Mortgage markets improved for the 5th straight week last week as consumer confidence waned and inflation data tamed. Investors ignored the news that 19 of 23 reporting S&P 500 companies beat their respective earnings estimates and sold off on stocks. There’s concern about a potential economic...

Mortgage markets improved again last week — if only barely — throughout a holiday-shortened week devoid of “major” data and market conviction. Up-and-down trading characterized the week which ended with Washington mortgage rates slightly lower versus the week prior. Mortgage...

Today, in its first meeting in 5 weeks, the Federal Open Market Committee voted 9-to-1 to leave the Fed Funds Rate unchanged. The Fed Fund Rate remains within its target range of 0.000-0.250 percent. In its press release, the FOMC said that, since April, “the economic recovery is proceeding”...

Mortgage markets improved last week on weaker-than-expected jobless figures, ongoing troubles in Europe, and a tame reading on domestic inflation. As a result, conforming mortgage rates for Washington fell last week, drawing loads of new refinance applications. For a brief moment Thursday afternoon,...

Mortgage markets improved last week — but barely — as ongoing doubt surrounding the health of Greece and the Euro pushed additional investors into safe assets, including mortgage bonds. Mortgage rates were wildly volatile between Monday and Friday before closing the week slightly better...

Mortgage markets improved last week on tame inflation data, a benign statement from the Federal Reserve, and ongoing credit problems in Greece. The factors combined to drop conforming mortgage rates to their lowest levels in 6 weeks. It’s an unexpected development considering that mortgage rates...

Mortgage markets improved yesterday after the Federal Reserve released its March 16, 2010 meeting minutes. It’s good news for home buyers and rate shoppers — rates could have just as easily gone the other way. The Fed Minutes is a detailed recap of the debate and discussion that shapes ...

Homes are more affordable across the nation as the housing market emerges from a slow winter season with mortgage rates still near 5 percent. Soft housing and low rates are an excellent combination for home buyers but whereas home values rise with a gradual pace, mortgage rates change in an instant. ...

Mortgage markets improved last week as economic reports painted a less-than-stellar portrait of the U.S. economy and concerns of a looming monetary policy change eased. Mortgage pricing improved dramatically, despite a late-Friday retreat. Mortgage rates are now at their lowest levels since early-February. Last...

Mortgage markets had a terrible, holiday-shortened week last week as Wall Street responded to worse-than-expected inflation data and action from the Federal Reserve.  Mortgage bonds sold off with force, causing mortgage rates to rise for the second week in a row. Last week was a bad week to float...