Pasadena CA Real Estate

I just got off the phone with my personal mortgage consultant - Mondie Pic'l at Wells Fargo.  Today, Pasadena mortgage rates have hit the lowest that we'd seen in quite some time.  I have asked her to lock the mortgage rate for me and will be refinancing my home. 

The opportunities are tremendous TODAY to refinance your existing loan or to lock in a mortgage rate on your Pasadena home purchase.  We're seeing rates as low as 5.75% with NO points for a 30 year fixed loan.

If you'd like to reach Mondie to discuss your mortgage options, please call her at 909-912-1847.

Don't miss this one!

Looking for more information about Pasadena California - see Pasadena City Guide.

by Brian Brady

The economy is really sick:

Today's CPI report signals deflation, or a prolonged price slide, may become another hazard facing Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke and President-elect Barack Obama. Deflation could worsen the economic downturn by making debts harder to pay off and countering the impact of Fed interest-rate cuts.

''The economy's really just in horrific shape,'' said Joseph LaVorgna, chief U.S. economist at Deutsche Bank Securities in New York. Fed officials will ''take rates as low as they have to'' to avoid ''a deflation-type scenario, which now all of a sudden is very possible.''

LaVorgna predicts the Fed will cut its main rate to 0.5 percent from its current 1 percent when it meets on Dec. 16.

Fed Vice Chairman Donald Kohn said today that while the risk of deflation is ''still small,'' policy makers must be ''aggressive'' in fighting the danger. The economy ''is declining right now'' and will record a couple of quarters of contraction, he said in answering questions after a speech in Washington.

Fed policy makers last month forecast the U.S. economy will contract through the middle of 2009, with some officials prepared to cut interest rates further in response, according to a record of the group's meeting.

If the Fed's thinking of cutting rates further, why aren't mortgage rates going down?  I think it's because the Fed has done all it can do.  Future rate cuts are like that eighth scotch.  Drinking that eighth scotch isn't going to make you feel any better than the seven prior.  It just might make you feel worse.

I advised folks, right after the election, to lock loans with rates under 6% if they were closing within 30 days.  Today, I'm suggesting that you lock any loan that is closing this year.  Today, a 45-day lock for a 6.0% rate would costs 1.25%.  While you may see rates drop below 6% , in the next 45 days, the risk of them moving higher is greater.

Take 6% and run.

• By: Brian Brady
• America's #1 Mortgage Broker

We analyze Pasadena mortgage rates by examining the mortgage-backed securities market and its reaction to economic data and events.  Today, the Federal Reserve cut the Fed Funds rate to an historical low of 1%:

The Fed funds rate target is now 1%, the lowest level in more than four years. In announcing its decision, the Federal Open Market Committee cited a drop in spending by consumers and businesses, and predicted that consumption may slow further due to tighter lending standards.

"The pace of economic activity appears to have slowed markedly," the FOMC said in a statement, "owing importantly to a decline in consumer expenditures."

Why's the economy in the tank?  You just aren't spending enough money, Joe the Plumber.  Of course, you can't borrow any either so you're hesitant about spending.   Hence, the Fed cut in rate.  Normally, a Fed cut should be followed by a RISE in mortgage rates but it looks like the mortgage-backed securities market anticipated the cut a week ago. 

Let's take a look the crystal ball (market chart):

See what's happening here?  Two weeks ago, we had a six day BIG drop, which caused rates to rise from 5.875% to 6.5%.  That drop was followed by a 5 day rally, which brought rates back down to 5.875%.  Then, we had a six day BIG drop, driving Pasadena mortgage rates back up to 6.5% (today)...

...and I think the market overreacted which means I think we'll see lower mortgage rates into the beginning of November.

This is the kind of volatility we've come to expect.  Pasadena mortgage rates should drop to 6.25%, pause, then drop again to the 6% level or below.  No guarantees but November closings should get a peek at 6% or better rates soon.

• By: Brian Brady
• America's #1 Mortgage Broker

Friday, Pasadena mortgage rates jumped from 5.875% to 6.25% as mortgage-backed securities traders joined the world wide sell-off.  Global stock markets plunged Friday and the Asian markets were weak for Monday.  Investors world wide don't want to be invested in ANYTHING.

When the world panics, we FLOAT mortgage rates.  So, roll the projectors!  The movie "Float Club" is playing all week.

