What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 31, 2016

What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - May 31, 2016Last week’s economic reports included new home sales, pending home sales along with weekly mortgage rates and new jobless claims.

New Home Sales Surpass Expectations

Sales of new homes surpassed expectations and the prior month’s reading. April’s reading of 619,000 sales exceeded expectations of 523,000 new homes sold and 531,000 new homes sold in March.  New home sales rose by 16.60 percent on a seasonally adjusted annual basis, which was the highest increase in 24 years. 

Analysts said that April’s new home sales indicate that builders are increasing production of new homes to meet high demand for homes. Short inventories of available homes are credited with driving up demand and home prices. Buyers seeking family homes are contending with investor buyers and cash buyers in popular markets.

With affordability becoming limited in many cities, first time and moderate income homebuyers aren’t buying as many homes as they once did. This development contributes to slowing markets, as move-up buyers generally rely on first time buyers to purchase their homes. 

Shortages of available homes has pressured home builders to break ground on new home construction projects, but builders continue to cite labor shortages and a lack of buildable lots as reasons why they aren’t building homes as fast as homes are needed. 

Pending Home Sales Numbers Suggest Peak Buying Season Returns

Pending home sales were also higher than forecast in April with a reading of 5.10 percent as compared to expectations of 0.80 percent for April and the March reading of 1.60 percent. Pending home sales gauge future closings for home sales and reached their highest level in 10 years and posted a year-over-year gain of 4.60 percent. 

Three of four regional readings for pending home sales posted gains, with home sales in the Midwest posting slower growth. On a year-over-year basis, he South posted a gain of 6.80 percent and the Northeast posted a gain of 1.20 percent. The West saw a jump in pending sales with a reading of 11.40 percent after posting a negative reading in March. 

April’s expansion in new and pending sales suggests that the peak home buying season is back.

Mortgage Rates Rise; New Jobless Claims Fall

Freddie Mac reported higher average mortgage rates. The rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage was six basis points higher at 3.64 percent; the rate for a 15-year mortgage rose eight basis points to 2.89 percent. The average rate for a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage rose seven points to 2.87 percent. Discount points averaged 0.50 percent for all mortgage types. 

New jobless claims dipped last week to 268,000 as compared to an expected reading of 275,000 new claims and the prior week’s reading of 278,000 new claims. Analysts said that New York school employees that were eligible for benefits boosted jobless claims earlier in May due to a non-typical law that allows some school workers to draw unemployment during school closures such as spring break or labor disputes.

Whats Ahead This Week

This week’s scheduled economic news includes Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, construction spending and reports on inflation, core inflation and consumer sentiment. No reports were scheduled for Monday due to the Memorial Day holiday. 

6713 E Elmwood Street Mesa, AZ 85205

$599,000
5 Beds
3.5 Baths
2,474 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6781829
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Discover your dream home in this charming 5-bedroom residence, perfectly designed for multi-gen living! Enjoy the convenience of a full bedroom and bathroom located on the main floor. Step into a stylish kitchen featuring beautiful granite countertops, large kitchen island, and beautiful shaker cabinets —perfect for cooking and entertaining. Upstairs, you'll find a luxurious primary en-suite, along with three additional bedrooms and a conveniently located laundry room. The spacious loft is ideal for teens, movie nights, or a cozy retreat. The backyard is ready for your creative ideas to transform it into your personal oasis. Nestled in a small gated community, this home is just minutes away from schools, dining and shopping. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity!

16093 S 178th Avenue Goodyear, AZ 85338

$599,000
3 Beds
2 Baths
2,139 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6771238
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
You'll LOVE this beautiful 3-bed, 2-bath home with POOL in the desirable CantaMia! Its charm starts with a low-care landscape & a 2-car garage w/paver driveway. Fabulous interior features tons of natural light, neutral paint, chic light fixtures, and tile flooring t/out for easy maintenance. Discover the welcoming living room, formal dining room, and the inviting family room that opens to the kitchen! SS appliances w/cooktop gas, a pantry, white shaker cabinetry, quartz counters, & a huge island make up the culinary space. Multi-sliding doors merge the inside/outside activities! Main bedroom has outdoor access and an ensuite with two vanities & a walk-in closet. Enjoy the entertainer's backyard with a paver-covered patio, artificial turf, & a sparkling pool w/travertine decking! Just WOW! * AC in garage & Seamless Gutters for future courtyard! ****HUGE $$$ SAVINGS - SOLAR OWNED system!!!! *GATED community with amenities Galore! Check out pictures of the CANTAMIA all inclusive clubhouse with indoor /outdoor heated pools, spa's, bocce ball, Pickleball, billiards Room, workout facility, concierge at your fingertips, clubs, groups, social clubs, exclusive dinning and sports lounge. Cantamia is a 55+ active adult community with MTN Views!

