Mortgage rates forecast

Mortgage rates fell this week, reversing a gradual upward trend, to reach their lowest level in six weeks, according to Freddie Mac.

With economic expansion expected to keep churning through at least the first half of next year, Fannie Mae upwardly revised its single-family mortgage origination outlook for 2019 and 2020.

Mortgage rates rose modestly this week as investors have a more positive view of the economy and so they are moving money out of the bond market, according to Freddie Mac.

Mortgage rates fell for the first time in four weeks, although given investor optimism over better economic news, it might be a blip, according to Freddie Mac.

Mortgage rates rose for the third straight week — which hasn't happened since April — driven by investors' reaction to positive news regarding trade, according to Freddie Mac.

Economic uncertainty continued to affect mortgage rates, which rose to their highest level in 12 weeks, according to Freddie Mac.

Strong economic trends like an improved employment outlook and rising homebuilder sentiment helped to drive average mortgage rates up 12 basis points from a week ago, according to Freddie Mac.

Weaker-than-expected economic data led to a decline in mortgage rates this week, although consumer attitudes remain strong, and should continue to drive increased home purchase demand, according to Freddie Mac.

Real estate economists' outlook for single-family housing starts through 2021 weakened compared with six months ago even though they are relatively bullish on the economy, an Urban Land Institute survey found.

Economic issues were the biggest influence on average mortgage rates in the past week, although two trackers moved in different directions.

September has been the most volatile month since March when it comes to 30-year conforming mortgage rates, with average weekly movements of 11 basis points up or down, according to Freddie Mac.

Foreclosure starts dropped to their lowest level in 18 years, and properties foreclosed on but not yet sold fell to a 14-year low in August, according to Black Knight.

Mortgage rates had their largest week-to-week uptick since October 2018 as bond market investors reacted to positive news about the economy, according to Freddie Mac.

Mortgage rates rose seven basis points compared with the prior week, but remained below 3.6% over four consecutive weeks for the first time since the fourth quarter of 2016, according to Freddie Mac.

Mortgage rates fell to lows not seen October 2016, affected by concerns over manufacturing and the ongoing trade war with China, according to Freddie Mac.

Freddie Mac now forecasts that refinance volume will make up nearly half of third and fourth quarter production, and has increased its origination estimate for the year to over $2 trillion.

Mortgage rates remained near three-year lows last week, but their movement did not mirror the period's big shifts in the 10-year Treasury yield.

Mortgage rates continued to drop this week and hit their lowest levels since November 2016, while stimulating the real estate market and the economy, according to Freddie Mac.

The world's headlong dash to zero or negative interest rates just passed another milestone: Homebuyers in Denmark effectively are being paid to take out 10-year mortgages.

The global rally in bonds on Thursday drove the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury below 1.5% for the first time since August 2016.