What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 25, 2016

Housing Starts, Building Permits Issued Rise

Commerce Department reports on housing starts and building permits issued were released Tuesday. Housing starts rose to 1.189 million in June against expectations of 1.165 million starts and May’s downwardly revised reading of 1.135 million starts, Housing starts rose by 4.80 percent on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis. This is good news for housing markets, but analysts said that demand for homes continued to exceed available supplies.

Building permits issued also rose in June to 1.53 million as compared to May’s reading of 1.136 million permits issued.

Existing Home Sales Increase: National Association of Realtors®

Sales of previously-owned homes rose three percent year-over-year and reached their highest level since February 2007 in June. Existing home sales rose by 1.10 percent in June to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 5.57 million sales. Analysts forecasted a reading of 5.48 million sales of pre-owned homes based on May’s reading of 5.51 million sales.

Analysts said that first-time home buyers are returning to housing markets and helped boost June sales and cited changing buyer demographics that suggest a return to owner-occupant home sales. First-time buyers accounted for 33 percent of pre-owned home sales in July, which was their highest reading since 2012. First-time buyers are important to housing markets as their purchases of existing homes enable current homeowners to sell their homes to buy larger homes or to relocate.

Mortgage Rates Rise, New Jobless Claims Fall

Mortgage rates rose across the board last week according to Freddie Mac’s weekly report. Rates for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 3.45 percent, which was three basis points higher. The average rate for a 15-year fixed rate mortgage also rose three basis points to 2.75 percent; rates for a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage averaged 2.78 percent. Discount points averaged 0.50 percent for fixed-rate mortgage and 0.40 percent for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages.

New jobless claims sustained their streak and fell last week to 253,000 against predictions of 260,000 new claims filed and the prior week’s reading of 254,000 new claims filed. Analysts hailed declining jobless claims as a strong indicator that the economy and labor markets continue to improve. New jobless claims have remained below the key reading of 300,000 for 73 weeks. The four-week rolling average of new jobless claims fell by 1250 claims to 257,750. This reading is considered less volatile than week-to-week readings and offers evidence of steady improvements in labor markets.

What’s Ahead

Next week’s scheduled economic news includes the S&P Case-Shiller Housing Market Index, readings on new and pending home sales and the FOMC committee’s post-meeting statement on Federal Reserve monetary policy decisions. Analysts widely expect the Fed to hold firm on its current federal funds rate of 0.25 to 0.50 percent.

Weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims will be released along with a reading on consumer confidence.

16210 N 159th Avenue Surprise, AZ 85374

$459,000
4 Beds
2.5 Baths
1,949 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6653700
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Beautiful 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, move in ready home on an oversized lot! Fresh paint, tile in all the right places. The large kitchen is a cooks dream with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances! RV gate.

5245 N Grand Canyon Drive Eloy, AZ 85131

$459,000
2 Beds
2 Baths
1,700 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6659456
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
PARTIALLY FURNISHED MONTECITO MODEL on PREMIUM homesite & OWNED SOLAR! 22 solar panels & sellers have not had an electric bill, only credits $$$. There is a beautiful pocket park adjacent to the home with walking paths & benches. Beautiful 2 bedroom, 2 bath home, Den + a golf cart garage w/4 ft ext. Bay windows in Dining, Master & Guest room! Kitchen features upgraded cabinets, Gas range, SS appliances, Quartz countertops, tile backsplash, Reverse osmosis, under cabinet & pendant lighting. Large neutral tile throughout (carpet in bedrooms only). So many upgrades like the gated stucco trash enclosure at the side of the home, 2-tone paint, highly upgraded window treatments & fans in every room. Front & back of the home are professionally landscaped. This is a must see! Welcome home!

10438 E Twilight Drive Sun Lakes, AZ 85248

$459,000
3 Beds
2 Baths
1,972 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6662510
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Here's the home that will fit both your lifestyle and finances. Ample opportunity to put your personal touches and imagination to make it you! Great room flows seamlessly in to the dining room, kitchen and breakfast room. Spacious Primary bedroom with patio access and updated bathroom. Large secondary bedrooms that overlook the front courtyard area. Updated guest bathroom. Additional 392 SQ FT of Bonus Rooms, ideal for home office, hobby, fitness or workshop. Use one for work and the other for play! Backyard covered patio is perfect for afternoon get-togethers after golf with friends. Very private, expansive backyard. Garage offers plenty of space for vehicles along with tons of storage. Ready to live the resort life? Come check out all this community has to offer and make the move! January 2024, All tile sections of the house and garage have had felt replaced, tiles reinstalled, broken tiles replaced and new flashings installed.

30924 W Catalina Drive Buckeye, AZ 85396

$459,000
4 Beds
3 Baths
2,684 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6673783
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Explore the possibilities of this corner-lot home in Tartesso, offering an assumable low-rate FHA loan for qualifying buyers. With a practical design, this 2020-built DR Horton Onyx model features 4 bedrooms plus a flex room/den and 3 full baths. All bedrooms boast walk-in closets, and the front guest bedroom has a full ensuite bath. Inside, discover wood-look tile floors, recessed lighting, 2'' blinds, and a large great room with a double slider and electric fireplace. The kitchen is very functional with white cabinets, granite counters, a center island with a breakfast bar, walk-in pantry, modern pendants, and stainless-steel appliances. The primary bedroom is spacious and directly off the main living area. The primary bath includes an extended vanity, double sinks, a separate tub and shower, and a massive walk-in closet. Huge laundry room with plenty of space for an extra fridge or freezer. Great corner lot with a backyard large enough for endless upgrades. Create your own backyard oasis in the desirable community of Tartesso!