Mark Ikeda

Mortgage Consultant

  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • First Time Home Buyer Tips
    • First Time Home Seller Tips
    • Closing Costs
    • Home Appraisal
    • Home Inspection
    • Loan Checklist
    • Loan Process
    • Loan Programs
    • Mortgage FAQ
    • Mortgage Glossary
  • Apply Now
  • Read or Write a Review
  • Contact

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 28th, 2019

January 28, 2019 by Mark Ikeda

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 28th, 2019Last week’s economic news included readings on sales of previously owned homes and weekly readings on average mortgage rates and new jobless claims. A scheduled report on sales of new homes was not available due to the government shutdown.

National Association of Realtors®: Sales of Pre-Owned Homes Lowest in 3 Years

Sales of previously owned homes fell in December and failed to meet expectations. 4.99 million pre-owned homes were sold on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis; analysts predicted 5.10 million sales based on 5.33 million sales in November 2018. December’s reading showed the lowest number of sales since November of 2015.

Sales of previously-owned homes fell 6.40 percent month-to-month and were 10.30 percent lower year-over-year. Inventories of previously-owned homes also slipped in December with a 3.70 months supply of homes as compared to 3.90 months supply of available homes in November. Real estate pros consider six months supply of homes for sale as an average inventor.

Real estate pros said that lower buyer traffic in all regions of the U.S. could indicate less interest from buyers, but on a positive note, fewer buyers also remove the high rates of competition seen in the recent past.

Lower mortgage rates are well-timed for the upcoming spring sales season. Real estate pros were hopeful that lower mortgage rates will hold and entice more buyers into the market.

Mortgage Rates Mixed, New Jobless Claims

Freddie Mac reported no change in average interest rates for fixed rate mortgages. The average rate for 30-year fixed rate mortgages held at 4.45 percent; the average rate for a 15-year fixed rate mortgage was also unchanged at 3.88 percent. Rates for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages averaged three basis points higher at 3.90 percent. Discount points averaged 0.40 percent for fixed rate mortgages and 0.30 percent for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages.

First-time jobless claims fell to 199,000 new claims filed. Analysts expected 218,000 new claims to be filed based on the prior week’s reading of 212,000 new claims filed. Last week’s reading represented the first time since 1969 that new jobless claims fell below 200,000, but analysts were wary of potential impact of the government shutdown on new jobless claims. The shutdown ended on Friday until February 15, but politicians seemed unenthusiastic about future shutdowns.

What‘s Ahead

This week’s scheduled economic reports include Case-Shiller Home Price Indices and readings on pending home sales, construction spending and the post-meeting statement from the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee.

Labor sector readings on private and public employment and the national unemployment rate will also be released. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims will be released on schedule.

Spread the Love!

Filed Under: Financial Reports Tagged With: Financial Reports, Interest Rates, Mortgage Rates

Mark Ikeda

Contact Mark


Mortgage Consultant
VIP Mortgage
CALL (602) 793-1098

Licenses:
National ‑ 213096
State ‑ AZ: LO‑0913899
CA: DBO213096
GET A RATE QUOTE  

Connect with Me!

How can I help?

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Browse Articles by Category

The Latest Articles

  • What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 27, 2022
  • Can I Qualify for a Mortgage After Declaring Bankruptcy? Yes — and Here’s How
  • A Home Loan For an AirBnB Property: What To Know
  • 3 Closing Costs That Most Buyers Forget to Factor in and What You Can Expect to Pay
nmlsconsumeraccess.org
AZ LO-0913899 Equal Housing Lender VIP Mortgage, Inc. does business in accordance with Federal Fair Lending Laws. VIP Mortgage NMLS #: 145502 VIP Mortgage BK #: 090974
Equal Housing Lender

Our Location

9221 East Vía de Ventura
Scottsdale, AZ 85258

Copyright © 2022 · Powered by MySMARTblog