HOW WILL THE FISCAL CLIFF DEAL AFFECT MORTGAGE RATES?
January 2nd, 2013
Happy New Year!!
On January 1st, Congress finally came to a deal to avoid the “fiscal cliff”. The deal essentially kicks the main issues down the road, but averts the tax increases for the majority of Americans.
As expected, the markets responded and the stock market surged and mortgage rates went up. Currently the Mortgage Backed Security market is trading down – 22 bps on the week.
Fortunately, because the Feds continue to buy and keep demand in place for mortgage backed securities, rates were not hit that hard. The average 30 year fixed pricing went up .23 pts at any given rate. Shorter term loans and ARM pricing did not go up as much.
The Fiscal Cliff deal basically:
1.) Increases taxes on individuals making 400k per year or more
2.) Increases taxes on married couples making 450k per year or more
3.) Increases taxes on dividend and capital gain income.
So one part of the Fiscal Cliff is resolved – the major tax increases that would have affected all Americans.
The other issue that was kicked down the road was the debt issue. There is a 2 month period before automatic spending cuts will go into effect for the US treasury. So the debate on the fiscal cliff is really just beginning, with the US deficit still not addressed.
Congress will have to come to an agreement on key spending cuts or raise the debt ceiling again. The markets will likely remain volatile until March 1st, as a deal will likely not happen until the last possible moment.
Rates are very volatile right now and the benefits in locking a loan outweigh the risk and possible pricing improvement that may accompany floating a rate. Rates are only .125% higher than their all time lows. I am recommending locking at this point. If rates drop .25% during the loan process, a rate can be floated down.
Have a great week!!
TODAY’S RATES:
30 year fixed: 3.375% paying .634 points, 3.5% paying 0 points, 3.75% – $0 costs
20 year fixed: 3.25% paying .99 points, 3.5% paying 0 points, 3.625% – $0 costs
15 year fixed: 2.75% paying .30 points, 2.875% paying 0 points, 2.99% – $0 costs
5/1 ARM: 2.25% paying 1 point, 2.625% paying 0 points, 3% – $0 costs
7/1 ARM: 2.5% paying .99 points, 2.875% paying 0 points, 3.125%- $0 costs
30 year fixed High Balance Loan: 3.5% paying .966 points; 3.75% paying 0 points; 3.875% – $0 costs
30 year fixed FHA: 3.25% – $0 costs
15 year fixed FHA: 2.75% – $0 costs
30 year fixed VA: 3.25% – $0 costs

Today’s Mortgage Interest Rates. Current Mortgage Interest Rates and APRs for refinancing and purchasing in Arizona, California, and Colorado. Arizona Home Loans, California Home Loans, Colorado Home Loans. Mortgage Rate Sheets for fixed mortgages, ARM mortgages, Variable Mortgages, Interest Only Mortgages, HARP mortgages, HARP 2.0 mortgages, DU Refi Plus Mortgages, Freddie Mac Open Access Mortgages, Fannie Mae Home Path Mortgage, Freddie Mac Foreclosure Relief Mortgage, VA mortgages, VA Interest Rate Reduction Loans, FHA mortgages, FHA streamline mortgages, Conforming mortgages, Conventional Mortgages, 100% Financing Mortgage, High Balance Mortgages, Fannie Mae mortgages, Freddie Mac Mortgages, No appraisal refinances, 0 point mortgages, 0 closing cost mortgages, paying a point mortgages, Refinance mortgages, purchase mortgages, and Jumbo Mortgages.
HOW WILL THE FISCAL CLIFF DEAL AFFECT MORTGAGE RATES?
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