BenchMark Mortgage LLC

🇺🇸 Wishing you and your family a safe, fun, and memorable Fourth of July!

Whether you're spending it at the lake, grilling with friends, watching fireworks, or even working this weekend (I know some of us are 😅), I hope you get a chance to slow down and enjoy it.

And if your Independence Day conversations turn into "I think we're ready to buy a home..." or "Maybe we should refinance..." You know where to find me. Happy 4th! 🎆🏡

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 👍
Mortgage rates started the week by moving higher but rebounded to end the week slightly lower on average. Rates were helped by falling oil prices, and although inflation posted its largest annual increase in three years, markets expect inflation to ease now that a deal is in place with Iran.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 ⚠️
A full slate of labor market data this week could affect expectations for future Fed policy rate hikes. With all of the reports packed into a holiday-shortened week, mortgage rates could see larger-than-normal day-to-day swings as markets react to the data.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
• Independence Day: Markets (and most lenders) will close early on Thursday and will be closed Friday for the Independence Day holiday.
• Economic data: A number of labor market reports will be released Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Depending on what the data shows about the strength of the labor market and how markets react, we could see volatility in mortgage rates this week.
• The Fed: If markets view stronger labor data as a sign the Fed is more likely to hike rates in July or September, it could put upward pressure on mortgage rates.

Most homebuyers don't know this:

The day you close on your house can change how much money you need to bring to closing.

For example, let's say you close on August 3.

You may need a little more money upfront because you're paying interest for more days before your first mortgage payment starts.

Now, let's say you close on August 27.

You may need a little less money upfront because there are fewer days left in the month.

That doesn't mean a later closing date is always better.

You still have to think about the seller's timeline, your moving plans, and making sure everything is ready to close on time.

The big takeaway:

Don't pick a closing date without asking questions.

Ask your mortgage pro how that date affects your cash to close.

Even a few days can make a difference when you're already paying for a down payment, closing costs, movers, furniture, and everything else that comes with buying a home.

Want to see how it works?

Comment or DM me, and I'll help you run the numbers.

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟮, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 👍
Rates were volatile last week, moving higher on Wednesday after the Fed signaled policy rate hikes are likely this year, before falling back to end the week essentially unchanged. Markets were closed Friday for Juneteenth.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
For the first time in months, the conflict with Iran is no longer the biggest influence on mortgage rates. Markets are now focused on inflation concerns and the likelihood of Fed rate hikes. That could put upward pressure on mortgage rates, keeping them near current levels or pushing them higher.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
• The Fed: Last week's meeting included forecasts from many Fed officials that policy rates may need to move higher this year, with some members expecting more than one hike. New Fed Chair Kevin Warsh surprised markets by emphasizing the Fed's commitment to bringing inflation back to its 2% target rather than focusing on rate cuts. Mortgage rates are already pricing in the possibility of a Fed rate hike.
• Economic data: Thursday brings the Fed's preferred inflation measure, the PCE report, and Friday brings consumer sentiment data. Both could play a role in mortgage rates this week.

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 👍
Rates started last week a little higher but ended lower after reports surfaced that a peace deal with Iran was close and could possibly be signed over the weekend. Even though both consumer and wholesale inflation continued to rise, markets largely expected those increases, so mortgage rates showed little reaction.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 👍
With a peace agreement now in place and the Strait of Hormuz expected to fully reopen, oil prices have fallen and mortgage rates could continue to improve. The biggest test this week comes Wednesday when new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh holds his first Fed meeting and press conference.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
• The Middle East: The peace agreement is expected to be formally signed Friday, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz should help bring oil prices lower. That would ease inflation concerns and help mortgage rates improve over coming weeks.
• The Fed: Wednesday's Fed meeting could create some volatility in mortgage rates, especially during and after Chair Warsh's press conference as markets assess the Fed's outlook for future rate policy.
• Juneteenth: Markets and many mortgage companies will be closed on Friday.