What's in Store for the Housing Market this Spring?

The latest news on Gross Domestic Product, which is the broadest measure of U.S. economic activity, shows economic growth is still sluggish overall. GDP for all of 2014 was only 2.42%, which is disappointing considering we're in the 6th year of the economic recovery. However, the housing sector continues to improve, despite the harsh winter weather earlier this year.

Housing Sector 

Despite a big 17% decline in Housing Starts in February, Building Permits, which are a sign of future construction were up 3%. This is a good sign that the setback in Housing Starts was most likely temporary due to inclement weather. New Home Sales hit a 7-year high in February, another good sign for the housing sector.

New Home Sales

In February, New Home Sales  hit a 7-year high, rising 8% from January to an annual rate of 539,000 units. New Home Sales now stand at their best level since February 2008. They're up nearly 25% from the 432,000 recorded in February 2014. While pricing and sales for new homes were up, the Existing Home Sales report was not as promising, due to winter weather and low inventory. It remains to be seen what will happen this spring and summer, but these early numbers for new homes are another promising note in the recovery.

2015 Housing Market

Freddie Mac recently noted in its March 2015 U.S. Economic and Housing Market Outlook that it expects 2015 to be the best year for home sales and new construction since 2007. Freddie Mac cited an improving job market, rising rents and expanded credit availability as some of the reasons for its positive outlook.

Home Prices

Home prices are continuing to show signs of growth, as the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index rose by 4.6% from January 2014 5o January 2015. This is the biggest gain since September. Its also up from the 4.4% annual rate recorded in December. The lofty price gains seen in 2013 an early 2014 may have cooled, but home price gains continue to be steady at what is considered normal levels.

The bottom line here is that Lake of the Ozarks home loan rates remain very attractive, making now a great time to consider a home purchase or refinance. Contact your Lake of the Ozarks mortgage lender today at 573-746-7211 to start the process!

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

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Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

NMLS #: 493712

2265 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B

PO Box 1449

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

**The postings on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent First State Bank of St Charles’s positions, strategies, or opinions.

Good News for Home Loan Rates Heading into the New Year

"It's a new dawn, it's a new day...and I'm feeling good." - Nina Simone

The New Year is here and we have plenty to celebrate in the mortgage world! With home loan rates remaining near historic lows, 2015 rang in with plenty for consumers to feel good about. Strong economic news has 2015 off to a great start and your Lake of the Ozarks mortgage lender is here to assist with all your financing needs this year! Take a look at these other highlights from the end of 2014:

Gross Domestic Product

The final reading for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2014 came in at a blistering 5.0 percent, the fastest pace of economic growth since the third quarter of 2003. The big gains were led by a surge in both consumer and business spending. GDP is considered the broadest measure of economic activity, so this is a strong sign for our economy heading into the new year.

Housing Market

In housing news, the October S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index came in at an annual rate of 4.5 percent, down from the 4.8 percent recorded in September. The October reading was the eleventh straight month of decelerating price gains. It was also the smallest annual gain since October 2012, as price gains return to more normal levels. Also of note, sales of new and existing homes fell in November as well. The housing market continues to remain in a somewhat choppy trend, despite an improving economy and job market.

Europe's Influence 

As we look ahead into 2015, the uncertainty in Europe will continue to rear its head over time. The European Union (EU) is fighting deflation, recessionary pressures, a Greece exit from the EU, and limited political capital required for the necessary fixes. This could lead to safe haven trading in our bond market, helping Mortgage Bonds and home loan rates (which are tied to Mortgage Bonds) in the process.

The bottom line is that home loan rates remain near historic lows, and now is a great time to consider a home purchase or refinance. Let me know if I can answer any questions at all for you or your clients. 

If you're looking to start the New Year off by refinancing your Lake of the Ozarks home or purchasing a new home, contact Lakelender Michael Lasson at 573-746-7211. When it comes to your financing needs, I'm committed to working with you every step of the way. I'll discuss financing options, offer competitive interest rates and back it up with the first class service you deserve and I guarantee!

