Greg McBrideCFA, senior financial analyst, Bankrate.comThe jobs report will dictate the direction of mortgage rates over the next week. Better news on jobs will bring about a slight uptick in mortgage rates.
Kevin BreelandGeneral manager, Residential Mortgage of South Carolina, Mount Pleasant, S.C.Further unrest and now some inflation news (oil at $101 per barrel as of this writing) will put pressure on rates. I would expect rates to increase slightly next week.
Derek EgebergCertified Mortgage Planning Specialist and branch manager, Academy Mortgage, Yuma, Ariz.We have already seen rates increase over 1 percent from the lows in the middle of last year. The trend is continuing higher based on global market news and inflation concerns.
Cameron FindlayChief economist, LendingTree.com, Charlotte, N.C.Clarification on what constitutes a qualified residential mortgage (QRM) is expected this week. Sources suggest that the new rules will further tighten lending standards, specifically loan-to-value maximums and minimum down payment requirements. It's clear that the long-term implications are for higher rates. Short term, expect extreme variances as the markets anticipate the negative implications the QRM definition has for home prices.
Dan GreenWaterstone Mortgage, author of TheMortgageReports.com, CincinnatiMiddle East settles. Inflation doesn't. Mortgage rates higher.
John WalshPresident, Total Mortgage Services, Milford, Conn.Rates are likely to increase in the coming week.
Tommy XintarisSenior mortgage consultant, HoustonThis past week, mortgage bonds hit a key level of resistance after investors took a safe approach due to the civil unrest overseas. This week, however, all eyes are going to be on Thursday's jobless claims report and Friday's employment situation, and I'm forecasting mortgage rates to inch a couple of ticks higher.