Interestingly enough, gold isn't skyrocketing in price.  Long held as a "safe haven" during times of turmoil, investors are opting to hold their portfolios in cash instead:

Bullion is down 15 percent this month as the dollar climbed to a two-year high against the euro and the Standard & Poor's 500 Index headed for its steepest monthly loss since 1938.

`We're seeing some consolidation in the market today as investors pause for breath following the roller-coaster we had last week," Zhu Lv, research manager at Shanghai Tonglian Futures Co., said from Shanghai today.

Gold for immediate delivery gained as much as 1.7 percent to $746.91 an ounce, and traded at $735.33 at 10:29 a.m. in Singapore. The metal fell below $700 on Oct. 24. Silver for immediate delivery was up 1 percent at $9.4575 an ounce.

Gold still benefits from its safe haven properties, although these days, more and more are choosing to hold just cash instead, so it won't be surprising to see gold below $700 again," said Zhu.

What's that mean?  It means that while investors are cautious, they aren't completely terrified and that bodes well for mortgage-backed securities.  When investors buy mortgage-backed securities, mortgage rates drop; that's what we think will happen in the next 7-10 days.

I cautioned borrowers to lock in all October closings last week when Pasadena mortgage rates dipped below 6%.  That opportunity had a short-lived window.  Like all panics, reason eventually prevails.  Central banks world wide are slashing interest rates to avoid an economic recession.  This make US dollar denominated investments, especially mortgage-backed securities more attractive.

Hold out for a mortgage rate below 6% if you're closing in November.

Originally posted on Millionaire Real Estate Lender

By: Brian Brady

America's #1 Mortgage Broker  

Pasadena Mortgage rates are finally below 6.0% again.  If you're closing on your Pasadena home purchase in October, take any rate under 6.0% and lock it in to closing.  In the beginning of the month, I suggested to wait for lower rates if you were closing in the last two weeks of October.  I said:

You can safely delay mortgage locks if your closing after October 17th.  Delaying your lock is a bit different from a "float" recommendation.  It means that you should expect lower rates and jump on one when you feel it's "good enough". The market should remain volatile.  The par rate (with no yield spread premium to the originator) should drift as low as 5.625% in the next 60 days but it may have to go through 6.125% to get there.

We made it through the 6's but never lower than the original 5.875%.  If I still think there is room for improvement in mortgage rates why am I recommending to lock for October closings?

My strategy is more about limiting higher rates than gambling for better rates.  I try to avoid unnecessary risk by being biased to locking unless there is irrational fear.  While I was dead on about the irrational fear in the mortgage-backed securities market, my timing was off.  If you're closing a Pasadena home loan this week, and delayed your lock, I might have cost you some money.

The mortgage-backed securities markets are finally able to focus on the economy now that the drama is over on Wall Street.  Economic fundamentals drive mortgage rates and the economy doesn't look real healthy. 

Expect rates to improve to 5.625% and fluctuate between 5.625% and 6.25% through the rest of the year.

If you're closing on your Pasadena home after November 1, 2008, delay that lock until 5.625% is available.  All October closings, take what you can get today.

By: Brian Brady

America's #1 Mortgage Broker

If you're closing your loan after Friday, I left you naked (not locked).  I told you that the fundamentals of the economy would bring rates lower after the bailout was announced.  Rates were at 5.875%, today they're at 6.5%.  What's in store for the rest of the month?

Eric Holloman of Rate Link offers this two-minute research report about why "headline risk" should be replaced by economic data as a determination of mortgage-backed securities pricing.  If he's correct (and I think he is), the next three days will be important for the direct of mortgage rates through the end of the year.

I'm still recommending that you float your Pasadena mortgage rates; I believe we'll see rates come back down under 6% within the next 7-10 days.  If the economic data suggest that we are NOT headed for a recession,mortgage  rates will stay in the 6.25-6.75% range.  If the data are as indicative of a downturn as I think they will be, lower rates should be on the horizon.  As always, keep checking back.

Originally posted on Long Beach Real Estate Home

By: Brian Brady

America's #1 Mortgage Broker

The bailout bill passed the House after a decisive victory in the Senate; it is certain to be signed into law by President Bush.  From Bloomberg.com:

These steps represent decisive action to ease the credit crunch that is now threatening our economy," President George W. Bush said at the White House after the vote. He said he will sign the bill into law when he receives it. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the measure has been sent to him.

