Mortgage rates forecast for November 2018
Mortgage rates are rising — as if trying to reach 5% predictions cast at the beginning of 2018.
As we head toward 2019, the five-percent mortgage is imminent and is indeed already a reality for many applicants.
It’s a big psychological barrier, but perhaps not a financial one.
The difference between 4.875% and 5% is less than $20 per month on the average mortgage size.
Plus, as rates rise, home prices often fall. Buyers may not need to make sky-high offers to get a home.
There’s good news for refinance shoppers, too. Lenders are so desperate for business that they are ready to give you the lowest rate possible.
Think today’s market is all doom and gloom because of higher rates? Think again.
Check today's mortgage rates (Nov 18th, 2018)Predictions for November and beyond
There is no shortage of market-moving news in November. Developments now will impact your ability to buy or refinance this month and in the remainder of the year.
Rate forecasts at the beginning of the year have pretty much come true. Most major housing and financial authorities predicted rates somewhere between 4.7% and 5.0% for 2018.
According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed rate for an ideal candidate jumped to 4.90% before settling back at 4.86% at the end of October. That’s even higher than the rough 4.75% you get when you average predictions from seven agencies like Realtor.com and the National Association of Home Builders.
The good news is that we are not very likely to see any more huge jumps for the remainder of the year if forecasts are accurate.
But, we are very likely to see a gradual increase going into January 2019, starting the year in the high 4s or even low 5s.
Been looking for a good rate on a refinance or home purchase? Now might be the time to lock.
Start the home buying or refinance lock-in process here. (Nov 18th, 2018)The economy appears unstoppable, and that’s bad for rates
A hot economy is an enemy to low rates, and there’s little doubt we’re in a hot economy.
The unemployment rate is at 3.7% — the lowest in about 50 years. There is now less than one unemployed worker for every available job. In other words, there are more jobs than workers to fill them.
Compare that with 2009, when there were more than 6 unemployed workers for every available job.
It’s a “workers market,” and that’s good for people in general, because — just taking a wild guess here — most of us would rather have income than an ultra-low mortgage rate.
But it’s not so good for those looking to buy or refinance.
Inflation is bad for mortgage rates. The simple equation emerges: hot economy = inflation = higher mortgage rates
This worker shortage will eventually lead to inflation as companies pay more to hire and retain workers. These firms then pass on those costs via higher priced products.
Higher prices for goods and services is the very definition of inflation.
Related: How inflation changes mortgage rates [Chart]
Inflation is bad for mortgage rates. The simple equation emerges:
Hot economy = inflation = higher mortgage rates
So what’s a home mortgage shopper to do? Simply lock in as soon as you can. We won’t be getting off this economic tour de force for a while.
Lock in your rate here. (Nov 18th, 2018)The Fed meets again in November
The most recent meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (aka “The Fed”) ended September 26. As everyone expected, the group hiked its benchmark federal funds rate.
While the action didn’t directly affect mortgage rates, it did lend to an overall environment of rising rates, which certainly doesn’t help the mortgage rate shopper.
The Fed meets again November 7-8. No one expects a rate move at this meeting.
However, the group will look closely at results from the November 2 Employment Situation report. It will look at the total “non-farm payrolls” number — the increase or decrease in the number of non-agricultural jobs in the last month.
The group will also consider the year-over-year change in hourly earnings. If wages are rising, likely so is inflation. To curb inflation, the Fed raises rates.
But even if the Employment Situation report is lackluster, expect another rate hike in December, at the group’s final meeting of the year. Twelve of the 16 Fed meeting participants predict one more hike in 2018. That would make a total of four rate increases in 2018.
When will rates start dropping again?
The Fed sees blue skies for the economy, hence the measured rate increases.
It could be a while before rates drop again.
However, for those who are willing to wait, many experts are predicting a recession in 2020. Half the economists surveyed in a recent poll by the National Association of Business Economics indicate an oncoming recession.
An economic pull-back could prompt the Fed to lower the fed funds rate. The Fed could even make mortgage rates artificially low like it did in the wake of the 2008 crisis.
For homeowners who just want to refinance, a 2020 rate drop might be worth waiting for. But for a homebuyer, it could backfire. Home prices could be 10 to 20 percent higher by then, negating any rate savings.
Think you’ll be buying in the next couple of years? Today’s rates may be the best we see.
