So far, 2024 has been distinctly different from the end of 2023. November and December saw rates move lower at one of the fastest paces in decades. In contrast, January has delivered a fairly consistent uptrend.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Highest Mortgage Rates in More Than a Month, But There Are Silver Linings

The much-anticipated Consumer Price Index (CPI) was released this week. For those seeking evidence that inflation will soon be back at the Fed’s target level, it wasn’t the triumph it might have been. Even so, rates managed to move lower.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Inflation Data Keeps Low Rate Hopes Alive

Seemingly overnight, there is widespread media attention on the spread between mortgage rates and the 10yr Treasury yield. There shouldn’t be.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Let's Talk About The Spread Between Mortgage Rates And The 10yr Treasury

2022 may have seen more outright volatility in the housing and mortgage markets, but 2023 was the year of extremes.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Calm Week to End Not-So-Calm Year

The astonishing pace of the recent drop in interest rates has raised some questions regarding sustainability and justification, but we can clear them up with a single chart.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Have Rates Improved Too Quickly And Is The Fed Being Rational?

We came into this week expecting the Fed’s Dot Plot to set the tone, or at least to create a good amount of movement in rates, and that’s exactly what happened.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
The Dots Put an Exclamation Point on Record-Breaking Drop in Rates

It was mostly a great week for mortgage rates with the average lender near the best levels in months through Thursday. Friday’s jobs report pushed rates back up a bit, but not excessively. Next week’s two big ticket events could set the tone for the rest of the year.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
What's at Stake With Next Week's Fed Announcement and Inflation Data?

It’s been a good week for extremes in the housing market with rates at 3 month lows, pending home sales at “record” lows, and conforming loan limits up to record highs. Here’s why at least two of those three things aren’t very interesting.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
What New Loan Limits Mean; Should We Worry About "Worst Ever" Pending Home Sales?

Mortgage rates have fallen significantly in November. For the housing market, it couldn’t come at a more critical time, but the road ahead remains uncertain–mostly due to timing.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Housing Market Thankful For Lower Rates But The True Test is in Early December

The market was incredibly anxious to see the release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) this week. Many times, that sort of anxiety proves overdone and reality ends up being less volatile. This was not one of those times.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Cooler Inflation Prompts Big Shift in Rate Outlook