Over the past few weeks, downbeat, cautionary housing market data has been increasingly prevalent. During that time, rates and stock prices had generally moved lower. But those trends shifted this week–in some cases, abruptly.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Opposing Arguments in Housing Data and Markets

Seemingly overnight, the bill to replace the Affordable Care Act is all anyone can talk about in financial markets. How did we get here and what does it mean for rates going forward?
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
How The Healthcare Bill Affects Rates and Markets

Last week’s newsletter made the case that this week’s Fed rate hike was “pointless” because bond markets (and mortgage rates) had already fully adjusted for it. Instead, it would be the Fed’s economic projections (their forecasts for future rate hikes) that would make or break this week’s rate movement. That’s exactly what happened.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Fed Hikes, But Mortgage Rates Fall. Here's Why

Next week’s Fed announcement is a hot topic. Market metrics and surveys of economists suggest ever-increasing odds of a rate hike. As such, it may come as a surprise to learn that a rate hike is pointless in terms of its impact on financial markets, but there’s a catch.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Fed Rate Hike Next Week is Pointless!

Both for the housing market and interest rates, this week stood in stark contrast to the previous week. Whereas rates had been at the lower edge of their recent range, they’re now near the top. Whereas last week’s housing reports showed great promise, this week’s may raise serious doubts.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Housing Implications of Fed's March Rate Hike