Mortgage rates rose to new 4-year highs this morning as lenders took a defensive stance ahead of the afternoon's Fed Announcement.  The caution proved to be warranted, at least at first, as bond markets reacted negatively to the first phase of Fed-related information.  

Notably, the Fed Announcement itself wasn't the issue.  If anything, it was moderately friendly for rates.  Instead, it was the Fed's rate hike outlook (released concurrently with the policy announcement) that did the damage.  But again, we're talking about underlying bond markets here.  Lenders' rate sheets already reflected that damage preemptively.  

When new Fed Chair Jerome Powell began his press conference half an hour later, bond markets (which underlie rates) began to improve.  Just over an hour after the initial drama, bonds moved into moderately positive territory on the day and most lenders offered positively-revised rate sheets (i.e. stronger bond markets allowed mortgage lenders to drop their rates).  After those reprices, the average lender returned in line with yesterday's rates (which are still pretty close to 4-year highs, but a welcome sight after this morning's offerings).

Loan Originator Perspective

Continue to favor locking as early as possible.   For those who like risk, it does look like support is holding on the 10 year around 2.92.  Many follow the strategy of lock the lows, float the highs.  We are now at the highs...but float at your own risk. -Victor Burek, Churchill Mortgage

Today's Most Prevalent Rates

• 30YR FIXED - 4.5-4.625%
• FHA/VA - 4.375%
• 15 YEAR FIXED - 3.875%
  
• 5 YEAR ARMS -  3.5-3.75% depending on the lender

Ongoing Lock/Float Considerations

• 2017 had proven to be a relatively good year for mortgage rates despite widespread expectations for a stronger push higher after the presidential election in late 2016. 
  
  
• While rates remain low in absolute terms, they moved higher in a more threatening way heading into the beginning of 2018
  
  
• The scariest part of the move higher looks like it ended as of early February, and rates have been generally sideways since then
  
  
• Even so, the potential remains for more weakness (i.e. higher rates).  It makes more sense to remain defensive (i.e. more inclined to lock) until we've seen a more convincing shift lower.

• Rates discussed refer to the most frequently-quoted, conforming, conventional 30yr fixed rate for top tier borrowers among average to well-priced lenders.  The rates generally assume little-to-no origination or discount except as noted when applicable.  Rates appearing on this page are "effective rates" that take day-to-day changes in upfront costs into consideration.