Last week, we talked about the unintended consequences of a strong economy with respect to higher wage growth pushing interest rates quickly higher. This week, it was more of the same.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Rates Paying Price For Sunny August
Booming Economy's Unintended Victims
From a strictly economic standpoint, this week saw the release of several impressive reports. For stakeholders in the mortgage and housing markets, there are trade-offs.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Booming Economy's Unintended Victims
Rate Volatility Lowest in Decades; Is Housing a Factor?
There are a few different ways to measure volatility in the bond market, but one of the simplest is via the average daily trading range. That particular metric is showing volatility in line with the lowest levels in decades.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Rate Volatility Lowest in Decades; Is Housing a Factor?
Latest Pros and Cons on Housing and Rates
Home sales numbers and other housing-related data have been hot topics of conversation recently. Some say positive housing trends are over. Others say it’s no big deal. The truth continues to be somewhere in between.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Latest Pros and Cons on Housing and Rates
Scary Low Housing Numbers? Not Exactly
There’s no question that some housing markets around the country are showing signs of cooling. Price reductions are starting to show up again after an extended absence, the average home is staying on the market a bit longer, and inventory is finally coming up from the lowest levels in decades.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Scary Low Housing Numbers? Not Exactly
Let's Talk Turkey: Do US Markets Care?
Turkey is the 17th biggest economy in the world in terms of GDP. That’s neck and neck with the Netherlands, roughly 20% bigger than Saudi Arabia (the next closest country) and 4 times bigger than Greece. So the fact that Turkey is in the throes of a debt crisis is making news.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Let's Talk Turkey: Do US Markets Care?
Glimmers of Hope For Home Sales and Rates
News has been pretty grim recently for interest rates and the housing market. This week’s developments may provide a glimmer of hope.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Glimmers of Hope For Home Sales and Rates
Putting Home Sales Slowdown in Perspective
Both New and Existing Home Sales came in lower than expected this week. Taken together with last week’s big drop in residential construction numbers, this raises obvious questions about the housing market. How much should you worry?
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Putting Home Sales Slowdown in Perspective
Should We Worry About a Housing Slowdown?
A monthly report on new residential construction came out this week, showing a big drop in housing starts (the groundbreaking phase following a building permit). Should we worry about a slowdown in home sales?
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Should We Worry About a Housing Slowdown?
Lowest Rates Since May, But There's a Catch
Rates ended the week at the best levels since late May. That sounds pretty great, right?! Unfortunately, there’s a fairly big catch.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Lowest Rates Since May, But There's a Catch