The House approved the measure in a 263-171 vote, four days after rejecting an earlier version. The bill's defeat on Sept. 29 caused a 778-point drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, prompting dozens of lawmakers to reverse their vote on the legislation, the government's largest intervention in the markets since Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal.

I expect the mortgage-backed securities market to gradually improve.  The euphoric response that followed the Nationalization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac was a result of pent-up anxiety about the explicit government guarantee of their debt.  This "bailout" is different than the Fannie/Freddie bailout.  While this bailout will provide support for battered mortgages, which should result in lower mortgage rates, it is clearly a signal that the Federal government will assume a lot of losses.

What worries me (and mortgage-backed securities traders) is the propensity for other governments to stick their hand out and ask for help:

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today warned that his and other states may need emergency loans if a $700 billion financial-rescue package isn't passed by Congress soon.

If this bailout restores order to the credit markets, California should be able to raise money through tax-advantaged municipal bond offerings.  If this bailout is insufficient to cure the credit crunch and states need to turn to the US Treasury to solve their cash flow problems, credit markets have seized to the point of financial Armageddon.

You can safely delay your mortgage locks if you are closing on your Pasadena home sale after October 17th.  Delaying your lock is a bit different from a "float" recommendation.  It means that you should expect lower rates and jump on one when you feel it's "good enough". The market should remain volatile.  The par rate (with no yield spread premium to the originator) should drift as low as 5.625% in the next 60 days but it may have to go through 6.125% to get there.  If you're planning on refinancing your home loan, get your documentation in line, watch the Pasadena mortgage rates reports carefully, and jump on the opportunity when it presents itself.

MBS traders know in their heart that the bailout package and weakened employment data will lead to lower mortgage rates but every bump in the road (like the California request) will give them reasons to sell.

Delay your lock if you have time; lock those rates if you're closing in 14 days.

Originally posted on Millionaire Real Estate Lender

By Brian Brady

Remember I told you to sit tight on that mortgage rate lock until after the Bailout Bill was passed?

Well, the Bailout Bill failed.

Pasadena mortgage rates are a little better than they were this morning. This morning a 30-year fixed par rate was at 6.0%; this afternoon, it was at 5.875%.  If you're closing on your Pasadena home loan in 30 days , there is more risk that you'll get a rate over 6% than under 6%.  Lock your mortgage rate if you're closing in October.

If you have time, wait it out.  The bailout bill failed but it isn't dead.  If the bailout bill DOES ultimately fail, mortgage rates will skyrocket, housing prices will tank, and you'll probably renegotiate or cancel that home purchase.

When the bailout goes through (and the whining on Wall Street will be so loud that it WILL go through), mortgage rates will come back down.

PS:  If you're a baby boomer, this is your worst nightmare. Most of the people over 55 have most of their retirement assets in the stock market, through mutual funds in their 401-k plan.  If you're a real estate investor or Pasadena home buyer, this might be really good news.

PPS: Did you know that Main Street already got bailed out? I'll talk about that next time.

Brian can be reached at (858) 777-9751.

by Brian Brady

We are advising clients to delay locking their Pasadena mortgage rates until the Bailout hearings are over.  That could change in a New York minute so keep checking our mortgage rates report daily.  We could change if the mortgage bond markets start reacting to an expected bailout plan early.

The economic data suggest that we are in a full-blown recession. While that isn't a good sign, it's positive for interest rates.  Fed Chairman, Bernanke, may cut interest rates again:

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke moved closer to cutting interest rates, signaling that risks to U.S. growth are greater than policy makers saw them just last week.

The "intensification" of the financial crisis in recent weeks is curbing Americans' access to borrowing, making the outlook for consumer spending "sluggish at best," Bernanke told lawmakers in Washington yesterday. While he noted that risks to inflation remain, the Fed chief's testimony focused on "grave threats" to the banking system.

An expected bailout combined with the increased probability of a Fed rate cut compels us to remain positive but vigilant about lower mortgage rates.  Sit tight for now.

Originally posted on Mortgages Unzipped

by Brian Brady

By Brian Brady

Remember when I talked about the whipsaw effect, yesterday? Rates with no lender compensation to the broker, called "par" rates in the industry *, are 5.875% now.  That's .375% higher than the 5.5% I reported yesterday.

