Craig Morren, Mortgage Broker NMLS #457731

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 👍
Rates remained basically unchanged last week, not really moving much day-to-day. There was little economic data to worry about, and it was a holiday week with markets closing early on Thursday and closed Friday.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 👍
Although rates will likely start the week worse, there are lots of opportunities to see rates improve by the end of the week with help from data showing a weakening labor market which could support the Fed cutting rates sooner, say in June.

🗓️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Economic data: There is at least one report each day this week involving jobs and the labor market, which could cause mortgage rates to move day-to-day. Friday brings the most important data, with the highest chance to move rates. Data showing a weakening labor market will help rates, stronger than expected data will hurt rates.
- The Fed: Mortgage rates won't improve much unless markets believe the Fed will cut rates soon. Right now, Fed officials have said they aren't in a hurry to cut rates until they see clear confirmation that inflation is still moving lower. We need signs of softening labor market and weaker economy to create urgency for the Fed to cut rates.

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 👍
Rates actually improved last week when the Fed continued to project three rate cuts for 2024 and more to come in 2025. The Fed also signaled that it wasn't yet concerned with the recent uptick in inflation and still felt that it would have no need to raise rates further in this tightening cycle, and left its policy rate unchanged.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 👍
This week is a holiday shortened week that is unlikely to see rates make any significant moves, but we could see slight improvement. The latest trend is that rates may slowly improve ahead of April's labor and inflation data, as markets start to see a June Fed rate cut as more likely after the latest Fed meeting.

🗓️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Economic data: Although there are some mid tier economic reports that will come out this week, the PCE inflation data comes out on Friday when markets will be closed for Good Friday and we are not likely to see a reaction to that data until Monday. It is unlikely rates move much on this week's data.
- Holiday weekend: Markets close early on Thursday and will be closed on Friday, meaning that most lenders will not change rates after Thursday until next week.

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟭𝟴, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
Mortgage rates moved quite a bit higher last week, giving up all of the gains seen earlier in March. Rates moved higher due to hotter inflation and strong economic data that make it much less likely the Fed will need to cut rates anytime soon.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 ⚠️
This week has the potential to open the door for rates to move even higher, or to settle back down a bit, depending on how Wednesday's Fed meeting and press conference play out.

🗓️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Fed meeting: Wednesday at 2pm ET, the Fed is expected to leave policy rates unchanged, but will signal what may come at future meetings in its policy statement.
- Fed rate forecasts: At this meeting, Fed members will make their anonymous forecasts for where policy rates will end this year and the next few years. The last projection was for three Fed rate cuts in 2024, and if that falls to two cuts it could pressure mortgage rates higher.
- Powell press conference: Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference at 2:30pm ET Wednesday is likely to cause volatility in mortgage rates, causing lender repricing and setting the direction for rates over the next few weeks.

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟭𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 👍
Mortgage rates remained unchanged for much of last week, moving lower Thursday and Friday on economic and labor market data. Although more jobs were created last month than expected, prior months were revised to have less jobs created than originally reported, with higher unemployment and lower wages in February.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 ⚠️
This week has a few rate moving reports, with Tuesday's inflation data being the biggest. If you are in process with a mortgage application, you may want to talk with your mortgage pro about locking Monday ahead of this data. There is less risk for loans closing April or later.

🗓️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Inflation data: Tuesday AM brings the CPI inflation data, and traders anticipating it could come in showing inflation continued to heat up in February. Last month's report showed hotter inflation, and mortgage rates moved higher and didn't fall again for three weeks. Thursday brings wholesale inflation, which has much less effect on rates.
- Other economic data: Thursday and Friday bring other economic reports like consumer sentiment and retail sales that could influence mortgage rates to end the week.

