Scott Kinne First Heritage Mortgage

Scott Kinne's Mortgage information Blog

  • About Scott
  • Testimonials
  • Resources
    • First Time Home Buyer Tips
    • First Time Home Seller Tips
    • Closing Costs
    • Home Appraisal
    • Home Inspection
    • Affordable Credit Repair
    • Interest Rates
    • Loan Programs
    • Loan Process
    • Loan Checklist
    • Mortgage Glossary
    • Mortgage FAQ
  • Main Website
  • Contact
  • Apply

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : March 14, 2011

March 14, 2011 by Scott Kinne Leave a Comment

FOMC meets this weekMortgage markets improved last week in a week of few economic releases. The one major data point — Retail Sales — showed stronger-than-expected, but markets reacted mildly. The report’s strength was whispered in advance of the actual release; its reading validated Wall Street’s growing faith in the U.S. economy.

Most action last week revolved around the Middle East:

  • Libya’s internal turmoil continued
  • Bahrain clashes intensified
  • Saudi Arabia’s citizens planned a Day of Rage

In response to these events, Wall Street continued its flight-to-quality. Mortgage-backed bonds are now at their best levels since early-February. Mortgage rates have improved 4 straight weeks.

Unfortunately for rate shoppers, the gains have been meager. Conforming mortgage rates have only dropped slightly.

This week, however, the market could move in either direction.

The biggest news on tap is the Federal Open Market Committee’s 1-day meeting, scheduled for Tuesday. The Fed is expected to leave the Fed Funds Rate near 0.000 percent, but that doesn’t mean that mortgage rates won’t change. The FOMC’s post-meeting press release will be closely scrutinized on Wall Street. Any changes in theme, tone, or message will cause mortgage rates to dart.

This week also marks the return of housing data with Housing Starts, Building Permits, and Homebuilder Confidence due for release. Housing is believed to be key to the economic recovery so strength in these reports should lead mortgage rates higher.

In addition, several inflation-related data sets will be released including Consumer Price Index and Producer Price Index. Inflation is generally bad for mortgage rates and with gas prices rising to a multi-year high, pressure will be on for mortgage rates to rise.

Lastly, there’s Japan.

The nation’s earthquake, tsunami, and (now) looming nuclear threat will have implications on the global bond market. Mortgage rates may benefit while the crisis remains unresolved. 

If you’ve floated a mortgage rate over the past few weeks, it may be time to lock that rate down. Economic factors should be pushing rates higher, but geopolitics and natural disasters are keeping them low.

It’s a perfect time to commit to a loan.

Filed Under: Weekly Review Tagged With: Middle East,Mortgage Rates,Japan

Next Page »
Scott Kinne

Contact Scott

Vice President, Senior Loan Officer
NMLS ID #182351
Office: 703.293.6146
Mobile: 571.237.6241
Fax: 571.317.2478
skinne@fhmtg.com

Licensed In Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia
  LOAN APPLICATION
  FREE RATE QUOTE

Connect with Me!

Sign Up For My Free Newsletter

Categories

Recent Posts

  • S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices: Home Prices Fall In November
  • Is It Worth It to Put More Than 20 Percent Down?
  • What You Need To Know About A Closed-End Second Mortgage
  • What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 30, 2023
Equal Housing Lender
nmlsconsumeraccess.org
First Heritage Mortgage, LLC, Company NMLS ID #86548

Our Location

3201 Jermantown Road
Suite 800
Fairfax, VA 22030
Business: 703-293-6146
Cellphone: 571-237-6241

Copyright © 2023 · Powered by MySMARTblog