Verify your new rate (Nov 18th, 2018)Mortgage rate trends as predicted by housing authorities
Mortgage rates have already surpassed predictions cast by major housing agencies. Now, the question is, what are these groups forecasting for the remainder of the year?
| Agency | 2018 Prediction | 2019 Prediction |
| Mortgage Bankers Association | 4.7% | 5.2% |
| Freddie Mac | 4.5% | 5.1% |
| Fannie Mae | 4.6% | 4.7% |
| Realtor.com | 5.0% | No forecast |
| National Association of Realtors | 4.6% | 5.0% |
| Kiplinger | 4.8% | No forecast |
| National Association of Home Builders | 4.53% | 4.88% |
To sum it up, everyone is predicting higher rates. Today’s rate might be as good as we’ll see for years to come.
Verify your new rate (Nov 18th, 2018)Advice for November 2018
Knowing what will happen in November is only half the battle. As a mortgage rate shopper, now you need to know the best actions to take this month.
Get up to 4 mortgage quotes here. (Nov 18th, 2018)Lenders are desperate. That’s good news for the refinance shopper
Think rising rates have priced you out of a refinance?
That might not be the case.
Lenders are so desperate for refinance business that they are ready to make a deal with any potential applicant.
Around 40% of a lender’s business today is made up of refinance transactions. Compare that with 71% in 2012. Lenders want refis more than purchase applications because they close faster and there’s a better chance the applicant qualifies.
Use that knowledge to your advantage. Go into the conversation knowing how badly the lender wants your refi.
Apply with many lenders, and pit them against each other. You come out with a better rate than you thought possible.
Ready to get started on your refi? Click here. (Nov 18th, 2018)Don’t automatically dismiss a cash-out refinance
Homeowners have racked up a monumental amount of home equity in recent years. According to statistics site Statista, U.S. homeowners are sitting on more than $14 trillion in equity.
But they are struggling with how to tap into that equity.
A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is fast, convenient, and comes with low closing costs. Most importantly, you don’t have to touch your first mortgage to get one.
A cash-out refinance, though, replaces your first mortgage and gives you cash back for the new loan amount that exceeds your old one. That gives you a potentially higher rate, plus additional closing costs.
But a cash-out refi limits your exposure to a Federal Reserve that is determined to raise rates. Home equity rates are adjustable and rise every time the Fed hikes rates. A 30-year fixed cash-out loan payment never changes.
Consider a scenario where a homeowner needs $50,000 in cash. Shortly after taking the HELOC, the Fed hikes rates to 2007 levels.
| Cash-out Refi | HELOC at 9% | HELOC – 10 Yr Payoff | |
| First Mortgage | $273,000 | $220,000 | $220,000 |
| HELOC | N/A | $50,500 | $50,500 |
| 1st Mortgage Payment | $1,420 (@4.75%) | $1,200 (@3.75%) | $1,200 (@3.75%) |
| HELOC Payment | N/A | $380 (@9% interest only payment) | $680 (@9%, fully amortized 10-yr period) |
| Total Mortgage Payment | $1,420 | $1,580 | $1,880 |
To make matters worse, HELOCs eventually turn into “fully amortizing” loans. When they begin, they often require that only interest is paid.
The principal-plus-interest payment at 9% gets pretty steep.
But with a cash-out loan, you avoid that risk. You lock in at a certain rate and stay there as long as you keep the loan.
So, a HELOC may not be the best home equity tool, after all.
Get a cash-out rate quote here. (Nov 18th, 2018)Loan product rate updates
Many mortgage shoppers don’t realize there are many different types of mortgage rates. But this knowledge can help home buyers and refinancing households find the best value for their situation.
Following are updates for specific loan types and their corresponding rates.
Conventional loan rates
Conventional refinance rates and those for home purchases are still low despite recent increases.
According to loan software company Ellie Mae, the 30-year mortgage rate averaged 4.93% in September, the most recent data available.
This is slightly higher than Freddie Mac’s 4.86% average because it factors in low credit and low-down-payment conventional loan closings, which tend to come with higher rates.
Lower credit score borrowers can use conventional loans, but these loans are more suited for those with decent credit and at least 3% down. Five percent down is preferable due to higher rates that come with lower down payments.
Twenty percent of equity is preferred when refinancing.
With adequate equity in the home, a conventional refinance can pay off any loan type. Got an Alt-A, subprime, or high-PMI loan? A conventional refi can take care of it.
For instance, say you purchased a home three years ago with an FHA loan at 3.5% down. Since then, home values have skyrocketed.