Will Pasadena mortgage rates come back down?

Maybe.  They SHOULD since they are backed by the full faith and credit of the US Treasury.  They SHOULD start behaving like the 10-year treasury bond yield, which is down .06% in yield today.  They SHOULD be at the 5.5%  mark....but they're not.

The mortgage default crisis spread to the world's largest insurance company, prompting yet another government bailout.  Mortgage bond traders are starting to think that the US Treasury is going to have to start offering classes of debt, to deal with the crisis.

Stratification of debt, like the old Resolution Trust Corporation bonds, will most likely take us back to where mortgage-backed securities trade at a wide premium to Treasury debt.  This isn't happening but mortgage bond traders are speculating that it might. If it does, then the demand for a 30 year mortgage, loaned to you, the American borrower, is not as high as a direct obligation of the US government.

What we seek to discover is how IRRATIONAL this fear, conjecture, and speculation is.  While it doesn't seem rational, it isn't quite irrational at these price levels.  If the 10-year treasury bond stays under 3.5% yield, and the mortgage bonds sell-off pushes mortgage rates up over 6.0%, then I think the fear isirrational and will change my recommendation- I'm still suggesting that you lock your mortgage rate at application.

* A par rate is where the originating mortgage broker does not receive any yield spread premium from the lender.  Borrowers can negotiate a fee for the mortgage broker to give you access to "par rates", which are typically lower than the "retail" rates banks offer.

Originally posted on Millionaire Real Estate Lender

By Brian Brady

Had you taken my advice this weekend, and immediately locked your Pasadena mortgage rate, yesterday you would have lost out.  The par rate for a 30-year fixed rate conforming loan was 5.625% yesterday- today that par rate is 5.5%.  My advice would have cost you .125% in rate.  Alas, my mortgage rates report is not about "catching the bottom" as much as it is about "avoiding the top"; it's about mitigating market risk.  From my explanation on the Zillow Mortgage Blog:

My approach is with an aversion to risk so I'm biased towards locking rather than floating a rate.  What I do try to find is overreactions in the MBS market so that you won't lock your mortgage rate at the top nor float your mortgage rate when higher rates are imminent.  My customers RARELY catch the "bottom" but they miss out on many "tops" when locking their rate.

I look for irrational exuberance or irrational fear.  If I think markets are being too optimistic, like this week, I advise customers to lock.  The whipsaw reaction to irrational exuberance is irrational fear; a steep rise in mortgage rates.  THAT is what I want to avoid.

Long-term, I feel that the government bailouts of financial institutions will result in a hefty price tag to the taxpayer, which is inflationary in nature.  I look for markets to start reacting to this sooner rather than later.

If you have a definitive closing date for the purchase of your Pasadena home, lock-in your Pasadena mortgage rate today.  If you're shopping for a new home locking your mortgage rate at contract acceptance is advisable.  If you are one of the fortunate few with equity, good income, and good credit, and want to refinance your home loan, today looks better than next year.

I'd love to discuss your options with you.

PS:  In my last report, a Florida mortgage broker suggested that my risk mitigation strategy is inferior to a "lock and pray "approach:

Bottomline, none of us knows what is going to happen, so the smartest course is to lock with a lender that will renegotiate your rate when we experience one of these rapid drops that occur with little advance notice.

I'll agree that prescience is a virtue best reserved for the Divine.  My faith in the predictability of mortgage lenders' actions has been shaken over the last year.  I've seen lenders flip programs to make an extra buck and back off approvals.  While this gentleman's strategy has proved superior to mine, this month, I still rely on my charts and research to execute low rates for my customers.

Originally posted on MIllionaireRealEstateLender.com

by Brian Brady

The MBS market has improved dramatically since the new FHFA seized Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  An implicit government backing of mortgage bonds became explicit with that single event.  The rate difference, or spread as we call it, between govʼt bonds and mortgage bonds, has narrowed from abnormally high margins.  This means that mortgage rates dropped as much as .375% since the govʼt takeover.  Alas, I think that party is a bit short-lived.  The exuberance appears to be a bit irrational and the reality of impending bank failures has worried the MBS market again.  Short-term, Iʼm advising clients to lock-in these low rates and be done with it.

