Seemingly overnight, financial markets are abuzz over fluctuations in the dollar. We’ll dig into whether or not some of the claims are justified, but first, let’s dig into this week’s home sales data.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Inventory About to Come Back; Dollar Killing Rates?

Mortgage rates moved higher at their fastest pace since last June this week, and to levels not seen since last March! Underlying bond markets are in big trouble as well with 10yr Treasury yields breaking above 2.64%.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Big Trouble For Rates–Nothing to do With Government Shutdown

Financial markets have a lot of information to digest before deciding what effect that information will have on trading levels. This week provided some insights on sorting fact from fiction.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
At 6-Month Highs, Rates Sort Fact From Fiction

It was a light week for housing-related economic data and financial markets aren’t quite yet back in the full swing of things following the holidays. But there has been plenty of discussion around plenty of campfires regarding certain aspects of the tax bill.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Clearing Up Some Mortgage-Related Tax Bill Confusion

There were several interesting developments with relevance to the housing market last week. Rather than let important information fall by the wayside amid the holiday season, this week’s newsletter will largely be a reprint of last week’s.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Revisiting Stellar Home Sales and Tax Bill's Effect on Housing

The tax bill that has been at the center of discussion for the Housing Market was officially signed into law this week. In the days leading up to that, both New and Existing Home Sales surged to post-crisis records. Can the new tax policies coexist with a strong housing market?
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Home Sales Just Crushed Forecasts. Will Taxes Change The Tune?

The Federal Reserve (or “The Fed”) hiked rates this week, but mortgage rates fell. Believe it or not, this actually doesn’t violate the rules of the universe.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Fed Hikes Rates. Rates Fall. Here's How That Works

In the wee hours of the morning following election day last year, markets were in a state of complete disarray–especially bond markets (which dictate rates). After a significant improvement initially, rates embarked on their single worst trading day since the 2013 taper tantrum. Bottom lines, rates surged higher. Did they know something back then about where we’d end up today?
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Inevitable Showdown Finally Arrives

Financial markets (or just “stocks and rates,” to be specific) started the week flat, thus leaving spotlight on a stellar home sales report. But by the end of the week, markets stole the show as they reacted to political headlines.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Home Sales Blast Off But Rates Take Wildest Ride

Both the Senate and House tax bills leave some homeowner tax incentives on the chopping block. Critics decry the move as a major blow to the housing market. If they’re right, the housing data released this week will soon look like a collector’s item.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Home Construction at 2017 Highs as Markets Wait on Tax Reform