Skip to main content

Mortgage rates continued to rise!

WASHINGTON–Mortgage rates continued to rise

last week just as the spring buying season is approaching, but even though home prices have also been skyrocketing, the two trends are not expected to put much of a dent in a hot market.

The rising rates and prices, however, are expected to delay many potential buyers looking to purchase their first home.

After the average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage hit a low of 2.75% at the end of January, it had risen to 3.45% as of last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The average rate on the 30-year mortgage now stands at the same point at which it stood one year ago.  The same can’t be said for home prices, which are now up over 10% from this time in 2020, according to CoreLogic. Prices are expected to remain high due to the record low supply of homes for sale, noted MSNBC in its analysis.

MSNBC noted Homebuilders are not stepping up as much as hoped, because they are facing higher costs for land, labor and materials. They also continue to experience delays in getting materials to job sites, due to COVID-19.  Single-family housing starts came in much lower than expected in February, and the backlog of unbuilt homes is rising.

Permits Granted, But Projects Halted

"There has been a 36% gain over the last 12 month of single-family homes permitted but not started as some projects have paused due to cost and availability of materials," Robert Dietz, chief economist of the National Association of Home Builders, told MSNBC. "Single-family home building is forecasted to expand in 2021, but at a slower rate as housing affordability is challenged by higher mortgage rates and rising construction costs."

For a new home with an estimated median price of $346,757 in 2021 and the recent 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate of 3%, a quarter percentage point increase in the interest rate would price out approximately 1.3 million households, according to a new calculation by the NAHB.

“The supply crunch of existing homes is only exacerbated by higher mortgage rates. Homeowners who sell would likely have to buy their next home at a higher interest rate, so that's a significant deterrent to moving,” observed MSNBC.

The number of newly listed homes for sale for the week ended March 13 was 24% lower year over year, according to realtor.com. The total number of homes for sale is now half of what it was a year ago, the report added.

Buyers Not Backing Off

The data show buyers are not backing off.

Buyers are in fact, "flooding the housing market early this year, eager to find a home of their own," according to Danielle Hale, realtor.com's chief economist. On average, homes are selling seven days faster than last year, MSNBC reported.

"This is the strongest seller's market since at least 2006," added Daryl Fairweather, Redfin's chief economist. "Buyers outnumber sellers by such a huge margin that many homeowners are staying put because they know how hard it would be to find a place to move to."
 

Comments

Post a Comment

Please no profanity or political comments.

Popular posts from this blog

IRS Rules Turn ‘Simple’ Auto Loan Tax Break Into Compliance Challenge

  PLANO, Texas— A new federal tax deduction allowing consumers to deduct interest on qualifying auto loans is being billed as a borrower benefit, but newly issued regulations from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service show the program will impose significant compliance and reporting obligations on credit unions and other auto lenders. That’s the assessment of Brian Turner, president and chief economist with Meridian Economics, who said the rules governing the so-called auto loan interest deduction are “far more technical” than initially described and will require system and process changes for many finance providers, including credit unions active in indirect and direct auto lending. Deduction Comes With Detailed Conditions Brian Turner Under the proposed regulations, interest is deductible only if the loan and vehicle meet strict criteria. The vehicle must weigh less than 14,000 pounds, be designed for public road use, be newly placed in service by t...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

What Gen Z Is Really Looking For In A Credit Union

  Gen Z’s faith in traditional institutions gives credit unions a rich opportunity to serve as a key source of financial guidance. Sponsored Content By Adrenaline, Inc. Credit unions can strengthen loyalty with the influential Generation Z by connecting their brand’s purpose, financial guidance, and in-branch experience. Widely described as digital natives, Gen Z meets many of their everyday banking needs with mobile apps and digital tools across multiple providers. While younger consumers certainly expect seamless digital functionality from their primary financial provider, what they value even more is meaningful advice and trusting relationships. Because beneath Gen Z’s technological savvy is a measurable confidence gap —  one that impacts every aspect of their financial lives. According to  Adrenaline’s 2026 Gen Z research  conducted with Alexander Babbage, 36% of Gen Z say they find financial matters confusing, and one in three report feeling overwhelmed by money...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Sunday Reading - What happened after the Civil War?

