For the week of June 27, 2022
Recap of last week: Rates improved slightly
Average mortgage rates improved slightly last week, coming down from the highest levels seen since 2008 but not yet returning to the same range of rates seen a few weeks ago. The improvement in rates was driven by recession fears, as markets are now more afraid of a recession than of inflation. Investors are concerned that aggressive Fed rate hikes anticipated by the end of the year to fight inflation will push the economy into a recession.
Mortgage Rate Forecast: Rates likely remain relatively unchanged
Average mortgage rates may worsen a bit to start the week, but will likely improve as the week goes on to basically end the week about the same as we start it. Recently mortgage rates were driven higher by fears of inflation, but now fears of recession are helping them come down again. Markets will close early on Friday for the long Independence Day weekend and will be closed on Monday, as are most mortgage lenders.
What's affecting rates this week:
- Recession fears: Concerns that the aggressive Fed rate hikes to come will cool off the economy have investors looking to the safety of bonds, helping mortgage rates.
- Economic data: A full week of data, but most of it will not have much affect on mortgage rates this week.
