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
Don't be Fooled by Trade War News
This week’s most prominent news was the so-called “official” beginning of the trade war between the U.S. and China. For something so official, it left much to be desired in terms of market movement. Let’s sort out what’s real, what’s not, and where our focus should be.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Don't be Fooled by Trade War News
Who (or What) Is Pulling The Strings?
This week’s newsletter recaps where we’ve been, where we might be going, and how anxiety over that journey could determine how quickly we get there.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Who (or What) Is Pulling The Strings?
2 Very Different Ways to Look at Housing Numbers
This week was chock full of housing data ranging from construction and builder sentiment to the most recent tally on existing home sales. The takeaways can vary depending on your angle of approach. So let’s take a look at all the angles!
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
2 Very Different Ways to Look at Housing Numbers
Fed Hikes. Rates Fall. Have We Hit a Ceiling?
As expected, the Fed raised rates this week. Mortgage rates and 10yr Treasury yields (which aren’t directly tied to the Fed Funds Rate) actually moved lower for the rest of the week. How did that happen and what might it mean for the bigger picture?
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Fed Hikes. Rates Fall. Have We Hit a Ceiling?
Next Week's Fed Rate Hike Won't Affect Rates
The Federal Reserve meets 8 times a year to set its policy rate: The Fed Funds Rate. At next week’s meeting, a “rate hike” is a foregone conclusion. And that’s precisely why it doesn’t matter.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Next Week's Fed Rate Hike Won't Affect Rates
How Italy Rocked Rates And What To Watch For Next
Italian political drama already had an impressive impact on US interest rates by the end of last week. This week brought more surprises and even bigger reactions for better and worse (and in that order).
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
How Italy Rocked Rates And What To Watch For Next