Rates are still low. What are you waiting for?

"With very little economic news during the short holiday week, mortgage rates remained at the lowest levels in decades. While mortgage rates ended the week slightly lower, the level of volatility in mortgage markets and other financial markets was relatively high. Even without major news, sudden movements in rates were common during the week. The stock market displayed similar price swings, as the Dow recovered the roughly 400 points it lost the prior week. This volatility in financial markets reflects the high level of investor uncertainty about the pace of global economic growth. The current low mortgage rates can be attributed to a couple of factors. One is that inflation is under control and is expected to remain low for quite a while. Another is that demand for mortgage-backed securities (MBS) is high. When packaged and sold as government guaranteed MBS, mortgages are viewed as safe investments, much like US Treasury securities, and safety has been important to investors in these uncertain times. With financial regulatory reform behind them, Congress is now beginning to consider the appropriate role for the government in the housing market. Central issues include government guarantees for mortgages and the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The debate is expected to be long and difficult, with no easy answers."    Week Ahead "The most significant economic data next week will be the monthly inflation reports. The Producer Price Index (PPI) focuses on the increase in prices of "intermediate" goods used by companies to produce finished products and will come out on Thursday. The Consumer Price Index (CPI), the most closely watched monthly inflation report, will come out on Friday. CPI looks at the price change for those finished goods which are sold to consumers. In addition, The Retail Sales report will be released on Wednesday. Retail Sales account for about 70% of economic activity. The detailed FOMC Minutes from the June 23 Fed meeting will also come out on Wednesday. Industrial Production, an important indicator of economic growth, is scheduled for Thursday. Empire State, Import Prices, Leading Indicators, the Trade Balance, Consumer Confidence, and Philly Fed will round out the week. There will be Treasury auctions on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday." To learn more about news impacting interest rates and mortgage markets, go towww.mbsquoteline.com To learn more about the newsletter, please call 800-627-1077 All material Copyright © Ress No. 1, LTD and may not be reproduced without permission. For information on Geist homes, Fortville homes, McCordsville homes, Fishers homes, Carmel homes, or Noblesville homes call The Vearus Group at 317.455.LIST, or visit TheVearusGroup.com.