Real Estate Stats: 01/29-02/05

Keenan Coit, Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties

The spike in mortgage rates we've seen recently, the steepest in over a year, can be traced back to the latest jobs report, which presented a much stronger labor market than anticipated. Essentially, when job growth exceeds expectations, as it did with the nonfarm payroll (NFP) numbers coming in way above forecasts, interest rates tend to rise.

 A significant factor behind these surprising job figures is the Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) annual process of revising job counts. This revision, which aims to reflect the actual state of the labor market more accurately, can lead to substantial swings in reported job growth, especially in a rapidly evolving economy like ours.

However, this doesn't mean we're in for a period of unrelentingly high rates. The intricacies of the BLS's revision process and the volatile job data highlight the complexity of interpreting these economic indicators. Moreover, the bond market's dynamics, which directly affect mortgage rates, had already been influenced by events earlier in the week, adding layers to the current situation.

 Importantly, Federal Reserve Chair Powell has hinted that if inflation continues its downward trajectory, the strong labor market might not prevent interest rates from dropping. This insight suggests that while the recent jump in rates is concerning, it's part of a broader economic context that could see a shift towards lower rates, provided inflation aligns with the Fed's targets.

In Mesa County

There are currently 454 active homes on the market in Mesa County. This is a 2% decrease compared to two weeks ago.

The average sold price YTD is $410,586 and the median sold price YTD is $375,000.

Mortgage Rates Today

Note: If you are receiving this unexpectedly it is because you have been placed on a limited distribution of friends and colleagues that I respect and believe will find this information useful