Mortgage markets improved last week despite a major mortgage bond sell-off Friday afternoon. Prior to the jump, conforming mortgage rates had cut new, all-time lows by Thursday, only to lose up to 0.250 percent on the last day of the week. Meanwhile, the same type of news that drove rates lower Monday...

Mortgage markets stalled last week in back-and-forth trading as Wall Street grappled with weak housing data, falling builder confidence, and worsening jobs numbers nationwide. Because markets were volatile, rate shopping was challenging. Conforming mortgage rates did managed to make a new all-time low...

Mortgage markets worsened last week, putting a pause on the mortgage rate rally that dates to mid-April. Mortgage rates rose across Washington last week and home affordability suffered. The Refi Boom remains in full effect, but rates are not as dazzling as they were a week ago. It’s somewhat strange...

Mortgage markets improved again last week on softer-than-expected economic data, punctuated by Friday morning’s weak jobs report. Conforming mortgage rates in Washington dropped on the news, making new, all-time lows. Mortgage rates have been on an extended rally dating back to mid-April. This...

Mortgage markets improved last week, pushing mortgage rates lower for the 6th time in seven weeks. Since April, rates in Washington have been on a downward path, spurring refinances in most markets and sparking the start of a Refi Boom. Last week, 3 key stories played a role in falling rates: Demand...

Mortgage markets worsened last week for the first time in 6 weeks last week. Investors were pleased with corporate earnings reports and the European bank stress tests results.  Stocks gained on the news, and bonds lost. Mortgage rates rose last week, but only slightly. Rate are still hovering near...

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...

Mortgage markets improved last week as economic data revealed a slowing U.S. economy. Major stock indices fell to 2010 lows in response to a weak jobs report among other data points, forcing worldwide investors into the relative safety of U.S. government-backed bonds.  This category includes mortgage-backed...

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”...