Graph the trend for mortgages
Archive of Rate Trend Index columns

"As the perceived risk of mortgage lending increases, investors will demand higher yields."
-- Dan Green, mortgage planner, Mobium Mortgage, Chicago
RATE VOTE: Up

"The techs say that rates should fall so I say that rates should fall. Life is so simple; we just make it complicated."
-- Dick Lepre, senior loan officer, Residential Pacific Mortgage, San Francisco
RATE VOTE: Down

"Twelve times in the past four months we have tried to break to lower rates, only to be turned away by a tough technical barrier. We will need a significant set of events to drive rates lower from here but they should remain stable. Rates are still very attractive."
-- Jim Sahnger, mortgage consultant, Palm Beach Financial Network, Stuart, Fla.
RATE VOTE: Unchanged

"With consumer spending comprising 67 percent of GDP combined with housing sector slowdown, core PCE will remain contained. Jobless claims coming in higher than expectations will be evident this month or next. Revisions in durable goods to the negative further confirms slowdown. Global securities jitters will continue to buoy bonds."
-- Dan Dowling, president, United Mortgage Capital Corp., Altamonte Springs, Fla.
RATE VOTE: Down

"The Mortgage Rate Market has been in a level trading rage for a month now. Up a little, than down a little. I expect that to continue for the near future."
-- Ed Conarchy, financial educator and trainer, Majestic Mortgage and Consulting, Vernon Hills, Ill.
RATE VOTE: Unchanged

"The 10-year Treasury closed at 4.6 percent this evening, which is .05 above last week and .10 above two weeks ago when we were are the all-important 4.5 percent. We are still at the low end of our trading range that I talk about each week. The Fed left rates unchanged as we all expected but there is new trouble coming our way. The market is starting to price in that the Fed may lower rates to help with the housing fallout. If that theory continues and actually happens the long rates will shoot up making things worse."
-- Mitch Ohlbaum, president, Legend Mortgage, Los Angeles
RATE VOTE: Unchanged

"We are on the verge of a government bailout for millions of homeowners that face foreclosure and homelessness. For millions of other (marginal) borrowers on the verge of foreclosure, the government will do everything possible to keep them in their homes."
-- Jeff Lazerson, president, Mortgage Grader, Laguna Niguel, Calif.
RATE VOTE: Down

"Mortgage rates will remain in a narrow band as the tug-of-war between inflation pressures and slower economic growth get sorted out."
-- Greg McBride, senior financial analyst, Bankrate.com
RATE VOTE: Unchanged

"As home sales falter, competition among mortgage originators will grow even more ferocious."
-- Holden Lewis, senior reporter, Bankrate.com
RATE VOTE: Down