• Skip to main navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to footer

Talk To Cathy Now!

Have a question? Give me a call at 239.821.7926, or you can click here for more options to call or email and I will contact you right away.

Marco Island Condos, Marco Island Real Estate, Marco Island Homes for Sale, Marco Island Luxury HomesMarco Island Condos, Marco Island Real Estate, Marco Island Homes for Sale, Marco Island Luxury Homes

Marco Island Real Estate

  • SEARCH
    • Join Deal Alert
    • Advanced Search
    • Newly Listed Homes
    • My Featured Properties
    • Upcoming Open Houses
    • Interactive Map Search
    • Search by Listing ID
    • Search by Address
    • My Favorites
  • CONDOS
    • Marco Island ALL Condo Directory
    • Beachfront Condos
    • Waterfront Condos
    • Golf Course Condos
    • Inland Condos
    • Gated Condos
    • Condos with a Boat Dock
    • South End Condos
    • Old Marco Condos
    • Luxury Condos
    • Water Direct Condos
  • HOMES
    • Beachfront Homes
    • Gulf Homes
    • Golf Homes
    • Inland Homes
    • Water Direct Homes
    • Water Indirect Homes
  • AREAS
  • MARKET REPORT
    • Current Market Report
    • What’s Your Home Worth?
  • GALLERY
  • RESOURCES
    • About Marco Island
    • Explore Marco Island Real Estate
    • Video Tour
    • Golf Courses
    • Attractions
    • Area Links
    • Churches
    • Dining
    • Mortgage Calculator
  • ABOUT
    • About Cathy
    • Press & Media
    • Property Videos
    • Reviews
    • “Women in Business”
    • Why List with Me?
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT
  • 239.821.7926
SearchClose

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – March 23, 2015

Whats Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week March 23 2015Last week’s events included the National Association of Home Builder’s Housing Market Index, which fell to its lowest reading since last summer. Other news included reports on housing starts and building permits, the FOMC meeting statement and Fed Chair Janet Yellen’s press conference.

Home Builder Confidence Falls, Building Permits Rise

The NAHB Wells Fargo Housing Market Index fell by two points for a reading of 53 in March. The expected reading was 57. Analysts said that this proves that lower mortgage rates and steady job growth aren’t fueling housing markets as expected. NAHB chief economist David Crowe also cited supply chain issues such as a shortage of available lots, labor shortages and tight mortgage underwriting standards. Home builders remain optimistic that as labor markets continue to improve and more home buyers enter the market during the traditional spring and summer buying season, that builder confidence will also grow.

The Department of Commerce reported that building permits for February rose from January’s reading of 1.06 million to 1.09 million. This represents a 3.00 percent increase and was the highest reading since October. Permits fell for single family homes fell by 6.20 percent in February, but were 2.80 percent higher year-over-year. Single family permits account for 75 percent of building permits issued.

Housing starts fell dramatically due to bad weather. The Northeast saw housing starts fall by 56 percent due to extreme snowfall; Housing starts in the Midwest fell by 37 percent and the West saw housing starts decline by 18.20 percent in February. The South reported a 2.50 percent decrease in housing starts, but since nearly 50 percent of housing starts are in the South, this decline is more significant than it appears.

Fed Rates Hold Steady, Mortgage Rates Fall

The Federal Reserve noted in its post FOMC meeting statement that the Fed is in no hurry to raise rates. Citing ongoing concerns about low inflation and a sluggish housing market recovery, the Fed’s policymakers indicated that they don’t plan to rush on raising the target federal funds rate. In her press conference held after the FOMC statement, Fed Chair Janet Yellen reiterated the Fed’s intention to raise rates only when domestic and global economic developments warrant.

Mortgage rates fell according to Freddie Mac with the average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage eight basis points lower at 3.78 percent. The average rate for a 15-year mortgage was four basis points lower at 3.06 percent; the average rate for a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage was also four basis points lower at an average rate of 2.97 percent. Discount points were unchanged at an average of 0.60 percent for fixed rate mortgages and 0.50 percent for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages.

What’s Ahead

This week’s housing-related news includes new and existing home sales, the FHFA home price index and FHFA’s home price index. Freddie Mac mortgage rates and weekly jobless claims will also be released as usual on Thursday.

Posted in: Market Outlook Tagged: FOMC, Market Outlook, NAHB

Join Property Alert

Did you know the hottest homes for sale on Marco Island often sell within days of being listed? Don't miss out! Set up your own custom property alert so you can be notified of the newest homes as they hit the market! Simply click the button below and choose the qualities that you want most in a home and save your search to start getting alerts today!

JOIN PROPERTY ALERT

As a local Marco Island resident & Real Estate Agent I also have access to homes before they hit the market and can show you more homes and information that are only accessible in the MLS. If you would like to set up a time to go over your real estate needs, please free to contact me at your convenience. There is no obligation and or pressure... I hope to hear from you!

Post navigation

« Spring DIY Projects: How to Build a Treehouse That the Kids Will Love
How Safe is Your Home from a Fire? Learn How to Run a Quick Fire Safety Assessment »

Contact Us Now



239.821.7926

cathy.rogers@premiersir.com

760 N. Collier Blvd., #101,
Marco Island, FL 34145

Join Deal Alert

Get New Properties & Price Update Alerts sent straight to your inbox

Favorites

Login to manage your Favorites, Save Properties & Searches

Property Search

Find Condos using the most powerful Search tool in Marco Island

FREE Home Valuation

Find out the TRUE value of your condo and what other condos in your neighborhood are selling for

AREAS I COVER

34145, Condos, Beachfront Condos, Water Direct Homes, Marco Island Inland Homes, Water Indirect Homes, Marco Island Inland Condos, Golf Course Homes, Gulf Condos, Marco Island Golf Course Condos, Beachfront Condos, Tigertail Beach, Hideaway Beach Real Estate, Key Marco, Old Marco, Cape Marco, South End, River Area

Connect with Us

© 2022 · Cathy Rogers · 239.821.7926 · Privacy Policy · Marco Island Real Estate

Disclaimer - All Rights Reserved by Cathy Rogers, Premier Sotheby's International Realty, Licensed in Florida · Marco Island Condos & Homes for sale · Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. · Sitemap · IDX Sitemap · IDX XML Sitemap

Log in · Real Estate Website by Real Estate Websites by YourSiteNeedsMe.com