Each week,
Bankrate.com surveys mortgage experts to gauge the state of mortgage
rates over the next 30 to 45 days: Will rates rise, fall or remain
relatively unchanged?
This week (Sept. 25 - Sept. 30) the experts say:
Lock on the dips, such as the one we're seeing now. Though half the panel
says rates will stay about the same, more believe they're heading up in
the long run than dropping.
PANEL:
Down: 20%
Up:
30%
Unchanged:
50%
Half the panelists predict that
rates will stay about the same (plus or minus 2 basis points) over
the next 30 to 45 days, but 30 percent predict an increase in that
time. Just 20 percent -- down from 36 percent last week -- see rates
dropping further.
"Unusual foreign exchange
pressure on the U.S. dollar is adding uncertainty to equity markets.
This adds support to maintaining the lowest mortgage interest rates
since last spring." -- Neil Cribb, president, Mortgage Financial
Network, Safety Harbor, Fla. RATE
VOTE: Unchanged
"Rates could be choppy
in the coming weeks as bonds will take their cues off of stocks. Historically,
this is a volatile time for the financial markets. I don't expect
much overall change, but the ride could be a thriller." -- Jason P. Flurry, CFP, LPL Financial,
Planmark Capital Management, LLC, Alpharetta, Ga. RATE
VOTE: Unchanged
BANKRATE'S ANALYSTS:
"Consistent economic improvement,
ballooning federal budget deficits, and concern about the declining
dollar are all bad news for bonds. Bond yields and mortgage rates
still seem unsustainably low, and a quick jump seems inevitable. The
timing, however, is unpredictable." -- Greg McBride, financial analyst, Bankrate.com RATE
VOTE: Up
"Despite shaky evidence,
I believe that the economy is expanding. Rates will have their ups
and downs, but the long-term trend is upward." -- Holden Lewis, senior reporter, Bankrate.com RATE
VOTE: Up
• Ready to buy? Save money by using our
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rate search tables to find the best deal.
................................
About the Bankrate.com Rate Trend Index
Bankrate.com surveys more than 100 experts in the banking and mortgage fields to see if they believe certificate of deposit and mortgage rates will rise, fall or remain relatively unchanged. For the deposit index, the panel comprises banks, thrifts and credit unions that directly offer FDIC-insured certificates of deposit to the end consumer. For the mortgage index, the panel comprises mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers and other industry experts who provide residential first mortgages to consumers. Results from Bankrate.com's CD Rate Trend Index will be released each Wednesday. Results from Bankrate.com's Mortgage Rate Trend Index will be released each Thursday.
