As expected the Federal Reserve increased their Fed Funds Rate another 1/4% at today's FOMC meeting to 2.0%. Here are some take aways from the Fed Chairman Jerome Powell's news conference, and the markets reaction. Basically no change in Fed policy. Steady rate increases. Slow liquidation of the ... » Learn More about Fed Rate Increase of Another 1/4% and Federal Reserve Actions Moving Forward
Mortgage Rates
Mortgage Rates are Up, Hopefully Stabilize for a Little While
As expected the mortgage interest rates have been going up for several months. As they say, don't fight the Fed. In reality, the Federal Reserve has been hitting the interest rates on two levels. Moving the Fed Funds Rate a 1/4% every few months, increasing the short term rates... and slowly ... » Learn More about Mortgage Rates are Up, Hopefully Stabilize for a Little While
2018 Conforming Loan Amounts Increase for Second Time Since the Housing Crisis
The Federal Housing Finance Agency increased the maximum conforming loan limits for mortgages to be acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for the second time since the housing crisis. The FHFA announced that it is increasing the conforming loan limits from $424,100 to $453,100 for 2018. Fannie ... » Learn More about 2018 Conforming Loan Amounts Increase for Second Time Since the Housing Crisis
Mortgage Rates Going Up Over Past Month
The interest rates have been going up over the past month due to several reasons: The Federal Reserve is starting the liquidation of the $4.5 Trillion balance sheet accumulated during Quantitative Easing Money coming out of the bond & mortgage backed securities markets are being invested ... » Learn More about Mortgage Rates Going Up Over Past Month
Fed Decision Wednesday to Not Increase Fed Funds Rate, Nothing Compared to Planned Quantitative Tightening to Affect Mortgages
The Fed’s decision to not increase the Fed Funds Rate from the 1-1.25% range was no surprise. It did shock the financial markets that they aren’t going to kick the can down the road, and will start to do their Quantitative Tightening this October. Here are the facts to wrap your head ... » Learn More about Fed Decision Wednesday to Not Increase Fed Funds Rate, Nothing Compared to Planned Quantitative Tightening to Affect Mortgages