You refinance into a conventional loan (because you now have 20% equity) and eliminate FHA mortgage insurance.
This could be a savings of hundreds of dollars per month, even if your interest rate goes up.
Getting rid of mortgage insurance is a big deal. This mortgage calculator with PMI estimates your current mortgage insurance cost. Enter 20% down to see your new payment without PMI.
Verify your conventional loan eligibility (Nov 18th, 2018)FHA mortgage rates
FHA is currently the go-to program for home buyers who may not qualify for conventional loans.
The good news is that you will get a similar rate — or even lower one — with an FHA loan than you will with conventional.
Related: Read more about FHA costs and requirements on our FHA loan calculator page.
According to loan software company Ellie Mae, which processes more than 3 million loans per year, FHA loan rates averaged 4.95% in September, while conventional loans averaged 4.93%.
Another interesting stat from Ellie Mae: About 30% of all FHA loans are issued to applicants with scores below 650.
FHA loans come with mortgage insurance. But the overall cost is not much more than for conventional loans.
A little-known program, called the FHA streamline refinance, lets you convert your current FHA loan into a new one at a lower rate if rates are now lower.
An FHA streamline requires no W2s, pay stubs, or tax returns. And you don’t need an appraisal, so home value doesn’t matter.
Learn more about the FHA streamline refinance here.
Verify your FHA loan eligibility (Nov 18th, 2018)VA mortgage rates
Homeowners with a VA loan currently are eligible for the ever-popular VA streamline refinance.
No income, asset, or appraisal documentation is required.
If you’ve experienced a loss of income or diminished savings, a VA streamline can get you into a lower rate and better financial situation. This is true even when you wouldn’t qualify for a standard refinance.
But don’t overlook the VA loan for home buying. It requires zero down payment. That means if you have the cash for closing costs, or can get them paid for by the seller, you can buy a home without raising any additional funds.
“Don’t overlook the VA loan for home buying. It requires zero down payment.”
VA mortgages are offered by local and national lenders, not by the government directly.
This public-private partnership offers consumers the best of both worlds: strong government backing and the convenience and speed of a private company.
Most lenders will accept scores down to 620, or even lower. Plus, you don’t pay high-interest rates for low scores.
Quite the contrary, VA loans come with the lowest rates of all loan types according to Ellie Mae. In August, 30-year VA mortgage rates averaged just 4.73% while conventional loans averaged 4.93%
Check your monthly payment with this VA loan calculator.
There’s incredible value in VA loans.
Verify your VA loan eligibility (Nov 18th, 2018)USDA mortgage rates
Like FHA and VA, current USDA loan holders can refinance via a “streamlined” process.
With the USDA streamline refinance, you don’t need a new appraisal. You don’t even have to qualify using your current income. The lender will only make sure that you are still within USDA income limits.
More about the USDA streamline refinance.
Home buyers are also learning the benefits of the USDA loan program for home buying.
No down payment is required, and rates are ultra-low.
Home payments can be even lower than rent payments, as this USDA loan calculator shows.
Qualification is easier because the government wants to spur homeownership in rural areas. Home buyers might qualify even if they’ve been turned down for another loan type in the past.
Verify your USDA loan eligibility (Nov 18th, 2018)Mortgage rates today
While a monthly mortgage rate forecast is helpful, it’s important to know that rates change daily.
You might get 4.8% today, and 4.9% tomorrow. Many factors alter the direction of current mortgage rates.
To get a synopsis of what’s happening today, visit our daily rate update. You will find live rates and lock recommendations.
This month’s economic calendar
The next thirty days hold no shortage of market-moving news. In general, news that points to a strengthening economy could mean higher rates, while bad news can make rates drop.
- Friday, November 2: Nonfarm Payrolls, wages, unemployment rate
- Wednesday-Thursday, November 7-8: FOMC meeting
- Wednesday, November 14: Consumer Price Index (a key inflation gauge)
- Tuesday, November 20: Housing Starts
- Wednesday, November 21: Existing-Home Sales
- Wednesday, November 28: GDP
Now could be the time to lock in a rate in case these events push up rates this month.
What are today’s mortgage rates?
Despite recent upticks, low mortgage rates are still available. You can get a rate quote within minutes over the phone or online, with just a few simple steps to start.
Verify your new rate (Nov 18th, 2018)
Selected sources:
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/06/11/recession-2020-heres-why-economists-think-may-happen/686177002/
- http://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/375865/value-of-homeowner-equity-usa/