10921 W Hidalgo Avenue Tolleson, AZ 85353

$599,000
4 Beds
2 Baths
2,632 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6772790
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
22,341 SQFT LOT SIZE!!! Charming Doll house w/ Lush green front & back yards featuring stunning mountain views! OVER a 1/2 acre! is separated by a fence/ gate to the LARGE irrigated back yard! No HOA, irrigated Lot! w/ Grandfather rights. Bring your pets, horses and other animals, and your toys! You'll have plenty of room for them all. This stunning home is located on a quiet and private road giving you all the privacy you could ask for. kitchen offers an island w/ breakfast bar, granite countertops & backsplash, cabinets w/ storage space with a downstairs Basement

26052 N Bravo Lane Rio Verde, AZ 85263

$599,000
3 Beds
2 Baths
1,586 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6772260
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --

2020 S Sabrina -- Mesa, AZ 85209

$599,000
3 Beds
2 Baths
2,161 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6779287
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Welcome to your dream home in The Villages at Eastridge, in Mesa, Arizona, w/ greenbelts, parks, & access to shopping/dining. Recently updated single-level residence offers 3 bedrooms & spacious bonus room w/ glass paneled barn door that can easily adapt to your lifestyle—currently set up as an office, it could also serve as a home gym, theater room, or be converted into a 4th bedroom. Discover modern updates throughout, including stylish flooring & 5'' baseboards. The kitchen is a standout w/ oversized butcher block island, quartz counters, under-cabinet lighting, beverage center/wine fridge & contemporary neutral hexagon tile backsplash. Generously sized primary suite, w/ sitting area, & separate door to the backyard covered patio. Large oversized lot ready for your backyard design! The property sits on a large oversized lot, providing a blank canvas for your dream backyard - imagine the possibilities! Whether you envision a sparkling pool, a relaxing spa, or even a mini golf course, this outdoor space is perfect for entertaining year-round. The RV gate and a spacious 3-car garage with ceiling storage racks and built in cabinets, provide plenty of room for parking and recreational toys. Don't miss the opportunity to make this home yours!

2180 S Winchester Road Apache Junction, AZ 85119

$599,000
3 Beds
2 Baths
1,962 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6776558
Property Type Manufactured Home
Price Type --
One-of-a-kind 1.25-acre property with detached 70x26' 6+ car garage w/ 4 automatic garage doors. Plus, 31x40' covered 2 RV parking structure w/ 14' clearance & RV hookups, and additional 46x29' 4+ car covered parking area. Owned 14.22kW Solar system. The entire property is fenced by block and currently divided to have a large front and back yard, and the 1.25-acre lot leaves plenty of space for a horse set-up. Commercial-grade electronic gate separates the front and back detached garage, RV, and parking/utility areas. The home has 3 beds, 2 baths, and 1960 sqft. The interior features vaulted ceilings, new dual-pane windows, excellent mountain views, a remodeled Kitchen with high-end cabinetry, soft close pull-out drawers, large pantry cabinets, and a vast island.

18387 W Brookwood Drive Goodyear, AZ 85338

$599,000
5 Beds
3 Baths
2,770 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6776393
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Discover your private sanctuary in this nearly new 5-bedroom, 3-bath, 2,770 sq. ft. luxury home. Lightly lived in—just 6 months over the past 3 years—this home promises both exclusivity and tranquility with stunning mountain views and a peaceful setting away from the city's hustle. Experience the epitome of modern elegance in the gourmet kitchen, featuring granite countertops, sleek stainless steel appliances, and a spacious walk-in pantry. Every detail speaks of refined comfort, from the expansive living spaces to the serene bedrooms designed for ultimate relaxation. Picture yourself unwinding with breathtaking sunsets in this immaculate retreat where sophistication meets nature's beauty. Welcome to a lifestyle of serene luxury—welcome home!

