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5 min read Feb 16, 2024

Fed Rate Hike Impact (2024 Updates)

During its May 2023 meeting, the Federal Reserve is expected to raise the fed funds rate by 25 basis points, bringing it to a range of 5%-5.25% and marking the highest level since September 2007. Investors will closely watch for signals of the Fed’s potential conclusion to its rate hike campaign.

Despite inflation remaining above the central bank’s target, it has been slowing down. And is displaying signs of strain with lower-than-expected Q1 GDP growth and a second consecutive quarter of declining earnings in the earnings season.

How Does The Fed Rate Hike Affect Mortgage Rates?

The Fed interest rate hike can impact mortgage rates in several ways

  • Increase in borrowing costs: As the Fed raises the Fed funds rate, it can lead to higher interest rates for mortgages.
  • Impact on adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs): ARMs are directly influenced by changes in the fed funds rate and can result in higher monthly payments when the rates adjust.
  • Influence on fixed-rate mortgages: Although fixed-rate mortgages are not directly tied to the fed funds rate, they can still be influenced by market expectations and investor sentiment.

If the Fed raises rates by 25 basis points, it can lead to an increase in mortgage rates. Such as a rise from 3.5% to 3.75% for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage.

How Does The Fed Rate Hike Affect Home Buyers?

Rising Fed interest rates significantly impact home buyers by reducing their buying power. Higher rates result in increased interest payments, limiting the amount of money borrowers can borrow.

Example: A 6% interest rate on a $200,000 loan yields a monthly payment of $1,199. Whereas a 3% rate allows purchasing a $285,000 home with the same payment.

Higher interest rates may alleviate the competitive market by reducing demand, benefiting buyers. Before borrowing, evaluate affordability by considering monthly payments and working with lenders to estimate different loan amounts and interest rates.

How Does The Fed Rate Hike Affect Home Sellers?

The Fed rate hikes can affect home sellers in the following ways

  • Slower demand: Higher mortgage rates resulting from the Fed rate hike can lead to a decrease in buyer demand, potentially slowing down the housing market
  • Affordability concerns: Buyers become more cautious due to increased borrowing costs, affecting their ability to afford homes at higher prices
  • Price adjustments: Sellers may need to adjust their asking prices to attract buyers in a market with higher interest rates
  • Longer selling times: Homes may take longer to sell as buyers weigh the impact of higher mortgage rates

Overall, the Fed rate hike can introduce challenges for home sellers by influencing buyer behavior and market dynamics.

How The Fed Rate Hike Could Affect Your Refinance Plans?

The Fed rate hike can impact your refinancing plans in the following ways

  • Higher interest rates: As the Fed raises the Fed funds rate, it can lead to an increase in mortgage rates, potentially reducing the savings you can achieve through refinancing
  • Reduced refinancing activity: Higher rates may discourage homeowners from pursuing refinancing, resulting in a decrease in refinance applications and opportunities
  • Evaluating cost savings: It becomes essential to assess the potential cost savings and compare them to any associated closing costs before deciding to refinance

How A Mortgage Rate Lock Can Help When Rates Are Rising?

A mortgage rate lock can be beneficial when rates are rising in the following ways

  • Rate protection: A rate lock guarantees the specific interest rate at the time of locking. This shields you from potential rate increases during the loan processing period
  • Budget certainty: By securing a locked rate, you can accurately budget your monthly mortgage payment, unaffected by any subsequent rate hikes
  • Peace of mind: A rate lock provides peace of mind, knowing that your interest rate is secure even if market rates fluctuate

What Is The General Housing Market Outlook?

The general housing market outlook is as follows

  • Strong demand: The housing market continues to experience strong demand driven by factors like low mortgage rates, demographic trends, and a desire for homeownership
  • Limited inventory: However, the market faces challenges due to limited housing inventory, which leads to increased competition among buyers
  • Rising prices: The combination of high demand and low supply has resulted in rising home prices in many areas
  • Continued growth: Despite these challenges, the overall outlook for the housing market remains positive, with expectations of continued growth in the near future

Fed Rate Hike 2024 Update

The Federal Reserve has approved its 10th interest rate increase in just over a year, signaling a potential end to the tightening cycle. The decision was widely expected, resulting in a fed funds rate target range of 5%-5.25%.

The unanimous decision removed a key sentence from the central bank’s March statement. This suggests the possibility of further policy firming to achieve the 2% inflation goal.

Bottom Line

The Fed has historically adjusted the federal funds rate to respond to events and economic swings. Rate changes directly affect consumer loan interest rates, including mortgages. Low rates in 2020 and 2021 benefited many.

However, 2023 saw an increase in Fed rates by 5.25%. The cycle is likely to end soon!

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does the fed rate hike mean?

A Fed rate hike refers to the increase in the federal funds rate by the Federal Reserve, indicating a tightening monetary policy to control inflation and influence borrowing costs in the economy.

2. What happens when the Fed interest rate rises?

When the Fed interest rate rises, borrowing costs increase, affecting consumer loans, including mortgages, leading to higher interest rates and potentially slowing down economic growth.

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