Many people working in the real estate and mortgage industry, as well as those considering buying or selling real estate, are watching the news and reports on expected changes from the Federal Reserve.
CNBC conducted a survey and share the results in this article written by Steve Liesman for CNBC:
Mortgage loan applications for new home purchases dropped 9 percent in April 2021, and it was the third straight month of reduced application volume.
According to reports from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), millennials represent 37 percent of all homebuyers this past year, and have made up the largest share of homebuyers for 8 consecutive years. Another interesting fact from the NAR is that many of the homes being purchased are considered multigenerational homes that will house adult siblings, adult children, parents, or grandparents.
Mortgage interest rate volatility continued in February with many lenders quoting interest rates higher than just a couple weeks earlier. Many home buyers and those seeking mortgage refinance are expressing concern about how high mortgage rates may increase this year.
Mortgage interest rates have begun to rise, and as a result January saw the first decrease in mortgage refinance volume since November 2020. The long running record of historically low rates may be news of the past after several weeks of rising rates.
Home sales were strong throughout 2020, with purchase applications up 42% in December 2020 compared to same period in 2019. These results are much better than many projected in early 2020, when the Covid Pandemic brought our nation to a standstill for months. The historically low mortgage interest rates in 2020 is the clear reason for the stellar home sales market performance.
There is a lot of talk and prediction about the future of mortgage interest rates and home sales prices. The variables that lie in the future for both of these topics will happen. What does this mean for those of us who are considering refinancing or purchasing a home? It means that interest rates and home prices may go up or may go down.
With many changes happening throughout 2020, one thing has remained consistent; the growth of home purchase demand. The combination of historic low mortgage interest rates and lowering available homes for sale, the pressure has created home purchase demand.
A recent article on CNBC.com, written by Jeff Cox, and Titled: Fed holds rates steady near zero and indicates it will stay there for years, includes the following statement “Projections from individual members also indicated that rates could stay anchored near zero through 2023. All but four members indicated they see zero rates through then. This was the first time the committee forecast its outlook for 2023.” The article details the projections and expectations of the policymaking Federal Open Market Committee.
The year of 2020 will be remembered by many people and for many reasons. The year was rocked by a pandemic with a ripple effect that created an economic recession; complex social unrest; and a highly polarized presidential election. Oh, and let’s not forget it was also a year of historically damaging wildfires and hurricanes!