What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 31, 2016

What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - May 31, 2016Last week’s economic reports included new home sales, pending home sales along with weekly mortgage rates and new jobless claims.

New Home Sales Surpass Expectations

Sales of new homes surpassed expectations and the prior month’s reading. April’s reading of 619,000 sales exceeded expectations of 523,000 new homes sold and 531,000 new homes sold in March.  New home sales rose by 16.60 percent on a seasonally adjusted annual basis, which was the highest increase in 24 years. 

Analysts said that April’s new home sales indicate that builders are increasing production of new homes to meet high demand for homes. Short inventories of available homes are credited with driving up demand and home prices. Buyers seeking family homes are contending with investor buyers and cash buyers in popular markets.

With affordability becoming limited in many cities, first time and moderate income homebuyers aren’t buying as many homes as they once did. This development contributes to slowing markets, as move-up buyers generally rely on first time buyers to purchase their homes. 

Shortages of available homes has pressured home builders to break ground on new home construction projects, but builders continue to cite labor shortages and a lack of buildable lots as reasons why they aren’t building homes as fast as homes are needed. 

Pending Home Sales Numbers Suggest Peak Buying Season Returns

Pending home sales were also higher than forecast in April with a reading of 5.10 percent as compared to expectations of 0.80 percent for April and the March reading of 1.60 percent. Pending home sales gauge future closings for home sales and reached their highest level in 10 years and posted a year-over-year gain of 4.60 percent. 

Three of four regional readings for pending home sales posted gains, with home sales in the Midwest posting slower growth. On a year-over-year basis, he South posted a gain of 6.80 percent and the Northeast posted a gain of 1.20 percent. The West saw a jump in pending sales with a reading of 11.40 percent after posting a negative reading in March. 

April’s expansion in new and pending sales suggests that the peak home buying season is back.

Mortgage Rates Rise; New Jobless Claims Fall

Freddie Mac reported higher average mortgage rates. The rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage was six basis points higher at 3.64 percent; the rate for a 15-year mortgage rose eight basis points to 2.89 percent. The average rate for a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage rose seven points to 2.87 percent. Discount points averaged 0.50 percent for all mortgage types. 

New jobless claims dipped last week to 268,000 as compared to an expected reading of 275,000 new claims and the prior week’s reading of 278,000 new claims. Analysts said that New York school employees that were eligible for benefits boosted jobless claims earlier in May due to a non-typical law that allows some school workers to draw unemployment during school closures such as spring break or labor disputes.

Whats Ahead This Week

This week’s scheduled economic news includes Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, construction spending and reports on inflation, core inflation and consumer sentiment. No reports were scheduled for Monday due to the Memorial Day holiday. 

17903 W San Alejandro Drive Goodyear, AZ 85338

$465,000
3 Beds
2 Baths
1,735 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6671804
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
BRAND NEW ROOF. Estrella Mountain Ranch stunner. Enter into the open concept living area with vaulted ceilings and large windows providing lots of natural light and views of the pool. The kitchen is bright and equipped with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, ample cabinet space and a breakfast bar for casual dining. The spacious primary bedroom features vaulted ceilings and has a full ensuite: double sinks, shower, walk-in closet and an exit to the backyard pool. 2 additional bedrooms. The Pebbletech pool has a variable speed pump. New roof underlayment and new water heater. This area is a little bit of heaven with mountains, hiking trails, lakes, golf courses, PICKLEBALL, tennis and beautiful clubhouses. The area has lots of amenities to keep you close to home.

3935 E Rough Rider Road Phoenix, AZ 85050

$465,000
2 Beds
2 Baths
1,386 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6669384
Property Type Townhouse
Price Type --
Villages at Aviano is like living in a resort year round. Perfect lock & leave lifestyle. Extremely well cared for SINGLE LEVEL Amici model. No stairs, 2 bedroom/2 bathroom with 2car tandem garage. ORIGINAL owner who has occupied a fraction of the time as it has served as a second home. NEVER used as a rental! Finishes include new LV flooring (2022) and tile in all major spaces and walkways with carpet in the two bedrooms. Granite counters in the kitchen and primary bathroom, stainless appliances, solid wood doors, arched entryways, full laundry w/newer units (2022), newer HVAC (2022) new W/H (2024) split floor plan, and wired for surround sound. Minutes from the Desert Ridge Marketplace, Mayo Clinic, Wildfire Golf Club, Top Restaurants and High Street, and easy access to the 51 &101

