Three Great CHFA Programs for First Time Home Buyers CHFA (the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority) has been helping first time homebuyers and low and moderate income families get affordable housing in Connecticut for over 40 years, and their mortgage rates have recently fallen below the 4% mark (currently at 3.875%, their lowest rate ever). However, …
The economic environment for mortgage rates was little changed this week. Weaker than expected economic data and continued low inflation supported low rates, and investor demand for bonds remained high. As a result, mortgage rates again ended the week a little lower. As the economic recovery has lost steam recently, investors are closely watching for …
Uncertainty about the pace of the economic recovery pushed mortgage rates down to another record low this week. The economic outlook is for slower than normal economic growth with low inflation, which is favorable for mortgage rates. The risks of a “double dip” recession and deflation also increase demand for relatively safer investments such as …
Economic data moved mortgage rates this week. Slower than expected economic growth data and tame inflation figures were favorable for mortgage markets. As a result, mortgage rates ended the week lower. Heading into a Fed meeting next week, the low inflation data released this week means that there is little pressure on the Fed to …
Global economic news was the primary influence on US mortgage markets this week. While the US data released during the week was mixed, an improved economic outlook in many other countries was unfavorable for bond markets. As a result, mortgage rates ended the week a little higher. In recent weeks, mortgage rates have fallen to …
This week’s news from the housing sector was mostly positive. April Existing Home Sales rose 8% to an annual rate of 5.77 million units, the highest level in five months. Inventories of unsold existing homes increased a little, but the median home price was 4% higher than one year ago. First-time buyers accounted for 49% …
The biggest economic news this week was that the EU will provide a much larger aid package than previously announced. On Monday, this news caused investors to move funds to riskier assets and out of safer investments such as bonds. This week’s economic data contained few surprises. Later in the week, successful results for the …
Despite stronger than expected economic data, the financial situation in Greece held the greatest influence on mortgage rates this week. A flight to quality and prospects of slower economic growth in Europe were favorable for mortgage markets and negative for the stock market, and mortgage rates ended the week lower. Global financial markets remained focused …
While inflation remained low, stronger than expected economic data released this week was negative for mortgage markets. As a result, mortgage rates ended the week a little higher. The big news in this week’s economic data came from the housing sector. March Existing Home Sales rose 7% from February, and existing home sales were 16% …
Stronger than expected Employment data and the end of the Fed’s MBS purchase program were negative for mortgage markets. Mortgage rates ended the week at the highest levels since January. Investors viewed Friday’s Employment report as positive for the economy, which means it was bad news for mortgage markets, and mortgage rates climbed after its …