MegaStar Financial Weekly Economic Report

Weekly Mortgage Report - October 24, 2024

Mortgage rates rose for the fourth consecutive week, with economic strength pushing rates higher. Mortgage applications also saw a decline, hitting their lowest level since July, despite rates still being lower than a year ago. Meanwhile, existing home sales fell to a 14-year low as high prices and mortgage rates continued to weigh on the market. Despite these challenges, jobless claims dropped unexpectedly, signaling resilience in the labor market. Read more for insights on how these trends may impact your next home purchase.

Weekly Mortgage Report - October 17, 2024

Mortgage rates have risen for three consecutive weeks, reflecting a strong economy that continues to support the housing market. However, despite the higher rates, they remain over a full percentage point lower than last year, offering potential opportunities for homebuyers. Meanwhile, mortgage applications dropped, with first-time buyers showing resilience amid improving inventory conditions.

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Weekly Mortgage Report - October 10, 2024

Mortgage rates experienced their largest increase since April following strong job market data, yet the rise is more about shifting expectations than a weak economy. Despite the rate hike, more homes are now available, offering new opportunities for buyers. Explore the full post to understand how these changes impact the housing market, inflation trends, and what lies ahead for mortgage rates.

Weekly Mortgage Report - October 3, 2024

Mortgage rates have increased for the first time in six weeks, rising slightly due to geopolitical tensions and a rebound in short-term rates. However, the bigger picture shows that mortgage rates have generally declined over the past year, with improving affordability for homebuyers as home price growth slows and inventories rise. Learn more about how these trends could impact your next home purchase!

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Weekly Mortgage Report - September 26, 2024

Mortgage rates saw a slight decline last week, continuing a downward trend that has spurred a rise in refinance activity. Mortgage applications surged by 11%, reaching the highest level since July 2022, with refinances making up over half of the total. As rates and home prices fall, new home sales could regain momentum in the months ahead, offering buyers renewed opportunities. Additionally, a drop in unemployment claims highlights the economy’s continued strength despite uncertainty around future rate cuts.

Weekly Mortgage Report - September 19, 2024

Mortgage rates are on a downward trend which is driving renewed demand for both purchases and refinancing. The Federal Reserve’s recent rate cut is further boosting the housing market, with refinance applications up 24%. As affordability improves and market activity rises, experts are predicting a stronger fall housing market and a potential spring rebound—read more to discover how this could impact your plans.

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Weekly Mortgage Report - September 12, 2024

Mortgage rates have fallen for six straight weeks, hitting their lowest levels since February 2023. Despite this drop, high home prices and limited inventory keep many buyers on the sidelines. With low rates and increased mortgage applications, this week’s trends offer promising opportunities for homebuyers. Dive into our full report for the latest trends in mortgage rates, unemployment, inflation, and insights on what this means for the current housing market.

Weekly Mortgage Report - September 5, 2024

Mortgage rates remain flat, but mortgage applications are rising as homeowners look to refinance to take advantage of declined rates. Inflation ticked up in July, and the upcoming jobs report will be key to determining the Fed’s next move. Read the full report for insights on how these trends could impact your plans.

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Weekly Mortgage Report - August 29, 2024

Mortgage rates are on a steady decline, sparking interest among potential homebuyers. However, purchase activity remains sluggish as buyers await even lower rates. The softening labor market sets the stage for a much-anticipated Fed rate cut next month. Read more in this week’s report to explore what these shifts mean for you.

Weekly Mortgage Report - August 22, 2024

Mortgage rates have stabilized just under 6.5%, but homebuyer demand remains muted despite increased inventory. Meanwhile, the U.S. economy reveals a decline in jobs, and consumer sentiment shows signs of recovery. Dive into the full report to understand how these factors could shape the market in the coming months.

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Weekly Mortgage Report - August 15, 2024

Mortgage rates slightly increased but remain significantly lower than last year. Mortgage applications have surged due to declining rates, and inflation fell below 3% for the first time in over three years. Consumer spending outperformed expectations in July, indicating a resilient U.S. economy. Read the full report to learn what this positive movement means for homebuyers!

Weekly Mortgage Report - August 8, 2024

Mortgage rates have dropped to their lowest in over a year, boosting homebuyer interest and refinancing. Meanwhile, job growth is slowing, and unemployment is ticking up. These changes are significant for both current homeowners and those looking to enter the market—read more to find out what they mean for you.
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Weekly Mortgage Report - August 1, 2024

Mortgage rates have dropped to their lowest level since February, signaling potential relief for homebuyers as the Federal Reserve contemplates future rate cuts amid cooling inflation. However, despite the decline in rates, mortgage applications have decreased due to persistent affordability challenges and cautious consumer confidence. The recent stabilization in home prices and increased housing inventory offer positive signs for potential buyers. Read the full report to get more insights.

Weekly Mortgage Report - July 25, 2024

Mortgage rates have slightly increased, though they remain lower than their peak earlier this year. Despite this, both home sales and mortgage applications are declining, indicating a potential shift in the market. To understand the factors driving these changes, read our full report for comprehensive insights.

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Weekly Mortgage Report - July 18, 2024

Mortgage rates have fallen to their lowest level since mid-March, leading to an increase in mortgage applications and a jump in refinances. Despite this, single-family homebuilding has declined to an eight-month low. Retail sales, however, have remained stable, defying expectations of a downturn. Learn how these mixed signals in the housing market impact your buying decisions in this week’s report.

