Mortgage rates rose last week as investors gained confidence in the global economy. China and Europe posted better-than-expected manufacturing rates, U.S. Jobless Claims fell for the second straight week, and the worst of the European debt crisis appears to have passed. Last week's economic news provided further evidence of a strengthening U.S. economy. The National Association of REALTORS® released its Existing Home Sales report, which indicates that existing home sales improved by 13 percent on a year-over-year basis and are now at their highest point since 2007. The group expects sales … [Read more...]
27 Months Of Consecutive Job Growth Helping Home Prices Rise
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Non-Farm Payrolls report for December exceeded Wall Street's expectations by 5,000 net new jobs, showing 155,000 positions created in December. The December tally raised the economy's 12-month total to 1.84 million net new jobs created nationwide. Jobs added in December mark the 27th consecutive month of job growth. Job sectors showing the strongest growth to close out 2012 included: Health Care Drinking and Eating Establishments Construction Manufacturing Private-sector hiring is driving the jobs market, too. 168,000 new private sector jobs were added … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : January 7, 2013
Mortgage rates in Phoenix rose during the first week of 2013. The fiscal cliff crisis was resolved prior to the market's opening Wednesday, when legislators voted to approve a deal. While many tax cuts were extended for taxpayers earning less than $450,000 annually, other facets of the fiscal cliff issue are yet to be addressed, including budget cuts for federal government agencies. Investors were surprised to learn that the Fed may end its third round of quantitative easing (QE3) sometimes in 2013. The FOMC meeting minutes for December 2012 suggested that Fed support for its QE3 program … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : December 31, 2012
Mortgage bonds improved last week, pushing mortgage rates lower in Arizona and nationwide. Positive economic news and strong housing data was trumped by ongoing Fiscal Cliff discussions on Capitol Hill. The "Fiscal Cliff" is meant to represent January 1, 2013 -- the date on which mandatory spending cuts are enacted by Congress and on which tax rates increases for many U.S. taxpayers. Some analysts believe that if these two events are to occur simultaneously, it would derail the current U.S. economic expansion and revert the economy back into recession. That concern has spurred a … [Read more...]
Mortgage Rates Rising On 26 Straight Months Of Jobs Growth
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and its November 2012 Non-Farm Payrolls report, the U.S. economy added 146,000 net new jobs last month. November's job growth exceeded Wall Street expectations of 90,000 jobs added for the month, and was a small increase from October's 138,000 jobs added. Three job sectors in which employment rose in November include : Retail : 58,000 jobs added Business and Professional Services : 43,000 jobs added Healthcare : 20,000 jobs added It appears that the effects of Hurricane Sandy were muted, although they may be temporarily overshadowed by … [Read more...]
