Anticipating Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole speech has sent mortgage rates up this week. Powell is slated to speak at 10 am today.
Investors will be listening closely to what Powell has to say when it comes to the Fed’s path forward on rate hikes. The Fed has been enacting aggressive rate increases to try to bring inflation down, with 75-basis-point hikes in both June and July.
Now that price growth has shown signs of easing, investors want to know whether the central bank will continue its aggressive posture with more 75-basis-point hikes, or if a 50-basis-point increase is more likely at its September meeting.
The Fed has made it clear it will make its decisions based on the latest economic data, and so far the economy remains strong. This is a good sign — right now, the Fed is trying to raise rates enough to slow inflation without slowing things so much that we enter a recession. But inflation is still well above the Fed’s target, which means there are likely more large rate hikes to come.
“Eventually, the Fed’s rate hikes will put us into a recession, at which time rates will come down to get the economy moving again,” says Sarah Alvarez, vice president of William Raveis Mortgage. “This also means we will continue to see some downward pressure on home prices to increase affordability, as borrowers are being forced out of the market.”
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- Payment a 25% higher down payment would save you $8,916.08 on interest charges
- Lowering the interest rate by 1% would save you $51,562.03
- Paying an additional $500 each month would reduce the loan length by 146 months
By plugging in different term lengths and interest rates, you’ll see how your monthly payment could change.
Are mortgage rates going up?
Mortgage rates started ticking up from historic lows in the second half of 2021 and have increased significantly so far in 2022. More recently, rates have been relatively volatile.
In the last 12 months, the Consumer Price Index rose by 8.5%. The Federal Reserve has been working to get inflation under control, and plans to increase the federal funds target rate three more times this year, following increases in March, May, June, and July.
Though not directly tied to the federal funds rate, mortgage rates are sometimes pushed up as a result of Fed rate hikes and investor expectations of how those hikes will impact the economy.
Inflation remains elevated, but has started to slow, which is a good sign for mortgage rates and the broader economy.
What do high rates mean for the housing market?
When mortgage rates go up, home shoppers’ buying power decreases, as more of their anticipated housing budget has to go toward paying interest. If rates get high enough, buyers can get priced out of the market completely, which cools demand and puts downward pressure on home price growth.
However, that doesn’t mean home prices will fall — in fact, they’re expected to rise even more this year, just at a slower pace than what we’ve seen in the past couple of years.
What is a good mortgage rate?
It can be hard to know if a lender is offering you a good rate, which is why it’s so important to get preapproved with multiple mortgage lenders and compare each offer. Apply for preapproval with at least two or three lenders.
Your rate isn’t the only thing that matters. Be sure to compare both what your monthly costs would be as well as your upfront costs, including any lender fees.
Even though mortgage rates are heavily influenced by economic factors that are out of your control, there are some things you can do to help ensure you get a good rate:
- Consider fixed vs. adjustable rates. You may be able to get a lower introductory rate with an adjustable-rate mortgage, which can be good if you plan to move before the intro period ends. But a fixed rate could be better if you’re buying a forever home because you won’t risk your rate going up later. Look at the rates your lender offers and weigh your options.
- Look at your finances. The stronger your financial situation, the lower your mortgage rate should be. Look for ways to boost your credit score or lower your debt-to-income ratio, if necessary. Saving for a higher down payment also helps.
- Choose the right lender. Each lender charges different mortgage rates. Picking the right one for your financial situation will help you land a good rate.