1315 E Gemini Drive Tempe, AZ 85283

$599,000
3 Beds
2 Baths
1,924 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6778194
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Charming updated block home with a pool, no HOA and RV gate. Bright and open remodeled kitchen with white shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, breakfast bar, stainless steel appliances including a fridge. Luxury vinyl flooring throughout including the bedrooms. Real fireplace in the living room. The roof was replaced 3 years. HVAC replaced in 2018. Primary suite bathroom remodel with walk in shower, white vanity and quartz countertops. Entertainers backyard. Covered patio, Pebble Tec diving pool, pavers and a pergola for shade. RV Gate. Located in a desirable Tempe neighborhood with no HOA, this home is within walking distance to all three schools and conveniently close to freeways, shopping, and dining. North/South exposure

1712 E Chelsea Lane Gilbert, AZ 85295

$599,000
3 Beds
2.5 Baths
2,166 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6781270
Property Type Townhouse
Price Type --
Welcome to a highly upgraded, detached 3 story townhouse-style home located at a beautiful, gated community Lakes at Annecy in Gilbert! This Maracay Home was built with Modern custom statement walls on each level and upgraded fixtures throughout the entire home along with an attached 2 car garage. Enter the lower level where you will find a large living space you can set up as a guest meeting area, home office or even a gym. Follow the custom oak open rail staircase up to your bright, open concept living space with an amazing gourmet kitchen. All bedrooms are on the third level, you will always have a quiet and calm environment when you rest. It is the seller's secondary home and has barely been used for less than 6 months. The entire house has top-tier builder upgrades over $65k, real hardwood flooring, Arabescato Como Quartz countertop, GE Gourmet Appliance etc., everything is like new. Perfect location, walking distance to shopping and school, less than 5 mins get on highway, top school district. If you are looking for a luxury, modern and easy-care home, this is a must see!

5423 W Range Mule Drive Phoenix, AZ 85083

$599,000
3 Beds
2.5 Baths
2,175 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6781710
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Rarely do you find a true premium view lot with mountain views in Stetson Valley. This 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home features an open study/den/living room, with the master bedroom conveniently located on the main level. Enjoy a beautifully designed kitchen with 42'' cabinets, granite countertops, a large breakfast bar/island, and stainless steel appliances. Open floor plan, with custom stair railings, a built-in credenza on the upper landing, along with 12'' accent windows that fill the home with natural light. The curb appeal is fantastic, with lush mature landscaping, a sparkling pool, synthetic lawn, extended cool decking, multiple seating areas, with a true view fence overlooking the meticulously maintained greenbelt. Within walking distance of two trailheads for walking and biking.

6321 S Teresa Drive Chandler, AZ 85249

$599,000
4 Beds
3 Baths
1,813 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6784569
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
This lovely 4-bedroom home features 1 bedroom & full bath downstairs + loft upstairs, new roof w/warranty 2019, newer AC, remodeled pool & pump 2024, therapeutic jacuzzi w/bluetooth, water heater 2022, brand new smart appliances (never used 2024 w/ThinQ Tech), new carpet 2024, new interior & exterior paint, new turf, new bathroom fixtures, hardware & blinds T/O & epoxied garage w/radiant barrier. This home has it all! Discover an inviting living room w/tons of natural light. The spotless kitchen comes w/tile counters, white cabinetry & breakfast bar. Upstairs, you'll find a large loft w/closet, ideal for a workspace or playroom. The cozy primary bedroom offers an ensuite w/double sinks & a huge walk-in closet. Enjoy your backyard oasis w/new covered patio, pool & spa. Don't miss this gem!

27248 W Mohawk Lane Buckeye, AZ 85396

$599,000
2 Beds
2 Baths
1,612 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6785443
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Popular Gala model on a premium oversized golf course lot overlooking tee boxes. Enjoy outdoor living on the covered patio that runs the full length of the house ($80k in upgrades). This home is move-in ready with NEW interior/exterior paint, tile floors in all but MBed closet, NEW Silestone quartz counters in kitchen/guest bath (2022), NEW kitchen sink and pop-up outlets/phone chargers for convenience (2022), newer HVAC w/ 10 year warranty, NEW gas oven (2024), NEW Washer (2024), Sola tubes, great room & patio wired for sound, tankless hot water system, water softener in garage & R/O at kitchen sink, security screen door, garage racks/sink/shelving, gas bib for BBQ, gas line to dryer, AND an owned Solar system for savings! Too many things to list here. Come see it in person.