As interest rates moved in an ever-narrower pattern in the 2nd half of 2019, we looked to early 2020 to break that cycle, for better or worse. So far, 2020 has delivered on the promise of increased volatility, but not for the reasons anyone expected.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
2020 Refi Boom is Official, But For How Long?

By Friday of last week, it was clear that the coronavirus outbreak was having a significant impact on markets with stocks and bond yields (aka interest rates) both moving lower. Those same themes intensified this week, ultimately paving the way for the lowest mortgage rates since 2016.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Lowest Mortgage Rates Since 2016

Although there were a few caveats, last week saw one of the biggest jumps in new home construction in more than decade. Now this week’s data shows existing home sales at their highest since 2018, and close to highest levels in more than a decade. Is housing starting to boom again?
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
How Coronavirus is Helping Housing

The last housing boom didn’t end so well for many Americans. That “B” word is being thrown around again at the start of 2020, but things are very different this time around.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Is The Housing Market Booming Again?

Things are looking up for the housing market at the start of the new year. Granted, some of the following data pertains to the last few months of 2019, but it nonetheless speaks to a friendly shift that is arguably already well underway.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Housing Starting Strong in 2020

Everything’s relative when it comes to mortgage rates. For every homeowner that’s been concerned about a short-term increase in rates, there’s another who’s glad to remind them how high rates used to be.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Mortgage Rates Start 2020 on Strong Note

A few weeks ago, it was the US/China trade deal. Now it’s impeachment-related news. Does the housing market even care about this stuff?
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Does Housing Market Care About Impeachment?

Last week, we talked about the many reasons that the importance of the US/China trade relationship could not be overstated. This week’s market movement clearly bore that out. But what are the bigger picture implications–especially for housing?
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Trade Deal Rocks Markets, But There's a Catch

Certain years gain notoriety in financial markets for various reasons. Sometimes these are massive, individual reasons like 2013, the year of the taper tantrum. Sometimes there are separate themes that pull the market in opposite directions like 2016’s Brexit /Trump election combo that pushed rates massively lower and then massively higher.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
2019: The Year Of The Trade War

Financial markets remain transfixed by seemingly insignificant updates relating to US/China trade negotiations. This For those who follow markets closely, this can be exasperating at times, but it’s happening for a good reason.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Good Times Rolling For Housing; How Long Will It Last?