18798 N Piccolo Drive Maricopa, AZ 85138

$465,000
5 Beds
3 Baths
2,722 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6670388
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
PRICE IMPROVEMENT! STUNNING Single Level Built in 2021 w Over 2700 Sq Ft! Boasting 4 spacious beds with walkin closets + enclosed den, 3 FULL baths (second master with on suite!) & formal dining room! Gorgeous kitchen overlooks the great room & features staggered White cabinetry, granite countertops, subway tile backsplash & SS appliances w GAS range! UPGRADES include soaring 10+ ft ceilings, 5 in baseboards, wood plank tile, plush carpet, modern fixtures, designer paint, gas hookup to dryer, extended garage w epoxy flooring & more! Palatial master features dual sinks, oversized walk-in shower & soaking tub & huge walkin closet! Step through the oversized doors to your own BACKYARD OASIS with sparkling pool, extended paver & travertine deck, large pergola & shed with NO NEIGHBORS BEHIND!

5350 E Deer Valley Drive Phoenix, AZ 85054

$465,000
2 Beds
2 Baths
1,246 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6675006
Property Type Apartment
Price Type --
Wow!! Best buy in Tuscana on the top floor with private and secure lobby entry. The building also has elevators so ADA and pet friendly. This upscale unit also includes 2 underground, gated, garage spaces. These top floor units rarely come on the market and when they do they sell quickly. This is the type of upscale luxury condo that is perfect for the lock and leave 2nd home for the winter. Your guests will love the great room living with large eat in kitchen and breakfast bar. Split floor plan for nice privacy and there's a very private rear patio looking out to the Marriott Resort with Mountains in the background. Perfect for watching the fireworks. This location is an absolute 10 across from High Street marketplace and Desert Ridge mall. Mayo hospital just across the 101 too, wow!!

7083 E Waterfowl Way San Tan Valley, AZ 85143

$465,000
4 Beds
2.5 Baths
2,488 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6674094
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Stunning 4 Bed/2.5 Bath with a den/flex room, RV gate & Recreational Parking behind the gate to include Motor Homes, Boats, & Campers upon approval on a corner lot. (See CC&R's in document section). Gorgeous kitchen with lots of cabinets, granite, pendants, stainless steel and a large walk-in pantry. Open floor plan with tile floors throughout the main living areas. Upgraded lighting. Beautiful primary bedroom with walk-in closet. Split floor plan. Ensuite bath has dual vanities, private toilet, soaking tub, and upgraded tile shower. Relax in this beautiful backyard with covered patio, lush green turf and no neighbor directly behind.

1502 E Garfield Street Phoenix, AZ 85006

$465,000
3 Beds
2 Baths
1,032 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6685102
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Beautifully updated 3 bed-2 bath home on spacious lot in Historic Garfield. Walk to vibrant downtown Phoenix restaurants, art, festivals, and more! Natural light floods all rooms creating bright + airy ambience. Home has an open floor plan with high ceilings, split bedrooms, indoor laundry, + all new luxury vinyl plank flooring. Kitchen has freshly painted cabinets, quartz counters, + ss appliances. You can live in an adorable historic home w/ all the modern conveniences. Low maintenance desert landscaping in front. Large backyard provides option for casita or office space for those who WFH. 2016 - roof replaced, HVAC replaced, new Pella windows, updated bathrooms & kitchen. 2024 - all flooring + baseboards replaced, all fresh interior paint, and more. This home is an absolute gem!

2101 E Oak Street Phoenix, AZ 85006

$465,000
3 Beds
2 Baths
1,188 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6679967
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Exquisitely remodeled from top to bottom. This modern home boasts 3BR, 2BA, and an array of upgrades. This home features a new kitchen with plenty of cabinet space, Quartz Countertops. Nicely done Bathrooms, some new plumbing and electrical, New Roof, New Windows, New AC, Fresh Paint inside and out, and more. Entertain effortlessly in the backyard oasis featuring a sparkling pool and RV gate for added convenience. Desirable location, close to everything. Immediate access to freeways, minutes from Sky Harbor Airport and Downtown Phoenix. No HOA. Don't miss this opportunity!

