The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) said in its last statement for 2014 that although economic conditions have improved at a moderate pace, the Fed believes that the target federal funds rate of between 0.00 and 0.25 percent remains "appropriate." While labor markets show expanding job growth and lower unemployment rates, FOMC members noted that housing markets are recovering slowly.
Although there were few scheduled economic events related to mortgages and housing, last week brought an article about housing projections for 2015. Other news included increased job openings along with lower than expected jobless claims and higher mortgage rates.
Last week's economic reports related to housing and mortgages were few, but construction spending, the Fed's Beige Book report, non-farm payrolls and the national unemployment report indicated trends for the end of the year.
Last week's scheduled economic events were packed into Tuesday and Wednesday, but several housing-related reports were released including the Case-Shiller National and 10-and 20-City Home Price Indices for September, The FHFA House Price Index also for September, and New and Pending Home Sales for October.
According to the Case-Shiller National Home Price Index, annual home price growth slipped to a seasonally-adjusted rate of 4.80 percent in September. This was 0.30 percent lower than August's year-over-year reading of 5.10 percent.
Last week's scheduled economic news included the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, Housing Starts and Existing Home Sales. FOMC meeting minutes were released along with weekly Freddie Mac mortgage rates and weekly jobless claims.
Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting held October 28 and 29 were released Wednesday. The report suggests that the U.S. economy continues to improve, although the annual inflation rate remains near 1.50 percent and short of the committee's goal of 2.00 percent.
Last week's economic reports contained mixed reports indicating that the economy continues to recover with occasional "blips" in its progress. Construction spending was lower than expected. A Federal Reserve survey of senior loan officers indicated that credit standards remain strict for mortgages and other types of lending.
Last week's economic news brought mixed developments as pending home sales moved to their second highest level of 2014. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced the expected end of asset purchases under its quantitative easing program.
Home prices rose by 0.20 percent in August. Three of the 20 cities tracked saw home prices drop, while Detroit, Michigan posted the highest price growth. The seasonally adjusted growth rate for cities tracked declined by 0.10 percent as compared to a decline of 0.10 percent in July.
Last week's economic news included a few developments connected with housing and mortgage industries. While no economic reports were released on Monday, the rest of the week provided good news for existing home sales, home prices and mortgage rates.
After months of reports of slowing home price momentum and forecasts of a lagging housing market, we are pleased to report an increase in volume of existing home sales.