In March, home prices substantially increased, following a notable gain in February. Mortgage-backed securities have risen by 27 basis points, surpassing crucial technical levels, while the 10-year has dropped by 16 basis points. The March CoreLogic Home Price Index report revealed a 1.6% rise in home prices, with a year-over-year increase of 3.1%. Despite a slight drop from last month, it is compared to challenging figures from the previous year. CoreLogic forecasts home prices to rise by 0.8% in April and 4.6% over the next 12 months.
In light of recent data, potential homebuyers should not delay purchasing a home, as inflation is expected to decrease in the year’s second half. This decrease and the current lack of inventory may result in increased competition and accelerated appreciation gains.
As the Federal Reserve meeting concludes, they will focus on their comments regarding inflation and future guidance. The JOLTS report has shown a decrease in job openings, with layoffs and discharges increasing by 255,000, reaching a 27-month high. This week’s ADP and BLS jobs reports will provide further insight into the job market, anticipating weaker job creation numbers potentially benefiting the bond market.
The debt ceiling has been a recurring topic of discussion, as the government may run out of funds to pay its bills by June if the ceiling is not raised. Historically, the debt ceiling has been raised 78 times since 1960, but the last three instances did not occur during a time of Fed rate hikes or treasury inversion. If the ceiling is not raised in time, the markets could experience a sharp drop similar to 2011.
As housing reports continue to exhibit strong numbers, staying informed about the current market state is essential.