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April 7, 2022
Mortgage rates have increased 1.5 percentage points over the last three months alone, the fastest three-month rise since May of 1994. The increase in mortgage rates has softened purchase activity such that the monthly payment for those looking to buy a home has risen by at least 20 percent from a year ago.
Information provided by Freddie Mac.
March 31, 2022
Mortgage rates continued moving upward in the face of rapidly rising inflation as well as the prospect of strong demand for goods and ongoing supply disruptions. Purchase demand has weakened modestly but has continued to outpace expectations. This is largely due to unmet demand from first-time homebuyers as well as a select few who had been waiting for rates to hit a cyclical low.
Information provided by Freddie Mac.
The U.S. real estate market remains hot ahead of the spring selling season, with existing home sales up 6.7% as of last measure. Experts attribute the growth in sales to an uptick in mortgage interest rates, as buyers rushed to lock down their home purchases before rates move higher. Even so, sales prices continue to rise with a Median Sales Price increase of 8.3 percent to $340,000 from this time last year.
March 24, 2022
This week, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased by more than a quarter of a percent as mortgage rates across all loan types continued to move up. Rising inflation, escalating geopolitical uncertainty and the Federal Reserve’s actions are driving rates higher and weakening consumers’ purchasing power. In short, the rise in mortgage rates, combined with continued house price appreciation, is increasing monthly mortgage payments and quickly affecting homebuyers’ ability to keep up with the market.
Information provided by Freddie Mac.
March 17, 2022
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage exceeded four percent for the first time since May of 2019. The Federal Reserve raising short-term rates and signaling further increases means mortgage rates should continue to rise over the course of the year. While home purchase demand has moderated, it remains competitive due to low existing inventory, suggesting high house price pressures will continue during the spring homebuying season.
Information provided by Freddie Mac.
February 24, 2022
Even with this week’s decline, mortgage rates have increased more than a full percent over the last six months. Overall economic growth remains strong, but rising inflation is already impacting consumer sentiment, which has markedly declined in recent months. As we enter the spring homebuying season with higher mortgage rates and continued low inventory, we expect home price growth to remain firm before cooling off later this year.
Information provided by Freddie Mac.
For many buyers, 2022 marks a new opportunity to make their home purchase dreams a reality. But it won’t be without its challenges.
Inventory of existing homes was at 910,000 at the start of the new year, the lowest level recorded since 1999, and competition remains fierce.
Pending Sales decreased 13.0 percent from January 2021 to 3,122 for the month. Closed Sales decreased 16.7 percent from January 2021 to 2,810 for the month. Inventory levels market-wide decreased 30.1 percent to 3,894 units.
February 17, 2022
Mortgage rates jumped again due to high inflation and stronger than expected consumer spending. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is nearing four percent, reaching highs we have not seen since May 2019. As rates and house prices rise, affordability has become a substantial hurdle for potential homebuyers, especially as inflation threatens to place a strain on consumer budgets.
Information provided by Freddie Mac.
February 10, 2022
The normalization of the economy continues as mortgage rates jumped to the highest level since the emergence of the pandemic. Rate increases are expected to continue due to a strong labor market and high inflation, which likely will have an adverse impact on homebuyer demand.
Information provided by Freddie Mac.
The number of homes for sale was down compared to this time last year. Inventory levels market-wide decreased 28.3 percent to 4,193 units.