1925 W Joan De Arc Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85029

$465,000
4 Beds
2 Baths
1,898 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6675275
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
We've heard you! Now you can get $5,000 toward closing costs or to buy dn your interest rate. The front courtyard has a ton of potential just waiting your creativity (see idea pics). Once inside, you'll enjoy a 4 bdrm, updated home with lot's of space and natural light shining through a south facing wall of newer double-pane windows and beautiful sliding glass door. Both baths were remodeled all the way down to the underground flex-pipe and sewer-line. Carpet is brand new and the interior tastefully painted. Other upgrades include 16-seer HAVC system, ductwork, gas-range with dual-ovens, newer dishwasher, Corian countertops, and beautiful brand new cabinet faces. Outside has Tex-Coat cool wall heat reflective coating, and 50yr-rated heat-reflective shingle roof. Even the attic has been upgraded with xtra thick insulation for more energy efficiency and built out for additional storage. Want an RV gate? How about TWO RV gates? And if all that's not enough, enjoy the mountain practically in your backyard while you sit under the extended covered patio with grill area and raised planter bed.

129 S 82nd Way Mesa, AZ 85208

$465,000
4 Beds
2 Baths
1,994 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6678829
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Welcome to this beautiful 2017 home featuring a wonderful floorplan with a split master bedroom and large kitchen with plenty of cabinets and walk in pantry. Exterior of home was recently triple coat painted and has a large RV gate, 30 amp RV plug, and 20x20 storage shed in backyard. House has water filtration system and softener and is solar financed with a $39,000 balance. You will love the vaulted ceilings in the family room and plenty of windows for lots of natural light coming in. Water heater is only 2 years old and the attic and walls are double insulated. Much pride of ownership in this fantastic home just waiting to become YOUR home next with no HOA.

4202 W Mountain View Road Phoenix, AZ 85051

$465,000
3 Beds
2 Baths
2,456 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6681093
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
A RARITY!! This beautiful well-built block construction home sits on an oversized pie-shaped 14,500+ sf lot, nestled on an inner corner of a non-through road inside the quiet and friendly Newcastle Village community. Boasting a flexible, well laid-out floorplan provides functional, open, and light-filled great room style living, with not one but TWO flexible living areas that can be used as a den, office, craft space, kids play area, secondary eating nook, or family room. The carefully updated and renovated interior (2021) includes not just tasteful cosmetic upgrades t/o, but infrastructural updates galore, as well. Features include an all new modern kitchen with upscale Viking electric range (gas hook up is also available) and Bertazzoni fridge, upgraded lighting and plumbing fixtures t/o, gorgeous dining room fireplace with statement wall, newer LPV flooring t/o, high quality Pella windows and doors in the light-filled, spacious great room area, chic and charming hexagonal saltillo tile, a charming tiled, built-in plant bench in the great room, all newer interior paint, upgraded radiant barrier installed throughout the attic to reduce heat gain and reduce cooling costs, newer ABS sewer line, a meticulously serviced Trane HVAC unit, tons of functional storage, and a smattering of added updates and upgrades throughout. Exterior features include an RV gate, with pavered RV pad, 220V RV hook up, large Tuff Shed storage that conveys with sale, Rain Dial watering system, closed alleys with access only for residents (code supplied at closing), and mature and rare desert landscaping, including two large organ pipe cacti, and one saguaro, both considered incredibly valuable for their size and age. This is a VERY special property on a very unique and special lot. The owners have taken great care of it, and it shows even better in person! The feeling of the property cannot be fully conveyed or described in words. If you want to live in a safe and quiet area close to shopping, services, great schools, restaurants, and an easy 20-25 min commute to the central city, don't miss this one - it'll go fast!

4854 W Turquoise Avenue Glendale, AZ 85302

$465,000
4 Beds
2 Baths
2,371 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6680575
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Whatta beauty! New paint, new quartz counter tops, new flooring, new bathroom vanity quartz! Your new spacious 4 bedroom home has a pool situated perfectly in a low-maintenance backyard oasis!

3134 E Mckellips Road Mesa, AZ 85213

$465,000
3 Beds
2.5 Baths
1,414 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6683963
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Charming 3 bdrm, 2.5 bath 2 car garage home in sought after Homestead on an oversized lot with lg. private pool and nicely designed backyard! Ideal for entertaining or everyday living -- with living and dining rooms, vaulted ceilings, and a formal family room with wood burning fireplace. Open concept kitchen overlooks the family room and features granite countertops, smooth-top range, built-in microwave, and LG stainless steel refrigerator with water dispenser/ ice maker. The primary suite includes dual closets, a spacious layout, soaring high ceilings, and an ensuite bath. Additionally, the home features newer paint, newer carpet, laminate flooring, and a top of the line Trane HVAC unit,. Enjoy your backyard with one of the only private sparkling swimming pools in the community. Conveniently located with easy access to the Loop 202 (and Gilbert Rd.) and plenty of shopping, dining, & restaurants nearby. A must see!