What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 12, 2016

As 2017 winds down, analysts are forecasting economic developments for 2017. Forbes identified three indicators that the U.S. housing market has recovered. Mortgage rates rose again last week; jobless claims fell and consumer sentiment jumped rose five points. The details:

Housing Market Recovery Complete: Forbes

Three conditions were cited by Forbes as evidence that the housing market has recovered:

Analysts said that homeowners are putting their homes on the market after years of waiting for home prices to peak. On the flip side, mortgage rates are expected to rise further and home buyers may be taking a “now or never” plunge into buying homes before market conditions and mortgage rates combine to make home prices unaffordable.

The Federal Reserve reported that U.S. mortgage debt increased by 1.90 percent in Q3 2016; this was the highest growth rate for mortgage debt since Q3 2008. While population growth and household formation are lower, the overall ratio of mortgage debt to disposable income is near historically low levels. Stricter mortgage qualification standards are keeping home buyers from borrowing mortgage loans that they can’t repay.

After years of high demand for short supplies of available homes, home builders are ramping up construction. Housing starts rose by 25 percent in October and matched construction rates not seen since mid-2007.

Mortgage Rates Rise, New Jobless Claims Dip

Freddie Mac reported higher mortgage rates last week. The average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage rose five basis points to 4.13 percent. The average rate for a 15-year fixed rate mortgage was two basis points higher at 3.36 percent. The average rate for a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage also rose by two basis points to 3.17 percent.

New jobless claims fell last week to 258,000 new claims, which matched expectations and was lower than the prior week’s reading of 268,000 new claims. Job openings held steady in October with a reading of 5.50 million.

What’s Ahead

Next week’s economic calendar includes readings on retail sales and inflation along with the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee Statement and a press conference by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen. The National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index will be released in addition to Commerce Department reports on housing starts and building permits issued. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims will also be released.

Click Here to See What Your Home is Worth

17047 W Butler Avenue Waddell, AZ 85355

$460,243
4 Beds
2 Baths
1,897 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6660133
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Let the Sabino floor plan welcome you home with ample room for the whole family. With four bedrooms, two bathrooms with a expansive primary bedroom, you're primed to live in domestic bliss. Kitchen features Benton White cabinets with 42″ uppers, Frost quartz counter-tops and Marazzi Artezen backsplash! Tile throughout the home in a Vicinity Natural color! Our High Performance Homes come standard with home automation technology, a Remo Halo Air Purification system designed with you in mind to keep you more comfortable in your new home. This home is conveniently located close to the 303 and northern parkway!

19610 W Cambridge Avenue Buckeye, AZ 85396

$460,193
4 Beds
3 Baths
2,070 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6676082
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Explore this must-see Slate home, ready for quick move-in on a homesite boasting front yard landscaping and driveway pavers. Included features: an inviting covered entry; an impressive kitchen layout offering 42'' cabinets, stainless-steel appliances, quartz countertops, a center island and a roomy pantry; an open dining area; a spacious great room; a lavish primary suite showcasing a generous walk-in closet and a private bath with cultured marble countertops; a convenient laundry; a covered patio and a 2-car garage. This home also offers stone tile flooring, additional windows and ceiling fan prewiring in select rooms.

2629 S Equestrian Drive Gilbert, AZ 85295

$460,005
3 Beds
2.5 Baths
1,812 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6617577
Property Type Townhouse
Price Type --
Remarkable new 2-story condo offering 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and an attached garage. This Spanish-style property is move-in ready! Located in the Towns of Annecy, home owners enjoy gated access, a community pool and spa, a playground, and walking and biking paths, perfect for taking in the lake views. The condo features designers selections and upgrades throughout including Nutmeg Shaker Winstead stained brown cabinets, a Delta Trinsic Faucet Collection, ''Frost'' Quartz countertops in the kitchen, and Matte Black cabinet and door hardware. The kitchen boasts a stainless GE dishwasher, microwave, and slide in electric range. 6'' x 36'' Floor Tile in the living, kitchen, and dining area in addition to the carpeted bedrooms. Ample storage throughout. Soft water loop pre-plumb only.

Avenida Ostiones Sec 6 Lot 20 -- Outside Of Usa 00000

$460,000
4 Beds
3.5 Baths
2,551 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6621817
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Nestled in the serene coastal community of Las Conchas, this beautiful under-construction custom home with scheduled completion for Summer 2024 offers a rare opportunity to live the ultimate beachside lifestyle. The home's architecture is a harmonious blend of modern design and coastal charm. Clean lines, large windows, and high ceilings create a sense of space and light throughout. The home offers two primary suites located on the second and first floors. On the first floor, a two car gararge, a primary suite with a walk-in shower and a generously sized walk-in closet, two secondary bedrooms, a laundry room, a full bathroom, and a living room. The upstairs features an open space living-dining room, a kitchen fully equipped with cabinetry, and a spacious island perfect for casual dining or entertaining guests. Also, a half bathroom and a second primary suite with access to the main terrace overlooking the ocean, a spa-like bathroom with a walk-in shower, and a generously sized walk-in closet. Lastly, a relaxing rooftop terrace with glass railing to enjoy the beautiful sea of Cortez. Take advantage of our pre-construction pricing now!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.