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Foreign Troubles Create Robust Buyers’ Market In U.S.

mouse-and-moneyRecent international market blockbusters like China’s slowing economy and the U.K.’s decision to leave the European Union were significant enough for Freddie Mac to revise what it had expected to happen in the U.S. economy through the end of next year, but the GSE says the turbulence abroad has created a highly buyer-friendly mortgage market.

Freddie Mac’s latest monthly outlook report, released Tuesday, stated that slowing growth in China and the June Brexit vote have played a major role in driving down mortgage rates. In the most recent Primary Mortgage Market Survey, Freddie Mac reported that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 3.41 percent, just slightly above the all-time record low.

“This,” the outlook report stated, “is likely to result in a boost in housing activity, particularly refinance, as homeowners take advantage of the current low rates.”

Troubles overseas should also keep mortgage rates near historic lows, thereby allowing mortgage originations to surpass 2015's level, the report stated.

“The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will likely keep the fed funds target rate increase on hold until at least the end of the year or even early next year,” Freddie Mac stated. “In its June meeting, the FOMC decided to keep the fed funds rate unchanged following a weaker than expected employment report for May as well as continued uncertainty in the global financial markets. Furthermore, following the results of the Brexit vote in late June, the Fed will likely continue to express caution before easing monetary accommodations.”

7-12 Freddie MacAccording to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage forecast has been revised down for both 2016 (by 30 basis points) and 2017 (by 50 basis points) to 3.6 percent and 4.0 percent, respectively.

“Based on these low mortgage rates, expect the refinance share of originations to rise to 49 percent for 2016, 8 percentage points above last month's forecast,” the report stated. “This translates to about $100 billion more in originations, bringing the total for 2016 to $1,825 billion.”

The overall outlook is bolstered by June's much-improved employment report.

“Expect unemployment to average 4.9 percent in 2016 and 4.8 percent in 2017,” Freddie Mac reported.

The house price appreciation forecast for 2016 remains at 5 percent, and at 4 percent for 2017.

About Author: Scott Morgan

Scott Morgan is a multi-award-winning journalist and editor based out of Texas. During his 11 years as a newspaper journalist, he wrote more than 4,000 published pieces. He's been recognized for his work since 2001, and his creative writing continues to win acclaim from readers and fellow writers alike. He is also a creative writing teacher and the author of several books, from short fiction to written works about writing.
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