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 👍
Similar to last week, mortgage rates moved slightly higher through the middle of the week before dropping back on Thursday and Friday to end the week unchanged.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 ⚠️
It may be overly optimistic, but we think rates could improve this week with some help from labor market data and the Fed. However, this data could also push rates higher if it comes in showing a stronger labor market and economy. Remember, mortgage rates can only move lower once markets anticipate Fed rate cuts are more likely to come earlier in the year in June or possibly May, which is not the case right now.

🗓️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Economic data: This week is full of labor market data, starting on Wednesday and wrapping up with Friday's big BLS jobs report. Last month's BLS report showed unexpected labor market strength and sent mortgage rates moving higher through February. Hopefully this month we see revisions to last month's data that shows a much softer labor market.
- The Fed: Fed Chair Jerome Powell will testify in front of Congress this week, as he does twice a year. His comments Wednesday could affect mortgage rates this week.

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟲, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 👍
Mortgage rates crept higher through the week last week, but a strong performance on Friday helped to end the week basically unchanged. Faced with the current rate climate, that's a win for the week.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
This week there's a lot of economic data that markets will be watching that could push mortgage rates higher. If the economic data points to a strong economy, that means it is less likely the Fed will cut rates anytime soon... and that means mortgage rates will suffer for the week.

🗓️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Economic data: This week has a full calendar, with reports every day as well as Treasury auctions through the week that could influence markets and affect mortgage rates. The biggest reports come out Thursday and Friday.
- Month's end: The underlying markets that set mortgage rates could be affected by traders positioning portfolios for month's end.
- The Fed: Rates hit their recent best levels in December when markets thought the Fed would be forced to cut in March or May to avoid doing damage to the economy, but mortgage rates have moved higher now that markets are speculating the Fed won't cut till June or even July.

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
Mortgage rates moved higher again last week, this time due to inflation coming in higher than expected. Inflation is not good for rates, and the report was made worse because it makes it unlikely the Fed will consider cutting rates till at least May and more likely June.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
This week is likely to see mortgage rates move slightly day-to-day and possibly creep a bit higher by the end of the week. Rates will not drop significantly from here until we see some data showing the labor market and economy is weakening and inflation is falling, and we won't see that data until at least March.

🗓️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Economic data: The minutes from last month's Fed meeting come out on Wednesday along with some economic reports on Thursday. There is nothing on Tuesday or Friday, and markets were closed on Monday.
- The Fed: Mortgage rates are not set by the Fed, but are strongly influenced by Fed actions. Rates were lower when markets were forecasting Fed rate cuts to start in March, and have moved higher as the chances of that happening have grown slim. Speculation now calls for Fed rate cuts to most likely start in June.

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟭𝟮, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
Mortgage rates crept just slightly higher last week, but didn't move much throughout the week as markets waited for this week's inflation data.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 ⚠️
This week rates could move either way, depending on how the inflation data comes out. If inflation moves lower, markets will expect the Fed to react by cutting rates sooner this year and that would help mortgage rates move lower this week. However, if the inflation readings don't come in low enough, it could spook markets to listen to the Fed's message that it wants to hold rates longer, and that would push mortgage rates up as much as .25%.

🗓️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Economic data: Tuesday brings the most important consumer inflation data, with retail sales data on Thursday and wholesale inflation on Friday. The inflation data will be affected by new factors used in seasonal adjustments, making it harder than normal to forecast what we may get for readings.
- Fed speakers: There will be more members of the Fed out speaking this week, and depending on how the data comes out they could have more of an effect on mortgage rates for the week.

⚠️ With mortgage rates forecasted to move lower this year, it has many house hunters waiting for rates to drop... 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲! 😲

👍 𝗔𝘀 𝗮 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲, 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝘆 𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱𝗻'𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝘆...

✅ Rates are not likely to drop significantly anytime soon. Although we see rates move up and down week-to-week, rates are not likely to drop and stay lower until later this year.

✅ Home prices never fell like some people thought they would, because there continues to be a shortage in home inventory. When rates drop, lots of potential buyers will come back into the market, making it more competitive and driving home prices higher.

