From the monthly archives: April 2009

The Fed's Decision: April 2009 Meeting Recap

On April 29, 2009 By

The Federal Open Market Committee voted to leave the Fed Funds Rate unchanged today within its target range of 0.000-0.250 percent. The Fed also reiterated its plan to support the mortgage market to the tune of $1.5 trillion.

In Continue Reading →

How The Federal Reserve Could Swing Mortgage Rates This Afternoon

On April 29, 2009 By

The Federal Reserve adjourns from its two-day meeting this afternoon. It”s one of 8 scheduled meetings each year for the Federal Open Market Committee.

Like all FOMC get-togethers, the purpose of the meeting is to discuss financial and economic conditions in the [...]

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Swine Flu's Impact on Mortgage Rates

On April 28, 2009 By

Monday, mortgage markets improved with news of new Swine Flu cases.

It”s a classic example of Safe Haven buying and today”s rate shoppers will see the benefits.

Mortgage rates improved about 0.125 percent Monday.

It”s not an official term, but “Safe Haven buying” [...]

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What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : April 27, 2009

On April 27, 2009 By

Last week, like the 3 weeks prior, mortgage markets were all over the place from day-to-day.

But, also like the 3 weeks prior, when the week ended Friday, rates were right back where they started from Monday.

For the 4th straight week, mortgage rates started and ended the week essentially unchanged.

Whether or not [...]

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Multiple Offers? That's the norm these days

On April 24, 2009 By

The days of rock-bottom housing prices may be reaching an end. Accordingly, it is time for many people to revise their offer strategy. I have watched couple after couple who were looking to upgrade their homes be outbid.

According to the National Association of REALTORS, the number of Existing Home Sales fell Continue Reading →

How Improving Home Values May Lead To Easier Mortgage Approvals

On April 23, 2009 By

If falling home values is what prompted Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to tighten mortgage guidelines in 2007 and 2008, America”s mortgage applicants may get their long-awaiting loosening within the next 18 months.

According to a government report, the values of homes financed with conforming mortgages rose Continue Reading →

National Real Estate Data Lumps 128,203,000 Homes In America Into 1 Data Set

On April 22, 2009 By

National real estate data helps economists identify trends in the housing market. It shapes policy and influences markets.

For active home buyers and home sellers, though, national real estate data is irrevelant. This is because national data says nothing for the factors determining home prices in any given zip code.

See, national real estate [...]

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Predicting The Federal Reserve's Next Move : April 2009 Edition

On April 21, 2009 By

The Federal Reserve meets next week for a policy-setting meeting.

It”s one of 8 scheduled Fed meetings this year in which the Federal Open Market Committee votes on whether to raise, lower, or leave unchanged the Fed Funds Rate.

Based on data compiled by the Continue Reading →

What's Influencing Rates–Week of April 20

On April 20, 2009 By

For the third week in a row, mortgage markets improved early in the week, only to give back the gains before Friday”s close.

Mortgage rates ended last week exactly where they started. However, if you locked your mortgage rate Tuesday, you got a rate decidedly lower than someone who waited until Friday.

Last week, one [...]

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Housing Starts Drop: Home Buyers Lose and Home Sellers Win

On April 17, 2009 By

With respect to housing data, news is rarely positive or negative on a universal level. There”s always two perspectives to consider, after all.

The home buyer”s perspective The home seller”s perspective

Usually, when data is beneficial to one group, it”s less beneficial to the other. This is true for rising home prices, average days on [...]

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