What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 24, 2016

Last week’s economic releases included the National Association of Home Builders’ Housing Market Index along with reports on housing starts, building permits and sales of previously owned homes. Weekly reports on new jobless claims and mortgage rates were also released.

NAHB: Builder Sentiment Dips amid High Demand for Homes

Home builder confidence in current housing market conditions dipped from September’s index reading of 65 to 63. September’s reading was the highest since the peak of the housing bubble. Any reading above 50 indicates a majority of builders surveyed are confident about housing market conditions. Building new homes is essential to relieving intense demand for homes against short supplies of homes for sale. Builders cited obstacles including low supplies of land for development and workforce shortages, but expressed confidence in overall economic conditions that affect construction and sales of new homes.

Housing Starts Fall, Building Permits Rise

According to the Commerce Department, the reading for housing starts was nine percent lower in September than for August. 1.047 million starts were reported in September on a seasonally adjusted annual basis; August’s reading showed 1.150 million starts. Monthly readings tend to fluctuate due to weather, labor and materials supplies. Single family starts provided good news with a higher annual rate of 783,000 starts; this was 8.10 percent higher than August’s reading.

More building permits were issued in September than for August. Overall, 1.225 million permits issued on an annual basis. August’s reading showed 1.152 million permits issued. Building permits for single-family homes rose to 783, 000 on an annual basis, an increase of 8.10 percent over August. September’s increase in single-family permits indicates that builders are shifting their efforts toward single-family construction instead of multi-family construction. This signifies confidence in homeownership and suggests stronger housing markets as renters become homebuyers.

Sales of PreviouslyOwned Homes Increase

The National Association of Realtors® reported that previously owned homes sold at a seasonally-adjusted annual pace of 5.47 million sales in September as compared to a rate of 5.33 million sales in August. Pre-owned home sales rebounded after slowing in July and August. Home prices rose 5.60 percent year-over-year to an average of $234,200; this was the 55th consecutive month that home prices rose.

Sales of pre-owned home sales rose in all four regions rose year-over-year from 0.90 percent in the South to 5.80 percent in the Northeast. First-time buyers accounted for 34 percent of sales, which was the highest participation rate in four years.

Mortgage Rates Higher

Freddie Mac reported higher average mortgage rates last week. 30-year fixed rates were five basis points higher at 3.52 percent. 15-year fixed rates were three basis points higher at 2.79 percent. 5/1 adjustable mortgage rates rose three basis points to 2.85 percent. Discount points rose from 0.50 to 0.60 percent for fixed rate mortgages and were unchanged at -.40 percent for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages.

New jobless claims were higher than expected at 260,000 claims; analysts expected 248,000 new claims to be filed based on the prior week’s reading of 247,000 new claims filed. Last week’s reading was the highest in six weeks, but analysts said that layoffs remain very low.

Whats Ahead

This week’s scheduled economic news includes Case-Shiller home price data, readings on new and pending home sales along with reports on consumer confidence. Mortgage rates and new jobless claims will be released on their regular weekly scheduled.

Click Here to See What Your Home is Worth

11005 W Hadley Street Avondale, AZ 85323

$458,995
4 Beds
3 Baths
2,070 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6680585
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Explore this stunning Slate home on a corner lot, ready for quick move-in! Included features: a welcoming covered entry; a spacious great room with 12' center-meet doors leading onto a serene covered patio; a dining nook; an open kitchen boasting white 42'' upper cabinets, 3x6 backsplash, quartz countertops, a walk-in pantry, an island and stainless-steel appliances, gas range. a central laundry; an elegant primary suite showcasing an added window, a generous walk-in closet and a private bath with double sinks, a shower and a soaking tub with 12x12 tile surround; three secondary bedrooms, including one with an attached bath; a third full bath and a 2-car garage with a service door. This home also offers cultured marble bathroom countertops, 7''x22'' ceramic tile flooring, ceiling fan prewiring, front yard landscaping, and a concrete-paver driveway and walkway. Also included is a belt drive garage door opener, soft water pre-plumb, and a gas stub at the back patio, plus more.

2755 E Tie Down Drive San Tan Valley, AZ 85140

$458,990
5 Beds
3 Baths
1,968 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6691396
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Welcome to Wales Ranch! San Tan Valley's newest master planned community. A wealth of amenities to enjoy. Homeowners will enjoy easy access to great local attractions and amenities, including shopping and dining at Queen Creek Marketplace, outdoor recreation at San Tan Regional Park, fresh produce at Schnepf Farms and popular sites such as Queen Creek Olive Mill. A copy of the public report is available on the Arizona Department of Real Estate's website.

5487 S 251st Drive Buckeye, AZ 85326

$458,990
4 Beds
3 Baths
2,301 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6648977
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Welcome to The Residences at Copper Falls! April Move-In. Amazing split floor plan with mother-in-law suite, flex room, all four bedrooms are spacious, and adorned with designer upgrades. Flex room for office/formal dining/game room! Highlights include GE stainless steel appliances, granite countertops in the kitchen, a tiled kitchen backsplash, and 36'' white shaker cabinets with hardware. Additionally, the home boasts upgraded tile flooring, ceiling pre-wires in all bedrooms and the great room, a soft water loop, Smart Home, and more! Enjoy Copper Falls amenities, including a tot lot, Ramada, BBQ grills, bike rack, and a half basketball court.

24704 N 170th Lane Surprise, AZ 85387

$458,990
5 Beds
3 Baths
1,939 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6689556
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Below Market Financing Available!!!!!!!!! This single-story home features ample space for growing households. The owner's suite is situated toward the back of the home, complete with an en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet, while four secondary bedrooms provide ample space for household members, overnight guests or a home office. The Great Room, kitchen and dining room share an open floorplan with access to the covered patio through sliding glass doors. Photos are renderings of a model home, not the actual home.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.