Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Mortgage Rates Are Down. Here’s How Much Further They Could Fall.
Barron's ^ | August 2, 2024 | Shaina Mishkin

Posted on 08/02/2024 9:34:54 AM PDT by Miami Rebel

Many prospective home buyers have been waiting for lower mortgage rates to pull the trigger. Those who have been on the sidelines by choice may not want to wait too long.

The Federal Reserve said it could lower interest rates in September.

Those further mortgage rate declines could be in view, which would lower housing costs. Forecasts published by the National Association of Realtors, Fannie Mae, and the Mortgage Bankers Association foresee rates ending the year in the mid-to-high 6% range, down significantly from this spring’s high of 7.22%. Mortgage rates could fall to 6.5% or even lower in the near term, National Association of Realtors chief economist Lawrence Yun said in a Friday statement as the 10-year Treasury yield slid to its lowest level since December. A few factors could drive them even lower.

Buyers so far have shrugged. Purchase loan applications measured by the Mortgage Bankers Association have sagged for three straight weeks through last Friday to a level only about 6% off its multidecade low. “Borrowers may be waiting for signs that mortgage rates will drift lower as the Federal Reserve begins to cut short-term rates,” Mike Fratantoni, the trade group’s chief economist, said this week.

Those further mortgage rate declines could be in view, which would lower housing costs. Forecasts published by the National Association of Realtors, Fannie Mae, and the Mortgage Bankers Association foresee rates ending the year in the mid-to-high 6% range, down significantly from this spring’s high of 7.22%. Mortgage rates could fall to 6.5% or even lower in the near term, National Association of Realtors chief economist Lawrence Yun said in a Friday statement as the 10-year Treasury yield slid to its lowest level since December. A few factors could drive them even lower.

(Excerpt) Read more at barrons.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: mortgagerates
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-29 last
To: cgbg

I agree. Also, remind people how much everything has increased. I would also target all of the scapegoats that are used during a large increase in inflation and tell them “they are blaming you for the terrible economy when they all know it is themselves!”


21 posted on 08/02/2024 10:07:11 AM PDT by frogjerk (More people have died trusting the government than not trusting the government.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: DIRTYSECRET
I’m paying 3.1% fixed for 25+ years.

On a daily basis, I find myself wondering when the investment bank that holds the mortgage will call me up and beg me to prepay the mortgage at 50 cents on the dollar.

22 posted on 08/02/2024 10:07:18 AM PDT by Alberta's Child (“Ain't it funny how the night moves … when you just don't seem to have as much to lose.”)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: DIRTYSECRET
Keep paying monthly. But take the money you would use to pay it off and put it all into a government or corporate bond mutual fund. You should be able to get about a 5.25% return right now with minimal risk.

If rates plummet and the return falls below your mortgage rate, you can just sell the fund and pay off the mortgage then.

23 posted on 08/02/2024 10:25:05 AM PDT by The Old Hoosier (Right makes might)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: frogjerk

“...Voters, what changed?...”

Here’s a clue: 20 million illegal aliens pouring across the USA and the $8 trillion of fiat money printed out of thin air to support them (causing massive inflation and currency depreciation).


24 posted on 08/02/2024 10:26:31 AM PDT by Flavious_Maximus (Tony Fauci will be put on death row and die of COVID!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Miami Rebel

Mortgage rates ARE NOT DOWN.

Just checked.......


25 posted on 08/02/2024 10:28:41 AM PDT by Arlis
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: frogjerk
..." was around 3.07%"

Man I wish rates were back down to 3.07 - those were the days.
26 posted on 08/02/2024 10:58:33 AM PDT by The Louiswu (Pray for Peace in the world.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Right Brother

As long as your mortgage interest is below the rate of inflation, you should continue to pay. Pure economic rationale.
= = =

Do you factor in the tax rate on interest income?


27 posted on 08/02/2024 12:03:30 PM PDT by Scrambler Bob (Running Rampant, and not endorsing nonsense; My pronoun is EXIT. And I am generally full of /S)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: The Old Hoosier

You should be able to get about a 5.25% return right now with minimal risk.
= = =

But if my income tax, last dollar, is 30% how does that facor in?


28 posted on 08/02/2024 12:05:01 PM PDT by Scrambler Bob (Running Rampant, and not endorsing nonsense; My pronoun is EXIT. And I am generally full of /S)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Miami Rebel

Democrat election year!


29 posted on 08/02/2024 12:50:26 PM PDT by Albion Wilde (“Despair serves the regime.” —J.D. Vance)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-29 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson