Demand continues to be strong from the first time home buyers and FHA is still the dominant form of first time buyer financing. Interesting enough, I am also starting to work with quite a few more veterans and V.A. loans. A V.A. loan on average will cost the seller an additional +/- $950 – $1,050 to sell however in the current lending/home selling environment it is another good option to consider.

We have seen the interest rate market calm down in the last week where as 30 year money is back in the 5.25% – 5.375% range, 15 year 4.75% – 4.875%. I expect this trend to continue and we should see rates settle back to 5%. This past week we saw foreign investors purchase nearly 60% of the U.S. treasures or debt issued by the U.S. Government. That is a big number and a positive indicator for lower rates.

Demand Strong for Treasury Debt

With major economic data, large Treasury auctions, and a Fed meeting on the schedule, it was a busy week for mortgage markets. In the end, it was the Treasury auctions which had the greatest impact on mortgage rates. Demand was very strong at the auctions, which pushed mortgage rates lower. Wednesday’s Fed announcement and mixed economic data were roughly neutral for mortgage rates.

Much of the rise in interest rates we saw in late May and early June was due to concern about the enormous supply of debt the government needs to issue to pay for all the stimulus programs. The question was whether investors would require significantly higher yields to continue purchasing bonds. Strong demand from both domestic and foreign investors at this week’s Treasury auctions eased those concerns for now and helped mortgage rates to reverse some of their recent increases.

As expected, the Fed made no change in the fed funds rate. However, investor expectations varied widely for the Fed’s statement, but the statement revealed no significant shifts in policy. In particular, there was no change in the timing or the quantity of future MBS and Treasury purchases. In addition, the statement contained no discussion about exit strategies to eventually unwind Fed stimulus programs. Overall, the Fed simply held the course, and mortgage rates were nearly unchanged after the news.

In the housing sector, May Existing Home Sales rose 2.4%. It was the first time since September 2005 that Existing Home Sales increased for two months in a row. The inventory of unsold homes declined to a 9.6-month supply from a 10.1-month supply in April. A NAR survey revealed that 29% of sales were to first-time homebuyers, helped by the $8,000 tax credit, low mortgage rates, and favorable affordability levels.

Weekly Mortgage Update Courtesy Of:

Darrin L. Kresevic, Sr. V.P., Loan Officer, LPO Manager

First Place Bank          440 349 7550

6150 Enterprise Parkway – Solon Ohio 44139

Assistant – Janice Zabish Direct – 440 349 7562

 Lending seventeen years of Mortgage Banking experience

To reach Darrin and many other outstanding business people in our community,

please look at our website:          business and services section

Jim & Joan Norbuta

Realtor

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