June Real Estate Mortgage News

What to say about mortgage rates?  Well, mortgage rates were little changed this week, which is actually a good thing, considering that the homebuyer tax credit expired recently. Starts on one-family homes fell 17 percent to an annualized pace of 468,000 units in May from April’s 20-month high. In addition, permits on one-unit homes fell to the slowest pace since May 2009. But, considering the expected downturn after the expiration of the tax credit, the market is holding stable.

Nonetheless, household balance sheets have been improving over the past four quarters. Basically, households gained $6.3 trillion in net worth in the first quarter from a year ago, according to the Federal Reserve. In addition, homeowners have regained $1.1 trillion in home equity over the same time period.  For homeowners, things are on moving in a positive direction.

Conforming Loan Limits ($417,000 and Under)

Loan Program            Interest Rate            Points

30 Year Fixed                  4.500%                           1.000

10/1 ARM                         4.250%                           1.000

5/1 ARM                           3.500%                           1.000

5/1 ARM I/O                   3.500%                           1.000

Jumbo Loan Limits ($729,751 and Over)

Loan Program            Interest Rate            Points

 

10/1 ARM                         5.250%                           1.000

7/1 ARM                           4.875%                           1.000

5/1 ARM                           4.250%                          1.000

Agency Jumbo Limits ($417,001 – $729,750)

Loan Program            Interest Rates            Point

30 Year Fixed                   4.750%                            1.000

Money Rates

M11                                      M21

10 Yr Bond                           3.18

Prime                                     3.25

6 Month Libor                     0.75188%

 

Economic News Affecting the Housing Market

There was a lot of economic activity that kept investors watching every move.  As the Mortgage and Real Estate News reports:

With a Fed meeting, Treasury auctions, and major economic data on this week’s schedule, investors were watching closely for unfavorable news. In the end, there were no major surprises. Little changed in the Fed statement, auction demand was at average levels, and the economic data was generally close to expectations. The biggest influence on mortgage markets turned out to be turmoil in Greece, which caused investors to seek the relative safety of US bonds, and mortgage rates ended the week a little lower.

Beyond Greece’s economic trouble, investors have been watching to see whether other smaller European countries would slip into economic turmoil.  As a result, investors shifted funds to safer investments, including US Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities (MBS).

In a move that will have direct impact on the housing market, the Mortgage and Real Esta News reports:

Prior to Wednesday’s Fed meeting, it had been reported that support was growing among Fed officials to begin sales of mortgage-backed securities (MBS) from the Fed’s portfolio. The Fed statement made no reference to MBS sales, however. As expected, the Fed made no change in the fed funds rate. The statement described the economy in slightly more positive terms. Also, pending Home Sales, a leading indicator for the housing market, will come out on Tuesday.

While incremental, many of these moves in the economy can prove positive for the real estate market, both in Los Angeles and nationwide.