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

LIKE my Facebook Page, Follow me on Twitter or Connect on LinkedIn

Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

NMLS #: 493712

2265 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B

PO Box 1449

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

 

Harsh Winter Weather May Cause the Feds to Increase Purchases of Mortgage Bonds

"Winter is coming." George R.R. Martin. Winter has long arrived in many parts of the country, and it is being cited as a reason for several weaker than expected economic reports. Read on for details, and what they mean for home loan rates.

After making important improvements last year, the housing sector has struggled of late. January Housing Starts declined by 16 percent from December, and have been declining since November's annual rate of 1.101 million, which was the highest since 2008. Building Permits, a sign of future construction, also fell 5 percent in January from December, while Existing Home Sales declined by 5.1 percent.

In addition, the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index came in at 46, the lowest reading since last May. Readings over 50 indicate that more builders view conditions as good, rather than poor. The NAHB said that weather conditions across the country led to a decline in buyer traffic last month.

In the manufacturing sector, both the Empire State Manufacturing Index and the Philadelphia Fed Index fell in February, coming in well below expectations. The labor market is also struggling, as Weekly Initial Jobless Claims came in at 336,000 and continue to hover around this number. Meanwhile, inflation at both the consumer and wholesale level remains tame.

What does this mean for home loan rates? Remember that the Fed is now purchasing $35 billion in Treasuries and $30 billion in Mortgage Bonds (the type of Bonds on which home loan rates are based) to help stimulate the economy and housing market. This is down from the original $85 billion per month that the Fed had been purchasing. The minutes from the Fed's recent meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee revealed a lack of consensus on this topic. If economic data continues to be weak, the Fed may have to rethink the tapering it has begun. This will be a key story that could impact the markets and home loan rates in the weeks and months to come.

The bottom line is that now remains a great time to consider a home purchase or refinance, as home loan rates remain attractive compared to historical levels. Let me know if I can answer any questions at all for you or your clients.

I would love the opportunity to help you manage your Lake of the Ozarks Mortgage Loan or refinance.  Give me a call at (573) 746-7211 or send me an email at mlasson@fsbfinancial.com with any questions you may have!!

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

LIKE my Facebook Page, Follow me on Twitter or Connect on LinkedIn

Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

NMLS #: 493712

2265 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B

PO Box 1449

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

How did the Government Shutdown Effect Home Loan Rates??

Better late than never. With the government shutdown over, the Jobs Report for September was finally released--and the markets and home loan rates reacted.

The Labor Department reported that 148,000 new jobs were created in September, below the 183,000 expected. For July and August, the numbers were revised higher by a total of 9,000 jobs. The Labor Force Participation Rate, a measure of how many people are looking for work, was unchanged at 63.2 percent after falling in August to a 35-year low.

The Unemployment Rate hit a 5-year low in September, falling to 7.2 percent. This was fueled to some degree by workers entering retirement and those Americans opting out of the workforce in a stagnant job market. And in the latest Weekly Initial Jobless Claims Report, claims fell by 12,000 in the latest week but still came in above expectations. The bottom line is that we are simply not seeing any meaningful improvement in the labor market.

What did this mean for home loan rates? Remember that weak economic news normally causes investors to move their money into safe investments like Bonds. This includes Mortgage Bonds, to which home loan rates are tied. We saw that dynamic in the markets last week, as Bonds rallied after the weak Jobs Report was released, helping home loan rates reach their lowest levels in four months.

Also still helping Bonds and home loan rates is the Fed's current Quantitative Easing program, in which the Fed has been purchasing $85 billion in Bonds and Treasuries each month to stimulate the economy and housing market. With key economic reports delayed due to the shutdown--and with the September Jobs data weaker than expected--there is not much chance the Fed will taper its purchases at its meeting this week. This should help keep home loan rates attractive through the remainder of 2013.

The bottom line is that home loan rates remain attractive compared to historical levels and now remains a great time to consider a home purchase or refinance. Let me know if I can answer any questions at all for you or your clients.

I would love the opportunity to help you manage your Lake of the Ozarks Mortgage Loan or refinance.  Give me a call at (573) 746-7211 or send me an email at mlasson@fsbfinancial.com with any questions you may have!!

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

LIKE my Facebook Page, Follow me on Twitter or Connect on LinkedIn

Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

2265 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B

PO Box 1449

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

NMLS #: 493712