✅ Buying now when rates are higher will likely give you more homes to choose from and help get your offer accepted. Once you own the home, you may be able to refinance when rates do fall later this year.

𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱, 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲.

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
Mortgage rates actually improved last week after the Fed meeting and press conference on Wednesday, but saw the gains disappear when Friday's jobs data came in crushing expectations with almost double the new jobs created than was forecast. Mortgage rates ended the week slightly worse than the previous week.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
This week rates are likely to move higher as markets give up on a March Fed rate cut and start to question if we will even see one at the next meeting in May. Mortgage rates will creep higher if markets believe that the Fed will not cut until later in the year, and the strong economic data and labor market data we've seen the last few weeks makes it unlikely the Fed will need to cut rates to stimulate the economy anytime soon.

🗓️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Economic data: There is no economic data this week that is likely to either push mortgage rates higher or lower.
- Fed speakers: There will be members of the Fed speaking every day this week, sharing their opinion on when the Fed should start cutting rates. Mortgage rates will creep higher if markets believe the Fed will not cut until later in the year.

🗓️ 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗵𝗼𝗴 𝗗𝗮𝘆! ❄️

❓❓❓ What does Punxsatawney Phil predict about mortgage rates? 😲

Groundhog Day, held on February 2nd, is when we ask, "Are we in for six more weeks of winter?"
Only a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil knows for sure... (𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁!)

Each year on Groundhog Day, people flock to Gobbler’s K**b in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to await the forecast of the local rodent celebrity.

Originating with German settlers, who came to Pennsylvania in the 1700s and brought their seasonal superstitions with them, legend has it that if Phil sees his shadow on February 2nd, the winter chill will continue. Oddly, if the weather is cloudy and he doesn’t see his shadow, we can expect warmer temperatures and early spring.

What does Punxsutawney Phil have to say about weather and mortgage rates? 🤔

👉 𝗦𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿, 𝗣𝘂𝗻𝘅𝘀𝘂𝘁𝗮𝘄𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀: BRING ON SPRING!!! 👍🌸🏡...
..and BRING ON THOSE LOWER MORTGAGE RATES!! 🎉

𝗦𝗼 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘆 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁, 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹, 𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗠.

Or, just reach out and we can celebrate the early arrival of spring! 😜

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
Mortgage rates moved just slightly higher last week, but not by much. Inflation cooled to an almost three-year low, and that is a good sign for future mortgage rates to come back down.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 ⚠️
The week will start off quiet and mortgage rates are unlikely to change much until Wednesday, but then the fireworks start when the Fed releases its policy statement and Chair Powell holds his press conference. We also could see more rate movement on Friday when jobs data comes out.

🗓️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- The Fed: The Fed is expected to leave its policy rate unchanged at this meeting but markets will be looking for signs about when cuts will begin, especially Wednesday afternoon during Powell's press conference. If traders think Powell is leaving the door open for rate cuts sooner, we could see mortgage rates improve. However, if Powell ruins any hope of cuts starting at the March meeting, mortgage rates may move higher.
- Jobs data: Although there are a few different labor reports during the week, Friday's jobs data will have the most effect on mortgage rates. Labor market weakness will help rates, strength will hurt them.

𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 '𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱' 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲!

𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱.

What is the difference? 🤔

👉 Getting prequalified is the process of providing a mortgage lender with some background information like your credit, income, and expenses so the lender can help you determine how much you can afford and what you are likely to qualify for.

👉 A preapproval, however, means you've provided the lender with proof of your income and assets and had a credit check to determine exactly how much you can be approved for. In some cases, a preapproval can show you are approved for a loan before making an offer, which makes your offer stronger and could help you win a bidding war.

𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂? 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜'𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲. 👍

I can provide either one, depending on your unique situation and where you are in the house hunting process. The best part? The conversation is absolutely free, and there's no obligation. 🏡 😁

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟮, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
Mortgage rates are heavily influenced right now by speculation of when and how much the Fed will cut its policy rate this year. Last week mortgage rates moved higher as markets started to give up on the idea that the Fed will have to start cutting its rate in March to head off a recession.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
Although starting the week off a little bit better than Friday, mortgage rates could move higher this week if we continue to see markets give up on a March Fed rate cut. The likely best case scenario is that rates hold steady, because it is unlikely they will improve much from here this week.

🗓️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Economic data: Thursday brings the preliminary 4th qtr GDP, along with unemployment claims. Friday we get the PCE inflation data, the Fed's favored inflation gauge, which could influence rates to end the week.
- Fed rate cuts: Markets have been pricing in a Fed rate cut in March the last few weeks, which helped mortgage rates fall from October highs. However, markets are finally listening to Fed members who say a March cut is unlikely, causing rates to creep up, but there is room for rates to move higher yet.

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟭𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 👍
Mortgage rates improved a little bit last week, even though the consumer inflation numbers came in slightly higher than expected. Wholesale inflation was down, but doesn't have as much influence on mortgage rates.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 👍
Mortgage rates could see some more improvement this week if markets continue to bet on Fed rate cuts to start at the March meeting. Despite labor market and economic data that points to the Fed keeping policy rates at current levels, markets believe the Fed will have to start cutting much sooner than it expects if it wants to avoid a recession. Rates are unlikely to move higher unless that belief falters.

🗓️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Economic data: A holiday shortened week brings Wednesday's retail sales data and the Fed's Beige Book on the economy. Not much other data to worry about this week.
- The Fed: Mortgage rates continue to reflect the belief that the Fed will need to cut rates six times in 2024, although Fed officials have been saying it will be less. If markets start to waiver in the belief that the Fed will cut rates dramatically this year to avoid a recession, we could see mortgage rates creep higher.

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟴, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
Mortgage rates lost a little bit of ground last week as markets started to doubt the Fed will cut its policy rate at the March Fed meeting. Friday's jobs data also pressured rates a bit higher, showing the labor market remains resilient and making it less urgent for the Fed to cut rates to stimulate the economy.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 ⚠️
Mortgage rates are not likely to move much higher or lower from where they start the week if inflation data comes in as expected. However, a report that shows inflation is dropping faster or slower than expected could cause rates to move up or down a bit depending on the news.

🗓️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Economic data: Consumer and wholesale inflation reports come out near the end of the week, and will help set the direction of mortgage rates for the next couple of weeks.
- The Fed: Mortgage rates continue to reflect the belief that the Fed will need to cut rates six times in 2024, although Fed officials have been saying it will be less. If markets start to waiver in the belief that the Fed will cut rates dramatically this year to avoid a recession, we could see mortgage rates creep higher.

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 👍
Mortgage rates were basically unchanged last week as 2023 came to an end.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 👍
Mortgage rates will need help from labor market data to improve this week. Signs of a softening labor market in this week's data would support expectations of future Fed rate cuts, which would help mortgage rates to improve at least a little bit. However, if we instead see signs of labor market strength from the data this week it could cause rates to creep slightly higher, especially on Friday.

🗓️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Economic data: This week brings multiple reports about the labor market, starting on Wednesday with the Job Opening and Labor Turnover Survey. Thursday brings the ADP payroll report and unemployment claims, with Friday's new job creation and unemployment numbers being most likely to affect mortgage rates.
- The Fed: Mortgage rates continue to reflect the belief that the Fed will need to cut rates six times in 2024, although Fed officials have been saying it will be less. If markets start to waiver in the belief that the Fed will cut rates dramatically this year to avoid a recession, we could see mortgage rates creep higher.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟲, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 👍
Mortgage rates were basically unchanged last week, as mortgage rates continued to reflect markets' belief that not only is the Fed done hiking rates, but will start cutting rates in March. Friday's PCE inflation report came in even lower than expected, supporting the idea that the Fed will be able to reduce rates as inflation cools.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 👍
Traders generally take off the last couple of weeks of the year around the holidays, and mortgage rates tend to hold steady during that time. There is little risk of seeing rates move higher from here this week, although it is also unlikely we see any kind of significant improvement.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Economic data: There is no important economic data this week, and nothing that should pressure rates to move from here. Markets were closed on Monday for Christmas, and will be closed early Friday and closed on day on Monday for New Years.
- The Fed: Mortgage rates will hold these lower levels for as long as markets believe rate cuts will start as soon as March. If that belief reverses we could see rates creep higher, but that is not going to happen this week.

