Blog - Page 9 of 28 - Starwest Mortgage Corporation

October 15, 2024 – The Inflation Picture

Economic Commentary Last week we had the latest inflation readings. The Consumer Price Index was reported to be up 0.2% monthly and 2.4% annually in September. The core readings excluding food and energy were higher. The Producer Price Index was reported unchanged for the month and up 1.8% annually, but again higher at the core level. Overall, these readings were seen...” Read More

Posted by starwest

October 8, 2024 – We Want More!

Economic Commentary The Federal Reserve has lowered their Federal Funds Rate. As we have indicated, the move was expected – and the bond markets had strongly anticipated this move. But the Fed lowered their base rate by 0.5%, yet mortgage rates have moved down approximately 1.25% from their peak earlier this year. Why is that? Because the markets are expecting...” Read More

Posted by starwest

October 1, 2024 – The Final Stretch

Economic Commentary It is the final quarter of the year. And quite a year it has already been. Mortgage rates moved back near all-time highs in the spring only to start falling in the summer. The National Association of Realtors signed a consent agreement which will change the way that real estate agents will go about their business. The war...” Read More

Posted by starwest

September 24, 2024 – Finally!

Economic Commentary It has been a full two and one-half years since the Federal Reserve started raising interest rates in reaction to the post-pandemic inflation surge. While many expected inflation to react immediately to the Fed’s medicine, the period of higher rates became very drawn out as inflation showed its stubbornness. Thus, the use of the phrase “higher for longer”...” Read More

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September 17, 2024 – It is Time!

Economic Commentary We have received news that the job market has slowed down – including a major downward revision of jobs over the past year to the tune of 818,000 jobs. We have seen major progress on the war against inflation. The most recent consumer price index came in at 0.2 % monthly and 2.5% over the past year. The...” Read More

Posted by starwest

September 10, 2024 – All About Jobs and Inflation

Economic Commentary In exactly one week, the Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee will be meeting and contemplating lowering short-term interest rates. For the past several weeks, the markets have been counting on the first decrease in rates since the Fed started the cycle of raising interest rates in March of 2022. All indications have been pointing to this rate decrease...” Read More

Posted by starwest

September 3, 2024 – It is Labor Week

Economic Commentary We are in the middle of bookend labor events this week. We started out with Labor Day on Monday, a time for celebrating the American workers who have made our country a world leader. We will then close the week with the employment report for the month of August. Both events are very significant. Even though Labor Day...” Read More

Posted by starwest

August 27, 2024 – The Movement of Interest Rates

Economic Commentary Mortgage interest rates have already moved significantly lower over the past several weeks. Where they move from here will be determined by many factors – not the least of which is the next jobs report to be released next week. After the weaker report for the month of July another tepid or even moderate job report for August...” Read More

Posted by starwest

August 20, 2024 – Squeezing the Last Drop

Economic Commentary The war on inflation has been a long-drawn-out affair. From a low of 1.23% during the height of the pandemic in 2020, inflation rose to 4.71% in 2022 and peaked at 8.00% in 2022. During the past 12 months, inflation has averaged approximately 3.0%, a drop of over 100% from the peak of 2022. That is also 50%...” Read More

Posted by starwest

August 13, 2024 – The Election Factor

Economic Commentary At the very beginning of the year, we discussed factors that would affect the markets and interest rates in 2024. There were plenty of factors to discuss—from economic growth to the progress against inflation. Most of those factors were “up in the air” – for example, we had no idea how long it would take to show progress...” Read More

Posted by starwest

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October 15, 2024 – The Inflation Picture

October 8, 2024 – We Want More!

October 1, 2024 – The Final Stretch

September 24, 2024 – Finally!

September 17, 2024 – It is Time!

September 10, 2024 – All About Jobs and Inflation

September 3, 2024 – It is Labor Week

August 27, 2024 – The Movement of Interest Rates

August 20, 2024 – Squeezing the Last Drop

August 13, 2024 – The Election Factor

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