Fed Chair Powell says smaller interest rate hikes could start in December
CNBCDec 23, 2022
The Facts
Mortgage interest rates have dropped for US home buyers, following a tumultuous few weeks for the country's banking sector.
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) said on Wednesday that interest rates on US home loans had lowered by the most in four months last week, after investors flocked to safer government bonds following Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse.
The Spin
Narrative A
While many are rightfully worried about the economic future of the US following major banking collapses, the housing market is offering reason for optimism in the economy. Americans are lining up to buy homes and reduced mortgage rates are enabling more people to become homeowners. Home builders are also benefiting from an emerging boom as the economy shows life.
Narrative B
The housing market’s steep reaction to Fed policy is more a cause for concern than it is a reason for optimism in the economy. The housing market is overly sensitive to the Fed’s actions, and is showing signs of immense volatility. It is hard to gauge the true housing market independent from the Fed, but it seems like we are heading towards a housing bubble.
