The Federal Reserve’s announcement last week that it was increasing the Federal Funds rate included a second statement regarding the Fed’s bond holdings. The Fed began buying Treasury and mortgage bonds after the Great Recession to lower long-term loan rates. In the process, the Fed increased its debt holdings by over five times the previous balance – to over $4.5 trillion.
As part of last week’s announcement, the Fed said it will allow a small amount of bonds to mature without being replaced. The Fed also said this amount will gradually rise as markets adjusted to the process. Experts stated, “This process could put upward pressure on long-term borrowing rates.”
With the Fed out of the bond-buying business, the overall demand for Treasury bonds and mortgage backed securities will decrease. A reduction in the demand for these investments should cause their prices to fall. Remember that when values of mortgage backed securities fall, mortgage rates rise.
That is how the second component of last week’s Fed announcement can push mortgage rates higher. Not by increasing the Federal Funds Rate, but by no longer buying bonds (and also possibly selling the bonds they already own). We could be entering an environment of lowering bond values and rising mortgage rates.
We can assume that Fed will be careful not to shock the markets too dramatically, so we don’t expect rates to dramatically increase. The goal of the Fed would be to complete the second part of their statement without pushing mortgages rates up.
That being said, mortgage rates are currently at their lowest levels of 2017. Now is a great time to buy a home – from a mortgage perspective. If you are looking to buy in Georgia and you want focused service with a keen attention to detail, call me at Dunwoody Mortgage Services. We will do as much of the “heavy-lifting” as possible so your mortgage experience is as pleasant as possible.
