Last week we discussed the possibility of mortgage rates continuing to fall despite the near certainty of this week’s Fed rate hike. That’s exactly what happened, but it was the move in stocks that got the most attention–not a surprising result given the following chart.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
What's Up With Market Madness After Fed's Rate Hike?

Last week, we discussed a surprising spike in market volatility. Fortunately, one of the volatile moves involved interest rates dropping to their lowest levels since September. This week has been quite different.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
The Fed Will Hike, But Rates Could Keep Falling

Last week’s newsletter asked whether or not the highest interest rates behind us. At the time, this was a relatively new and bold assertion. Now, this week makes that assessment look tame by comparison.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Just When You Thought It Couldn't Get Any Crazier

More than any other week in recent memory, investors began asking themselves if the high rates seen in October and early November marked the ceiling for this economic cycle.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Are The Highest Interest Rates Behind Us?

It wouldn’t be 2018 in the housing market if there wasn’t at least one report painting a gloomier picture. Thankfully, there was only one this time around!
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Housing Showing Some Signs of Stabilizing

The rapid rise in rates has been a big problem for the housing and mortgage markets this year. Just last week, some reports suggested rates were near 8 year highs. The same sources reported that rates were ‘unchanged’ this week.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Rates Actually Fell to Recent Lows This Week

Are you mad? Whether you’re a housing/mortgage professional or simply a person who might like to buy/sell/refinance a house at some point in the near future, you have a right to be frustrated.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Who Gets The Blame For Higher Rates?

October has a bit of a reputation in financial markets as being more prone to volatility than most months. While there are solid theories as to why this is the case (earnings , start of Federal fiscal year, and even the timing of traders’ last summertime vacations), there’s no solid rhyme or reason as to how the volatility will play out.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Why Strong Job Gains Hurt Both Sides of The Market

It’s been all over the news in October, and before then in February: rising rates are causing heavy stock losses! The bigger the stock losses, the more rates get blamed. To some extent, and for some investors, that may be true, but it sure wasn’t true this week.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Here's Why You Can't Trust The News When it Comes to Stocks and Interest Rates

Times are tough, or at least tougher than they have been for the housing and mortgage markets. Rares are at 7 year highs, and home sales/prices are noticeably cooling. 2008 taught us to fear the worst at times like this, but there are some good reasons you probably shouldn’t.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
A Few Great Reasons Not to Lose Hope in Housing and Rates