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𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟴, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 👍
Mortgage rates fell to the lowest levels in months last week, because the Fed signaled it is likely done raising rates and will probably cut rates in 2024. Although the Fed doesn't set mortgage rates, Fed rate cuts will contribute to lower rates across the board, including mortgage rates.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
When rates move significantly lower like we saw last week, we often see some give back in the following days. Also, the current lower mortgage rates reflect a belief that the Fed will cut rates six times next year, starting as soon as March. Fed officials are trying to convince markets that cuts are not likely to begin that soon and that the Fed is forecasting it will only cut rates three times next year.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Economic data: Mortgage rates may be influenced this week by the final 3rd qtr GDP reading on Thursday, as well as the PCE inflation data on Friday. Stronger economic data may pressure rates slightly higher.
- Holidays: Traders tend to take the end of year off, resulting in less trading volume that contributes to market volatility that can cause day-to-day and intraday swings in mortgage rates. Markets will be closed for Christmas.

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 👍
Mortgage rates varied a bit day-to-day last week, but ultimately ended the week basically unchanged. The labor market data showed some softening with less job openings than forecast, but also showed strength with more new jobs created than expected and unemployment falling.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 ⚠️
This week brings new inflation data and the Fed meeting, the combination of which will set the tone for mortgage rates through the rest of the year. This week is a good week to stay in close contact with your mortgage professional.

🗓️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Inflation data: Consumer inflation comes out Tuesday morning, with wholesale inflation released on Wednesday. If inflation improves more than expected it would help mortgage rates fall further, but the opposite is true if we see inflation data that fails to impress markets.
- The Fed: The Fed meets this week, and is unlikely to raise its policy rate. However, markets will be looking for updates to the Fed's rate forecast and looking for signs that the Fed is open to cutting rates sooner in 2024. Fed Chair Powell's press conference Wednesday afternoon will likely cause volatility in mortgage rates.

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 👍
Mortgage rates continued to slowly improve from October's highest rates seen in decades, reacting to markets' now speculating that the Fed may begin cutting policy rates as soon as March after previous expectations of cuts starting in June.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 👍
Although rate improvements will lose steam eventually, the next couple of weeks could see rates move even a bit lower from here. This week we get a lot of labor market data, which could improve mortgage rates if traders find any weakness in the jobs data. Next week we get inflation data and the Fed meeting.

🗓️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Economic data: Every day after Monday brings some kind of labor market report. Tuesday is the Job Opening and Labor Turnover Survey, Wednesday is ADP private payrolls, Thursday is unemployment claims, and Friday brings the biggest report with new job creations, wage increases, and unemployment numbers.
- The Fed: It was Fed members' comments last week that helped push mortgage rates lower, but Fed members are now on a media blackout until the Fed meeting next week. As markets increase the belief that the Fed will cut rates sooner in 2024, rates will improve.

❗🏡 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗰 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲!

😀Today's news means you may be able to qualify for 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲, because a "conforming" loan often has a better rate than a "jumbo" loan that you would normally need for higher mortgage amounts.

The conforming loan amount is going from $726,200 to $766,550 in 2024. Some areas of the country qualify for even higher limits, sometimes as high as $1,149,825!

👉 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜'𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂.

𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝘂𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗜'𝗺 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽.