Fed Pivot Helping To Lower Mortgage Rates

Quick Thoughts on the Economy:

On Friday, Jerome Powell confirmed what many of us already suspected—the Federal Reserve is planning to lower interest rates. There is now almost a 100% chance of a rate cut in September. As expected, equity markets rose and bond yields fell. However, it’s important to note that the Fed’s decision to signal lower rates is driven by concerns about the job market, suggesting the economy may be slowing.

This week, the Labor Department made a significant revision to its job data, revealing that nearly 1 million fewer jobs were created than initially reported. This revision may explain why consumer optimism is waning and why we’re seeing a slowdown in big-ticket items like autos, home improvement, and housing. The impact of lower interest rates on a slowing economy remains to be seen. Historically when the Fed first lowers rates, markets tend to become more volatile, and equities often decline.

Mortgage Rates & Housing:

Mortgage rates continue to improve as larger banks become more aggressive in anticipation of the Fed’s pivot. For high-net-worth borrowers, mortgage rates are approaching levels below 5%, which could significantly boost the high-end housing market. For the broader market, rates are trending lower, with many lenders offering deals in the high 5% to low 6% range—a major improvement from just a few months ago.

New home sales in July exceeded expectations, with existing home sales also showing improvement. Refinances have increased, likely because homeowners are looking for cash. With the substantial rise in home values, the cheapest form of debt remains on one’s home.

Indicators to Watch:

We are closely monitoring weekly unemployment data, the slope of the yield curve, oil prices, and consumer confidence, to gauge the overall health of the economy. While no one can predict the future with certainty, these indicators provide valuable insights into how aggressive banks might be with underwriting and rates, as well as the general mood of the market.

These are the opinions of the author. For financial advice, please talk to your CPA or financial professional.