What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – August 22, 2016

Last week’s economic news included the NAHB Housing Market Index, Commerce Department releases on housing starts and building permits issued. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released.

Shortages of available single-family homes have driven up home prices and increased competition among homebuyers; short inventories of homes for sale are affecting affordability in many areas, although buyers seem motivated by lower mortgage rates and some easing of mortgage requirements. Analysts have repeatedly said that the only solution to the shortage of homes is building more homes.

Fortunately, the National Association of Home Builders reported that builder sentiment concerning U.S. housing markets increased in August. The HMI moved up to a reading of 60 in August as compared to July’s reading of 58. Readings over 50 indicate that a majority of builders surveyed are confident about housing market conditions.

According to NAHB, home builders continued to face obstacles including shortages of buildable lots and skilled labor. Regulatory issues were also cited by some builders, but overall, builders remain optimistic about housing market conditions.

Housing Starts Up, Building Permits Issued Slip in July

Commerce Department reading s on housing starts and building permits issued were mixed; housing starts rose from July’s reading of 1.186 million permits issued to 1.211 million permits issued in August. July’s reading was the second highest since the recession but was driven by multi-family construction. Building permits were lower in August with a reading of 1.152 million permits issued against July’s reading of 1.153 million permits issued.

Analysts said that under present market conditions, there is little reason for homebuilders to increase single-family home production as current pricing has put many would-be buyers on the sidelines.

Mortgage Rates Mixed, New Jobless Claims Lower

Freddie Mac reported that average rates for 30-year and 15-year fixed rate mortgages dropped last week while the average rate for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages rose. The average rate for a 30 year fixed rate mortgage was 3.43 percent and the average rate for a 15-year fixed rate mortgage was 2.74 percent; both readings were two basis points lower than for the prior week. The average rate for a 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage was two basis points higher at 2.76 percent. Average discount points held steady for fixed rate mortgages at 0.50 percent; average discount points for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages were lower at 0.40 percent.

New Jobless claims fell by 4000 claims to 262,000 new claims, which was lower than analyst expectations of 265,000 new claims and the prior week’s reading of 266,000 new claims. Job security is important to home buyers and signs of strong labor markets can help propel would-be buyers into the market,

Whats Ahead

This week’s scheduled economic news includes releases on new and existing home sales and consumer sentiment. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims will be released on schedule.

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22274 E Cherrywood -- Queen Creek, AZ 85142

$550,000
4 Beds
2.5 Baths
2,083 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6786964
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Best Lot in La Sentiero! This stunning home sits on an oversized cul-de-sac lot with an RV gate that opens directly to the park! Located in Queen Creek, it's just minutes away from shopping, dining, and entertainment. Step inside this beautifully designed 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath residence, complete with a spacious 3-car garage. The open-concept layout is filled with natural light, highlighting the home's modern finishes. The upgraded kitchen is a chef's dream, featuring extended cabinetry, sleek white quartz countertops, and stainless steel appliances. Key features include: stylish wood-look tile flooring in high-traffic areas, a grand front entry with a dramatic hallway leading to a spacious great room, a generously sized laundry room with room for an extra refrigerator or freezer

93 S County Rd 1120 Street Greer, AZ 85927

$550,000
1 Bed
1 Bath
520 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6689446
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Located on Main Street, Zoned for a business or your private cabin! Open 87 days of the yr. If you have been to Greer since 2021, you have seen the Coffee Cure & seen the lines for coffee, food, fudge, wine, jewelry & t-shirts. Cabin has 2 bedrms & 1 bath, a basement that is an approved commissary kitchen with in-floor drain & 3 compartment sink. Cabin has new windows, new flooring in bedrms, new electric & new plumbing. Liquor License (in state producer) & Starlink internet included with acceptable offer. All this on 1.34 acres of land! 1200 customers per week come to the food & coffee trucks. This does not count for customers who walk up to the other vendors. Exterior animal sculptures included (appx. value for re-sale = $20K) 40 foot garage is new, insulated, heated + a window A/C unit

Yuma Prooving Guard AZ 85365

$550,000
1 Bed
1 Bath
1 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6752994
Property Type Apartment
Price Type --
commissions

20033 W Turney Avenue Litchfield Park, AZ 85340

$550,000
3 Beds
2 Baths
2,270 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6751119
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Beautiful newer home with great upgrades. 3 bedrooms with a den, 2 bathrooms, 2 car garage and North/South facing. Paver drive and sidewalk lead into soaring 11 foot ceilings and luxurious wood plank tile to a gourmet kitchen with upgraded tall white cabinets, gas stove, stainless steel appliances and quartz counter tops. Open living and dining concept, ceiling fans, curtains, and blinds make it feel like home. Luxurious Master bath with full glass walk in shower, huge closet and mirrors and two sinks. Edison light fixtures give a soft touch. 2 Enormous glass sliding doors extend living space into the outdoors, a short walk to 2 huge grassy parks complete with shaded tables. Verrado is one of the biggest master planned communities around with great amenities. Come see it today!

