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Mortgage rates are higher than we experienced in recent years. What to experts expect for the future? Here are some forecasts. Continue reading
… frequent press reports about the Federal Reserve Board raising interest rates can cause confusion among concerned mortgage borrowers who don’t understand that the Fed has no direct control in the mortgage market … Continue reading
Well, here we go again …. Mortgage interest rates (30-year fixed rate loans) have been very low for a very long time — mostly 5% or below since early 2009, and mostly 4% or lower since late 2011. There have rumors periodically during each of those years that rates were about to rise. We’re hearing … Continue reading
Assuming reasonably healthy economic conditions in the U.S. and internationally, mortgage rates will eventually rise. Sellers will continue to sell, and buyers will continue to buy, in virtually any interest rate environment, and rate changes will impact both. It is worth understanding and planning for, though. Continue reading
Last week the Federal Reserve raised the “Federal Funds Rate” after years of rumors that they would do so. The media got very busy discussing what that means for the economy, and for other interest rates that are important to consumers — including mortgage loans, but whether and when mortgage rate changes might happen has very little to do with the Federal Reserve Board. Continue reading
General economic uncertainty aside, I believe that buyers who stay on the sidelines over the next six to twelve months — especially in the Austin area — will find that they missed the best opportunity to become homeowners we have seen in many years.
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Let’s say the rates bounced “all the way” up to 6%. What would that mean to the average homebuyer? To answer that, consider buying a $200,000 home (near the median in Austin), with a 3.5% down payment on a 30-year fixed rate FHA loan. Here’s what happens to the monthly payment (principal and interest only) as rates go up. Continue reading
Politics aside, I don’t see any practical reason that interest rates should spike next week based on what happens in the debt ceiling debate. I certainly believe we will have higher rates over the next year or two, but that will have almost nothing to do with all the noise coming from Washington now. Continue reading
This change will be effective on loans issued on or after April 18, 2011. That’s just sixty days away — plenty of time to find and purchase the right home, but not much time to remain uncertain about whether to buy or not. If home ownership is in your plans, and if you can qualify for a mortgage loan today, now is the time to get busy. Continue reading
The difference between 5% and 6% mortage rates is about $125/month, or almost $20,000 in purchasing power. There is a real cost to delay while interest rates are increasing — an it looks like that’s the direction of change this year. Continue reading
Bill Morris on Austin Real Estate 