Weekly Mortgage Report - July 11, 2024

Mortgage rates declined by six basis points, driven by a cooling labor market. Increased inventory and price cuts provide hope for homebuyers. Despite this, mortgage applications fell slightly, and refinance applications continued to decrease. Inflation is easing further into June, offering relief to consumers. The Federal Reserve remains cautious about cutting interest rates, awaiting more progress toward their target. Read more about housing trends in this week’s report.

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Weekly Mortgage Report - July 3, 2024

Mortgage rates have risen slightly ahead of the holiday weekend, though they remain below seven percent, while new and pending home sales have dropped, leading to more active listings. Despite a decrease in mortgage applications and a slight rise in unemployment claims, there is cautious optimism as the Federal Reserve anticipates inflation to ease. Curious about how these trends might impact your financial future? Dive into the full report for detailed insights.

Weekly Mortgage Report - June 27, 2024

 

Mortgage rates fell for the fourth straight week, hitting their lowest point in almost three months, with expectations for continued declines bringing more homebuyers back into the market. However, existing home sales declined in May as home prices reached a record high, causing affordability challenges despite increased inventory and steadily elevated interest rates. Discover the latest trends and insights that could shape your home buying decisions in this week’s report.

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Weekly Mortgage Report - June 20, 2024

Mortgage rates continue to dip, marking a three-week trend of decline and hitting a new low since late March—sparked by cooling inflation and the anticipation of future Federal Reserve rate cuts. As mortgage applications increase slightly and the housing supply improves, the market shows signs of recovery. Discover more about these encouraging trends and what that means for homebuyers in our latest analysis.

Weekly Mortgage Report - June 13, 2024

Mortgage rates have declined, falling four basis points this week, sparking interest among potential homebuyers even as housing affordability remains a challenge. Despite the overall economic cooldown, mortgage applications have surged, driven by lower rates and a slightly more optimistic consumer outlook. Delve into the current mortgage landscape with this week’s mortgage report.

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Weekly Mortgage Report - June 6, 2024

Mortgage rates have slightly decreased this week, following a brief uptick. Meanwhile, a decline in mortgage applications shows a mix of slight increases in unemployment claims and lower-than-expected labor costs. Economic indicators suggest a cautious approach to interest rate changes by the Federal Reserve. Explore our full report to understand how these elements could influence opportunities in the housing market.

Weekly Mortgage Report - May 30, 2024

Mortgage rates have seen their first increase in four weeks, stirring the housing market as mortgage applications dip and house price growth cools. Despite these challenges, U.S. consumer confidence is on the rise, fueled by a robust job market and rising wages. Explore the dynamics of the current financial landscape, understand how these trends could impact your home buying decisions, and discover what the future might hold as economic signals send mixed messages. 

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Weekly Mortgage Report - May 23, 2024

Explore the latest trends in the housing market where recent decreases in mortgage rates and a rise in housing inventory are creating new opportunities for spring homebuyers, despite ongoing economic challenges. Although sales of previously owned homes have declined, the market is stabilizing with more available inventory and existing homes reaching a record median price, indicating a balance between supply and demand.

Weekly Mortgage Report - May 16, 2024

Mortgage rates have decreased for the second consecutive week, offering a glimmer of hope for prospective homebuyers, as revealed by Freddie Mac’s latest survey. Amidst a shifting economic scene marked by easing inflation and rising mortgage applications, today’s housing market presents a mix of challenges and opportunities. Dive into our detailed analysis to uncover potential advantages in this evolving landscape.

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Weekly Mortgage Report - May 9, 2024

Explore the latest dynamics in mortgage rates and employment trends that are influencing the U.S. housing market. Despite a slight easing in mortgage rates following a weak job report, high rates continue to challenge both potential buyers and sellers, affecting overall market activity and house prices. Learn how these interconnected factors could impact your home buying or selling decisions in our detailed analysis.

Weekly Mortgage Report - May 2, 2024

Mortgage rates have climbed for the fifth consecutive week, reaching a new high for the year, according to Freddie Mac’s latest survey. As we progress through the busiest homebuying months, potential buyers face persistent high rates, evidenced by the rise in pending home sales to the highest level in a year. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve signals caution with rate cuts due to ongoing inflation concerns, and the U.S. manufacturing sector struggles with higher borrowing costs and shifting consumer spending. These economic pressures are shaping a challenging landscape for homebuyers and the housing market.

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Weekly Mortgage Report - April 25, 2024

Discover the latest trends in mortgage rates, housing demand, and economic growth. Despite challenges like affordability and supply constraints, purchase demand remains steady while mortgage applications decline. Explore how the rebound in new home sales is affected by persistent shortages and potential obstacles posed by rising mortgage rates.

Weekly Mortgage Report - April 18, 2024

Mortgage rates continued their upward trend, surpassing 7% for the first time this year, as reported by Freddie Mac. Despite rising rates, mortgage applications increased by 3.3% according to the MBA. Meanwhile, U.S. retail sales exceeded expectations, growing by 0.7% in March. However, existing home sales dropped by 4.3% month-over-month, highlighting ongoing challenges in the housing market amid fluctuating interest rates. With home prices still rising, now might be an opportune time for sellers.

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Weekly Mortgage Report - April 11, 2024

This week’s financial update examines the continued rise in mortgage rates and robust job growth. We explore how sustained inflation and Federal Reserve policies are affecting the mortgage industry, with recent CPI data signaling a complicated path to lower inflation. Additionally, strong job market reports underscore economic resilience, influencing monetary policy.

“A good reason why you may want to offer below 5% is when you’re paying with cash (although companies who offer sellers cash for their home will typically offer 65% below market price).”

Publisher: HomeLight
Article: Is It Too Low? What Is Reasonable to Offer Below Asking Price
Link: https://tinyurl.com/2jp6kbmh

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