6090 N Stratford Court Rimrock, AZ 86335

$550,000
3 Beds
2.5 Baths
2,090 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6767709
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Welcome to Beaver Creek Preserves! A gated community nestled in Northern Arizona, 30 minutes south of Sedona. Complete with community walking trails, clubhouse, community pool, and work-out facility. Brand new, never lived in home built in 2023, with 3 bedrooms plus a den, 2.5 bathrooms, 2 car garage and an RV garage. Enjoy the serenity of Beaver Creek Preserves. Inside, expansive windows frame panoramic views, while the open-concept layout boasts premium finishes and modern amenities. Outside, a spacious patio invites outdoor living and stunning vistas. The modern rustic charm of the finishes and mountain views, one you do not want to miss!

855 S Henry Lane Gilbert, AZ 85296

$550,000
3 Beds
2.5 Baths
2,467 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6784845
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Custom kitchen white cabinetry w/door hardware, backsplash, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, breakfast bar & RO system*Office w/cabinets & drawers with glass w/whiteboard backsplash to take notes as well as a black tiled accent wall*French doors to main suite offering diagonal wood floors, stone tile accent wall, W-I closet w/custom shelves, highly upgraded bathroom featuring basket weave tile pattern backsplash, high end cabinetry, glass sinks under sink lighting, jet tub, tiled glass shower*Flush mounted speakers*Large laundry room w/ample amount of cabinetry*Molding around doors/windows*Iron railing staircase*Elegant lighting throughout*Shutters throughout*Freshly painted interior*Elegant glass front door*Formal dining w/custom tray ceiling* 200 SF climate controlled bonus room w/surround sound(3rd car garage has been converted into bonus room*) Easy access to San Tan Village, the 202 freeway & Mesa Gateway Airport ASU Polytechnic campus, Hospital, Topgolf, shopping, desert sky regional Park, golf*MaryLou Fulton Aquatic Center, free of charge to Cooley Station residents! Enjoy barbecuing, basketball, swimming and a state-of-the-art play park!

954 E 7th Street Mesa, AZ 85203

$550,000
3 Beds
2 Baths
1,542 SqFt
Status Active Under Contract
MLS # 6777888
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Welcome to this stunning, fully remodeled home in the heart of Mesa where warranties abound! This 3-bedroom, 2-bath home is a perfect blend of style and functionality, ready for you to move in. Step inside to discover a bright and inviting open floor plan, featuring all-new appliances, sleek quartz countertops, and modern cabinets enhanced by a beautiful marble backsplash. The spacious primary bedroom includes an expanded walk-in closet with custom shoe rack shelving, offering ample storage space. Both bathrooms are luxuriously designed with heated porcelain tile floors. The master bathroom offers a curb-less zero entry shower. Throughout the home, you'll find durable Stone Composite Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring that combines elegance with easy maintenance. New windows and fresh paint... add to the modern appeal. Warranties include showers, floors, windows, with a service plan for the AC unit. Enjoy the new pressure-treated lumber fencing with RV gates on both sides of the house, making parking and storage are a breeze. The flood irrigated yard means lush greenery without the cost and hassle! Conveniently located near the 202 freeway, this home combines modern living with easy access to all that Mesa has to offer. Plus, with no HOA, you have the freedom to make it your own. Don't miss your chance to own this remarkable property!

