Author: Sean Zalmanoff, Mortgage Expert
As a seasoned loan officer, one question frequently comes my way: “What’s going to happen with mortgage rates?” The short answer? It hinges entirely on the economic data we see and the trends that develop from them. Anyone claiming to predict these rates is essentially making a guess, sometimes educated, but mostly just a guess, amidst a sea of market uncertainty.
Unprecedented Market Volatility
In my decades of experience in the mortgage industry, I’ve never encountered a market as unpredictable as the one we’re navigating today. The current volatility can be attributed to a myriad of factors, from consumer price indexes and retail sales numbers to job reports and wage growth. These elements have become focal points for market sensitivity, especially in the wake of the significant inflation we’ve experienced in recent years.
Inflation’s Slowdown: What It Means
Interestingly, while the rate of inflation has begun to slow, it’s crucial to understand that this doesn’t imply a decrease in prices. Rather than goods costing 8% more than the previous year, the aim is to reduce that figure to around 2%. Currently, inflation hovers around the 3% mark, still higher than desired. This persistently high inflation rate keeps mortgage rates elevated, along with other interest rates.
The Wait-and-See Approach
The data from February, reflecting January’s figures, poses a question: Was the observed spike in inflation a one-off occurrence or the beginning of a trend? As we look ahead, it’s clear that speculation won’t lead us to the answer. The only prudent approach is to wait and see what the next month’s data reveals.
In this climate of unpredictability, my advice remains steadfast: patience, vigilance and to lock your loan in and not gamble. Jumping to conclusions based on incomplete data does a disservice to anyone looking to make informed decisions about mortgages. As we await further economic indicators, remember that anyone offering a definitive outlook is not presenting the full picture.
Stay tuned for next month’s update, where we’ll delve deeper into the latest economic data and its implications for mortgage rates. Until then, remember—the future of mortgage rates is a puzzle that only time can solve.
February 21, 2024
