Mortgage Rates Jump Up, Current Owners Reluctant to Trade Up and First Timers Hesitant
TL:DR
Rising mortgage rates, driven by a strong economy and anticipated rate hikes, are dampening purchase demand. The “mortgage lock-in effect” and limited inventory are contributing to a slower housing market. Homeowners with low-rate mortgages are reluctant to sell, creating a scarcity of available homes. Rising rates and elevated prices further impede the market, disrupting the behavior of move-up buyers. Salespeople should consider the broader financial picture for clients, as factors like credit card debt and loans impact their overall interest rate. Moving up may help pay off expensive debt and save on monthly expenses. Industry professionals can educate clients on options for improving their financial position.
A Deeper Dive
Mortgage rates jumped this week, as a buoyant economy has prompted the market to price-in the likelihood of another Federal Reserve rate hike. Although there has been a steady flow of purchase demand around rates in the low to mid six percent range, that demand is likely to weaken as rates approach seven percent.
The housing market is grappling with the effects of the “mortgage lock-in effect,” limited inventory, and reduced purchasing power. Current homeowners with lower rate mortgages are less inclined to sell, resulting in a scarcity of available homes. This, coupled with rising rates and elevated home prices, has noticeably slowed down the market and disrupted the usual behavior of move-up buyers. As the market continues to evolve, buyers and industry professionals alike need to navigate these challenges and explore alternative solutions to ensure a resilient housing sector.
One thing for us to consider, as sales people, is that there is more to consider than the sweetness of the low rate that our clients have on their mortgage. With rates being steadily raised by the Fed over the last year, things like credit card debt, Home Equity Lines of Credit, car loans, student loans, have all gotten more expensive. When you factor in a 24% credit card, a 9-10% HELOC, a car loan at 6% and other credit that is sensitive to rate hikes buy the Fed, a homeowners “blended” interest rate (i.e., the combined rate across all debts), could actually be higher than they realize. Moving up could allow them leverage the equity in their home to pay off that expensive revolving and installment debt AND get them the home they’ve been wanting. It might even save them on their monthly outflow despite interest rates being higher. Take a look at these charts showing how we are living more on credit and saving less. Some of our clients need our expertise in educating them on their options.


Bonus? In addition to retiring that high interest debt and saving on monthly cash flow, there is a possibility that moving up could improve their long term financial position – leading to increased net worth. Everyone’s situation is different and the only way to determine if there is an opportunity to help is have that conversation with your sellers.
For first time homebuyers, it is still a good time to buy a house, despite higher rates. Rents will continue to rise and locking in a housing payment creates stability that will lead to wealth creation. For first time buyers, the goal is to get in and get on the appreciation train BEFORE it leaves the station. Don’t wait! Looking to get pre-approved? Start here!
Primary Mortgage Market Survey® U.S. weekly averages as of June 1, 2023

