Economic data moved Austin mortgage rates this week. Slower than expected economic growth data and low inflation figures were favorable for the Austin, TX mortgage market. As a result, Austin mortgage rates ended the week lower.
This week, uncertainty about the pace of the economic recovery caused investors to shift to relatively safer assets, including government insured mortgage-backed securities (MBS). Also positive for mortgage markets, the economic data released this week showed that inflation remains extremely low. As a result, mortgage rates declined during the week, reaching the lowest levels of the year.
New Home Sales were also released, up 26.9% to 411K annual units. The print blew away economists estimates of plus 330K. Every region of the country rebounded with the “South rising again”, up 43% month on month. Although the numbers were great, they are coming off the worst month (February) in 22 years. The gains also smell of the last mad rush for 8K in buyers credit money before we put that program to bed the end of next week.
Earlier today, treasury yields fell to their lowest levels in a month as Greece continues to slip into the ocean. Stocks are also in the soup, down 74 points on the Dow. A couple of missed earnings reports and a sack of rotten Gyros did the trick.
Let me set the record straight on the availability of USDA funds. First of all, USDA has NOT been reallocated and will run out of money soon. Locking in a loan does NOT guarantee a borrower will receive USDA money. Mortgage companies and loan officers telling borrowers and REALTORS that THEY have guaranteed USDA money is plain and simple not true. The only way to guarantee a loan from USDA is to have USDA approve the loan and issue the certificate.
Currently, we’re right up against the top of the range (116 10 in futures and 3.83% 10 year note yield). For the market to do better (Austin mortgage pricing improvement), we need to breach and close above 116 10 (below 3.83% yield).
Currently, the 10 year note is off 9/32’s (yield 3.68%) and mortgage backs are off 4/32’s. A mortgage price change for the worse is right around the corner. More in a few.
“If” the health care bill comes to a vote this week and passes, stocks could very well change their tune. Bottom line here is that most markets are neutral, waiting for something to fuel a trend change.
Technically, the rally we’ve seen the past couple of days has improved the charts, turning the trend to neutral from bearish. The key here is neutral not bullish, telling us that continued upside (better mortgage pricing) will be a challenge.
Lots of first tier data this week with housing data, PPI, and CPI (inflation data) taking the top billing. Best to stay a little defensive and keep an eye on the “Headlines."
