The first good news for potential homebuyers has come out recently with a drop in mortgage rates. Rates had been at a high of over 7 percent, but due to the news of two bank failures, they dropped toward a 6 percent level.
Mortgage Rates and Treasury Bonds
Average mortgage rates are tied to the 10-year Treasury notes. When the yields of Treasury bonds drop, it also lowers the value of all mortgage rates. The fall of the two banks decreased the value of Treasury bonds, TheRealDeal says, which caused the sudden drop in mortgage rates.New Mortgage Applications Have Jumped Much Higher
Homebuyers have begun to move to take advantage of the lower interest rates, resulting in a rise in new contracts for home sales. Some homeowners are taking advantage of the lower interest rates and are refinancing their home loans for a better deal.The Federal Reserve and Interest Rates
Since no one knows how long the interest rates will stay lower, it may be a good idea to try to lock in a new mortgage rate now. The Fed is still talking about raising rates, but may not do it immediately. The Fed has another meeting, on March 21–22, to discuss whether or not to raise rates.The Fed’s goal is to attempt to bring inflation under control, which has stubbornly resisted so far. NerdWallet reported that policymakers aim to reduce it to a mere 2 percent, reiterated by Fed chair Jerome Powell in front of a congressional panel on March 7 and 8. Officials intend to do this by forcing businesses and consumers to borrow but spend less.
The Shift Toward Non-Conforming Loans
Homebuyers have recently moved toward non-conforming loans, HousingWire says, which include jumbo loans and adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs). The increase in these types of locked loans has risen since February by about 11 percent average (still down about 40 percent from last year), and the value of the loan amounts has also increased.Adjustable rate mortgages can be risky unless you intend to refinance before they readjust—and hope that a better rate is available when you do. They start with a period of low rates and then readjust to the current market rate after several years. If the market rates are lower, it could be a good deal; but if the new rates are considerably higher, it could make your new mortgage payments unaffordable.
Mortgage Rates and Selling a Home
If you are trying to sell your home, you also want to watch interest rates. If rates do go higher soon, there will be fewer buyers looking to buy because it will be harder to get a home loan, and fewer people will be interested in buying. Potential buyers may also be watching mortgage rates, hoping they will go even lower.There may only be a narrow window to apply for a new mortgage and lock in rates before the Fed raises them again. If you are thinking of buying a home or refinancing, now may be the best time to get a better deal on home mortgage rates.