Morning Report: Home prices continue to rise 5/25/16

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Brent Nyitray

Stocks are higher this morning as emerging markets rally. Bonds and MBS are down.

Mortgage Applications rose 2.3% last week as purchases rose 4.8% and refis rose 0.4%. The average 30 year fixed rate mortgage rose 3 basis points to 3.85%. The average jumbo rate increased 8 basis points to 3.82%.

Home prices rose 0.7% in March, according to the FHFA House Price Index. “While the overall appreciation rate was robust in the first quarter, home price appreciation was somewhat less widespread than in recent quarters,” said FHFA Supervisory Economist Andrew Leventis. “Twelve states and the District of Columbia saw price declines in the quarter—the most areas to see price depreciation since the fourth quarter of 2013. Although most declines were modest, such declines are notable given the pervasive and extraordinary appreciation we have been observing for many years.” Interesting to see prices begin to decline in some states.

A US appeals court threw out the $1.27 billion judgement against Bank of America for Countrywide’s sins related to the “hustle.” The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York said the proof at trial was insufficient under federal fraud statutes to establish liability. No comment yet from Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.

Hillary Clinton is trying to take Donald Trump to task over comments made as the real estate bubble was bursting. Not sure how much traction that is going to get, however she had a conference call with reporters to push the message. Separately, the Republican party is beginning to unite behind Trump.

Filed under: Economy, Morning Report | 39 Comments »

Morning Report: Home prices continue to rise

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Brent Nyitray

Stocks are higher this morning as emerging markets rally. Bonds and MBS are down.

Mortgage Applications rose 2.3% last week as purchases rose 4.8% and refis rose 0.4%. The average 30 year fixed rate mortgage rose 3 basis points to 3.85%. The average jumbo rate increased 8 basis points to 3.82%.

Home prices rose 0.7% in March, according to the FHFA House Price Index. “While the overall appreciation rate was robust in the first quarter, home price appreciation was somewhat less widespread than in recent quarters,” said FHFA Supervisory Economist Andrew Leventis. “Twelve states and the District of Columbia saw price declines in the quarter—the most areas to see price depreciation since the fourth quarter of 2013. Although most declines were modest, such declines are notable given the pervasive and extraordinary appreciation we have been observing for many years.” Interesting to see prices begin to decline in some states.

A US appeals court threw out the $1.27 billion judgement against Bank of America for Countrywide’s sins related to the “hustle.” The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York said the proof at trial was insufficient under federal fraud statutes to establish liability. No comment yet from Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.

Hillary Clinton is trying to take Donald Trump to task over comments made as the real estate bubble was bursting. Not sure how much traction that is going to get, however she had a conference call with reporters to push the message. Separately, the Republican party is beginning to unite behind Trump.

Filed under: Economy | 7 Comments »