price corrections. Lack of inventory drives prices up, too much inventory drives prices down.

It’s understandable that people may feel hesitant and adopt a cautious approach when it comes to significant financial decisions such as buying or selling a home. However, it’s important to consider a few factors in this scenario.

1. Interest Rates: Waiting for rates to go down can be a valid strategy if you believe they will drop significantly in the near future. However, predicting interest rate movements can be challenging, even for experts. While rates may fluctuate, they are influenced by various economic factors that are difficult to accurately forecast.
2. Home Prices: Similarly, waiting for home prices to fall can be a strategy to secure a better deal. However, it’s important to remember that the housing market is influenced by supply and demand dynamics, among other factors. While prices can experience fluctuations, trying to time the market perfectly is challenging, and it’s difficult to predict when prices will significantly decrease.
3. Inventory and Competition: If rates do drop and more inventory becomes available, it can lead to increased competition among buyers. This means that even though home prices might become more favorable, you might face more competition and potentially end up paying a higher price due to increased demand.
4. Personal Circumstances: It’s crucial to consider your personal circumstances and housing needs when making decisions. If you’re ready to buy or sell a home and have found a property that meets your requirements, it might be worth proceeding instead of waiting for ideal market conditions that may or may not materialize.

Ultimately, the decision to buy or sell a home depends on various factors, including your financial situation, housing needs, and your long-term goals. It’s advisable to consult with a real estate professional who can provide you with local market insights and guide you based on your specific circumstances.

Get pre-approved, talk to your lender or us. lets start the process before it passes us by. Have a great rest of your week.

The Federal Reserve finds itself in a state of uncertainty, pondering whether to raise interest rates in the upcoming week or wait until the following month. The dilemma arises from the fact that while inflation is decreasing, the recent job numbers have surpassed expectations, as highlighted in a blog post published on Friday.

What are the current interest rates. It’s important to understand that this is a complex question influenced by numerous variables. Interest rates fluctuate daily, and the chart below provides a snapshot of the rates over the past month, with a downward trend indicating higher rates.

When you pose this question to your lender, their brief pause indicating how best to respond. This hesitation arises from the intricate nature of the question and the need to factor in various elements before providing an accurate answer.

Translation, it drives us crazy. but seriously there are so many different factors, its impossible to be accurate.

Have a fantastic Monday and the rest of the week is ahead of us.

The unemployment rate has inched up to 3.7%, but the number of new jobs has far surpassed expectations, slightly impacting the rates.

Although the Federal Reserve’s actions remain uncertain, knowledgeable individuals in the room are increasingly inclined towards a rate hike.

Notably, the Household Survey revealed a loss of 310,000 jobs, which accounts for the elevated unemployment rate.

Its Friday, already. Another weekend ahead of us. Enjoy and always feel free to reach out.

We have witnessed significant improvements in mortgage rates as the resolution of the debt ceiling becomes inevitable. This development raises a question previously posed regarding the difference in house payments between a 3.5% 30-year mortgage and mortgages with rates of 6.5% and 5.0%.

Comparatively, a 6.5% mortgage results in a 30% higher total payment, while surprisingly, a 5.0% mortgage leads to only a 15% increase. This difference is viewed as the tipping point for borrowers who are constrained by interest rates.

With these changes on the horizon, it is crucial to be prepared. We encourage you to reach out to us or your lender and get pre-approved. Obtain a fully underwritten file to address any minor issues that may arise.

As I am currently traveling this week, I came across an intriguing graph that I wanted to share with you. It’s quite fascinating! Have a fantastic rest of the week.

This will be a short post today. Headed on a plane to change the weather and a few meetings.

Rates have improved quite a bit the last few days with the debt ceiling deal almost behind us. Also the Inflation indicators are looking more and more favorable as we move into June.

Have a fantastic rest of your week.

Its appears we are out of the woods with regards to the debt ceiling but what does that mean for the Stock market and interest rates.

The first chart is the Stock Market activity last 3 years. 2023 so far is calm very calm. Operating in a narrow +-2% range.

The Bond Market has been steadily rising this month, not helping interest rates.

Interest rate peaked over 7% last week according to the daily Average.

Its a short week with ADP employment report and initial jobless claims.

Have a great week and always feel free to reach out with any questions.

The past two weeks have been challenging for rates, as indicated by the latest data on Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE). Inflation has increased by 0.4% in April, surpassing the estimated 0.3% rise.

Energy rose 2.4% last month and Used Cars up 4.7%.

There is indeed a positive aspect to consider. We expect to observe progress in the coming two months due to higher comparisons with last year’s inflation rates. It’s important to note that we are focusing on year-over-year inflation comparisons.

Looking back at 2022, the inflation rates for May and June were 0.6% and 1.0%, respectively. If we continue to see readings around 0.4%, we can anticipate a decrease in year-over-year inflation from 4.4% to 3.6%. Furthermore, we project that inflation will decrease even further once the pressure from energy, used car prices, and shelter costs subsides.

Have a fantastic long weekend. Bond Market will be closing today at 2:00pm ET in observance of Memorial Day Holiday and the markets will be closed on Monday.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, builders emphasize the scarcity of listings in the resale market, which grants them a significant advantage. Despite national average interest rates exceeding 7%, prospective buyers exhibit a strong preference for new homes.

Just a friendly reminder, if your mortgage rate is 6.5%, your monthly payment will be 30% higher compared to the same mortgage at a rate of 3.5%. However, if the rate is 5.0%, your payment will only be 15% higher.

It’s Thursday, which means that tomorrow is Friday heading into the three day weekend.

The Feds have put themselves in an untenable position. With a recession looming and inevitable, they are stuck. If they cut rates, it will help the banking sector, specifically the regional banks, making the recession less painful.

Oil prices are dollar dependent so if the Feds cut rates too much, oil prices move higher. Oil is holding around $73/barrel up just a bit after the Saudi Energy Minister comment to “watch out”.

This graph is the last month, but take a look at the second graph spanning the last 12 months.

We have entered a lull in the bond market ahead of Memorial Day weekend. No key reports or events except for the debt ceiling ordeal.

We are waiting for rate-friendly data as we are seeing the rates inch higher last week and into this week.

Have you ever wondered what all those numbers on Oil cans mean? Have no fear I am here to help.

It’s Tuesday Morning, take on the day and I will see you tomorrow morning.