Existing Home Sales June 2009-June 2010Mortgage markets worsened last week for the first time in 6 weeks last week. Investors were pleased with corporate earnings reports and the European bank stress tests results.  Stocks gained on the news, and bonds lost.

Mortgage rates rose last week, but only slightly. Rate are still hovering near their lowest levels of all-time.

Of the bigger stories last week was Existing Home Sales. As reported by the National Association of Realtors®, sales volume was down in June and home supplies were up. But figures were a bit better than expected, giving some hope for housing.

Notably, the number of move-up buyers outnumbers first-timers and the national median home price rose, suggesting that mid-to-upper home prices are getting some support.

This week, the market gets additional two pieces of housing data to add to the mix:

  1. New Homes Sales (Monday)
  2. Case-Shiller Index (Tuesday)

Both will have an impact on mortgage rates. In general, better-than-expected data should cause rates to rise in California ; worse-than-expected data should cause rates to fall.

Also this week, there’s two consumer confidence reports, the Fed’s Beige Book, and late-in-the-week inflationary data.  Mortgage markets should remain volatile with so much news headed down the pipe.

It’s too soon to declare the current 3-month rally over, but it’s been 3 weeks since rates dipped. This can be a signal that mortgage rates have finally bottomed and that it’s time to lock your rate.

If you’re floating a mortgage rate, or thinking about a refinance, it’s time to get locked in. Rates may drop this week, but then again, maybe they won’t.  There’s little sense gambling on a bet as big as a mortgage.

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If you have questions on this, contact Rodil San Mateo at RSanMateo@EastBayLoanTips.com or call (925)-922-0470.

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Housing starts June 2008 - May 2010Mortgage markets improved for the 5th straight week last week as consumer confidence waned and inflation data tamed. Investors ignored the news that 19 of 23 reporting S&P 500 companies beat their respective earnings estimates and sold off on stocks.

There’s concern about a potential economic slowdown for the months ahead and it may be well-founded.

Despite an improving jobs situation and booming retail sales, households are less optimistic about the future and so is the Federal Reserve. In its post-meeting minutes released last week, the Fed revised its U.S. growth estimates downward for 2010 and 2011.

For rate shoppers in Alameda County and the rest of California, this is excellent news.

Because of the weakness, conforming mortgage rates fell again last week, extending the current rally in rates to 16 weeks. Mortgage rates are lower than at any time in measured history.

This week, data will be housing market-heavy and mortgage rates could rise or fall.

  • Monday : National Association of Home Builders Index
  • Tuesday : Building Permits and Housing Starts
  • Thursday : Existing Home Sales

Strength in any, or all three, of these housing-related reports should push mortgage rates higher on higher hopes for the economy. Weakness, on the other hand, should have the opposite effect.

Overall, though, mortgage markets are trending better.  Momentum is in effect and refinance activity is soaring. That said, it doesn’t mean that rates won’t rise — they could absolutely. It just takes a change in market sentiment. And that could happen quickly.

Mortgage rates are artificially right now so even the slightest jolt could cause them to spike. It would be similar to what happened in June 2009 when rates rose 1.125% in just 10 days’ time. Therefore, if you’re shopping for a mortgage and like the rate you’ve been quoted, consider locking in as soon as possible.

There’s very little room for rates to fall further but a lot of room for rates to rise. Make sure you’re on the right side of that bet.

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If you have questions on this, contact Rodil San Mateo at RSanMateo@EastBayLoanTips.com or call (925)-922-0470.

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Alameda County Mortgage Report: July 11, 2010

July 12, 2010

Mortgage rates have fallen in 4 consecutive weeks and are on an extended rally that dates back to mid-April. This week, however, data returns and rates could reverse. Especially with inflation numbers are in play.

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Alameda County Mortgage Report: July 6, 2010

July 6, 2010

Last week — again — mortgage rates improved and Freddie Mac is now reporting new all-time lows on three popular, conforming loan products. Here’s what’s in store for *this* week.

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The One Thing That Can Really Change A Mortgage Rate

June 29, 2010

Mortgage rates move in response to hundreds of factors. Among the biggest influences on mortgage rates? Inflation.

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Alameda County Mortgage Report: June 28, 2010

June 28, 2010

Conforming and FHA mortgage rates fell last week, extending a rate rally that dates to early-April. Mortgage rates have fallen to several, new, all-time lows during this period and last week was no different.

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Alameda County Mortgage Report: June 21, 2010

June 21, 2010

Last week, rates fell to all-time lows (again) Thursday. By Friday morning, though, pricing was worsening on profit-taking and in preparation for this week — a week that promises to be heavy on both data and rhetoric.

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Alameda County Mortgage Report: June 14, 2010

June 14, 2010

Despite re-touching all-time lows on Tuesday and Wednesday, Conforming and FHA mortgage rates moved higher on the week.

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Alameda County Mortgage Report: June 7, 2010

June 7, 2010

Market momentum is currently in the rate shoppers’ favor. We entered the weekend with rates falling and they look poised to open Monday no worse.

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Alameda County Mortgage Report: June 1, 2010

June 1, 2010

Conforming and FHA mortgage rates rose for the first time in 5 weeks last week, pulling mortgage pricing off its best levels of the year.

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Alameda County Mortgage Report: May 24, 2010

May 24, 2010

Mortgage markets improved again last week on worsening news out of Greece and the Eurozone. Then, as contagion mentality set in, U.S. mortgage bonds gained and mortgage rates fell. It’s the 4th straight week in which conforming mortgage rates improved.

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Alameda County Mortgage Report: May 17, 2010

May 17, 2010

Mortgage markets improved last week — but barely — as ongoing doubt surrounding the health of Greece and the Euro pushed additional investors into safe assets, including mortgage bonds.

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Your Mortgage Approval Isn’t Final Until It’s Funded

May 14, 2010

A mortgage approval is never final until it’s funded. A host of things can “go wrong” while your home loan is underway. Some are in your control, many more are not. And just being aware of some potential pitfalls could help save your loan down the road, and your peace of mind today.

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Bay Area Realtors – Free Social Media Training on May 17, 2010

May 13, 2010

Attendees will receive a FREE Social Media video series Bay Area Realtors – Are you ready for RE BarCamp EastBay next Wednesday (May 19)? If you’re new to REBarCamp or social media, take advantage of the REBarCamp BootCamp being held on Monday, May 17 at the Keller Williams-Walnut Creek office from 1-4 pm. Sessions will [...]

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Shopping For Mortgage Rates Is Part Research Skills, Part Luck

May 11, 2010

Shopping for mortgage rates takes more than good research skills. It takes a little bit of luck, too.

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If you have questions about this post, please call me at (925)-922-0470. Thanks!