In a volatile week of trading, mortgage markets closed unchanged last week. Despite economic data proving stronger-than-expected — a situation that tends to lead mortgage rates higher — concern for persistently high oil prices tempered Wall Street’s excitement and mortgage rates stayed steady.
That’s not to say rates weren’t volatile, however. From day-to-day, mortgage rates showed huge variance last week and several lenders issued five separate rate sheets Friday.
The 12-month average is slightly less than two per day.
Expect the volatility to continue into this week, too. With little economic data due for release, mortgage rates should move on momentum. This would be good news for rate shoppers and home buyers throughout NY because mortgage rates ended last week on a downswing.
It’s all because of the March jobs report.
The jobs report is important to the economy because as the number of working Americans grows, so does total earned wages nationwide. In theory, this leads to higher levels of consumer spending, and to larger government tax receipts.
It starts a cycle in which businesses and governments additional workers and the cycle continues.
The U.S. economy added jobs in March for the sixth straight month.
Mortgage rates are 0.69% higher today as compared to their early-November 2010 lows. The jump has added 14 percent to the 30-year, long-term cost of homeownership in Manhattan. However, as compared to history, rates remain low.
If you’re currently shopping for a mortgage, talk to your loan officer about today’s market and its risks. Rates may not rise this week, but they’re poised to surge along with the economy. Consider locking in today.
