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.

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$462,490
4 Beds
2 Baths
1,797 SqFt
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MLS # 6692746
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Below Market Financing Available!!!!!!!!! This single-level home showcases a spacious open floorplan shared between the Great Room, kitchen and dining room, with access to the covered patio for outdoor lounging and entertaining. The owner's suite enjoys a private location at the back of the home, complemented by an en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet. Three additional secondary bedrooms are comfortable and private retreats for household members and overnight guests. Photos are renderings of a model home, not the actual home.

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$462,000
2 Beds
2 Baths
2,302 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6644538
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
NEW ROOF, NEW CARPET, Fully Paid Solar and so much more (See Supplement for additional Comments) makes this 3-bed, 2-bath, and AZ Room in the 55+ guard-gated & golf course Community of Arizona Traditions the one for you! 2-car garage, desert front yard with a front patio that includes a decorative Table and Benches. The kitchen has ample cabinets, Stainless Steel Appliances, center island, and dining area w/bay window. The owners' suite is spacious! Owners' Bath consists of a walk-in closet, storage cabinets, Tub, shower, and dual sinks. Enjoy the Beautifully enclosed heated & cooled Arizona Room. The Landscaping Water System uses PVC. A feature you can't ignore is fully paid solar with electric bills avg. $20 per month. BRAND NEW ROOF - Installed December 2023, Exterior Paint 2015. Other features that benefit the buyer include - AC Unit 2014, Mini Split 2019. BBQ -2021, New Carpet - December 2023, Wood Floor - 2017, Dishwasher - 2018, Microwave - 2020, Stove - 2018.

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$462,000
4 Beds
2 Baths
2,166 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6662476
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Nicely appointed home in the attractive Surprise community of Surprise Farms. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, with a sought after kitchen greatroom open concept along with a separate formal living and dining room. Light and bright kitchen comes with corian countertops, stainless appliances, large island with sink, and upgraded white cabinets. Master bedroom has a large walk-in closet, double sinks, step-in shower, soaking tub, and private toilet room. The 3 other bedrooms are generously sized and all have a dedicated closet. Convenient location to neighborhood parks, shopping, dining, entertainment, and all the amenities that up and coming Surprise has to offer. VA loan is assumable to Veterans, Non-Veterans, and Investors! $2692 Monthly, 5% Interest Rate, $443,562 Balance as of 4/10.

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$462,000
3 Beds
2.5 Baths
2,170 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6670221
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
AZ Resort Living at its Best! This gorgeous 3 bedrm, 2.5 bathrm, 2 car garage home is in the heart of Laveen (202 corridor). Newly painted interior,exterior & garage floor! Beautiful tile floors & new carpet T/O! Open floor plan makes for an entertainer's paradise. Kitchen has new quartz countertops,lowered counter/breakfast bar,new undermount stainless sink,new dishwasher,upgraded cabinetry. Some new lighting fixtures. Ground floor ensuite primary bedroom w/spa bathroom:separate shower,Garden tub & huge walk-in closet. Stepping outside onto the newly painted patio floor,bordered grass area ready for your personal touch,room for a pool! Located just moments away from shopping,dining, beautiful,parks & 202 freeway access (202 corridor). Easy access to Downtown Phoenix & Surrounding areas.

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