Sometimes there is no shortcut when you want to make a lot of money. Speaking of making money, and creating wealth for clients, owning real estate continues to be a good investment. The National Association of Realtors tells us that more than 85 percent of metro markets registered home price increases in the fourth quarter of 2023. Its latest quarterly report reports that fifteen percent of the 221 tracked metro areas experienced double-digit price gains over the same period, up from 11 percent in the third quarter. In the lending world, according to Curinos, January 2024 funded mortgage volume increased 3 percent year over year but decreased 4 percent versus the previous month. The average 30-year conforming retail funded rate in January was 6.86%, -39bps lower than December and 47bps higher than the same month last year. Curinos sources a statistically significant data set directly from lenders to produce these benchmark figures. (Today’s Commentary podcast can be found here a
Every month we receive statistics showing how prices are going up, or down, and our Federal Reserve is continually mentioning controlling inflation which in turns helps mortgage rates. Inflation has finally impacted birthday celebrations. “Steakhouses Are In. Steak Is Out: Many customers are looking for a splashy night out with less red meat and lower prices.” I like chicken, so I received some good news. (Gallus domesticus fans may want to visit Prince’s south of Nashville.) The price of chicken is poised to fall considerably, helping inflation and in turn, in a small way, mortgage rates, as a glut of feed hits the market. Feed costs are about 60 percent of the expenses of raising birds, and the rising need for biofuels, like that made from soybeans, means that there is poised to be much cheaper feed on the market. A byproduct of making soybean oil from soybeans is soymeal, which is used as chicken feed. The levels of soymeal produced in the U.S. is expected to on