For Pasadena home buyers who are in escrow with a 30 day time period until closing, Iʼm advising that they lock as well.  Rates may spike up and come back down ,to these below 6% levels, but I donʼt see a great opportunity for the medium-term to improve upon todayʼs already low rates.

Longer-term, mortgage applicants may find mortgage rates higher than they are today.  The realization that SOMEONE has to pay for this bailout will hit everyone, after the election, and treasury bond yields should rise, pushing the MBS yields, and mortgage rates, higher as well.  Not a rosy picture.

So, lock those loans at application. While the current 30-year fixed rate loan offering, with 1% origination fee, is 5.75%, for a conforming loan (6.02% apr),  the risk of those rates popping up to the 6% level far outweighs the reward of holding out for 5.625%.

Originally posted at www.MillionaireRealEstateLender.com

PS- Please check out Brian's references on LinkedIn

by Brian Brady

Weird things are happening in the mortgage-backed securities market.  Strong buying, in the 30 year-fixed rate loans, has dropped rates .25% since my last report,  The ARM rates, however, have RISEN.  A weird phenomenon, indeed.  I'm only quoting two loan programs (the others make no sense):

Pasadena Mortgage rates  for August 29, 2008.  Loan amounts up to $417,000:

5/1 ARM              5.750%

30 Year Fixed      6.125%

All rates offered to the borrower with 1 point cost.  Rate quotes assume a purchase transaction with a 20% down payment, 720 credit score, and full income qualification.  Rates are subject to fluctuation.  Custom rate quotes and rate lock advice are available by calling (858)-777-9751.

Short-term, this is about as good as it gets.  I think we'll see some higher rates, in the next 7-10 days, with rates coming back down to this level by the end of September.  I'm befuddled for the 3 month trend so I'll stay neutral.

PASADENA MORTGAGE RATE TREND:

Next 7 days:      Higher 

Next 30 days:     Neutral

Next 3 months:    Lower? (I'm stumped)

Originally posted on MillionaireRealEstateLender.com

Pasadena Real Estate Mortgage rates for August 1, 2008.  Loan amounts up to $417,000:

3/1 ARM              5.500%

5/1 ARM              5.625%

7/1 ARM              6.125%

10/1 ARM            6.250%

30 Yr Fixed          6.250%

All rates offered to the borrower with 1 point cost.  Rate quotes assume a purchase transaction with a 20% down payment, 720 credit score, and full income qualification.  Rates are subject to fluctuation.  Custom rate quotes and rate lock advice are available by calling  (858)-777-9751 .

PASADENA MORTGAGE RATE TREND:

Next 7 days:       Slightly Lower

Next 30 days:     Slightly Lower

Next 3 months:   Neutral

This mortgage rates report is offered courtesy of Brian Brady.  Contact Brian for more information about a home loan or apply online.

Mortgage rates for July 25, 2008.  Loan amounts up to $417,000:

3/1 ARM              5.625%

5/1 ARM              5.750%

7/1 ARM              6.125%

10/1 ARM            6.375%

30 Yr Fixed          6.375%

All rates offered to the borrower with 1 point cost.  Rate quotes assume a purchase transaction with a 20% down payment, 720 credit score, and full income qualification.  Rates are subject to fluctuation.  Custom rate quotes and rate lock advice are available by calling (858)-777-9751.

MORTGAGE RATE TREND:

Next 7 days:       Slightly Lower

Next 30 days:     Slightly Lower

Next 3 months:   Neutral

Pasadena Mortgage rates for July 25, 2008.  Loan amounts up to $417,000:

3/1 ARM              5.625%

5/1 ARM              5.750%

7/1 ARM              6.125%

10/1 ARM            6.375%

30 Yr Fixed          6.375%

All rates offered to the borrower with 1 point cost.  Rate quotes assume a purchase transaction with a 20% down payment, 720 credit score, and full income qualification.  Rates are subject to fluctuation.  Custom rate quotes and rate lock advice are available by calling (858)-777-9751.

PASADENA MORTGAGE RATE TREND:

Next 7 days:       Slightly Lower

Next 30 days:     Slightly Lower

Next 3 months:   Neutral

Mortgage rates for July 22, 2008.  Loan amounts up to $417,000:

3/1 ARM              5.750%

5/1 ARM              5.875%

7/1 ARM              6.250%

10/1 ARM            6.500%

30 Yr Fixed          6.500%

All rates offered to the borrower with 1 point cost.  Rate quotes assume a purchase transaction with a 20% down payment, 720 credit score, and full income qualification.  Rates are subject to fluctuation.  Custom rate quotes and rate lock advice are available by calling (858)-777-9751.

