• Skip to main navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to footer

Quick Search

Parkland FL Homes for saleParkland FL Homes for sale

Search homes for sale in Parkland and surrounding areas

  • Home
  • Search
    • Advanced Search
    • Featured Properties
    • Newest Homes for Sale
    • Upcoming Open Houses
    • My Account / Login
  • Area
    • Parkland
    • Boca Raton
    • Coconut Creek
    • Coral Springs
    • Margate
    • Tamarac
  • Buy
    • Steps to Buying
    • Mortgage Calculator
  • Sell
    • Free Home Valuation
    • Marketing Your Home
    • Selling your Home with Jon Klein
  • Reviews
  • Contact
SearchClose

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week: March 18th, 2013

Mortgage Rate Update March 18 2013Last week’s positive employment reports were good news for the economy, which typically causes mortgage rates to rise, but mortgage rates ended the week lower.

As of Thursday, Freddie Mac reports that the average mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage was 3.63 percent with borrowers paying their closing costs and 0.8 percent in discount points.

The average mortgage rate for a 15 year loan was 2.79 percent with borrowers paying their own closing costs and 0.8 percent in discount points.

Strong Retail Sales Show Consumer Confidence Improving

In other economic news, retail sales for February surpassed Wall Street expectations and grew by 1.1 percent against predictions of 0.5 percent and January’s reading of 0.1 percent.

Retail sales account for 70 percent of the U.S. economy and growing retail sales are a strong indicator of economic recovery, which generally causes mortgage rates to rise as bond prices including Mortgage Backed Securities fall.

With this strength in the retail sector, it may be a good time to consider locking interest rates for purchase and refinance transactions.

Results of Treasury auctions held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were mixed.

Tuesday’s auction of 3-year notes saw average demand, Wednesday’s auction of 10-year notes was strong, and Thursday’s auction of 30-year bonds drew a weak response.

Financial Reporting Strong Across Multiple Indices

The Producer’s Price Index (PPI) for February met expectations at 0.7 percent and exceeded January’s level of 0.2 percent.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for February came in at 0.7 percent and exceeded expectations of 0.5 percent and January’s reading of 0.0 percent.

The Core CPI, which excludes food and energy sectors, demonstrates the impact of high fuel prices on the CPI with its lower numbers.

The Core CPI for February is 2.0 percent higher than for February 2012.

Upcoming Federal Reserve Meeting May Bring Interest Rate Changes

The Federal Reserve is not likely to modify its bond purchase program until the inflation rate reaches 2.5 percent.

Next week, the Federal Reserve will meet on Wednesday; investors will be waiting to see how the Fed responds to recent positive economic news in terms of potential changes to its bond purchase program, which is helping to keep mortgage rates lower.

As the deadline of March 27 for funding the Federal government approaches, investors will be following legislative talks to see how or if funding will be approved by the deadline.

Click here to Search Parkland Homes

Click here to Search Coral Springs Homes

Click here to Find Out What your Home is Worth

View my listings at http://www.jonklein.com

Posted in: Mortgage Rates Tagged: Federal Reserve, Freddie Mac, Mortgage Rates

Post navigation

« 5 Quick Tips To Get A Better Price On Your Home Purchase
Great Staging Tips To Set A Buyer’s Mood At Your Home For Sale »

Contact Jon Now

Parkland FL REALTOR®Jon Klein, REALTOR®, P.A.,GRI

954-415-5595 Direct

954-449-9325 Office

954-827-0464 Fax

jon@jonklein.com

5691 Coral Ridge Drive
Coral Springs, FL 33076

RE/MAX 1st Choice Logo, Coral Springs, FL
Jon Klein Team Logo, Parkland, FL

Connect with Us

© 2025 · RE/MAX 1st Choice, Jon Klein · Direct: 954-415-5595 · Fax: 954-827-0464 · Sitemap · IDX Sitemap · IDX XML Sitemap · Parkland FL Homes for Sale · Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement

Disclaimer - All Rights Reserved by RE/MAX 1st Choice, Jon Klein
Direct: 954-415-5595 | Find me on Google | Directions to Jon Klein

Log in · Real Estate Websites by Real Estate Websites by YourSiteNeedsMe.com