Greg McBrideCFA, senior financial analyst, Bankrate.comExpect a slight uptick in mortgage rates, but nothing dramatic. Ultralow mortgage rates are a byproduct of ongoing economic uncertainty.
Michael BeckerMortgage banker, Happy Mortgage, Lutherville, Md.Over the last week, Euro-area concerns have abated and the stock market has rallied. This has occurred despite some disappointing retail sales numbers. The rally in stocks has also resulted in slightly higher Treasury yields and slightly higher mortgage rates.
Despite this renewed optimism, the problems of too much debt and the resulting deleveraging that is still to come will keep a lid on mortgage rates for a while. The current rally in stocks may extend into the coming week, so I wouldn't be surprised if rates rose a little from their very low levels of late.
Barry HabibCEO, Mortgage Market Guide, Holmdel, N.J.Keep an eye on stocks. The S&P 500 index broke above its 200-day moving average, around 1,108, so stocks may see a nice rally higher at the expense of bonds and mortgage rates.
Jim SahngerMortgage consultant, Palm Beach Financial Network, Stuart, Fla.Rates continue to show resilience at these low levels. However, there is no incentive for lenders to offer lower rates as they are already near the lowest levels we have ever seen. If pushed to capacity, lenders will use higher rates to slow the inflow of applications.
If you can benefit from lower rates by refinancing, do so quickly. If you are purchasing a home, your best opportunity to minimize your mortgage payment is before you. Don't wait for home prices to decline further -- a 1 percent increase in rates offsets a 10 percent decline in price by yielding approximately the same mortgage payment.