Rates are Going Down!

http://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/

Mortgage rates continued to decline this week and are at 12-month lows falling for the third consecutive week. Freddie Mac reports that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell two basis points to 4.35% with an average of 0.5 in points and fees. Last year this time, the rate was 4.40%. Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist says, "Wages are growing on par with home prices for the first time in years, and with more inventory available, spring home sales should help the market begin to recover from the malaise of the last few months.”

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) reports that sales of existing homes fell in January for the third straight month but greener pastures could be ahead, says the NAR. Existing Home Sales fell 1.2% from December to an annual rate of 4.94 million annualized units vs the 5.05 million expected, the lowest since November 2015. Compared to last year, sales are down 8.5%. The Midwest, South, and West all saw declines in sales while the Northeast had gains. The median home price rose 2.8% from January 2018 to $247,500. Inventories are at a 3.9-month supply, below the normal level of six months. "Moderating home prices combined with gains in household income will boost housing affordability, bringing more buyers to the market in the coming months,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist.

The January Fed minutes were released yesterday with the keyword being "patient" regarding any interest rate hikes in 2019. Most likely, the Fed will be on hold for 2019 and not raise the benchmark Fed Funds Rate, unless there is a big surprise spike in inflation. As far as the Fed's balance sheet, policymakers seem to have united around a plan to stop the balance sheet runoff at year's end. The U.S. markets may get additional clues at the March Federal Open Market Committee meeting.