Home Loan Rates

Mortgage rates are presently at all-time lows which were originally established in 2012 and again in 2016.  Could home loan rates go even lower?

The Coronavirus

Although new cases of the Coronavirus are slowing in China the number of people infected in other countries is growing.  Furthermore, there is fear that some countries are underreporting the true number of citizens infected with the virus.

Fear over the spread of the illness is now having a significant impact on financial markets around the globe.

Impact on Financial Markets

On Monday US & European stock markets fell by ~3% and today they are off over 1%.  Japan’s stock market fell 3.3% on Monday.

When stocks decline it tends to drive capital into the bond market which pushes interest rates lower.  The US 10-year treasury note is now trading at 1.322%, an all-time low) and the yield curve is now inverted.

An article published by Bloomberg reported that unless economic activity resumes 66% of small to medium sized businesses inside China are poised to run out of cash within two months.

Home Prices

According to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index appreciation picked up nationwide at the end of 2019.  The report showed that homes increased by 3.8% during 2019.

With interest rates hitting all-time lows I expect home price appreciation will remain healthy for the foreseeable future.

The week ahead

There is plenty of significant economic data being reported this week.   Specifically, I will be paying attention to New Home Sales (Wednesday), Gross Domestic Product (Thursday), Pending Home Sales (Thursday), and Personal Income (Friday).

However, news regarding the Coronavirus is the primary driver of interest rates at this moment.  If it appears that the illness continues to spread then I expect stocks to continue to falter and mortgage rates to improve further.

Current Outlook: Floating