Week of May 29, 2023 in Review
While job growth in May looked strong on the surface, a deeper look at the data shows underlying weakness in the labor sector. Plus, the latest home price appreciation data shows the opportunities that exist for buyers. Here are the details:
- Conflicting Job Numbers
- Leisure and Hospitality Jobs Boost Private Sector Employment
- Unemployment Claims Remain Elevated
- Home Prices Continue to Rebound
Conflicting Job Numbers
-6-2-2023.png?w=788&ssl=1)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that there were 339,000 jobs created in May, which was much larger than estimates. Job growth in March and April was also revised higher, adding 93,000 additional jobs in those months combined. The unemployment rate rose from 3.4% to 3.7%.
What’s the bottom line? There are two reports within the Jobs Report and there is a fundamental difference between them. The Business Survey is where the headline job number comes from, and it’s based predominately on modeling and estimations. The Household Survey, where the Unemployment Rate comes from, is derived by calling households to see if they are employed, so it’s a bit more real-time.
The Household Survey has its own job creation component, and it showed that there were 310,000 job losses, which is a stark contrast to the headline job growth number.
In addition, one of the biggest reasons we saw job gains in the Business Survey was the birth/death model, where the BLS estimates hiring from new business creation relative to closed businesses. The problem with this modeling is it overestimates during the inflection point of a downturn (like we’re in right now) and underestimates at the inflection of an upturn after a recession.
In May, this modeling added 231,000 jobs but it’s hard to believe that many businesses were created last month in the current economic climate where there is less lending from banks.
Leisure and Hospitality Jobs Boost Private Sector Employment
-6-1-2023.png?w=788&ssl=1)
Private payrolls were much stronger than expected last month, as the ADP Employment Report showed that there were 278,000 jobs created in May. Annual pay for job stayers increased 6.5% and job changers saw an average increase of 12.1%. While these figures are still high, they reflect a year-long slowdown and lower wage-pressured inflation.
What’s the bottom line? ADP noted that “gains in private employment were fragmented last month.” Leisure and hospitality once again led the way with 208,000 job gains, which was more than double the growth reported in any other industry sector. However, these job gains may not continue to bolster the overall private payroll total for much longer.
In April 2019, there were 16.2 million leisure and hospitality employees and there are now 16.5 million after last month’s gains, meaning we have eclipsed where we were pre-Covid.
Unemployment Claims Remain Elevated
-6-1-2023.png?w=788&ssl=1)
Initial Jobless Claims rose 2,000 in the latest week, with 232,000 people filing for unemployment benefits for the first time. Again, this reflects 232,000 new filers and we have seen Initial Jobless Claims top 200,000 every week since the start of February.
Meanwhile, the number of people still receiving benefits after their initial claim is filed remains elevated with 1.795 million Continuing Claims reported. This is well above the low of 1.289 million seen last September and this upward trend shows the difficulties many people are having as they search for new employment.
Home Prices Continue to Rebound

The Case-Shiller Home Price Index, which is considered the “gold standard” for appreciation, showed home prices nationwide rose 0.4% from February to March after seasonal adjustment. Home prices were also 0.7% higher when compared to March 2022, though this annual reading is a decline from the 2.1% gain reported in February.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) also released their House Price Index, which revealed that home prices rose 0.6% from February to March. This follows the 0.1% monthly gain reported in January and the 0.7% gain in February. Prices rose 3.6% from March 2022 to March 2023, though this was a slight decline from the 4.2% annual increase reported in February.
These figures differ in part because FHFA’s report measures home price appreciation on single-family homes with conforming loan amounts, which means it most likely represents lower-priced homes. FHFA also does not include cash buyers or jumbo loans.
What’s the bottom line? The uptick in appreciation over the last few months suggests we’re past the inflection point and home prices are on the rise again. “The modest increases in home prices we saw a month ago accelerated in March 2023,” explained S&P DJI Managing Director Craig J. Lazzara, who added that prices are now only 3.6% below their peak from June 2022. This is a far cry from the housing crash of 20% that some in the media have forecasted and shows the opportunity that remains for homebuyers to start building wealth through real estate.
Home Hack of the Week
The official start of summer is just a few weeks away. These quick and easy seasonal tips will ensure your home is ready for the warmer weather.
Your air conditioner is the last thing you want to fail when you really need it. If you haven’t scheduled a service call for your unit yet this year, now is the perfect time to do so.
Clean your ceiling fans with a damp rag to make sure they don’t spread any allergens when you’re ready to use them. Also, make sure they’re set to spin counterclockwise to provide cool air during the summer months.
Check playgrounds and other outdoor sports equipment for any cracks or warping that may have occurred during the winter months. Double check fences as well for any rotten or sagging areas. If you have an electric fence for pets, check the batteries.
Keep your garage safe for kids and pets by storing gasoline for your lawnmower or grill, paint and any other chemicals out of their reach.
Check and replace any outdoor light bulbs, especially around your porch and deck if your family enjoys spending time outside in the warm evenings. As an added bonus, consider adding string lights for both extra light and ambiance.
What to Look for This Week
The economic calendar is fairly quiet, but we will see more housing appreciation data when CoreLogic’s Home Price Index for April is released on Tuesday. The latest Jobless Claims data will also be reported on Thursday.
Technical Picture
Mortgage Bonds moved lower on Friday following the BLS Jobs Report, and they ended last week battling support at the 99.845 Fibonacci level. The 10-year was able to break above overhead resistance at the 3.644% Fibonacci level. The next ceiling is all the way up at 3.786%.