  Rebuilding the Union:  What happened after the Civil War? The Reconstruction era, lasting from 1865 to 1877, was the period when the US federal government sought to reunite the nation after the Civil War. Key issues included how to punish Confederates, readmit Southern states, and secure rights for newly freed Black Americans ( read Lincoln's original plan ). Following Abraham Lincoln's assassination days after the war's end, President Andrew Johnson—a pro-Union, pro-states' rights Southerner—pursued a lenient approach to reconciliation. He pardoned former Confederates , restored their property, and allowed Southern states to govern with little federal oversight. Those states quickly enacted laws restricting the freedoms of formerly enslaved pe...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

GAC 2026: In Debut GAC Speech, Simpson Calls On Movement To Protect Cooperative Model

WASHINGTON—America’s Credit Unions President and CEO Scott Simpson told attendees at the 2026 Governmental Affairs Conference that what’s truly at stake in Washington isn’t just policy — it’s the “transformational experiences” credit unions create in people’s lives every day. Scott Simpson addresses the meeting. Credit unions exist—Simpson reminded the record crowd as he delivered his first GAC address as ACU’s leader—because Congress chose nearly a century ago to expand access to financial services for Americans who were being left behind. The Federal Credit Union Act wasn’t about creating another financial institution model — it was about ensuring middle America could be served. That mission remains intact, but Simpson warned it cannot be taken for granted. For years, Simpson said he has asked credit union leaders a simple question: Why do credit unions exist? The typical answer — that they are not-for-profit financial cooperatives — is true, but incomplete. Credit unions and their t...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

The NCUA just published its stablecoin playbook: Here’s what credit unions need to know

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has begun answering a key question for credit unions since the GENIUS Act became law last July: What is the stablecoin licensing process? On February 11, 2026, the NCUA published a  22-page proposed rule , "Investments in and Licensing of Permitted Payment Stablecoins Issuers," in the Federal Register. This document outlines the framework for credit union participation under the new Act. The NCUA has a deadline of July 18, 2026, to finalize this rule. Here’s what credit unions need to know now. Quick background: The GENIUS Act and the NCUA’s role The GENIUS Act designated the NCUA as a primary federal regulator of stablecoin, alongside the FDIC, the OCC, and the Federal Reserve. Credit unions can't issue stablecoins directly; they must operate through subsidiaries, typically CUSOs, that apply for and obtain an NCUA-issued Permitted Payment Stablecoin Issuer (PPSI) license. The newly proposed rule covers the application and l...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Sunday Reading - Self-driving formula cars race in the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League

The league and high-speed versions of traditional cars help to showcase the capabilities of driverless vehicles and the reliability of their AI systems. Leonardo da Vinci first imagined the idea for such machines in the 16th century. ================================================= Remember, you're not alone with  NCOFCU.org Join/Upgrade Check out some of NCOFCU's additional features: First Responder Credit Union Academy Financial Literacy Podcasts YouTube Mini's Blog Job Board
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

NCUA - Hauptman Covers Stablecoins, Solo Board And Agency Overhaul In Wide-Ranging Talk

WASHINGTON—Appearing on stage during the America’s Credit Unions Governmental Affairs Conference, NCUA Chairman Kyle Hauptman joined ACU President/CEO Scott Simpson for a wide-ranging discussion that zeroed in on what he sees as defining issues for the agency: the emergence of stablecoins, the current dynamic of serving as NCUA’s lone board member, and the accomplishments he believes will shape his legacy before   departing   for the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Scott Simpson (L) with Kyle Hauptman. The most forward-looking portion of Monday’s discussion centered on stablecoins, which Hauptman described as a practical, real-world application of blockchain technology rather than a speculative bet on crypto prices. He framed dollar-backed stablecoins as a payments innovation that could streamline cross-border transfers, allow recipients to hold funds in dollars, and enable more automated settlement of transactions such as loan participations. By allowing all partie...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Stablecoins Moving from Crypto Curiosity to Payments Infrastructure

At the 2026 Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC), credit union leaders heard a clear message: stablecoins are rapidly evolving from a niche crypto tool into a core component of modern payments infrastructure. Stablecoins are digital tokens typically pegged to a fiat currency like the U.S. dollar and backed by reserves such as cash or short-term Treasury securities. Initially used mostly inside cryptocurrency markets, they are now increasingly being viewed as a faster and more efficient way to move money globally . Why Stablecoins Matter The technology offers several potential advantages over traditional payment systems: 24/7 settlement instead of banking-hour restrictions Faster cross-border payments with fewer intermediaries Lower transaction costs compared with legacy payment rails Greater transparency and programmability in how funds move These capabilities are why banks, fintechs, and large financial institutions are beginning to explore stablecoins as part o...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Economic and Industry Issues

Weekly News Summary -  July 30, 2020 Press Release For Immediate Release Weekly News Summary Hello NCOFCU Members, Here are some things that were in the news last week. Please share these articles with your Supervisory Committee and Board of Directors. If you missed previous editions of the weekly news, summaries of those can be viewed at our  archive .  Have a great week! Mike Richards, CPA         The Callahan Credit Union A...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»