As widely expected, the Fed increased the federal funds target rate this week for the third time in 2017. The market had already priced in the rate hike so long-term interest rates, including mortgage rates, hardly moved. Mortgage rates have been in a holding pattern for the fourth quarter, remaining within a 10 basis point range since October.
For Week Ending December 2, 2017
As the year works its way to a closing crescendo, it is evident that the year’s predominant storyline is beyond a clever weekly jab. It has been an interesting and remarkably positive year for residential real estate. Even as some desirable housing tax breaks are on the verge of sunsetting, real estate, as a whole, remains in great shape.
In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending December 2:
For the month of October:
All comparisons are to 2016
Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From The Skinny Blog.
This week’s survey reflects last week’s uptick in long-term interest rates, with the 30-year fixed mortgage rate up 4 basis points to 3.94 percent. The 30-year mortgage rate has been bouncing around in a 10 basis point range since September.
While long-term rates have been relatively steady week-to-week, shorter term interest rates have been on the rise. The spread between the 30-year fixed mortgage and the 5/1 Hybrid ARM rate was 59 basis points this week, down 43 basis points from earlier this year. With a narrower spread between fixed and adjustable mortgage rates, more borrowers are opting for a fixed product.
For Week Ending November 25, 2017
From week to week, the tallies may vary slightly from the week prior in year-over-year comparisons, whether with a strong positive surge or a lingering negative streak. Tracking weekly figures is important for active real estate professionals, but the cooldown period of a meaningful real estate trend often takes weeks, if not months, to draw determined conclusions.
In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending November 25:
For the month of October:
All comparisons are to 2016
Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From The Skinny Blog.
The market implied probability of a Fed rate hike in December neared 100 percent, helping to drive short term interest rates higher. The 5/1 Hybrid ARM, which is more sensitive to short-term rates than the 30-year fixed mortgage, increased 10 basis points to 3.32 percent in this week’s survey. The spread between the 30-year fixed mortgage and 5/1 Hybrid ARM is just 58 basis points this week, the lowest spread since November of 2012.
