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Mortgage Market News
This succinct analysis of the previous week’s news shows what’s happening in the markets and why.
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Tariffs Announced, Labor Data Surprises
April 7, 2025
March saw stronger-than-expected job growth, but the labor sector continues to deliver mixed messages. However, this news was overshadowed by the announcement of reciprocal tariffs.
Inflation Move a Concern, Home Sales Rebound
March 31, 2025
The Federal Reserve's key inflation gauge moved in the wrong direction in February, a concerning development. However, signed contracts for new and existing homes rebounded after a sluggish start to the year, and home prices nationwide continued to show solid growth.
Fed Pause Continues, Housing Data Surprises
March 24, 2025
The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged, as anticipated, while unveiling its latest economic projections. Meanwhile, existing home sales and housing starts exceeded expectations, even as home builder confidence declined.
Talking Points
Views on all the real estate news from the past week, deep dives on trending topics, a bit of inspiration, and more.
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Weekend Talking Points - 'Reciprocal'
April 3, 2025
‘Liberation Day’ brought little joy to financial markets globally, with stock markets down big and recession risks (for the US and elsewhere) ratcheting higher. The silver lining for the real estate market is that 10-Year US Treasury Bond yields fell to near 4% on April 3, and that could see average mortgage rates drop to near 6.5%.
Weekend Talking Points - 'Strong Start'
March 27, 2025
After several weeks of steadily improving mortgage rates, things hit a bit of a wall: tariff fears and realities, rising inflation expectations, hawkish Fed commentary, etc. Nonetheless, average 30-year mortgage rates remain well below 7%. This, together with higher inventory levels nationwide, is breathing some life back into the moribund housing market.
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Weekend Talking Points - 'Pausitive'
March 20, 2025
Economic uncertainty (higher tariffs, slower GDP growth, weaker stock market) is definitely rising. The good news is that despite the Fed keeping short-term interest rates on hold on March 19, mortgage rates are moving lower again.
MBS Highway Housing Index
Real-time updates on homebuyer activity, pricing pressure and sales pace both regionally and nationally.
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March 2025 MBS Highway Housing Index
March 11, 2025
The MBS Highway National Housing Index rose four points in March 2025, led by a seven-point improvement in buyer activity. Price direction, however, was flat overall, with month-over-month declines seen in several regions.
February 2025 MBS Highway Housing Index
February 11, 2025
The MBS Highway National Housing Index rose five points in February 2025, as both buyer activity and price direction saw seasonal increases, albeit less pronounced than last year.
January 2025 MBS Highway Housing Index
January 14, 2025
The MBS Highway National Housing Index rose four points in January 2025, as the steady rise in mortgage rates during December tempered the normal seasonal upswing.
Visionary Voices
This in-depth analysis by our team of experts on crucial topics like inflation, the Fed and economic data will help you address your clients’ biggest questions and concerns.
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Barry Habib Honored with Fourth Crystal Ball Award
March 21, 2025
Pulsenomics, an independent research and index product development firm, has awarded Highway founder and CEO Barry Habib the prestigious 2024 Crystal Ball Award. The award recognizes Habib's exceptional accuracy in forecasting US home prices over a two-year period.
Will First Quarter Economic Growth Turn Negative?
March 6, 2025
The GDPNow estimate for first quarter economic growth has undergone a significant revision, dropping from +3.9% on February 3 to -2.8% on March 3, with a minor recovery to -2.4% by March 6.
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A note to President Trump from Barry Habib on Inflation Calculations
January 28, 2025
In this in-depth analysis shared with President Trump, Barry Habib explains why a simple change to a more real-time methodology would paint a completely different and more realistic picture on inflation and help prevent future miscalculations by the Fed.
Product Updates
Enhancements we’re making to help industry professionals better serve their clients.
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Product Update Alert: Buy vs Rent
March 12, 2024
Help your clients realize the true advantages of owning a home with our enhanced Buy vs Rent tool.
Product Update Alert: Cost of Waiting
February 6, 2024
Our updated Cost of Waiting tool helps our subscribers demonstrate how delaying a purchase for even a year or two could cost buyers thousands in appreciation, amortization, equity and more.
Product Update Alert: Debt Consolidation
January 26, 2024
Our newly enhanced Debt Consolidation tool helps your clients achieve their financial goals and gain a better position to build wealth for their family.
