While the Fed has managed to avoid embarking on a 4th round of quantitative easing (or “QE,” a term referring to large-scale asset purchases by central banks), European QE has been going full tilt since early 2015. Markets began to suspect the European Central Bank (ECB) might make its own tapering announcement in recent months and this week, it pulled the trigger. Will the fallout be the same for rates this time around?
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Europe Tapers, But Without The Tantrum

Interest rates surged to 2-year highs this week, apparently in response to Wednesday’s news that OPEC countries struck a deal to limit oil production. True, if OPEC is willing to do what it takes to push fuel prices higher, it only adds to the inflationary fears already pushing rates higher. But even though the OPEC news dominated this week’s headlines, there are more important things keeping housing and mortgage markets up at night.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
What's Really Keeping The Mortgage Market up at Night?

The post-election spike in mortgage rates kicked into higher gear this week, with most lenders near the worst levels in more than 2 years. In bittersweet juxtaposition, this week’s Existing Home Sales data (from October) was the best in nearly 10 years! Is the writing on the wall for the housing market? Yes and no.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Rapidly Rising Rates: Writing on The Wall For Housing?

By now, you’ve probably heard that mortgage rates have spiked at a brutal pace to the highest levels of the year in the wake of the election. This week’s newsletter examines what that move was about, and what it was NOT about, as well as the possibility of bouncing back.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Why Did The Election Kill Rates and Can They Come Back?

Heading into the election, interest rates tended to rise with Clinton’s chances of victory. But it was a Trump victory that sent rates on their wildest ride since the 2013 Taper Tantrum. Why?!
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Election Unexpectedly Sparks Massive Rate Spike

Interest rates of all shapes and sizes have been in an undeniable uptrend for more than 4 months. Why is it happening? And how bad could it get?
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
For Rates, One Thing is Even Scarier Than The Election

Several reports on home sales and prices were fairly strong this week, suggesting the housing market continues making steady progress. But rising rates force us to question how long the good times can keep rolling.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Rising Rates Rain on Housing Data Parade

This week, a report from Fannie Mae suggests the housing market is losing momentum due to declines in single family construction spending and the prospect of higher interest rates in the future. Whether or not this should be troubling is a matter of perspective.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Housing and Rates in Trouble? It Depends

Every Thursday, Freddie Mac releases its weekly mortgage rate survey. It’s subsequently used as an authoritative primary source for most major media outlets. That’s not usually a problem, but this week could be an exception.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Don't Believe Everything You Read About Mortgage Rates

While the week played host to several developments worthy of the market’s attention, the notion of a European ‘taper tantrum’ was the driving force behind the year’s biggest spike in mortgage rates.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
What's Behind The Year's Biggest Spike in Mortgage Rates?