MORTGAGE RATE TREND:

Next 7 days:      Slightly Lower

Next 30 days:     Lower

Next 3 months:   Neutral

What a difference a week makes, huh?  Last Tuesday, I signaled that a short-term increase in rates was likely when I changed the 7-day outlook to "slightly higher" from neutral.  I felt that the rally in mortgage bonds was overdone and that traders would sell off a bit; I had no idea it would be this drastic.

If you click the link, you'll see that I offered a 30-year fixed at 6.0%. last Tuesday- today, the 30-year fixed rate loan is a full .5% higher.  In fact, almost every loan program is .5% higher than it was last week.  The problem?  Wall Street thinks the worst is over for banks and that inflation is going to be the #1 target for the Fed in the next few months.  ' Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson is certainly telling the markets that the banking crisis should be averted by Christmas.

So will the Fed raise interest rates in 2008?  I'm not so certain that they will.  The housing decline has been the worst since The Great Depression.  Fed Chairman, Ben Bernanke, is an expert on monetary policy in the Depression.  He subscribes to the Milton Friedman theory that monetary policy must accommodate a healthy banking system.  His 2004 speech signaled two things two us:

(1)- Bernanke believes that tightening during a slowdown could cause further economic declines:

According to Friedman and Schwartz, the Fed's tight-money policies led to the onset of a recession in August 1929, according to the official dating by the National Bureau of Economic Research. The slowdown in economic activity, together with high interest rates, was in all likelihood the most important source of the stock market crash that followed in October. In other words, the market crash, rather than being the cause of the Depression, as popular legend has it, was in fact largely the result of an economic slowdown and the inappropriate monetary policies that preceded it. Of course, the stock market crash only worsened the economic situation, hurting consumer and business confidence and contributing to a still deeper downturn in 1930.

 

(2) Bernanke believes that a contracting banking sector withdraws a HUGE amount of money out of the economy:

The banking crisis had highly detrimental effects on the broader economy. Friedman and Schwartz emphasized the effects of bank failures on the money supply. Because bank deposits are a form of money, the closing of many banks greatly exacerbated the decline in the money supply. Moreover, afraid to leave their funds in banks, people hoarded cash, for example by burying their savings in coffee cans in the back yard. Hoarding effectively removed money from circulation, adding further to the deflationary pressures. Moreover, as I emphasized in early research of my own (Bernanke, 1983), the virtual shutting down of the U.S. banking system also deprived the economy of an important source of credit and other services normally provided by banks

 

His conclusion is foreshadowing:

Some important lessons emerge from the story. One lesson is that ideas are critical. The gold standard orthodoxy, the adherence of some Federal Reserve policymakers to the liquidationist thesis, and the incorrect view that low nominal interest rates necessarily signaled monetary ease, all led policymakers astray, with disastrous consequences. We should not underestimate the need for careful research and analysis in guiding policy. Another lesson is that central banks and other governmental agencies have an important responsibility to maintain financial stability. The banking crises of the 1930s, both in the United States and abroad, were a significant source of output declines, both through their effects on money supplies and on credit supplies. Finally, perhaps the most important lesson of all is that price stability should be a key objective of monetary policy. By allowing persistent declines in the money supply and in the price level, the Federal Reserve of the late 1920s and 1930s greatly destabilized the U.S. economy and, through the workings of the gold standard, the economies of many other nations as well.

 

I don't see the Fed aggressively raising interest rates to prop up the dollar.  I think reduced demand will bring oil prices below the $100/barrel mark which will strengthen the dollar.  The Fed's focus should have been (in the 1930s) and will be (this decade) to promote a healthy banking system.    While the banks are reporting lower losses, they still aren't healthy. The recent good news from the banking sector needs to be sustainable.  Look for the Fed to restrain itself from raising rates until 2009.

Are higher mortgage rates on the horizon?  Sure, in 2009.  The run up in mortgage rates I predicted, two weeks ago, has already happened.  I don't think mortgage rates go much higher in 2008.