Last week, at its 5th scheduled meeting of the year, the Federal Open Market Committee voted to leave the Fed Funds Rate in its target range near zero percent.
The Fed Funds Rate has been near zero percent since December 2008 and, in its official statement, the FOMC pledged to leave the Fed Funds Rate untouched for at least another 2 years.
This doesn’t mean mortgage rates will be untouched for 2 years, though.
Mortgage rates and the Fed Funds Rate are two different interest rates; completely disconnected. If mortgage rates and the Fed Funds Rate moved in tandem, the chart at right would be a straight line.
Instead, it’s jagged.
To make the point more strongly, let’s use real-life examples from the past decade.
Today, the separation between the two benchmark rates is 407 basis points.
1 basis point is equal to 0.01%.
Between now and mid-2013, when the Fed may begin changing the Fed Funds Rate, the spread between rates will change based on economic expectation — not Fed action (or non-action). If the economy is expected to improve, mortgage rates will rise and the spread will widen.
Should mortgage rates cross 6 percent before the Fed starts raising rates, it will create the widest interest rate spread in history, surpassing the 615 basis point difference set in August 1982.
At the time, the Fed Funds Rate was 10.12% and mortgage rates averaged 16.27%.
On the other hand, if the economy shows signs of a slowdown for late-2011 and beyond, mortgage rates are expected to drop.
Shopping for a mortgage can be tough — especially in a volatile environment like the current one. Mortgage rates move independent of the Fed Funds Rate. Make sure you’re watching the proper market indicators. It’s your best chance to lock the lowest rate possible.
Mortgage markets worsened last week as the Greek sovereign debt situation came closer to final resolution, and as the U.S. housing market showed signs of life.
After many weeks, European leaders agreed on a financial package for Greece that featured favorable loan terms designed to slow Eurozone contagion, along with a built-in, 37 billion euro “haircut” for private-sector investors.
The accord pleased Wall Street. Equities rallied after the announcement. Mortgage bonds sank.
Bonds also sank after a strong home builder confidence report Monday.
Last week, conforming and FHA fixed mortgage rates increased for the first time in 3 weeks. Adjustable-rate mortgages slipped slightly.
The interest rate spread between the Freddie Mac 30-year fixed rate and 5-year ARM is back near its all-time high.
This week, mortgage rates will be guided by Congress’s on-going U.S. debt ceiling debate. The United States government is expected reach its legal $14.294 trillion debt limit August 2, 2011. Congress must either vote to raise the debt ceiling, or take steps to reduce debt prior to August 2.
The debt ceiling was last raised February 12, 2010.
It’s unclear in which direction Congress will vote. Therefore, mortgage rates may be erratic until a deal is reached. If the debt limit is raised, expect mortgage rates to rise. This is because carrying high levels of debt can devalue the U.S. dollar and mortgage bonds are less valuable as the dollar weakens.
On the other hand, if Congress votes to make cuts in the budget, mortgage rates should fall. This is because fewer treasury securities will be issued, creating fewer inflationary pressures on the U.S. economy. Inflation is linked to higher mortgage rates.
Also this week : New Home Sales (Tuesday), Pending Home Sales (Thursday), Consumer Sentiment (Friday), plus Treasury auctions of 2-year, 5-year and 7-year notes. Each event can move mortgage rates so be ready to lock at a moment’s notice.
Mortgage rates remain low. By August 2, they could be much higher.
First Heritage Mortgage, LLC
6550 Rock Spring Drive, Suite 260, Bethesda, Maryland 20817-1131
Direct: 240.223.1730 • Toll-free: 866.833.LOAN • Fax: 240.223.1703
