Lori Blank & Associates

Real Estate

  • Search MLS
  • Our Listings
  • Home Market Value
  • Our Agents
  • Communities
    • Gilbert
    • Gold Canyon
      • Apache Junction
      • Entrada Del Oro
      • Gold Canyon East
      • Mountainbrook Village
      • Peralta Trails
      • Superstition Foothills
      • Superstition Mountain
    • Mesa
    • San Tan Valley
    • The Foothills at Gold Canyon
  • Blog
  • Contact

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – November 25th, 2019

November 25, 2019 by Lori Blank

What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - November 25th, 2019Last week’s scheduled economic news releases included readings on builder sentiment from the National Association of Home Builders and. Commerce Department data on housing starts and building permits issued.

The National Association of Realtors® reported on sales of previously owned homes and the University of Michigan issued its monthly report on consumer sentiment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released.

NAHB: Builder Sentiment Dips in November

Home builders were less optimistic about housing market conditions in November; the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index dipped by one point to an index reading of 70 for November. October’s reading of 71 was the highest in 20 months. Any reading over 50 indicates that most builders surveyed were positive about market conditions.

Sub-readings used to calculate the NAHB Housing Market Index reading were mixed. Builder confidence in market conditions for the next six months rose one point to 77, but builder sentiment dipped two points to 76 for current market conditions. Builder sentiment about buyer traffic in new housing developments dipped one point to 53; buyer traffic readings rarely exceed a reading of 50.

Relatively low mortgage rates helped offset builder concerns over tariffs on building materials, but pending winter weather conditions likely impacted lower builder enthusiasm over housing market conditions.

Commerce Department Reports Increased Housing Starts, Building Permits Issued

Housing starts and building permits rose in October; Housing starts rose to 1.314 million starts on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis as compared to September’sreading of 1.266 million starts.

Building permits issued increased from September’s reading of 1.391 million permits issued to October’s reading of 1.461 million permits issued. Building permits issued for new homes in October reached their highest level since the recession. Ongoing shortages of available homes continued to boost demand for homes; any increase in new construction helps balance supply and demand for homes.

Sales of previously-owned homes fell short of expectations with a reading of 5.46 million sales at a seasonally-adjusted annual rate in October; analysts expected a pace of 5.47 million sales based on September’s reading of 5.36 million sales. Year-over-year sales of previously-owned homes rose 4.60 percent.

Supplies of available homes continued to fall according to the National Association of Realtors® as inventories slipped to a 3.9 months supply in October. Real estate pros consider a six-months supply of homes as a healthy balance between available homes and home buyers.

Mortgage Rates, New Jobless Claims

Freddie Mac reported lower average mortgage rates last week; rates for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages fell nine basis points to 3.66 percent. Rates for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 3.15 percent and were five basis points lower.

The average rate for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages also fell five basis points to 3.39 percent. Discount points averaged 0.60 percent for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages and 0.50 percent for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages. Discount points for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages averaged 0.40 percent.

New jobless claims were expected to drop to 218,000 claims filed but held steady at the prior week’s reading of 227,000 first-time claims filed.

The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index rose to an index reading of 96.80 for November; analysts expected the reading to hold steady at October’s reading of 95.70 percent.

What’s Ahead

This week’s scheduled economic reports include readings on home prices from Case-Shiller; reports on new and pending home sales and a speech by Fed chair Jerome Powell. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims will also be released.

Filed Under: Financial Reports Tagged With: Housing Starts, Interest Raes, Mortgage Rates

Lori Blank & Associates, LLC
LORI BLANK Broker / Owner / CRS / ABR / GRI / REOS / RECS

6140 S Kings Ranch Road
Gold Canyon, AZ 85118
Main Phone: (480) 983-8383
Cell Phone: (480) 221-7922

New Listings/Pending
Closed Sales
Open Houses

Get a Free Rate Quote →

How can we help?

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Connect with Us!

Article Categories

Recent Articles

  • What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – March 1, 2021
  • An Overview Of Private Mortgage Insurance
  • The Top Tips For Impressing A Potential Buyer At Showings
  • Case-Shiller Reports Home Prices Rise at Fastest Pace in 7 Years
Equal Housing

Looking for something?

Our Location

Main Office
8676 E Canyon Estates Circle
Gold Canyon, AZ 85118

Branch Office
6140 S Kings Ranch Rd
Gold Canyon, AZ 85118

Copyright © 2021 · Powered by MySMARTblog