Is Sub-4% the New Norm?

Nearly everyone believes the Federal Reserve will raise the influential federal funds rates this year. The fed funds rate has been held near zero for the past five years. This rate matters because it influences other lending rates.

With so much chatter about the Fed raising interest rates this year, you would think rates would begin to rise in anticipation of the event. That's hardly been the case. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note has steady declined over the past year, and was recently quoted below 2%.

As the 10-year note goes, so frequently goes the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (and other fixed-rate term loans). Sub-4% on the 30-year loan has been the norm in recent months. Bankrate.com's national survey, which tends to be higher than many local quotes, shows the 30-year loan averaged 3.85% this past week. That's the lowest it has been in 20 months.

Though the Fed might want to see rates rise that simply hasn't been the case, at least for longer-term loans. This is extraordinary when you consider the U.S. economy has produced new jobs at a monthly rate of 200,000+ through 2014.

Consumer-price inflation just might keep all rates low through 2015. Falling oil prices have kept inflation risk at bay. Consumer-price inflation remains below 2% in the United States, and will likely remain below 2% through the first half of 2015.

Meanwhile in Europe, deflation, not inflation, is the overarching worry.

The European Central Bank (ECB) recently admitted that inflation will likely spend a large part of 2015 in negative territory. Eurozone inflation, 2% at the beginning of 2013, has drift lower since. Consumer-price inflation was below 1% for all of 2014.

Today, you can find European bonds that actually pay a negative rate of interest. The two-year German bond is quoted at a negative 0.12%. The price on the five-year German bond has risen to drive the yield down to zero.

If the choice is between a negative interest rate, like in Germany, or a nominally positive rate, like in the United States, many investors will choose the latter. This means more foreign money will likely flow into U.S. Treasury notes and bonds. This flow of money, in turn, will raise prices on U.S. notes and bonds and lower their yield.

We do offer a caveat on our outlook: Interest rates are akin to predicting the flight path of a butterfly. It's impossible to know where it is going at all times. But given recent events, we would not be surprised to see mortgage rates flutter at today's lows through the first quarter of 2015.

Information provided by Jessica Regan.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.