21019 N Totem Drive Sun City West, AZ 85375

$550,000
3 Beds
3 Baths
2,322 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6782057
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
This is the perfect retirement haven you've been looking for! Situated on a HUGE lot in a cul-de-sac, this beautiful home offers 3 beds, 3 baths, a 2-car garage, & a desert landscape. Home exudes refined style with tons of natural light, recessed lighting, neutral paint, and wood-look TILE flooring t/out. You'll surely love the perfectly flowing living & dining room! The kitchen boasts black SS appliances, tile counters, ample cabinetry, a breakfast bar, & a cozy nook. But the true highlight is the two identical split main bedrooms, each with a walk-in closet, full bathroom, and sliding doors to separate patios. Want MORE? The attached CASITA provides so much possibilities! It includes the 3rd bedroom, a bathroom, and a spacious living/dining/den space - or transform it into a hobby room. Laundry room with storage closets for added convenience. Discover the expansive backyard with fruit trees and an open patio to relax while enjoying BBQ! Located in the 55+ Sun City West, providing a resort-style lifestyle with four recreation centers featuring pools, fitness facilities, and craft studios, plus seven golf courses, including private & public options. Residents also enjoy a variety of clubs, tennis & pickleball courts, and a year-round social calendar of events & performances, all set amid scenic walking & biking trails. What a RARE find! Make this gem yours! New roof 2019, New primary A/C 2022 2nd A/C 2016, New Redwood Gate 2022, New exterior paint 2023, New back patio cover 2023, New pavers 2023, New landscape trees 2022, New Sun screen throughout 2021, New valves & Timer at irrigation 2022, New garage door opener and key pad 2022, New landscape granite 2024, New exterior light fixtures 2022, New Gutters front and Back 2024, New fans and switch 2021, New 5 inch recessed lights 2021, Removed popcorn ceiling 2021, Fresh paint throughout 2024, New porcelain tile and base throughout, Epoxy paint in garage 2021, New storage cabinet in Laundry rm 2023, 3 NEW Kholer toilets 2021, New sinks 2021, New water valves 2021, New Hunter Douglas window coverings 2021, New bathroom vanity 2&3, Fan in garage, Dimmer switches, Tile wains coat at kitchen & bath

4413 W Box Canyon Drive Eloy, AZ 85131

$550,000
2 Beds
2 Baths
1,705 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6700890
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Partially FURNISHED & STUNNING! This 2 bedroom + DEN, 2 bath home is on highly desired VIEW lot. Garage is 30 ft. deep. The backyard will wow you w/GORGEOUS water feature, firepit, pergola, landscaping lights, Travertine patio, artificial grass & large potted Palm trees. You will love this home from the gated paver courtyard to the amazing backyard & everything in-between! Kitchen has Quartz counters, 2-tone Cabinets w/knobs, roll-out shelves, tile backsplash, SS appliances, Gas range, convection oven, pendant & under cabinet lights. So many upgrades from the wood look tile flooring, Plantation shutters, tiled showers, comfort height toilets, Valet area w/upper & lower cabinets. HUGE Garage has 8ft. door, Storage Space/exercise area, Cabinets, Shelving & Epoxy Floors.

4572 W Main Street Joseph City, AZ 86032

$550,000
4 Beds
2 Baths
2,791 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6722308
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Discover a rare opportunity to own a beautiful home coupled with a thriving RV park business. This unique property offers a blend of comfortable living and lucrative investment potential, ideal for those seeking a dynamic lifestyle and income stream. Main home to be sold with RV park parcel. MLS # 6722349

1103 W Pebble Beach Drive Tempe, AZ 85282

$550,000
4 Beds
2 Baths
1,731 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6737458
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Location, Location very good center location close to Arizona state university only 2-3 miles , easy access to major freeways and sky Harber airport. 4- bedroom high ceiling new flooring in all bedrooms. Freshly painted, perfect rental or family home large cozy back yard remodeled with brand new artificial Graas, low maintenance. short drive to mill Ave, Tempe town lake and Papago hiking and golfing. Night life restaurants shops Ets.

41333 N Belfair Way Anthem, AZ 85086

$550,000
3 Beds
2 Baths
1,616 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6746580
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
If you are looking for a remodeled home for under the average list price in Anthem Country Club, stop right here, you have found it! With three bedrooms and two bathrooms, this home is perfect for a small family or a couple who needs room for visitors. The remodeled kitchen and bathroom, and the updated flooring ensure that the home is move-in ready. You will love the storage space in the kitchen, which includes a large pantry. The updated stainless-steel appliances, quartz countertops and natural light from both large and small windows give the kitchen and family room a fresh, bright, and cheery feel and look. This home is a private oasis within the spectacular community of Anthem Country Club which offers anything you could ask for in a Country Club setting. Two Club Houses with restaurants, two fitness centers, tennis, pickleball, bocce ball, two private heated pools and so much more. Come see for yourself, we are certain you will love it!