Many longtime homeowners created their Living Trust years ago when their children were younger, their financial situation looked different, or before retirement became a reality.But here’s
The Main Reason Mortgage Rates Are So High
Dated: June 15 2023
Views: 186
Mortgage rates are top-of-mind for many homebuyers right now, and with rates where they are, some homeowners are questioning whether they should wait to sell. While mortgage rates absolutely play a crucial part in the decision, you know they're far from the only consideration. As Bankrate points out, lifestyle and changing needs can and should matter even more.
Buyers and sellers know the many reasons homeownership is beneficial—it builds equity, leads to family and generational wealth, and helps control expenses. But we're here to help you in understanding why mortgage rates are higher than before and what that means. |
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Today’s mortgage rates are top-of-mind for many homebuyers right now. As a result, if you’re thinking about buying for the first time or selling your current house to move into a home that better fits your needs, you may be asking yourself these two questions:
- Why Are Mortgage Rates So High?
- When Will Rates Go Back Down?
Here’s the context you need to help answer those questions.
1. Why Are Mortgage Rates So High?
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is largely influenced by the supply and demand for mortgage-backed securities (MBS). According to Investopedia:
“Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) are investment products similar to bonds. Each MBS consists of a bundle of home loans and other real estate debt bought from the banks that issued them . . . The investor who buys a mortgage-backed security is essentially lending money to home buyers.”
Demand for MBS helps determine the spread between the 10-Year Treasury Yield and the 30-year fixed mortgage rate. Historically, the average spread between the two is 1.72
The demand for MBS is heavily influenced by the risks associated with investing in them. Today, that risk is impacted by broader market conditions like inflation and fear of a potential recession, the Fed’s interest rate hikes to try to bring down inflation, headlines that create unnecessarily negative narratives about home prices, and more.
Simply put: when there’s less risk, demand for MBS is high, so mortgage rates will be lower. On the other hand, if there’s more risk with MBS, demand for MBS will be low, and we’ll see higher mortgage rates as a result. Currently, demand for MBS is low, so mortgage rates are high.
2. When Will Rates Go Back Down?
Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, answers that question in a recent blog:
“It’s reasonable to assume that the spread and, therefore, mortgage rates will retreat in the second half of the year if the Fed takes its foot off the monetary tightening pedal and provides investors with more certainty. However, it’s unlikely that the spread will return to its historical average of 170 basis points, as some risks are here to stay.”
Bottom Line
The spread will shrink when the fear investors feel is eased. That’ll mean we should see mortgage rates moderate as the year goes on. However, when it comes to forecasting mortgage rates, no one can know for sure exactly what will happen.
Source: Keeping Current Matters
Arminé Ghevian
My goal is simple: a commitment to finding the dream home, purchase, or sale for my clients. With more than 25 years of experience in the real estate industry & the Los Angeles County market, my t....
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