Holden LewisSenior reporter, Bankrate.comMortgage rates appear to have reached an equilibrium. With a few words, the Fed could change that balance when the rate-setting committee meets next Wednesday.
Kevin BreelandGeneral manager, Residential Mortgage of South Carolina, Mount Pleasant, S.C.One more week of no change.
Derek EgebergCertified Mortgage Planning Specialist and branch manager, Academy Mortgage, Yuma, Ariz.Due in part to the volatility and uncertainty in the stock market, bonds still present a solid investment to buyers and will remain at these levels.
Cameron FindlayChief economist, LendingTree.com, Charlotte, N.C.Following the March 31 end of the Federal Reserve's campaign of purchasing mortgage-backed securities, the expectation was that rates would rise. In fact, rates have declined since then by around 0.4 percent, driven mainly by investment flowing out of European debt into U.S. dollar-denominated debt (debt prices are higher, yields lower). I don't expect to see that trend change in the immediate future.
Dan GreenWaterstone Mortgage, author of TheMortgageReports.com, CincinnatiWith the Fed meeting next week, markets move to wait-and-see mode.
David KuiperMortgage planner, First Place Bank, Holland, Mich.Weak housing news and a struggling stock market continue to weigh heavily on the markets. The fortunate beneficiary of this news is the bond market, from which mortgage interest rates are derived.
While rates have been at record low levels for a couple of weeks now, it is not the time to get complacent and think that they'll be here long term. Take action today. Consult your local mortgage professional and see how you can take advantage of this historic opportunity.
Dick LepreMortgage planner, First Place Bank, Holland, Mich.I'm saying "flat," but that is only because I am, in fact, clueless. Treasuries prices are volatile but don't really seem to be going anywhere. That makes even less sense. How can prices be volatile and going nowhere?
The underlying fact is that there is uncertainly as to whether or not we are really in recovery or backsliding into a double-dip recession. Also, there is no political consensus as to whether we should have another round of Keynesian deficit spending or a reduction in deficits.
Steven LevittVice president of mortgage lending, Guaranteed Rate, ChicagoJobs, jobs, jobs ... still no good reports coming out on employment. This will continue to keep rates stable for the next week.
Tommy XintarisSenior mortgage consultant, HoustonWith a mix of good-bad news out there for equity markets, I do not expect any huge rallies or selloffs in the upcoming week. However, you should still be closely monitoring rates on a day-to-day basis. There's more risk than reward out there at the moment.