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.

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$455,995
4 Beds
3 Baths
2,070 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6642364
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
The thoughtfully designed Slate floor plan opens with two bedrooms and a full hall bath. Beyond the entry, you'll find an open layout with a dining nook, a great room with access to an inviting covered patio, and a kitchen with a center island, walk-in pantry and abundant cabinetry. The owner's suite is nearby, offering a generous walk-in closet and a private bath with dual sinks, a shower and a separate soaking tub. A laundry room and a fourth bedroom with its own private bath complete the home. Enjoy your 2 car garage with a side garage service door for easy access to your large backyard.

41108 W Haley Drive Maricopa, AZ 85138

$455,990
4 Beds
3 Baths
2,142 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6632233
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
READY FOR MOVE-IN... This home has 4 bedrooms with a flex space to be used as den or a formal space. We added a shower in the powder room for a total of 3 full baths. Large walk in shower at owner's bath with dual vanity sinks. Stainless steel gas range. Benton ''White'' Birch cabinets throughout the home with 42'' kitchen uppers and roll outs at pantry. AZT Della Terra Quartz countertops in the owner's bath and at the kitchen and on the enhanced kitchen island. Tile backsplash in the kitchen has Colorwheel 4x16 tile. Upgrade flooring includes level 9 carpet in bedrooms/closets and the remaining of the home has DT Cannes Masso 18x18 tile in the great room, kitchen, entry, halls, bathrooms and laundry and so much more.

37814 N Neatwood Drive San Tan Valley, AZ 85140

$455,490
4 Beds
2.5 Baths
2,338 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6683303
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Beautiful NEW Home in PRIME San Tan Valley location, Quick Move-In, close proximity to Queen Creek and other major cities. Ready to close May 2024! Prime lot overlooking scenic desert views. Featuring countless upgrades such as 9' ceilings, Shaw Ceramic Tile Floors, Granite countertops in the kitchen. Whirlpool Stainless steel appliances and white cabinetry. Energy-efficient features throughout, Wi-Fi & programmable thermostat, and electric range. Spacious walk-in closet in owner's suite! Front yard landscaping with irrigation included and generous covered patio in the backyard. Minutes from hiking trails and scenic mountain views! Fantastic proposed amenities include community lake, parcourse stations, bike loops and racks, ramadas, shaded play structures, great park area including large community pavilion, BBQ grills, picnic tables, pickleball court and open space areas. Located near Queen Creek, highly rated schools and easy access to shopping centers, dining options and entertainment venues.

17418 W El Caminito Drive Waddell, AZ 85355

$455,310
4 Beds
3 Baths
2,040 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6650214
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Single Story, 2-Car Garage, 3 BR, Den w/Double Doors and Tile, 3 Bath, 36'' Derby Birch Twilight Cabinets, White Sand Quartz Countertops, Under Cabinet LED Kitchen Lighting, 6 x36 Chesapeake Grey Tile Flooring, Bit of Gray Carpeting, Faded Grey Interior Paint, SS Gas Range Double Oven Slide-In Appliance Package, ,Holiday Pkg, Laundry Room Cabinets with Sink, Soft Water Pre-Plumb, Gas Stub for future BBQ, Ext Color Scheme #4A