Fed raises rate, banks move from bottle feeding to sippy cup and what it means for you

 

Ok, its what I’ve been saying for quite some time.  But you didn’t want to listen to me. So how about listening to someone who eats, sleeps and breathes interest rates and fed banks, hm?  Pay especially close attention to this statement which doesn’t bode well for either of the buyer or seller fencesitters.

“Higher mortgage rates will make it harder for people to qualify, adding pressure to sellers to offer higher seller concessions to allow for “rate buy downs” to help buyers qualify.” 

How long will you be the, ”I should’ve – would’ve - could’ve” person?

 

Via Nevin Williams,FHA,VA,Jumbo broker CA,OR,WA,NC (First Priority Financial,broker CA,OR,WA,NC):

Commentary
I’ll explain in the easiest terms possible. The fed says that this is not a signal that they will be raising interest rates but a majorty of Wall Street investors disagree.  The feds raised the discount rate from .50% to .75% sooner than anyone anticipated and many speculate that it may be the start of rising interest rates.  Many believe a halt of the fed providing liquidity (money) to banks is near.  The fed states that they don’t view inflation a concern and don’t plan to hike interest rates. 

Remember, interest rates and mortgage interest rates are two separate things.  The government controls interest rates that banks charge each other for loans.  The selling and buying of mortgages on the bond market (we call them MBS-mortgage backed securities) determines mortgage rates.  Right now the feds are buying MBS(bottle feeding) but when they stop if nobody else wants to buy them, mortgage rates will rise. Do you want to buy mortgages and be the banks “sippy cup”?

Market insight
Mortgage rates have increased this week and there is a bearish attitude regarding rates.  In a nutshell,  mortgage rates are on the rise and don’t expect them to come down.  The fed may allow the current stimulus programs to expire.  This includes the fed being the buyer of mortgages (remember when MBS are bought mortgages rates stay low)  so what does this mean for you?

Opinion
Extension of the home buyer tax credit may be in jeopardy.  Higher mortgage rates will make it harder for people to qualify, adding pressure to sellers to offer higher seller concessions to allow for “rate buy downs” to help buyers qualify.  If the the fed waits for strong signs that the housing market is indeed in recovery before stripping all liquidity from the markets and pressures banks to ease underwriting guidelines then a quick recovery is likely.

Providing access to loans to qualified borrowers without ridiculous conditions including a stated income loan program backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for self employed borrowers will help stabilize recovery efforts.  Amend HVCC and provide the $8,000 tax credit to employers who hire full time employees.  An employed buyer is more qualified that an unemployed buyer with $8,000.

 

Posted via web from Long Beach CA Real estate